Sunset: Pact Arcanum: Book One (29 page)

S
PACER
G
UILD
S
EAL

C
HAPTER 22

December 2040; Armistice Embassy, Ottawa, Ontario; Eleven months after public exposure

“It’s your own fault for not getting a clip-on.” Jeremy stood behind Nick, watching the Daywalker grimace into the mirror as he struggled with his tie. The Sentinel idly allowed himself to notice how fine Nick looked in the black tuxedo he was wearing to the Prime Minister’s Christmas party.

Nick snorted and threw up his hands. “Damn it!” He tried to unknot the bow tie again. “Who the hell designed these things?”

Jeremy rolled his eyes.
What a goofball
. “You’re hopeless sometimes.” Coming closer, he batted Nick’s hands away. “Here, let me.” Turning the Daywalker to face him, he began to tease apart the tangled knot Nick had made. With a few quick strokes, Jeremy deftly retied the black cloth strip and smiled. “There, you see? Nothing to it.” He smiled and then immediately frowned as he noticed a fleeting melancholy mar the carefree expression Nick always wore on stage. “What’s wrong, Nick?”

“Nothing.” Nick avoided Jeremy’s eyes. “I just need to get moving if I’m going to make this state dinner.”

Okay, enough is enough.
Jeremy tapped him on the shoulder. “Nick, look at me.”

The Daywalker turned to him with a sigh.

“Why won’t you tell me what you’re thinking anymore? You’ve been growing more and more distant for months. I thought we were friends.”

Nick looked away again. “We
are
friends, Jeremy. I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”

His expression thoughtful, Jeremy opened his senses wide, trying to passively read Nick’s surface thoughts without being detected. “Is this about Lorcan?” he asked gently, seeing the Nightwalker’s face flash into Nick’s mind.

Nick’s gaze snapped back to his. “No,” he replied, too quickly.

Jeremy frowned.
I’m not
imagining it then.
Something was bothering Nick, but he couldn’t pry to find out what it was without ignoring the ethics Nick set such store by.
Shit.
I hate
not knowing what’s happening behind those blue eyes.
“Nick, it’s not your fault he fell for you. You didn’t know.”

“I should have known.” Nick fiddled with his tie once more, half-heartedly this time. “If I had been paying attention, I would have seen it from the beginning. Everything changed so gradually, and I was so caught up in the sex I never even noticed what was right in front of me. I won’t make that mistake again.”

“I watched the two of you together for months, and I was even starting to like him, although we were always fighting.” Jeremy dropped onto the couch and stretched out. “You never lied to Lorcan or led him on. It’s not as if you broke his heart on purpose. Don’t wall yourself off from the people who care about you because you feel guilty that you accidentally hurt someone.”

“I know.” Motioning for Jeremy to move over, Nick sat next to him. “Besides, Lorcan is doing fine without me. He’s fairly well-established in the Court, at least according to the reports I’ve been getting from him and our Ambassador. Hell, after all the bloodlines involved in Brion’s assassination attempt were decimated for their failure, he practically walked in and took over House Diluthical without a fight. He’s already repositioned himself to benefit from the power vacuum left by the other houses’ fall from favor. Give him a century or two and he’ll probably be running the whole show.”

“Then what’s the problem? He’s landed on his feet. Why are you so down all the time?” Frustration crept into Jeremy’s voice. “You never laugh anymore. You practically never smile, except for the cameras.” Jeremy elbowed him casually. “I’m worried about you.”

“It’s just that I know how it feels to love someone who doesn’t feel the same way,” Nick said softly. “I can’t stand the thought of causing that kind of pain to someone else—especially when it’s someone I actually care about. I didn’t know what I was doing to Lorcan. What if I had known? Should I have done anything differently?”

“Why obsess over what might have happened? I don’t see why you’re wasting your time worrying about it.” Jeremy sighed, knowing Nick would just close up if he pushed the issue. “Have you given any thought to finding another line of work? I mean, seriously, you’re too tenderhearted for this job.”

Nick frowned. “Bite me, Jer.”

Jeremy grinned.
A point for me.
He could live with Nick being annoyed, just not with him being the morose zombie he’d been for the last few months. “That’s better. Lighten up.” Then he became serious again. “People get hurt. It happens. That’s just life. You’re not responsible for other people’s feelings, just your own.”

Nick nodded as a knock sounded at the door and Ana stuck her head in. “Nick, it’s time to go.”

“On my way.” Nick turned back to Jeremy. “Sorry you can’t come with us.”

Jeremy gave him a lopsided smile.
Yeah, right.
“Extradition treaty, Nicholas. I’m stuck on Armistice territory unless I want to wind up in prison. If I get desperate for some fresh air and greenery, I can always take the gateway to the Citadel and wander around one of the arboretums.” Standing, he slapped Nick on the arm as he walked to the door. “Besides, I need to study tonight if I’m ever going to pass my final qualification exam to join Armistice Security. I can’t ride on your coattails forever. Don’t worry about me, Nick. I’m doing just fine, and I’m not going anywhere.”

* * *

“All right! All right! I’m coming. Keep your shirt on.”
Nick chided Scott over the link as he took one last glance in the mirror and nervously straightened his tie again before heading out.

The others were waiting in the large entrance hall of the embassy, a gothic stone mansion in the Sandy Hill neighborhood. Built by a wealthy lumber baron in the late-nineteenth century, Layla had acquired it through one of her proxies a few decades later. Of all the embassies, Nick liked this one best. Layla had allowed only limited renovations after granting Armistice Security permission to use it as a chapterhouse, so the building retained its original charm and majesty.

Most of the administrative offices were located in an office building in the city center, but the embassy still housed the important officials from the region, as well as the Armistice Security garrison. The tasteful antique furniture and fittings Nemesis had installed at the turn of the century remained, and she had thwarted any attempt to modify her designs beyond the simple installation of electricity and communications equipment. It had been one of the few vanities she had allowed herself over the more recent centuries, and Nick was grateful for the change of pace.

Nick entered the foyer to the sound of Ana’s foot tapping impatiently on the black marble floor.

“Finally!” she grumbled. “I told you they wouldn’t let us teleport to the dinner. We have to drive there, and we’re going to get stuck in traffic, thanks to you.”

Nick grunted as he walked past her. Scott reluctantly pulled himself from the soft embrace of an antique wooden armchair, and the three piled into the passenger compartment of the waiting limousine. As it pulled into traffic and headed toward the bridge, Nick stared out the window, ignoring the conversation until Scott tapped his knee. He turned to look at the two Sentinels. “What?”

“Penny for your thoughts,” said Scott.

He flushed, realizing he had no idea what they had been discussing. “Um, my mind was kind of blank, actually. But, hey, it’s your money.”

“What’s going on with you?” Ana asked with a scowl.

“What do you mean?”

“I was talking to Jeremy a couple of weeks ago,” Scott began. “He was complaining you had stopped really talking to him.”

“He’s overreacting.”

“That’s what I thought,” said Ana. “I hadn’t noticed any difference in your behavior until I started paying close attention. You get nervous and moody sometimes when we’re all together, but it took me a while to figure out the pattern. You only get that depressed vibe when Jer is in the room with you. He just assumed you act that way with everybody, but he’s wrong, isn’t he?”

Scott leaned forward intently. “You’re only pushing him away, aren’t you? He just hasn’t realized it yet. What’s going on between you two?”

Nick turned away and stared out the window. “Guys, I don’t want to talk about this.”

“Nick,” Ana said, “we’ve taken a lot of grief because of you, and we only befriended Jer because you asked us to. But we
are
his friends now, so that means we watch his back and protect his interests, even from you. So speak up. Tell us what’s going on—or we let Jeremy in on the part of the picture he’s not seeing. I’m sure he won’t have any trouble finding his own answers.”

Nick turned to face them, considering his options.
Why not? It might even help to talk to someone.
He licked his lips nervously as he tried to be discreet. “If I tell you, can you keep it to yourselves and out of your surface thoughts so he won’t pick up on it?”

Scott rolled his eyes. “We may not be at Jeremy’s level of power, but we’ve got plenty more experience at layering our thoughts than he does. He won’t see this conversation unless he does a deep read on one of us.”

Nick ordered his thoughts before speaking. “I’ve been paying closer attention to people’s emotions since Lorcan and I broke up. I noticed Jer’s demeanor changes subtly in the presence of a particular person, becoming more attentive, more emotionally sensitized.” He looked up to meet Ana’s eyes. “More aroused.”

Ana raised her eyebrows. “He’s attracted to someone? And you know who it is?”

Nick nodded, saying nothing.

“Interesting,” said Ana. “I wondered if he’d ever connect with anyone in a meaningful way. Knowing Jeremy, I take it he’s too shy to go after whomever’s struck his fancy?”

“Something like that.” Nick avoided her gaze.

Scott frowned. “Who cares? What does that have to do with the crappy way you’ve been treating him?”

“Because he picked someone who’s out of his reach.” Nick sighed. “It’s going to end badly. I know it is. And he’s going to get hurt. I don’t want that to happen, but I can’t say anything to him. You know how private he is. If I try to talk to him about it, he’ll shut me out, and I don’t want that either. I’m out of options. I just don’t know what to do.”

“I know the two of you have gotten close over the last year.” Scott’s voice was gentle. “And that you feel responsible for him after you woke up what was left of his Gift, but, honestly, I don’t see how it’s any of your business.”

“Because he’s my friend,” whispered Nick. “And I can see how much pain this is causing him, no matter what he does to hide it. There’s nothing I can do for him to make it any better, so I’m stuck having to watch as he goes through it alone.”

Ana tilted her head, looking at Nick strangely. “You’re jealous.”

Nick’s head snapped up, his train of thought irretrievably lost. “What are you talking about?”

“He’s interested in someone—now he isn’t focused entirely on you anymore. What’s the matter, Nick? Afraid of a little competition?”

“I am not jealous. I just want to do right by him.” Nick’s lips were white with annoyance.

“Nick, it’s his problem. If he hasn’t asked you for help, just let him handle it in his own way,” Scott suggested. “You know Jer. He’ll just end up doing whatever he thinks is best, no matter what you say.”

“It’s okay to care,” Ana agreed, “but just leave it alone. You don’t need to fight Jeremy’s battles for him, and you certainly don’t need to interfere in his love life. Forget about it.”

“That’s the problem, Ana.” Nick turned to look out the window again. “I can’t forget about it.”

Ana was about to speak when the car came to a stop, and the security guard assigned to greet them opened the door. “Showtime, guys,” she said instead, as she exited the limousine.

“Leave him be, Nick,”
Scott said silently over the link as he climbed out of the car after her.
“You’re not responsible for his feelings.”

“Just my own,” Nick answered quietly. Then he plastered on his fake smile for the cameras and followed Scott out of the car.

Administrative High Security Unit, Federal Medical Center Carswell, Fort Worth, Texas

“We’ve had to move slowly, but we’ve made significant advances.” Andrew could hardly control his excitement as he handed over the thick report. “The Sentinels we’ve been able to persuade to work with us have been slowly infiltrating the Armistice for months. With the help of deep cover agents the Court of Shadows already had in place, we’ve managed to get several of them access to the Hidden Cities. They’re already using telepathic links to their team members outside North America to pass us whatever publicly accessible information they can acquire on Armistice military technology and fixed defenses.”

“So, you’re making progress?” asked Medusa, flipping to the executive summary.

“Absolutely. The Triumvirate may be composed of exceptional generals, but they’re incredibly naïve at building intelligence infrastructure. Their attempts at security are amateurish at best. It’s typical of their mindset. They consider themselves morally and technologically superior; therefore, they think they know what they’re doing when it comes to safeguarding their own secrets. In the meantime, we can exploit that hubris to a degree that would be impossible with a more mature intelligence service. With minimal training, our operatives have provided us with an unexpectedly rich stream of information on Armistice society and technology.”

“Surprising that they’re that careless.” She thumbed through the index until she found the section she wanted and opened the file to a section in the middle, containing a surveillance photo of Nick.

“I’ve got our best people, and all of the Fire Sentinels we have available, working to analyze that information for possible weaknesses we can exploit. But our agents have to be careful to ensure the data they access is spread out over time and random enough to fool their security AIs into thinking there’s no pattern.”