Harlequin Nocturne May 2016 Box Set (10 page)

“I share your pragmatism.”

Hermes glanced at Isis, who was desperately trying not to interrupt, and then back to Daniel. “You were a serf, were you not?”

Daniel's face went blank. “Yes,” he said.

“Then of course you'd have your reservations. I'm sure Isis has already shown you the good that has been achieved in this city.”

Unexpectedly, Daniel smiled at Isis. “She's done her best.”

It should have felt like a slap to the face, but Isis recognized his words as blistering honesty. Honesty she had every reason to respect.

Daniel's smile faded. “I'm sorry,” he said. “Isis had no obligation to bring me to your tower.”

“And it's hard for you to be beholden to an Opir,” Hermes said airily, as if the words were of no consequence. “My worshippers were never particularly devout, and that was why I liked them so much.”

“But now you deal with the half-bloods.”

“The old humans said I was of two worlds—the half-bloods are, too, which is why I appreciate them. It is a difficult balancing act, but we are very good at balancing.” He clapped Daniel's shoulder again, and Isis could almost feel Daniel's scars burning under his shirt.

Daniel backed away. “I have one more question,” he said. “Did you meet Ares?”

“Ares? Why do you ask?”

“I met him elsewhere. He was a good man. I was told that he was here for a while, and left after seeing the city.”

“I did not witness his departure, but we spoke a little of the old days. He had changed a great deal since I knew him millennia ago.”

“You don't know anything else?”

“He was actively interested in all aspects of life in the city. He asked many questions...like you.” Hermes arched his brows. “In some odd way, you remind me of him.”

Daniel laughed briefly, as if the idea was preposterous. But Isis continued to wonder about his interest in Ares. His questions didn't seem like those of a former serf seeking the whereabouts of a Bloodlord he could hardly have known well.

“Thank you,” Daniel said. He offered his hand to Hermes, and the Opir took it without hesitation.

“If you have more questions, I am at your service,” Hermes said. His brief solemnity vanished, and he grinned again. “Good luck.”

He saw them to the door with a merry wave. Isis waited until she and Daniel were alone again.

“What did you think of him?” she asked.

“I believe he means well for humanity, as you do. But according to human myth, he always had that reputation. As you did.”

“Why did you ask him about Ares?”

It was as if a wall had come between the two of them. “It's not important,” he said.

“You have not been honest with me,” she said, torn between sadness and anger. “Ares was not merely a Bloodmaster you briefly observed in Vikos, was he? Your interest in him is far from casual.”

Daniel lowered his head and stared at the floor. “Ares saved my life when my owner would have beaten me to death,” he said calmly. “He defeated my owner in a challenge and demanded that he treat his serfs less brutally. My owner didn't keep his word, and I escaped soon after that.”

“And you want to find him again, to thank him?”

“If he believes as you do, I can show my gratitude as an equal.”

Daniel's words made sense to Isis, and yet she knew that something had been left out of his story. “I wondered why you were so at ease with Athena and her guests,” she said. “You said you dealt with rogue Freebloods after your escape, but you must have met Opiri who had no interest in enslaving you or draining your blood. You did not need to be shown that such Opiri exist.” She paused to swallow the knot in her throat. “Why did you lie to me?”

CHAPTER 10

“I
t was not a lie,” Daniel said, meeting her gaze. “I did withhold some information from you, and for that I apologize. I should have told you as soon as I realized that you could be trusted,” Daniel said to her with a sigh.

Isis saw the real regret in his eyes, and a little of her hurt dissolved. “What is the truth?” she asked.

“I did meet Opiri who believe as you do, living in a small community in the wilderness,” he said. “They wanted peace with humanity and had an arrangement with a nearby human colony to trade blood for other goods.”

Isis was shocked by his admission. “You allowed me to believe—”

“This was a very small group of Opiri, and they lived apart from humans.” He looked into her eyes. “The circumstances in Tanis are completely different. This is a city inhabited by Opiri
and
humans, where the temptation to relapse into the old ways would be far greater.”

“You mean where Opiri might simply decide one day to turn all the free humans back into serfs.”

“I needed to know, Isis,” he said, his voice husky with sincerity.

“And have you reached a conclusion?”

“It's too soon to tell. I need more time.”

All at once Isis was afraid of what might happen if they continued their tour of the tower. Athena and Hermes were personable enough, but Anu was more of an enigma. She had known that all along, of course, but now she felt the full weight of Daniel's judgment.

If Daniel was as blunt with Anu as he'd been with Athena and Hermes, he might not receive such a warm reception. And Isis would be putting Daniel on display as if he were a serf in the Claiming Hall.

“I think this has been enough for one day,” she said, taking Daniel's arm. “Let us go down, and I'll show you the gardens and the—”

“We came here so that I could meet Anu,” he said, his eyes very grave. He cupped his hand around her cheek in a deeply intimate and tender gesture. “You were right before. If I've been accused of breaking the law, I'd prefer to defend myself personally.”

She took his hand and kissed his palm. That intensely physical awareness flared between them again.

“Isis,” a female voice called.

She and Daniel turned as a tall, handsome, dark-haired woman emerged from one of the other two elevators. She wore a Greek chiton, a long draped tunic, embroidered along the hems and sleeves with peacocks, their eyes glowing with jewels.

“Hera,” Isis said coolly.

The former goddess blinked slowly and looked at Daniel. “Surely you cannot be thinking of leaving already?” she asked.

Daniel stared at her, the hard lines of his face revealing his dislike. Isis knew he was remembering the poor state of Hera's ward, as
she
was. His opinion of her had already been set.

“We are just on our way to see Anu,” Isis said.

“Of course,” Hera said, gazing at Daniel through half-lidded eyes. “Anu has invited you both to his Household.” She smiled with a show of teeth. “This human has already gained quite the reputation in the towers.”

“Perhaps,” Isis said. “But as no judgment has yet been made—”

“We accept Anu's invitation,” Daniel said, holding Hera's lazy stare.

Hera looked at Isis in surprise, as if she couldn't imagine why Isis would let a human speak for her. “Anu is waiting,” she said.

She moved ahead of them into the elevator and stood near the control panel. As she pushed the button for the eleventh floor, Isis drew Daniel aside.

“There will be a few humans there,” she said, “hired servants, like the one you saw in Athena's suite. But they receive compensation for their work, as they would for any other profession in Tanis.”

“They are privileged to have such employment,” Hera said.

“I'm sure they're aware of the honor,” Daniel said. “But the humans in your ward, Lady Hera...
they
don't have many privileges, do they?”

Hera looked at him sharply, the indifference gone from her eyes. “What do you mean?” she demanded.

“I've seen how they live. It isn't pretty.”

“He visited three wards,” Isis said. “Yours was the last.”

Hera clucked her tongue. “And you do not approve, Daniel?”

“It was in very poor condition,” Isis said, holding Hera's gaze.

“If the humans cannot see to their own welfare, it is none of my concern. Not one of my humans has asked for an audience with me nor informed me of any problems.”

Say nothing more
, Isis begged Daniel silently. But he was quiet until they reached the eleventh floor and Anu's quarters.

Of all the Nine, he had done the least to alter his living space from the Bloodmaster's Household it had been before the fall of the Citadel. It was twice as large as the suites claimed by the other Nine, with a foyer and wide entrance hall leading to a spacious reception room, pillared and draped with rich fabrics and furnishings humans and ordinary Opiri would have considered luxurious. Decorative tiles paved the floor, and a wide, curving stairway led to another floor above.

Daniel paused in the doorway, and Isis heard him take a deep breath. She touched his hand and felt his skin jump like that of a stallion beset by flies.

Respect is not obeisance
, she reminded him silently.

“Isis,” Anu called from across the room. Daniel's gaze snapped to the former god. Anu sat on his chair, a bejeweled king with dark hair and golden skin, dressed in elaborate robes. He was surrounded by a small crowd of his favored Opir courtiers, a small cadre of ceremonial Opir guards and his closest companions among the Nine. The courtiers were dressed like princes themselves, and the guards were armed with real rifles as well as shock sticks.

Bes stood apart, speaking with several former Bloodlords and Freebloods. A good dozen plainly dressed human servants wove among Anu's guests and courtiers, serving food and drink.

Every face turned toward Isis and Daniel as Hera walked by them to join Anu. Conversation stopped, and then resumed at a low murmur.

“Come,” Anu said in his deep, resounding voice, handing his glass to the human servant standing behind him. “Let us see the human who defeated three Opiri.”

His strides long and almost defiant, Daniel walked into the reception room. Ishtar rose from her couch with a slightly strained smile, and Isis felt a disturbing sensation of triumph. Ereshkigal, former goddess of the underworld, remained reclining where she was, studying Daniel through hooded eyes, and broad-chested Hephaestus, standing beside Anu's chair, examined Daniel as if he were weighing the capabilities of a possible challenger.

Of course he wouldn't think that of Daniel, Isis thought. None of them would.

Isis felt the desperate instinct to move ahead of Daniel, but she repressed it and followed him across the richly carpeted floor, passing through the outer circle of Anu's courtiers and stopping a few feet from his chair. Isis was keenly aware of the proximity of the attending Opiri, their stares, the weight of their silence.

And of Anu's inborn, unmistakable power. Power he projected without thought.

Power Daniel could surely feel.

“Daniel,” Anu said. “Welcome to my Household.”

A pair of human servants appeared with refreshments. Anu waved them away and gestured to a chair beside him. “Isis,” he said.

With a quick glance at Daniel, Isis remained where she was. Anu smiled and nodded to one of the seated Opiri, who swiftly rose from his own chair.

“Please,” Anu said. “Both of you, sit.”

After a moment's hesitation, Daniel gestured for Isis to precede him and took the second chair. The dislodged Opiri showed no resentment, and Isis exhaled softly. There was no overt hostility here, only curiosity and calculation.

“Daniel,” Anu said, “you look strangely familiar. Have we met before?”

“I don't think that's possible,” Daniel said coolly.

“I know that you came to us to learn if Tanis was the place it was reputed to be,” he said. “What are your thoughts?”

Daniel held Anu's imposing gaze. “I can see that much effort has been put into the project,” he said.

Anu laughed. “A diplomatic answer,” he said. He leaned forward. “You are fortunate to have had Lady Isis as a personal guide. No doubt the incident in Bes's ward has swayed your opinion.”

“It showed me that some here are not fully committed to the ideal of peaceful coexistence.”

Anu's eyes narrowed, and Isis held herself very still. “I have heard more than one account of this conflict,” Anu said. “It is not permitted for any human or Opir to prevent another citizen from entering any other ward.”

“Nobody was prevented,” Daniel said. “And I assume that the law doesn't apply when the visitors intend to make trouble.”

The Opiri murmured among themselves. Isis rose.

“I brought Daniel here so that you could see for yourself that he is not a troublemaker,” she said.

“Isn't he?” Anu said, stroking his chin.

“He tried to defend—”

“Tried, and apparently succeeded,” Anu said. “How does a human have the strength and speed to fight an Opir on equal terms?”

“Practice,” Daniel said, walking the fine line between frankness and insolence.

“You were a serf,” Anu said. “Where did this ‘practice' take place?”

“During the year after I escaped from Vikos.”

“A year?” Ishtar murmured.

“Remarkable,” Anu said. “Which Opiri did you practice with? Rogue Freebloods, perhaps?”

“I stayed some time with a human colony between here and Vikos. They gave me the benefit of their experience.”

“Did you come on their behalf, to learn if
we
were a threat to them?”

“I came only for myself,” Daniel said.

“Very brave,” Anu said. He leaned back and rested his chin on his fist. “I would like to see these fighting skills.”

Daniel froze. “Why?” he asked.

Bes, along with several of the Opiri to whom he'd been speaking, stepped forward. “It is my fault that such a thing happened in my ward,” he said. “Daniel's case has not yet reached the Council.”

“I assure you he will come to no harm,” Anu said.

Daniel shot a glance at Isis, and a chill passed through her veins. Every muscle in his face and body seemed to form a shield around emotions he didn't dare express. Or couldn't.

“I do not understand this request, Anu,” Isis said, more sharply than she would have dared in the past.

“There was a time,” Anu said, “when men fought each other to determine who was innocent and who was guilty. They left it up to the gods to decide.”

“These are not those times, and we are no longer gods,” Isis said.

“But some of the old traditions still have use,” Anu said.

“I thought the Nine didn't enforce the laws or pass judgment,” Daniel said.

“Yet we
can
make recommendations to the Council.” He stroked his beard. “The choice is yours.”

“Then I agree to fight.”

Anu signaled to one of the human servants. Two Opiri came through a back door, young men Isis didn't recognize. They homed in on Daniel as if they were starved for blood.

“I forbid this,” Isis said to Anu. “Daniel, we will go.”

Daniel met her gaze. “You don't own me, Isis,” he said. “If this will help prove my innocence, I'll take my chances.”

Isis saw the wildness behind the apparent calm in his eyes and knew he had traveled back into a part of his past he had shared with her only in bits and pieces. He would not back down. He had something to prove to the watching Opiri, even though it might backfire on him.

“You recognize these Opiri?” Anu asked Daniel. “They have accused you of attacking them without provocation.”

“Where is the third I fought?” Daniel asked with a cold smile.

“He is unable to join us today.” Anu nodded to the two Opiri. “Choose which one of you will face Daniel first.”

Isis kept her focus on Daniel, noting the tiny changes in his body. He was preparing—breathing with long, slow breaths, subtly shaking his muscles loose, briefly closing his eyes.

When he opened them again, one of the Opiri had stepped forward. Hatred blazed in his purple eyes.

“I will step in if this goes too far,” she warned Daniel softly.

“Stay out of it, Isis. Please.”

The Opir courtiers in the room gathered close, avid interest in their eyes. Isis was sickened by their greedy anticipation of coming bloodshed. Daniel assumed an alert but deceptively relaxed stance, slightly crouched, hands held loosely in front of him. As if from a great distance, Isis heard Anu tell him and his opponent to begin.

The Opir attacked first, in the way of most of their kind: relying on superior strength and speed to take down human prey. Daniel was ready for him. The Opir dived at Daniel, teeth bared, and Daniel was flung back, only to roll with the attack and kick the Opir over his shoulders.

Then there was a blur of motion, both human and Opir moving so fast that Isis could scarcely detect each individual strike and parry. The memories of ancient battles filled her mind...battles she had hoped never to see again.

A cry of startled pain brought her back to the present. Daniel stood over the Opir, holding the man's arm twisted behind his back as his knee pinned the Opir to the floor. Daniel's sleeve and collar were torn and there was blood on his neck, but Isis could see no serious injuries. She felt her knees shaking beneath her gown.

Anu began to applaud. His courtiers joined him, some more enthusiastically than others. Isis could plainly see the shock on several faces, including Hera's and Bes's.

“What do the gods say now?” Daniel asked, licking a trickle of blood from his lip. “Or do you want me to fight the other one?”