Intaglio: Dragons All The Way Down Read online

  Intaglio: Dragons All The Way Down (Volume 2)

  Also by Danika Stone:

  Intaglio: The Snake and the Coins (Volume 1)

  Tathagata

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  Intaglio: Dragons All The Way Down

  by Danika Stone

  Copyright, Legal Notice and Disclaimer:

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. This publication is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, and all rights are reserved, including resale rights.

  *NOTE: The characters, situations and artists portrayed in Intaglio are all fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any commentary on artists, writers, or public figures, living or dead, is purely fictional and has no basis in fact.

  Stone, D. (2012). Intaglio: Dragons all the way down. North Charleston, NC: Create Space Books.

  ©www.danikastone.com

  Published by Dancing Dog Productions

  ISBN: 978-1480239975

  Cover Illustration Design by K. Goble

  Original Image: Ludolf, Backhuysen, 1695, Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee. Painting.

  This book is dedicated to my two favourite DLs in the world.

  : : : : : : : : : :

  To D: for inspiring and assisting in the creation of this novel.

  To Deena: for being a ‘super golden’ friend, and the best sort of editor.

  : : : : : : : : : :

  You are BOTH the reason this happened.

  The meadow in which we did meet,

  oh tiny infinity, we give back.

  But this love, Love, has had no end,

  and so, as it had no birth,

  it has no death. It is like a long river

  that changes only its shores and its banks.

  Pablo Neruda

  (selection from Love Sonnet 92,Translation by Terence Clarke)

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1: Unexpected Advice

  Chapter 2: Tuesday Morning

  Chapter 3: The Multiple Print Project

  Chapter 4: Mediation

  Chapter 5: Bedtime Stories

  Chapter 6: The Student Show

  Chapter 7: Three Chipped Cups

  Chapter 8: The Snake is a River

  Chapter 9: The Time of the Lone Wolf is Over

  Chapter 10: Polaroids

  Chapter 11: First Volley

  Chapter 12: Legacy

  Chapter 13: Ripples Moving Back

  Chapter 14: Messenger

  Chapter 15: Wednesday’s Child is full of Woe

  Chapter 16: Extenuating Circumstances

  Chapter 17: Letting Go

  Chapter 18: The Darkness Between

  Chapter 19: Blacking the Plate

  Chapter 20: The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.

  Chapter 21: Burned in Effigy

  Chapter 22: Ripples Going Both Ways

  Chapter 23: En Route

  Chapter 24: Postcards from Martinique

  Chapter 25: Fallout

  Chapter 26: The Terms of Parley

  Chapter 27: Old Wounds

  Chapter 28: The Bottom of the Cliff

  Chapter 29: The Rented Room

  Chapter 30: Triptych

  Chapter 31: Decisions

  Chapter 32: Hanna’s Dream

  Chapter 33: Déjà Vu

  Chapter 1: Unexpected Advice

  In the aftermath of the explosive New Year’s fight that had nearly destroyed their relationship, things between Ava and Cole had settled into a new balance. The altered equilibrium had its own challenges, but their time together held a promise of more… things once static, now pushed into motion. Sometimes, Ava believed it was because of her father’s acceptance of their relationship. Oliver asked about Cole and Chim in the same breath now. Other times, she believed it was because they’d survived a fuck-up where both of them had been involved. The recovery from the turmoil that seemed almost too good to believe. On rare occasions, Ava mused if it was because they were planning their first trip back to Cole’s parents after the first visit's trial by fire. No matter the reason, things had shifted, the two of them drifting into new territory; one where the foundation was built on stone rather than sand.

  They were settled together now. No questions asked.

  Today was the day before the Spring semester began and the four of them – Cole, Chim, Suzanne and Ava – were downtown in the street-side shops frequented by the university crowd. Ava needed some new clothes before classes began. She’d destroyed her last good pair of jeans in the New Year’s Eve painting session and needed a business outfit as well. The Director of the National Gallery had invited her to attend a visioning meeting later that Spring. The graffiti show scheduled for the following summer was quickly moving into the realm of reality.

  Ava had nothing appropriate to wear.

  Suzanne offered to go with Ava while Cole and Chim wandered off together to check out the hardware store. As every art student knew, there was always opportunity to pick up cheap art supplies there. Ava was glad Chim had suggested it. There had been a stiffness between Marcus and Cole since the events of New Year’s. Ava knew Chim tended to be overly protective of her... and while she loved that aspect of his character most times, it bothered her to see her oldest friend holding out on Cole. The two men left the store arguing over the inherent value of art versus art as an agent of change, laughter audible long after the door banged shut.

  Two hours later, Ava and Suzanne were in one of the larger consignment shops, looking for Ava’s meeting-wear. The Director had assured her everything was set, but she still needed to attend the meeting and present her portfolio. The entire Board and the show's curator would be there; high heels and a dress seemed like a small fee to pay for being taken seriously. While Ava and Suzanne pulled dresses off the rack, someone called out to her from the men’s section.

  “Oh, for god’s sake,” Suzanne groaned. “It’s Kip Fucking Chambers.”

  Ava turned in surprise. Suzanne had a very Chim expression on her face right now; her nostrils were flared, lips pursed. She looked like a pit bull about to attack.

  “Be nice, Suzanne,” Ava hissed. “He’s alright. Just being friendly.”

  Suzanne’s hand snaked out, wrapping painfully around her wrist. Ava’s eyes widened.

  “Don’t be stupid,” she warned, “anyone who looks at you the way that guy looks at you is NOT trying to be your friend.”

  Ava tugged her hand away, turning back as Kip neared. She was suddenly aware of all the unconscious details suggesting Suzanne was right. Kip was smiling, for one, but his eyes were on Ava alone. There was something about the way he ignored everything else around him, moving around people and objects as if caught in an undertow that had Ava’s nervousness re-emerging.

  “No...” Ava said slowly, shifting guiltily. “He’s just like that. Kip’s used to getting his own way. He’s famous.”

  She wondered if her words sounded as lame to Suzanne as they did to her. The answer came half a second later as her friend spun on her.

  “Are you trying to fuck things up with Cole on purpose?!” she snapped.

  Ava stepped back in shock.

  “N-no,” she answered shakily, lifting her chin. “I’m not.” Then again, more forcefully. “Honestly, Sue, I’m NOT!”

  Suzanne sneered.

  “Glad to hear it... becau
se Cole deserves better than that.”

  She had no time to respond as Kip arrived. Suzanne muttered something that sounded like ‘asshole’ before pasting on a fake smile and sticking out her hand.

  “Why, Mr. Chambers,” she drawled. “To what do we owe the honour of your company?”

  Ava elbowed her but Kip just laughed. He reached out, shaking Suzanne’s hand quickly before positioning himself nearer to Ava than needed.

  “Nothing special. Just saw you guys, and uh... thought I’d come over and say hi.”

  Suzanne made a rude noise in the back of her throat, and Ava took a step away from Kip. Without seeming to notice, he mirrored her movement. Apprehension rose under Ava’s skin.

  This wasn’t helping the situation.

  “So what’re you guys up to today?” Kip asked, shoving his hands in his pockets and grinning.

  “Shopping, as you can see.” Suzanne said dryly. She looked like she was about to throw a punch or a Molotov cocktail under a bus.

  “Yes, shopping,” Ava added, falsely bright. “I have a meeting and needed to pick up some clothes. So how about you?” she asked, her words tumbling faster and faster. “You here shopping with Raya? This store seems very… her.”

  Ava glanced over to Suzanne. ‘That’s right, Suzanne, Kip has a girlfriend – ha! Score one point...’

  “No... no...” he muttered, dropping his eyes in embarrassment, “Raya headed back to her place on the Coast a few days early. I have a show coming up in Japan this summer, and I’ll be moving on after that, although I’ll be coming back in the summer, of course, for the film.”

  “And you didn’t go with Raya?” Suzanne taunted. “That’s interesting.” Ava glared at her.

  Kip laughed, boyishly ducking his chin.

  “Raya and me, we kind of do our own thing. She wanted to visit her folks. I thought I'd party a bit here.” His voice dropped slightly. “Hang out with friends.”

  His eyes were on Ava again: scrutinizing her. The whole conversation was making her increasingly edgy.

  “Cool… that uh… that sounds fun,” Ava answered, aware of how trite it sounded. “Well, when you see Raya, thank her for the cheque. It was really generous to hold up her side of the agreement.”

  “Sorry, thank her for what?” Kip asked.

  “The cheque,” Ava answered. When he didn’t respond, she added, “you know, given that I hadn’t actually done any of the work for the film.”

  Kip’s expression shifted like dark clouds coming in from the horizon.

  “You’re not gonna be part of the film at all now?” he asked curtly.

  Suzanne stepped between the two of them, interrupting the conversation with her physical presence. She was a full head shorter than Kip Chambers, but she more than made up for it with attitude. He retreated back a step.

  “No,” Suzanne snarled. “Ava’s not on the film anymore. Your girlfriend, Raya, paid her off. Ava’s done.”

  Chambers looked perplexed by the news. He looked over at Ava for confirmation. She shrugged.

  “It’s fine. She was really generous in paying me out,” she explained. “To be honest, I don’t mind. I’ll be busy this summer anyhow.”

  Kip stared out the front windows for a long moment, as if considering her words. The darkness of his expression seemed poised to turn into something else, but when he turned back, he seemed to be in control. He smiled tightly at Suzanne before shifting his attention entirely to Ava. His voice was low, apprehensive.

  “Look... I’m sure you’ve already thought of all this, Ava, but uh... make sure you send an official invoice to Raya, with the exact amount on that cheque. It’ll take a couple days for the bank to process it and unless she has your invoice in hand, she might um... put a hold on the money and—”

  “Screw you over,” Suzanne ground out. “Well, you two are quite the pair, aren’t you?” She was seething, her hands in fists.

  “Suzanne!” Ava yelped, face aghast. Kip's hand went to Ava’s arm, and she shrugged it off irritably. “Please,” she pleaded, “don’t start!”

  “God, Ava, I don’t even understand you sometimes,” Suzanne said through clenched teeth. She turned on the man next to her. “So tell me, Kip Chambers... is your girlfriend always this much of a bitch?”

  The blood drained from Ava’s face. Horrified, her mouth opened, but nothing came out.

  “Raya’s got her moments,” Kip growled, “but I really don’t like your tone. She is an excellent agent and she has done an amazing job in promoting my career in the last—”

  “Well that’s all fine and dandy,” Suzanne hissed. “But she’s got a huge fucking problem with Ava here, and that makes Raya my problem.”

  Kip’s mouth twisted in disgust, but he didn’t respond. No one spoke. Ava had a sudden, desperate wish that she could just spontaneously combust, right here in Aisle C. It struck her that unless Cole barged in from the street, drunk and looking for a fight, there was no fucking way this scene could get any worse.

  “Look,” Kip finally said. “I don’t think Ry’ means to be like that. She’s protective of me... and when she sees someone with talent, she gets defensive. I think with Ava here, she’s just a little bit... ”

  He paused. Both Suzanne and Ava stared at him, waiting for him to acknowledge what they all knew. The thing which made Cole hate this man as much as he did.

  “Jealous?” It was Ava who answered for all of them. Kip caught her eyes as she said it.

  “Yeah.” His voice was sincere.

  Suzanne swore under her breath, jaw clenched.

  “Ava,” Kip said, reaching out again, “I really hope this doesn’t affect our—”

  She tore her arm away.

  “Just stop!” she snapped angrily, “I don’t want you touching me! Alright?!”

  In two steps she was back next to Suzanne, whose arms were crossed on her chest, smirking. Ava held back the urge to slap her, too, just for being right!

  “Sorry,” Kip muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets again. The protectiveness that Ava felt for him began to rise.

  “It’s fine,” Ava grumbled. “It’s me, okay? Not you,” she mumbled, guilt warring with annoyance. “So yeah... thanks for the headed-up on Raya’s invoice.”

  “No problem,” Kip said quietly. He wanted to say something else, she could tell, but Suzanne’s presence at her side held him back.

  “Look, Qaletaqa, I don’t mean this to sound harsh,” Ava continued, feeling Suzanne’s gaze flicker over to her at the sound of Kip's full name. “But I think it’s probably better if we just don’t... don’t talk any more. All right? It’s just too weird for me.”

  Kip stepped back forward. His face was anguished, hands raised imploringly.

  “But my dream, Ava... It had to mean somethi—”

  “No it doesn’t,” she interrupted. “Not to me, anyhow.”

  “But when I’m around you,” he insisted, “I just can’t help but wonder if things had been different… if we could’ve figured it out. Me ’n you, you know?”

  Suzanne snorted, and Ava glared at her in frustration. She could tell that her friend was just barely holding back from laying into Chambers here and now. She had the same look on her face that she’d had right before she and Chim had marched on City Hall last summer.

  Suzanne was absolutely livid.

  “Kip, I just...” Ava frowned. “I can’t do this with you, okay?”

  “Alright,” he said quietly. “But if you ever need anything... or if you want to talk... ever... I, uh... I’ll be away in Japan, for a while, then on the Coast. But you can always call me... okay, Ava? Anytime.”

  She nodded, extending her hand.

  “It was good meeting you, Kip,” she said. “I wish you all the best.”

  He nodded, taking her palm in his own. There was a sense of familiarity to the gesture; settling them as friends and nothing else. No snap of connection, just warmth.

  It felt good.

  “You too, Booker
.”

  Chapter 2: Tuesday Morning

  Ava was dreaming again, but this time she knew where she was.

  She floated above the green field, her mind adrift on the wind. Her attention flowed and eddied in this place, moving from the sun-bright leaves down to the shadowy trees that followed the curve of the river. From there she moved to the bobbing seagrass that covered the sandy slopes, finally trickling out to the misty ocean beyond.

  Ava smiled. Asleep, her lips in dreaming shadows did too.

  ‘I’m free…’

  Below her, resting, two figures remained. One was Cole. ‘My Thomas…’ She could see the breadth of his shoulders, the curve of his jaw. The other was her, blue-lipped and broken. It didn’t scare her to see herself lying still and silent in the bed of grass. She knew she was already dead (that she’d hovered near death since the winged carving had come down atop her during the storm). Ava waited there, watching them together, her soul content. Cole leaned forward, clutching her hand.

  “I love you, Ava,” he sobbed. “I have always loved you... I always will.”

  She knew she was mere moments before pulling up and away with a rush of release, her body over the landscape, just long enough to recognize all that it was. A new start for Cole: a beginning.

  She followed his gestures, memorizing his face. Needing it to find her way back, the way she’d done before. Though back to where, she wasn’t exactly sure. She only knew that he was the key. Where he was, she needed to be, too.

  “No... please, no...” Cole gasped. “Don’t leave me.”

  The wind rose, flicking a stray tendril of Cole’s still-wet hair around his eyes. It intrigued Ava, the differences between the Cole she knew and this one. His hair was longer, the wind pushing it into his eyes, making him grimace and blink. She found herself soothed by that all-too-human gesture, the way his face wavered and changed.

  Without warning, Cole lifted his head, catching sight of someone or something walking up the beach.