Harlequin Nocturne May 2016 Box Set (8 page)

“And how will they do that?” a female Opir said. “With their blunt teeth and their weak bodies?”

As if to prove her point, the lead Opir slipped around Daniel and struck at Hugh, knocking the bottle out of his hand and scratching his wrist with long fingernails. He grabbed the man's arm and licked up the welling blood with evident relish.

Daniel moved before any of the other Opiri could react. He spun around and struck the lead Opir hard across the shoulder near his neck, hooked his foot around the other man's ankle and sent him tumbling to the ground. He downed the second Opir who attacked him, making no attempt to spare him pain, and was engaged with the third when the rest broke away. They snarled and threatened, but in the end they retreated, dragging the two fallen Opiri away with them.

“My God,” someone said behind Daniel.

“What the hell was that?” Hugh said, clasping his injured wrist with his other hand. “How did you move so fast?”

Daniel expelled his breath, letting the anger go with it. “Training,” he said.

“I've never seen a human bring a Nightsider down so easily.”

“It wasn't as easy as it looked,” Daniel said. He noticed a woman emerge from the tavern with a moistened cloth, which she wrapped around the big man's wrist. He never looked away from Daniel.

“Why did you interfere?” he asked.

“They attacked you.”

“You could have gotten yourself killed.”

“I doubt it.”

Voices exclaimed and argued. The big man offered his hand.

“I'm Hugh,” he said. “I'm glad
I
didn't make you angry.”

“Hugh,” Daniel said, taking his hand. “I'm Daniel.”

“And you just got yourself into a hell of a lot of trouble, if the bloodsuckers have their way.”

CHAPTER 8

D
aniel looked around at the humans he had just saved. “I should fear the Opiri because I fought back?” Daniel asked, wiping his hands on his pants.

Glances were exchanged, but nobody spoke.

“I've met Bes,” he said cautiously. “You're supposedly his responsibility. He can't accept what those Opiri did in coming here.”

Hugh frowned at the pavement. “Bes is all right,” he said. “But his effectiveness...” He looked right and left and lowered his voice. “You're obviously not what we thought you were—”

“Unless this was all part of a setup,” the redheaded woman said.

“—but you'd better get out of here,” Hugh said, as if he hadn't been interrupted. “They'll claim you started it.”

“I have nothing to hide. Has this happened before?”

“Not like this,” Hugh said.

“But Opiri have harassed you in the past?”

Hugh shrugged, his beard bristling like a boar's.

“And
have
you reported this to the Lawkeepers?”

“Didn't you hear the bloodsucker? They don't care what goes on here.”

“Then how can they enforce the law?”

The young woman rolled her eyes. “They just won't enforce it on our behalf.”

“Maybe I should report the incident myself,” Daniel said.

“Don't be stupid,” Hugh said. “You're a newcomer, and they aren't likely to listen to you.” He leaned toward Daniel. “
We
don't want or need the attention.”

“You were ready to fight them yourselves.”

Hugh scowled. “It was a mistake. If those Opiri complain, the Council may—”

“Careful, Hugh,” the woman said.

“I don't think he'll report us,” Hugh said grimly.

“I'm still trying to understand,” Daniel said. “Why did they come here to harass you?”

“Why shouldn't they? We're insects to them.”

“And all the Opiri here feel the same way?”

“Enough of them do.”

But Isis didn't seem to know it, Daniel thought. Or she pretended not to.

“You don't like the Games,” he said. “You said they were to keep humans distracted from the advantages Opiri citizens have over humans.”

Hugh folded his arms across his chest and stared at the ground.

“All right,” Daniel said. “I heard nothing here today. I just happened to be near the tavern when the Opiri showed up.”

Gruff gratitude crossed the big man's face. “It might be a good idea for you to leave Tanis, but somehow I don't think you're going to do that.”

“I see no reason to.”

“I hope you're right. We'll do what we can to put them off your scent, but that doesn't mean the Opiri you beat won't talk.”

“Admit they were defeated by a human?”

“Just take my advice. Lie low for a while. If they bring you in, tell them only what you have to.” He hesitated. “Once this blows over, there are others you might want to meet. I'll see what I can arrange.” He gripped Daniel's hand again, slipping something long into Daniel's palm.

It was a knife in a leather sheath. “Weapons are illegal in Tanis, unless they're carried by Lawkeepers,” Hugh whispered. “Keep it hidden. Good luck.”

Very much aware of the weapon, Daniel tucked it under his shirt and turned toward the border again. He knew he'd done something very dangerous, not only in attacking the Opiri but also by displaying his strength and speed. Along with his training, it made him the equal of almost any full Nightsider.

It was the anger
, he thought. It usually manifested itself in wariness and suspicion, as he'd so often shown with Isis, but he'd let it out this time. He could tell himself it was for the people at the tavern, but in his heart he'd been happy to put the Opiri in their places. If they felt so secure in attacking humans in a human neighborhood, they could have done worse than scratch Hugh's wrist.

He'd guessed that the Opiri wouldn't be quick to admit they'd lost a fight to a human. They might not even remember his face from among all the other humans. But rumors would spread, and if Hugh was correct, the authorities would see no reason to give the benefit of the doubt to a newcomer.

But one good thing had come out of this. Now he had solid evidence that the “peace” in Tanis was troubled, and—unless this incident had been a freakish exception—that the supposed cooperation between Opiri and humans might only be a patch over a festering wound.

Had Ares discovered the problem? If he had, it seemed even more peculiar that he hadn't reported back to Avalon.

As for Isis...

Daniel refused to believe she'd been deliberately lying to him about the state of the city. She genuinely believed what she said about Tanis, about the second chance it gave to humans and Opiri alike. If what Daniel had seen in Bes's domain was commonplace, surely she'd know about it.

Unless she didn't
want
to know.

Hugh had suggested that he leave the city. If he did, he'd have a reasonable report to take back to Avalon, and he'd avoid the complications that might come once the incident was discovered. But only half his work would be finished; Ares was still missing. And the idea of abandoning Isis was like a fist to the gut.

Goddess or not
,
he reminded himself,
she's Opiri
.
No matter what she believes, she'll always choose—

“Daniel!”

He looked down in surprise. Bes stood before him, smiling, his broad hands on his hips. He looked like a doll, his clothing of many mismatched colors and his beard and hair entwined with ribbons. It was as if he wanted to appear the clown.

Was he playing a part assigned him, ineffectual and harmless?

“Visiting my people?” Bes said cheerfully.

“Did I break a rule by coming here?” Daniel asked.

“Well, newcomers are not generally permitted to run around Tanis without a guide.” Bes rocked on his heels. “Does Isis know you're here?”

“I left her not long ago,” Daniel said.

“Ah.” Bes's dark eyes shone. “She likes you very much.”

“She seems to like everyone.”

“She has a big heart.” Bes grinned, revealing the pointed tips of his cuspids. “I knew her when we were both caretakers in Egypt. She is as generous now as she was then.” His smile faded. “Did you come to find out what happened to the protesters at the depository?”

“They were released, weren't they? You made sure of that. In fact, after you spoke to them, they seemed to have forgotten why they were there.”

“They had concerns. I listened, and eased their minds.”

“But their grievances haven't been addressed, have they?”

“I like your boldness, Daniel. But there are matters you can only understand when you have truly become one of us.”

“So Isis has told me.”

“Follow her lead. She will look after you.” He glanced past Daniel. “I always join my people for a beer at this time. You should return to your quarters and take your evening meal.”

Join them for a beer
, Daniel thought. Would he spy on his own people, or did he genuinely enjoy socializing with them?

Either way, some version of the brief fight was bound to come to his attention. His loyalties would become very clear then.

Bes nodded pleasantly and strode away on his short, slightly bowed legs. Daniel watched him until he had rounded a nearby corner and started back for the administrative complex.

Isis was waiting for him in the lobby of the Immigrant Center. Her eyes were angry, but she projected her usual serene, cordial demeanor.

“Daniel,” she said, “you should not have gone out without telling me.”

“I apologize,” he said.

“Where did you go?”

He saw no reason to hide the truth. “To Bes's ward.”

“Why did you go alone?”

“I wanted to see how the humans here behave without the presence of an Opir guide.”

The anger in her eyes faded. “Did you expect a change in behavior?”

“I didn't know what to expect.”

“And what did you learn?”

“That the people there enjoy their beer.”

Suddenly, she smiled. “Yes,” she said. “Bes's people are very good-natured.”

Daniel felt deep regret that she'd eventually learn what had happened in Bes's ward. In less than forty-eight hours he had come to desire her, respect her, admire her for her kindness and dedication, in spite of his suspicion of her natural powers. Now, absurdly, he felt that he had to protect her.

“I would hear of your visit,” she said. “Will you dine with me?”

“As long as I'm not on the menu.”

He spoke before he thought, but Isis only smiled, closed-mouthed. “Only if you wish to be,” she said. The words were laced with innuendo, and Daniel thought she wasn't entirely speaking of blood.

Considering how he'd behaved before, it was a brave thing to say, putting her pride at risk again. She'd forgiven him his previous rejections, but he couldn't give her what he sensed she wanted now: that he surrender himself, accept her help in matters too personal to share with anyone.

“I think I should stay here tonight,” he said. “I have a feeling you're neglecting other work because of me.”

“Perhaps I am,” she said, her voice soft with disappointment. “But I have a proposal for you, and I must speak to you in private.”

“Come to my room,” Daniel said.

Isis followed him to his room and leaned against the door. Carefully avoiding the bed, Daniel stood close to the opposite wall and waited tensely for her to speak.

“We have not yet completed your tour of the city,” she said. “You cannot judge us without seeing all of it.” She took a deep breath. “I wish you to visit the towers.”

Daniel's heart beat a little faster. She'd said that visiting the towers wasn't encouraged for newcomers, but how often did the Opiri welcome human visitors of any kind? The Opir gang had claimed that any citizen could, by law, visit any area of the city.

But he suspected that, except for the servants, humans very seldom went to the towers Hugh had mentioned. If they did, they'd leave with information the Opiri might not want spread throughout the human wards.

Of one thing Daniel was certain: Isis still hadn't heard of the incident with the Opir gang, or she'd surely never have made the offer. And she'd only encourage such a visit if she believed that Daniel's opinion of Tanis would only improve as a result.

“What do you want me to see?” he asked.

“You clearly still harbor many doubts about the Opiri here,” she said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, “and I know that that doubt extends to those like me and Bes as well as Hera and Ishtar. Several of my peers would be glad to speak to you in a private setting.”

If he were to believe Hugh's warnings about facing repercussions from the fight, Isis was essentially suggesting that he walk right into the lion's den. It was certainly a quick way to find out how Tanis's justice system worked...or if it worked at all.

Not with Isis there to protect me
, he thought ironically. He knew she'd step in if he got into trouble, and he didn't want that. He didn't want to put her in the position of opposing her own people if the Council decided to punish him.

“There's something I have to tell you first,” he said, getting directly to the point. “When I met with the humans in Bes's ward, a group of Opiri came by the tavern to make trouble. One of them attacked a man there.”

Her eyes darkened in shock. “Opiri attacked humans?”

“And I retaliated.”

“You
fought
Opiri?”

“They had no reason to be there except to harass the people who live in the neighborhood.”

He told her briefly what happened, and she folded her arms across her chest, shaking her head slowly. “I cannot believe such a thing has occurred,” she murmured. “You defeated two Opiri?”

“Arrogant, overconfident Opiri who didn't expect any resistance.”

“Why did you not report this to Bes or the Lawkeepers?” she asked.

“I was told that some blame might fall on the humans involved. I couldn't risk that.”

Isis straightened. “The Opiri were clearly at fault. I would never allow the humans or you to be—”

“I didn't want you interfering,” he said.

“Why?” she asked. “You would not have been able to hide this from me indefinitely.”

“You told me that if I committed any disturbance,
you
would be held accountable.”

“I...overstated the case. I do not fear for myself—”

“But you do think your people might do something to me?”

“The Nine do not lay down punishment.”

“They have no say at all?”

Her gaze flicked back to him. “The testimony of the humans involved will hold equal weight with that of the Opiri. There is no separate law. You will have every chance to explain what happened.”

“You accept my account?”

“I believe that you defended the weak from those who would take advantage of them. I am ashamed that such a thing happened in this city. I assure you, it was an aberration.”

“Then you don't think I'll be locked up.”

“Nobody would dare,” she said, the mantle of her instinctive power flaring around her. “I know this will be dealt with fairly and properly. If the Opiri are guilty, they must face judgment.” Her brow creased, and she spoke as if she were thinking aloud. “My peers already know about your clandestine entrance into the city. Even before Ishtar came to question you, I told them that I did not believe you intended harm to Tanis. But it might help to let others among the Nine meet you and recognize for themselves that you would never commit a crime against Opir citizens.”