Page 24

"Joaquin, dear, if anyone heard you they'd think you aren't happy to see me," I joke, even though I know our acquaintance is strained at best. Still, he owed me a favor and I'm cashing in.

"I can't say I expected to see you here, Vlad. Ever again," he mutters, "not after you almost caused a civil war here."

"That I stopped too." I smile.

Since I'd taken over the Bratva, I'd also continued with its favorite pastime—drugs. I mean, itisa lucrative business, and over the years it has lined my pockets with gold, but it's also messy.

I'd continued my father's business associations with certainorganizations fromSouth America, and Peru has proved to be the best avenue for resourcing coca leaves and turning them into a people's favorite—not coca cola sadly.

This area in particular had not seen much competition from cartels or other organizations, so I'd focused my resources here.

Well, the moment I'd set my sights on this place, so had other people. And a small war had started in the region. While I can't say Iactually causedthe conflict, I definitely squashed it when I killed all those brave souls so ready to pick up a weapon and go against me.

"Did you make the arrangements?" I ask him as we head to the Jeep.

"After the mess you caused here, I can't say there are many people willing to work with you," he sighs. "Almost everyone knows your name by now, or has at least heard ofel Supay."

"I didn't realize I gained such a reputation."

"La gente habla, Vlad. Rumors of your slaughter travelled all around the region. I wouldn't be surprised if people at the other side of the country speak aboutel Supay con suscuchillos."

Leaning back in the car, I push my sunglasses up my nose. The heat is almost unbearable for someone used to New York winters, and I'm having a hard time concentrating on Joaquin's ramblings.

"I suppose it is to be expected that something unusual would make the superstitious talk." I allow, knowing that I hadn't made a good impression here.

"Unusual?" Joaquin scoffs, "They call youel demonio, Vlad. For them, you are the epitome of evil. No shaman will want to work with you," he says resolutely.

"And miss banishingel demonio de mi? I doubt there's notoneshaman in this entire Amazonian basin that's not remotely curious about me," I fire back, a little too confidently. After all, I'd had an inkling that my reputation might prove to be an impediment. Still, these people pride themselves on their spiritual power, and wouldn't it be grand indeed if they could vanquish the very devil?

"I said it's hard. Not impossible. There is one…" he trails off.

"Great, there we go," I exclaim, ready to meet this person and be done with it.

I'm not necessarily sure anything will work at this point, but I can't say that until I've tried absolutely everything. It's a promise I made to myself. If I want to be worthy of Sisi, then I need to do everything in my power to savemyself.

"A little problem." Joaquin coughs in his fist, looking a little guilty.

"What?"

"He's not… normal," he says sheepishly.

"Wonderful, since I'm not normal either."

"It's not that. It's just that… he's a recluse and rarely performs ceremonies for outsiders," he continues.

"Then we go to another one." I almost roll my eyes at him. Can't he see I'm in a hurry. The faster I see this shaman and I get my issues under control, the faster I can have Sisi back into my arms.

"Vlad," he sighs, exasperated. "There is no other. I told you. No one wants to work with you.Todos creen que estás lleno de energía negativa. Nadie quiere trabajar contigo. Ni siquiera quieren acercarse a ti. Solo queda El Viejo," he speaks fast, and I have to force myself to keep up with his Spanish.

"Fine. What do I need to do to convince thisviejoto take me in?"

"He'll decide when he sees you. He's…" Joaquin shakes his head. "He may be a recluse, but that's because he's too powerful. He sees what others do not and it is too overwhelming for him."

"Let us go there, then. I told you on the phone. I'm in a hurry."

"Estas cosas no se apuran, Vlad," he chides, "El viejo will tell you more, andhewill decide whether to take you on or not." His tone tells me arguing would be in vain. So I just nod and we continue to the hotel.

A change of clothes, a backpack well packed with enough resources for a few days, and we are ready to start on the trip the following morning.