2026-03-21 19:44 - 21:58 PST
Gabriela got into her car and, after checking and finding nothing, she drove aimlessly. Eventually, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She slammed on the brakes and turned to see Mazhar. He said he’d forgiven worse than how she’d wronged him1. He asked if she knew Neres Zauvasi. She did, and when he asked her to, she drove him there.
They made small talk on the way. Apparently, Mazhar and Neres had been the closest of friends nearly three millennia ago. He spoke of the novelty of automobiles.
“I quite look forward to reminiscing with her. I knew not that she had come to this country.”
She asked him where he was from. Cappadocia, apparently. She’d never heard of it, and when he turned the question on her, neither had he heard of Texas. They exchanged names.
“Mazhar of Cappadocia. Grandchilde of Cappadocius. Husband of Ravza, the last Lamia.”
She dropped him off at the Sacramento History Museum.
Mazhar deposits a plastic wrapped peppermint into Gabriela’s hand. “For your trouble.”
Kingsnake arrived just in time to catch the tail end of a beat up Saturn leaving the scene. She saw Mazhar outside the museum, standing before Neres.
“…Mazhar. It’s been too long.”
“Hasn’t it? Did you forget about me?”
Neres shakes her head. “I am so, so sorry.” Kingsnake remains hidden, out of sight. Neres says, “I don’t want any trouble, Mazhar. You know I could not have helped you.”
Mazhar shakes his head, disagreeing. “Your cowardice killed my wife, forced me to become a Giovanni slave. Will you answer for this?”
Neres takes a step back. “I will apologize, but I will not stand for any threats.”
“I will not threaten you. I can forgive this. I only ask for you to admit your cowardice.”
Neres scowls. “I was not a coward. Augustus would have slaughtered us both. Hindsight is a devilish force.”
Mazhar sighs. “The snake remains crushed under the heel. Pitiful.” Mazhar takes a step forward.
Kingsnake pierced his chest with her claws, drawing blood.
Mazhar turns around, holding his hands up to his wounds, soaking his fingers with vitae. Neres quickly says, “She’s my childe. She was afraid.” Mazhar paints his forehead. “I understand. You have betrayed me once more.”
“Please, leave us be, and step no further. I have no quarrel with you, but I not gonna sit idly by if you mean to hurt her.” She tries to stand between him and Neres, backing away.
“There will be no more blood shed tonight. But I will not forget.” Mazhar says, backing away. Neres expresses, “I never meant for things to turn out this way. Leave, Mazhar. You are free.”
Neres commended Kingsnake for her bravery, but chastised her for her foolishness. They returned home.