Harlequin Nocturne May 2016 Box Set (9 page)

Daniel knew she was playing a contradictory game with herself, wishing to believe the city's justice system was fair, and yet recognizing an advantage in making Daniel known to the Opir powers that be. He couldn't bring himself to call her out on her inconsistency.

“Would I be meeting all of the Nine?” he asked.

“I would take you to see those closest to me,” she said, “and then to Anu.”

“And he might tilt the judgment in my favor, if I convince him that I'm...what? A properly deferential human in the presence of a god?”

Isis stared at him in confusion. “Have I not made clear that we do not rule here as gods?”

“Yes,” he said, “you've made that clear. If you think I should go, I will.”

Suddenly she seemed uneasy. “Keep in mind that you would be one of only a handful of humans in the tower. Anu will have Opiri guests with him. The others may, as well.”

“It won't be the first time I've been outnumbered.”

“And your memories of your past as a serf? Will they cloud your thinking?”

“They won't—”

“Can you forget the scars on your back when you walk where Opir Bloodlords once kept their Households?”

“Have you told them about my past?” he asked.

“They know you were a serf from Vikos.”

“Then why do you seem to be having second thoughts?”

“I only want to make sure you understand.” Her sharp cuspids dented her lower lip. “What of Hannibal? What if you meet him there?”

“Do you expect him to be with Anu?”

“It is possible. Does he hate you as you hate him?”

“I wasn't
his
serf. Why should he stoop so low as to hate a human?”

She cast him a probing look. “I would meet with Hannibal myself, but not if such a meeting would upset you.”

“I'm not an animal, Isis. I can restrain myself. But confronting Hannibal now wouldn't be a good idea.” He reached toward her, dropping his arm before he could touch her. “It'll be all right, Isis. The only thing I ask is that you not interfere if any of the Opiri confront me about the incident with the gang.”

“How can I make such a promise?”

“If you trust the objectivity of your people, you have nothing to worry about.”

Her beautiful face was tense with anxiety. “There is one other thing I should have mentioned before. You and I have been seen together twice, and some may think it odd that I give so much time to a newcomer. Rumors travel quickly in Tanis. It is very possible, even likely, that it will be assumed...that the others may believe...”

“That we have a relationship?” Daniel said with a crooked smile. “That we're lovers?”

Isis lifted her chin. “Yes. And also that I am taking your blood.”

“You said such private exchanges aren't unknown.”

“They are not. But among the Nine, only Ishtar regularly consorts with humans in that way.”

“Will it shame you in front of your own people?”

“
I
am not ashamed.”

They gazed at each other, and the gentle defiance in Isis's eyes warmed Daniel like a fire in the dead of winter.

But he had an idea that the visit Isis proposed might be more complicated than she'd originally let on.

“Isis,” he said, “I know you're doing this for my sake. If it's going to make things difficult for you among your own kind—”

Her jaw set. “Let there be no more arguments. We will go. I will make the arrangements.”

Turning abruptly, she left Daniel to consider the decision he had made. If he accomplished nothing else, he would make clear to the Opiri in authority that Isis had nothing to do with his behavior and that he had disregarded her warnings by walking the city alone.

And if he was lucky, he might meet Opiri in the tower who knew more about Ares's visit than Isis did.

Isis returned an hour later with an attendant, who carried another meal on a tray. Isis held a shirt and pants over her arm, made of a finer weave and quality than the ones Daniel had been given before. The shirt had a high collar, as if designed specifically to cover the neck area, and the pants were closer-fitting. The shoes were low, cloth-and-leather boots with simple embroidery on the sides.

“Aren't my regular clothes and boots good enough?” Daniel asked.

“It is only right that you should look...” She trailed off, glancing at the clothes in her arms.

“Less like a serf?” he asked.

“Like what you truly are. A man anyone must respect.”

She was truly worried for him, Daniel thought. What did that say about the Nine? “I'll do as you advise,” he said.

“Eat first. They will not have much human food in the towers.”

“Even though they can eat it themselves?”

“It may not be available to—”

“Human visitors?”

“Do you intend to challenge every word I speak?”

“I apologize,” he said, realizing that his sharp tongue was a way of dealing with a situation he believed could be extremely unpleasant for him and Isis. “I trust your judgment.”

She nodded without meeting his eyes. After quickly finishing the meal, he began to dress. Isis turned away, but the familiar tension was there again, bringing with it images of Isis's lithe body and her response to his. When he was finished, she turned around and looked him over with critical eyes.

“You look very fine,” she said.

He bowed. “I appreciate the compliment.”

“Must you always—”

He took her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles. “I'm not joking, Isis. If it made this easier for you, I'd wear a sack over my head.”

Laughter burbled from her throat. “Please, do not cover your very attractive head.” She sobered and met his gaze. “We should not go.”

He kissed the back of her hand. “It'll be all right. I promise.”

They gazed at each other, and Daniel found himself on the verge of kissing her parted lips. But now wasn't the time for him to forget himself. This was a serious business, and he would have to watch his step every second...especially for Isis's sake.

CHAPTER 9

T
he towers were dark under the looming shadow of the half dome, but Isis noticed that Daniel didn't hesitate as he climbed the ramp to the elevators that would carry them up the tower. His back was stiff but his demeanor was cool and calm, and she wondered how he could be so detached.

I never should have suggested this
, Isis thought. Word of the fight would have reached Anu by now, and he might already prefer to believe the Opiri's account of the incident. But even he had to abide by the laws that prevented the Nine from directly interfering in the Council's work. He would certainly not suggest any punishment.

Isis was more afraid of the anger Daniel so carefully tried to conceal. It was his well-being that concerned her.

And when, she wondered, had his welfare become so important to her...almost as important as the welfare and future of Tanis? It was both astonishing and dangerous, and yet it had come to pass without her fully realizing how it had happened. It was not merely physical attraction, though that was part of it, nor Daniel's courage or determination. It was all these things, and she could no longer seem to remember that he was only a single human in a city that must care for every one of its citizens equally. As
she
should.

It will pass
, she thought. Daniel might choose to leave Tanis anytime. He could be exiled if he were found to have provoked the fight. Even if he cared a little for her, even if he desired her, he was not bound to her. Nor could he ever be.

She knew that he would never allow anyone to bind him again.

They stopped in front of one of the three elevators, each one clearly marked with the symbols of three of the Nine: a sheaf of wheat for Bes; the eight-pointed star for Ishtar; a peacock for Hera; a lion for Ereshkigal; for Hephaestus, a flame; for Anu, a bundle of twigs from the tamarisk; the owl for Athena; for Hermes, the caduceus, its serpents coiled about a staff; and for Isis, outstretched wings.

“I will take you first to Hermes and Athena,” Isis said, gathering her own courage. “You may speak freely to both of them.”

Daniel gave her a slight nod of acknowledgment, but his attention was on the House symbols. “Three of the Nine live in each third of the tower?” he asked.

“There is ample room,” she said. “It is not as if any of us has true Households in the old sense.”

“Your emblem is here, but this isn't where you live.”

“A suite has been set aside for me, should I choose to occupy it,” she said. “But I prefer to stay where I am.” She pressed the button. The elevator arrived almost immediately, and she and Daniel stepped inside.

“If at any time you feel we should leave—” she began.

“I'll tell you, and you do the same,” Daniel said, still preoccupied. She wondered how much of that distance was acknowledging and defeating his own fears and memories, the ones he swore would not affect him.

She had come to know him too well to doubt that it was a struggle, silent though it might be.

The elevator reached the third level, occupied by Athena. Isis was eager for Daniel to meet the former goddess, for she had every quality Isis admired: temperance, wisdom, compassion and a commitment to civilization and justice. Though they had seldom interacted in the ancient past, Athena, Bes and Hermes were those of the Nine to whom Isis was most closely allied.

As Isis began to knock on one of the doors in the semicircular lobby, it opened to reveal Athena, clad in comfortable robes cut in the ancient Grecian style. She smiled, closed-lipped, at Isis and then Daniel, offering her hand to him.

“You are Daniel,” she said in her low, pleasant voice.

Daniel inclined his head, and Isis wondered if he had noticed how reluctant Athena was to show her teeth. She had always been uncomfortable about her Opir nature and need for blood, considering it something almost shameful rather than a heritage she had no power to change. It was the one area where her level-headed wisdom failed her.

Isis was not proud of being Opir, but neither was she ashamed. It was simply what she was. Daniel had accepted that.

Except where it comes to my taking his blood
, she thought, remembering his reaction when he'd thought she'd done so without asking him first. And who could blame him?

“Come in,” Athena said, stepping aside. “When Isis told me she was bringing her new human to the tower, I was most eager to meet you.”

“Not
my
human,” Isis said hastily. “A newcomer who has agreed to let me be his guide.”

“Of course.” Athena showed no embarrassment, but her gaze flickered to Daniel's face and then to the high collar of his shirt. She was more than intelligent enough to recognize the slip she had made in suggesting that Daniel belonged to Isis.

“Please, make yourselves comfortable,” she said. “I have arranged refreshments for you.”

A human female brought a large tray of delicacies and laid it on the small table at the center of a ring of semi-circular couches in the Spartan reception room. Daniel stared at the human for a moment, and the muscles in his back and shoulders seemed to lock.

“There are no serfs here,” Isis said in an undertone, carefully taking his arm. It was rigid and hard as granite. Granite that could still be cracked.

With a stiff nod, Daniel settled himself and examined the tray. Isis had tasted the honey-drenched baklava before, but when she caught a glimpse of Daniel's expression, she couldn't guess what he was thinking.

“Thank you,” he said, perfectly polite, and took one of the sweets. “I didn't expect such a welcome.”

“I seldom have human visitors,” Athena said. “I prefer to interfere in the affairs of my wards as little as possible, though I may have gone too far in my eagerness to remain objective.”

Daniel studied her face with avid interest. “Objectivity is admirable,” he said, “and so is allowing the people to rule themselves.”

“Of course,” Athena said, arching an eyebrow at Isis. “That has always been the plan for Tanis.”

“And do the others of the Nine feel the same way?”

Isis froze, startled by Daniel's blunt question. She had made her opinion clear, but he had every right to seek others, and she should welcome his willingness to ask.

Athena, too, seemed surprised. “Isis must have told you that our goal has always been an independent and productive city of equals.” She smiled at Isis. “Isis prefers to stay close to the humans of Tanis, to learn as well as to guide. You have been fortunate to have her take your part.”

“Especially under the current circumstances,” Daniel said, watching Athena's face.

“Ah,” Athena said, looking down at the plate. “You refer to the unfortunate event in Bes's ward. A shocking incident.”

“Daniel was only trying to protect Bes's humans from a gang of Opiri,” Isis said quickly.

“I have no doubt,” Athena said, meeting Daniel's gaze again.

“You believe it was self-defense?” he asked.

“Isis would not have brought you here if she didn't believe in your innocence. It was courageous of you, Daniel, considering the odds.”

“You might say that I acted in a way that is impulsively human,” Daniel said.

Athena laughed, turning her head aside so that her teeth were not clearly visible. “Impulsivity is not only a human trait, though some of us prefer to believe we are wiser.”

“We all prefer to believe the best of ourselves,” Daniel said. “Human or Opir.”

“Indeed.” Athena looked at Isis. “I see why you wished to guide Daniel yourself. He would be a most excellent addition to our city's populace.”

Isis winced inwardly. Athena didn't mean it, but speaking of Daniel in the third person instead of addressing him directly wasn't likely to make him feel comfortable. But, again, he only smiled and inclined his head.

“Thank you, Lady Athena,” he said.

“Hasn't Isis told you that there are no lords and ladies here?” Athena asked. “You must not think that the Opiri who attacked the humans are typical of our people.”

“I appreciate your perspective, Athena,” Daniel said, his voice betraying no emotion at all.

“Then perhaps you would like to meet some of my friends,” she said. She rose and strode to another room, returning a few moments later with several Opiri, all dressed simply in tunics, pants and soft boots.

Daniel got to his feet. Isis rose with him, ready to take his arm if he reacted with hostility. But she did him a disservice; he simply waited, and when the Opiri settled onto the couches on either side of Athena's, he sat, as well.

“Daniel,” Athena said, “these are my companions—Damokles, Loukas, Homer, Dionysia, and Ianthe.” She smiled at her friends. “Daniel is new to our city. He has many questions.”

Isis prepared herself for more awkwardness, but the conversation went smoothly. Athena's companions were among the most enlightened Opiri in Tanis, and Daniel seemed more interested in listening to them speak than in questioning them as he had Athena. They made polite conversation about the attractions of the city, particularly the gardens Daniel hadn't yet seen, and the new architecture where the human sector was being expanded.

To Isis's ongoing surprise, Daniel spoke to them as if he'd dealt with Opiri as equals on many occasions. Still, Isis was relieved that none of them asked about Daniel's past, or the incident with the Opir gang. When the Opiri finally left, Athena accompanied Daniel to the door.

“Much has yet to be done,” she said, “but I believe, as Isis does, that we will become a guidepost for the world, not only a place of sanctuary but an example for humans and Opiri to follow.”

“I hope that Tanis fulfills your hopes,” Daniel said.

“You are skeptical,” Athena said.

“Isis brought me here to meet Opiri who shared her optimism,” Daniel said.

“And did you find what you expected?” she asked.

“My good opinion is hardly essential to your success.”

Athena laughed softly. “Apparently Isis believes it might be.”

With a pointed glare at Athena, Isis rose. “It has been very kind of you to welcome us.”

“Yes,” Daniel said. He offered his hand. Athena gripped it firmly.

“I hope the remainder of your visit is a pleasant one,” she said. She paused. “If it is of any use to you, I will speak on your behalf.”

Daniel thanked her, and he and Isis walked into the lobby.

“That went very well,” Isis said when the door had closed. “One would never know you had been a—” She flushed. “I'm sorry.”

“I've had a little practice,” Daniel said drily. “Where now?”

“To Hermes,” she said. “He represents the half-bloods of Tanis, the Lawkeepers.”

“Then he's the chief of police.”

“No. He is merely their representative.”

Daniel nodded and followed her back to the elevator. It took them up two levels to Hermes's door.

A smiling dhampir opened the door to Isis's knock. His age was impossible to determine, as was also true of most Darketans and, of course, Opiri. He ushered Daniel and Isis into the antechamber, which featured a mural of rams, tortoises and hawks in a field, topped by a caduceus.

The attendant disappeared and a moment later Hermes arrived to greet them. Like Bes, he smiled frequently, though he was Bes's opposite in almost every other way: tall, slender, agile and red haired.

He was also no less blunt than Athena. He looked Daniel up and down with a grin.

“The human who defeated three Opiri. Congratulations.” He thumped Daniel's shoulder in a friendly gesture, but Isis could see Daniel freeze at the touch.

Hermes was oblivious. “Come in, come in. I want to hear all about it from your own lips, Daniel. The towers are buzzing with the story.”

Isis would have intervened, but Daniel returned Hermes's smile with a flash of his teeth. “Buzzing like an angry hornet's nest?” he asked.

“Oh,” Hermes said in an offhand manner, “some Opiri took it a little to heart. They'll get over it.” He looked into Daniel's eyes. “Perhaps you had an advantage they didn't expect.”

Isis wondered what advantage Hermes was referring to. Daniel's speed and strength, so unexpected in a human?

“It was no pleasure for Daniel,” she said, setting the thought aside. “But he knows that those who attacked the humans are in the minority.”

“Of course, of course.” Hermes almost skipped ahead, gesturing them to follow him into the reception room. It was vastly different than Athena's, cluttered with trinkets collected in ancient times from the area of the world extending from Italy to North Africa.

Daniel was fully alert as he scanned the room. His gaze came to rest, not on one of the objects on display, but on the narrow, nearly hidden door at the far left side of the room.

Isis knew what it was: the door to the serfs' quarters downstairs. They were no longer used as such, of course, but she could imagine what was going through Daniel's mind.

Again, Hermes seemed oblivious. He guided Daniel and Isis around the room, pointing out this or that object he had collected over his long years of wandering.

“I am particularly fond of this,” he said, pointing out a small sculpture of a curly-haired man with a small ram slung over his shoulders. “The good old days.”

“When you ruled as a god,” Daniel said, a note of challenge in his voice.

Hermes flashed a glance at him. “I always enjoyed being a god. I had a great fondness for humanity, and they made me into a trickster, which was even more amusing.”

“Whom do you trick now?”

“Alas, nobody. Your average Opir is rather humorless, and humans are unlikely to appreciate a joke coming from one of us.”

“Even in a city where humans and Opiri live as equals?”

“One can't expect perfection in a few years. Isis is an idealist, but I am more pragmatic.”