Chapter 7

Chapter 7: The Serpent's Kiss

The kiss was a calculated distraction, a brief moment of theater designed to give Lena a head start. As she melted back into the throng of bodies at The Serpent's Kiss, Marco straightened, his gaze locking onto Antonov. The Alchemist's eyes, narrowed and hard, held a flicker of something that wasn't just anger – it was calculation. He wasn't just annoyed; he was assessing. Good. Marco needed him to be thinking, not just reacting.

"You're making a mistake," Marco said, his voice low and even, cutting through the ambient noise. "We're not here to cause trouble. We're here to do business."

Antonov's lips curled into a thin, predatory smile. "Business? With me? About the Crimson Cipher?"

"Precisely," Marco replied. He could feel the eyes of Antonov's men on him, their presence like a physical weight. He knew he was playing a dangerous game, but he had to push. He needed information.

"You're either very brave or very foolish," Antonov said, his voice laced with amusement. "Either way, you're in my club, on my terms."

"Then let's talk terms," Marco said. He pulled out a small, leather-bound wallet, flipping it open to reveal a thick wad of Euros. "Information has a price. We're willing to pay."

Antonov's eyes flickered to the money, a glint of avarice in their depths. He gestured to his men. "Leave us," he said. They hesitated, but after a sharp glance from Antonov, they reluctantly retreated, though they remained close, their presence a palpable threat.

"So," Antonov said, leaning back in his chair. "What kind of information are you looking for?"

"The shipment," Marco said. "We know you're moving something tomorrow night. We want to know what it is, where it's going, and who's receiving it."

Antonov chuckled. "You're asking for a lot. That kind of information is worth more than what you have in that wallet."

"We're prepared to negotiate," Marco said. "But first, we need to know if you're willing to deal."

Antonov considered this for a moment, his gaze fixed on Marco. He was playing his own game, trying to gauge Marco's intentions, his resources. He was a predator, just like Marco, and he recognized another predator when he saw one.

"Alright," Antonov said finally. "Let's talk."

He gestured for Marco to sit. Marco did so, keeping his eyes on Antonov, his senses on high alert. He knew this was a dance, a delicate balancing act. One wrong move, one misplaced word, and the deal could go south.

They talked for the next hour, a tense negotiation punctuated by veiled threats and subtle power plays. Marco learned that the shipment was indeed the Crimson Cipher, or at least a significant portion of it. It was being transported to a secure location in Eastern Europe, where it would be stored until the Serpent's Hand was ready to unleash it.

Antonov refused to reveal the exact location, but he did give Marco a clue – a name, a contact within the Serpent's Hand who was handling the logistics of the operation. "He calls himself 'The Broker,'" Antonov said. "He's the one you need to talk to."

"And how do we find him?" Marco asked.

Antonov shrugged. "That's your problem. I've given you what you asked for. Now, it's time for you to pay."

Marco counted out the money, placing it on the table. It was a substantial sum, but it was a small price to pay for the information he'd received.

As he was about to leave, Antonov stopped him. "One more thing," he said. "I wouldn't trust your friend."

"What do you mean?" Marco asked.

"She's playing her own game," Antonov said. "She's not who she says she is."

Marco felt a chill run down his spine. He'd had his suspicions about Lena, but he'd pushed them aside, focusing on the mission. Now, Antonov's words confirmed his fears.

"What do you know about her?" he asked.

Antonov smiled. "That's for me to know, and for you to find out."

Marco knew he couldn't trust Antonov. The Alchemist was playing his own game, manipulating everyone for his own benefit. But he also knew that Antonov's words about Lena might be true. He needed to be careful. He couldn't trust anyone.

He left The Serpent's Kiss, his mind reeling. He had the information he needed about the Crimson Cipher, but he also had a new problem – Lena. He needed to find out what she was hiding, what her true agenda was.

He returned to the safe house, where Lena was waiting for him. She looked anxious, her eyes filled with questions.

"What did you find out?" she asked.

"The shipment is going to Eastern Europe," Marco said. "We need to find The Broker."

"And Antonov?" Lena asked. "Did he say anything else?"

"He warned me about you," Marco said, his gaze fixed on her. "He said you're not who you say you are."

Lena's face paled. She didn't say anything, but her silence spoke volumes.

"Who are you, Lena?" Marco asked, his voice cold.

Lena took a deep breath, her eyes meeting his. "I'll explain everything," she said. "But not here. We need to go somewhere safe."

Marco hesitated, his instincts screaming at him to be cautious. But he knew he had no choice. He needed the truth.

"Alright," he said. "Let's go."

Lena led him out of the safe house, disappearing into the maze of Prague's ancient streets. Marco followed her, his mind filled with doubts and suspicions. He knew he was walking into the unknown, but he had to trust her, at least for now. He needed to find out the truth, no matter the cost. The game was getting more complicated, the stakes higher. And Marco knew he was running out of time.