An Evil Eye

62

“ You will do this, Yashim, because I order it done. I do not wish to repeat myself.”

“I can talk to them. I think they are only afraid, Fevzi efendi.”

“Give me the torch.”

“Wait, efendi. They spoke Georgian.”

But Fevzi efendi does not wait.

Later, when the fire is dying down, he seems to have forgotten all about Yashim’s protest. He slaps him on the back.

“This is how it must be done,” he says quietly. “Permanent.”