Page 62 of The Nameless Ones
‘Have you ever known me to lie?’
‘No, I have not.’
They walked through the Museumplatz, but drew no attention. Zorya would have sensed it.
‘What about me?’ said Ilic.
‘What about you?’
‘I, too, have a daughter. Will I ever see her again?’
Katarina was eight. Ilic and her mother had not stayed together for very long, but he still sent money regularly, and spent time with the child when he could. He thought he perceived a little of himself in her dark looks, but no one else had ever agreed. Perhaps that was best, for the girl’s sake. Zivco Ilic had never contemplated modeling as a career option.
Zorya stopped.
‘Do you really want me to tell you?’ she said.
‘I think so.’
She reached out and took his right hand in her left. She closed her eyes and squeezed. Her grip was very firm and very cold. After a time, he felt it ease, and her eyes opened again.
‘No,’ she said, ‘you will not.’
Ilic nodded once. ‘I guessed,’ he said. ‘You’re not the only one who experiences intimations of bad luck.’
‘I’m sorry, Zivco. I wish it were otherwise.’
She released his hand. He glanced down at the imprint of her fingers and thumb upon his skin. He waited for the marks to fade, but they stayed, like burns.
‘I’ve never asked you this before,’ he said, ‘but can you see, you know, the moment?’
‘Of a man’s death?’
‘Yes.’
‘No, I cannot.’
‘Then how can you be sure?’
‘I see shadows, clouds. They draw nearer and nearer, until finally the person is swallowed by them.’
‘And these shadows, can they be dispelled?’
‘Sometimes,’ said Zorya. ‘I’ve watched sick people get better, and then the shadows retreat, but they’re always present. They never go away, not entirely. The shadows are with us when we come into the world and they are with us when we leave.’
‘And mine?’
‘Yours are very close now, and very black.’
‘What about Spiridon and Radovan?’
‘I can’t tell you that, but you were never going to live to be old, Zivco.’
‘Not like you.’
‘No, not like me.’
‘May I ask one more question?’ said Zivco.