“So he found Carroll’s Knight.”
“He did.”
The Cheshire grinned. It was such an unsettling grin that a few people stepped away from the old woman. “Then Alice is dead, too. She can’t win against the Chessmaster.”
“It’s a beautiful day, Chesh.”
“Beautiful indeed. Two of my enemies dead in one day, after all these years.” The Cheshire hung up and walked out of the Vatican.
He found a shortcut through an empty and darkened ally, so he took it, only to be stopped by a black figure in the dark.
“Oh.” The Cheshire shrugged, lowering the woman’s head.
“Didn’t expect me?” the man said in a baritone voice.
“No, but it’s always a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jay.”
“I don’t show myself much, but I thought we could use a little talk.”
“Whatever you ask.”
“I know you’re not a Black Chess employee, and that you have interests of your own, so I never pressured you into joining.”
“That’s right, sir. I’m most irritated with the Queen of Hearts. I don’t think I can work with her in the same place, ever.”
“Understood.”
“Besides, you’re all interested in this Wonderland War, and I’m just a cat. I want to have fun.”
“And you want to crush your enemies. I just learned about your rivalry with The Pillar. The fourteen souls.”
“You did?” the Cheshire said. “Well, me and The Pillar go way back.”
“I know.”
“Besides, I think not only he will die soon, but Alice, too.”
Mr. Jay stood silent, his breathing, the soundtrack of a horror movie. “I don’t want Alice to die.”
“I just figured out the stupidity of my implication. I’m most sorry.” The Cheshire bowed his head a little lower.
“But I’m also not concerned with Alice’s safety.”
“Pardon me?”
“Alice is my best employee. She will beat the Chessmaster.”
“But that’s impossible.”
“Nothing’s impossible with my dark little angel,” Mr. Jay said. “I’m not here to talk about her. I’m here to talk about you.”
“Me?”
“It’s time you stick to one soul, or you’ll lose your mind.”
The Cheshire purred. Mr. Jay always knew how to see through him.
“I’m not going to ask you to work for me, but I will hand you a soul you have no means of possessing. How about that?”
The Cheshire grinned. He was thinking it was a Wonderlander — someone other than the obnoxious Queen. “Who?”
“Let me show you,” Mr. Jay said.
Chapter 75
The Last Chess Game, Chess City, Kalmykia
The Chessmaster is unbeatable. Two moves now, and two drinks, and I feel like I’m going to lose in the next set.
“Afraid?” The Chessmaster grins.
“I prefer not to talk while playing.”
“But we know you’re not playing, Alice. You’re dying.”
“Then I’d prefer to keep the last minutes of my life to myself.”
“They’re hardly minutes. I can finish you in much less time.”
“How so, when you can’t make your move before I make my third?”
“Then make your third move, drink the poison, and move on.”
His last words ring in the back of my head. I realize that to win this game, I can’t just keep on playing. It is a fool’s hope that something will suddenly happen and save me.
In my mind, The Pillar’s words pop up in the back of my head. He Who Laughs Last. It’s an old None Fu trick.
My mind flashes to memory from the hole in Tibet before me. I watch The Pillar fight the giant again, bluntly asking him to hit him more and more until the giant lost confidence in himself, and just when he did, The Pillar attacked him, full throttle.
I remember telling myself I could never imitate The Pillar’s move, but I have no choice but consider it now. This is what the Red wrote for me on the napkin.
But how can I laugh last with the Chessmaster? How can I play like I don’t care and I am not going to lose until my moment comes and I strike back?
I scratch my head. It’s impossible, because striking back in this game means making a bold, brilliant chess move, which I know I can’t.
Think, Alice. Think.
“Ready for your third move?” the Chessmaster asks.
“No, I’m not,” I say. “But maybe I could use your help.”
His suspicious look troubles me. He senses I’m onto something. I am, but the funny thing is, I don’t know what it is either.
“Why would you think I would advise you on a good move?” he wonders.
“I didn’t say you will do that,” I say. “But since I’m losing anyways, you might want to amuse yourself with my moves. Maybe use a move that makes me look like a total fool.”
“I like that.” He nods and reaches for my knight.
Knight, Alice, why did he reach for your knight? Remember when The Pillar said he’d prefer to be a knight in a chess game? Because they’ll never see you coming.
“Just a second.” I stop the Chessmaster, buying myself some time.
“What now? Changed your mind?”
“Actually, no, but I thought we could spice up the game a little.”