Harlequin Nocturne May 2016 Box Set Page 6

  And was that, Isis wondered, why Daniel had come all the way to Tanis...to find a place that could defend itself and would still permit him to live in freedom?

  She wanted...needed for him to see that Tanis was that place.

  They left the central avenue and entered the maze of narrow streets between the residential buildings of Bes’s ward. The little Opir wasn’t there, and most of the human residents had gone to their jobs for the day. The older children were in school, while the younger ones stayed with one of their parents or a caretaker.

  The buildings were neat and well-kept, with flower boxes on windowsills and decorations on doors and walls. The small neighborhood plaza was green with trees and grass, crisscrossed with well-tended paths. A few older humans congregated near a bench, gossiping among themselves. They grinned and shouted greetings to Isis, their eyes shining. She acknowledged them with a wave of her hand. A group of children walking with their teacher brought her a bunch of hand-picked flowers. Daniel looked on in silence.

  As they turned the corner from one street onto another, a middle-aged man stepped up to speak to Isis, dipping his head in a gesture of respect. He told her of plumbing problems in his building, and Isis promised to see that Bes looked into the situation. Several other men and women approached with similar concerns, ranging from quarrels with neighbors to questions about the Council elections coming up in two months’ time. Again, Isis assured them that she would speak with Bes as soon as she was free.

  One young mother emerged from her ground-floor residence to greet Isis, holding an infant in her arms. Joy flooded Isis’s heart, as it always did when she saw mother and child. Once humans had brought their children to her to be blessed, and mothers had prayed to her for the health of their families.

  So very long ago.

  The mother slipped the infant into Isis’s hands, and Isis kissed the boy’s soft, round cheek. Daniel gazed at her with a slight frown between his brows, as if he could not imagine her with a child in her keeping.

  “Hold him,” she said, gently laying the infant in Daniel’s arms.

  He held the child awkwardly; not as if he had never done so before, but with an almost excessive caution, as if he didn’t trust himself to do it properly. After a moment he returned the infant to its mother with a nod and a half smile.

  “Thank you, Lady Isis,” the woman said, backing up a few steps before returning to her apartment. Daniel stared after her.

  “The boy’s eyes,” he said. “He’s a half-blood. His father was Opir.”

  “The child’s a dhampir, yes. Did I not tell you that we have mixed couples in Tanis? Not as many as I would wish, perhaps, but it is a new beginning.”

  “Have you ever had a child, Isis?”

  She was too surprised to be angry over the impertinent question. “You know it is possible?” she asked.

  “I learned in the Citadel that Opir women could give birth in a mating with a male human. It was kept secret because no Opiri wanted to admit that a female of their kind could have a child by a serf.”

  “Then you know the origins of the Darketans.”

  “Humans call Darketans ‘Daysiders.’” He looked keenly into her eyes. “Unless you spent all your time since the War wandering in the wilderness, you know that the Citadels take them from their mothers when they are hardly more than infants and treat them little better than serfs, even though they rely on them to do their daytime spying in the zones around the Citadels.”

  “We do not do that here,” she said. “Our Darketans come to Tanis to live full lives as equals. And female Opiri in Tanis can choose to have children by human males if they wish. There’s no shame attached.”

  “And how often has it happened?”

  A sharp pain struck Isis’s heart as she spoke. Yes, she could have borne a child, if she had ever found a male human for whom she could care deeply enough. But she had never sought one out. It had always been her work to nurture others, and bearing a child would bend her attention away from those who most needed her.

  “It’s ironic that the Citadels never objected to the wartime practice of Opiri males forcibly impregnating human females,” Daniel said.

  Ironic, Isis thought. Hypocrisy. She was hardly proud of what Opiri had done during the War, even though she had never been part of it.

  But Daniel’s voice had hardened, and she wondered why the subject seemed so personal to him. He claimed he didn’t hate Opiri, but his words suggested otherwise.

  “Why did you wish to know if I’d ever given birth?” she asked, quickly changing the subject.

  “It seems as if it would be natural for you.”

  She relaxed. “Is that a compliment?” she asked.

  “It’s clear that you would love your children, as all these people seem to love you.”

  Her mind flew directly to his accusation that she used her power to influence others. Isis was tempted to end the tour there, even though Daniel had hardly seen any of the city. But he was already walking on, his gaze quick and probing as he looked up and down the streets.

  She caught up with him. “What is it you wish to see?” she asked.

  “Another neighborhood,” he said. He paused by the small Lawkeeper station situated at the northern border of Bes’s ward.

  “What is this?” he asked.

  “There is a Lawkeeper station set up at every border between wards,” she said, feeling once again as if she had to justify Tanis’s laws. “We find these to be practical locations, and they can easily be found by any citizen.”

  “Then they aren’t meant to hinder movement between wards?”

  “Of course not! Any citizen may visit any part of the city.”

  “And are stations located in the Opir wards as well as the human ones?”

  “Naturally,” she said, “though the stations are located at the base of every tower except the one inhabited by the Nine.”

  He seemed satisfied with the answer, and they continued past the guard station into the next ward.

  It was overseen by Hera, who, Isis knew, very seldom visited her people. Isis rarely came here herself, and almost at once she noticed that something was not quite right. There was refuse in the streets, and no planters of flowers and greenery near the doors. Even the buildings themselves were in less than optimal condition, seamed with cracks and even a few broken windows.

  Daniel was staring at one of the buildings, his face expressionless. “Is this one of your bad neighborhoods?” he asked.

  “There is no such thing in Tanis,” Isis said, struggling to conceal her shock. “Every citizen receives the credits he or she requires to live comfortably, though work beyond the basic requirements can be used for nonessential goods.”

  “It looks like someone forgot to give these people their share of the common wealth.”

  Isis was appalled. Hera should never have let things come to such a state. She was the advocate here. Even though she kept her distance from humans, there was no excuse for her failing to care for her charges.

  “I will speak to her at once,” Isis said.

  “Speak to whom?” Daniel said, a grim set to his mouth.

  “The sponsor who looks after this ward.”

  “And who is that?”

  Isis was very reluctant to name names, but she could not bring herself to withhold the information. “Hera,” she said. “Clearly, she has been neglecting—”

  “Hera, Isis, Ishtar,” Daniel said, his forehead creased in thought. “Who are the others?”

  A human boy appeared on the street, a boy of an age where he would soon move from the schoolroom to his chosen work. His clothes were slightly worn and ill-fitting, and when he saw Isis he stopped suddenly and stared as if she were taking Daniel’s blood right in front of him. His expression grew pinched, and he quickly dis
appeared around the corner of the nearest cross street. Other humans, some older, gathered nearby and gave Isis the same sullen, almost unfriendly stare. Many of them wore Hera’s peacock sigil somewhere on their shirts, though they clearly had no reason to thank her for their current circumstances.

  One of the larger males moved toward Isis, and Daniel stepped between her and the human. He stared the man down, and he retreated, followed by the others.

  Isis touched Daniel’s arm and led him back toward Bes’s ward. Daniel’s muscles were taut as if he wanted to resist her, perhaps even return and speak to the angry humans.

  Hera, Isis thought, what have you done?

  This would have to be brought to the Nine’s notice, regardless of Hera’s likely animosity. The others would see that she did not fail in her duty again.

  But that would not erase Isis’s memory of the looks those poor people had given her. She could not remember the last time a human being had shown her even the slightest hostility.

  “Why did they stare at you like that?” Daniel asked, echoing her thoughts.

  Isis latched on to the first safe explanation that came to mind. “It is nearly time for the Games,” she said.

  “The Games?”

  “Twice a year the human wards hold competitions,” she said. “Did you notice the badges on some of the humans’ shirts and uniforms?”

  “I noticed them. Peacocks.”

  “Hera’s symbol. When the Games are near, many humans wear the emblems of the Elders to represent their teams.”

  “Only humans?”

  Isis glanced away. “There was a time when Opiri participated, competing among themselves. Now they only observe.”

  “What kinds of competitions?” he asked.

  “Racing, jumping, older games that humans remember from before the War.”

  “No fighting? Wrestling, boxing, martial arts?”

  “No!” She stared at him. “We do not condone violence.”

  “Then those people were hostile toward you just because you represent an opposing team?”

  “I have no team in the Games.”

  “So you didn’t anticipate their attitude. You don’t understand it.”

  His challenges came too thick and fast, and she answered carelessly. “It makes no sense to me. Unless they are angry with Hera, and project that anger onto—”

  “Isis!”

  She snapped out of her thoughts to find Bes gazing up at her and Daniel, a grin on his perpetually pleasant face.

  “And who is this?” he asked, staring up at Daniel. “The man who entered Tanis so clandestinely? The dangerous invader?” He shivered dramatically. “Are you quite sure it’s safe to let such a monster run around loose, my dear Isis?”

  CHAPTER 6

  Daniel stared down at the little Opir, containing his anger and surprise. “I wasn’t aware that my reputation had spread,” he said, sparing Isis the need to answer. “My name is Daniel, and I promise you that I am no danger to this city or anyone in it.”

  Bes laughed. “Well said.” He thrust out his broad hand. “I am Bes.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, Daniel took Bes’s hand.

  “A strong grip,” Bes said. “Excellent. Though it was amusing to see the look on your face when you first saw me.” He dropped Daniel’s hand and smoothed the front of his tunic. “What astonished you most? My size?”

  “I’m not accustomed to shaking hands with Opiri I’ve never met,” Daniel said.

  “But I look nothing like most Opiri. Did Isis tell you about me? Or did you guess?”

  “He has met only Ishtar,” Isis said cautiously. “How did you know Bes was Opir, Daniel?”

  “Survival instincts, perhaps,” Bes said in his usual blunt fashion. “Humans have a great capacity for self-preservation.”

  “Your teeth,” Daniel said.

  Bes covered his mouth. “How silly of me.” He glanced slyly at Isis. “Did you know about her?”

  “He claims he did not know until I told him,” Isis said.

  “Well, you do wear the caps so as not to alarm—”

  “I believe he did guess,” Isis said, meeting Daniel’s gaze. “But it does not matter now. We were just taking a tour of the human wards.”

  “I trust you approve of mine?” Bes asked.

  “You’re one of the Elders?” Daniel asked.

  “Isis has told you about the Nine.”

  “Only a little,” Daniel said, his voice clearly indicating that “a little” was not nearly enough.

  “I have just begun to show him the city,” Isis said.

  “Ah,” Bes said, belatedly aware of the tension in the air. “Well, I think when you return you will find that my humans are particularly well known for serving the finest beer in the city.”

  “And that, of course, is what makes Bes so fond of this place,” Isis said. “But not even humans can live on beer alone. Are you hungry, Daniel?”

  Daniel shook his head. “I’d like to see the other wards.”

  “Another time,” Isis said. “Let us return to the Center.”

  “I’ll come along,” Bes offered.

  The three of them took another shuttle back to the administrative ward, where a small crowd had gathered in front of the blood depository. Several humans, both men and women, were walking back and forth in front of the doors, chanting and holding hand-printed signs. No Forced Donation, one of them read. Isis didn’t have to see the others to guess at their sentiments.

  “Forced donations?” Daniel said, his eyes like chips of lapis lazuli. “I thought that didn’t happen here. What are they protesting?”

  “It is not what it seems,” Isis said. She started toward the depository, but four uniformed Lawkeepers had already reached the protesters and had closed in around one female, who began to shout and struggle as a male Darketan caught hold of her.

  Isis ran to meet them, Daniel and Bes at her heels. The woman protester was weeping as her hands were pulled behind her, her sign broken at her feet.

  “Stop,” Isis said. The Lawkeepers in the process of arresting the remaining male and female protesters looked up and hesitated.

  “What have they done deserving of arrest?” she asked.

  “Disturbing the operation of the depository,” one of the Darketans said.

  “Let me speak to them,” Isis said, aware of Daniel right behind her.

  “Wait,” Bes said, his wide mouth fixed in a straight line. “I know them. They will listen to me.” He spoke to the Lawkeepers, who backed away and watched from a respectful distance as he approached the protesters.

  “What is he trying to do?” Daniel asked.

  “Calm them. Encourage them to see reason.”

  Daniel watched intently as Bes spoke to the protesters. The fight seemed to go out of them all at once. Bes gripped one of the men’s arms companionably and smiled at the woman. She smiled back. He spoke to the Lawkeepers again, and they removed the manacles.

  “What did he say to them?” Daniel asked.

  Isis sighed inwardly. This would not be a pleasant conversation, and it must be done in private. “Come to my apartment,” she said, “and I will explain.”

  But he remained where he was, staring toward the doors of the depository with a fixed expression of surprise. An Opir was emerging cautiously, his head swinging back and forth as he took in the small crowd and the presence of the Lawkeepers.

  Glancing at Daniel’s face, Isis knew that something was very wrong. He knew this Opir.

  Knew him and hated him.

  “Come,” Isis said, carefully taking Daniel’s hand.

  He stared at her blankly. His hand trembled, and it almost seemed as if he had gone to some place deep in his mind, rejecting anythi
ng that would restore him to the real world. Unease, strange and unwelcome, coiled in Isis’s belly.

  But he moved when she tugged on his hand. He followed her as the crowd dispersed, and she took him to her building and her apartment on the top floor. He paused inside the doorway, his rigid expression finally easing into a very ordinary suspicion. He scanned the main room as if he expected a trap.

  “It is all right, Daniel,” she said gently, afraid to touch him again. “We are alone here.”

  Daniel met her gaze, and the veil dropped from his eyes.

  “Please, sit down,” she said. “I can offer something to drink and a little fruit, if you wish.”

  “No,” Daniel said. He continued to stand by the small table in front of the couch until Isis took her seat, and then he perched on the edge of the couch, a muscle in his jaw jumping faintly.

  “Who was it, Daniel?” she asked. “Who did you see outside the depository?”

  Daniel blinked as if he didn’t understand her question. “Why were those people protesting?” he said, changing the subject without warning.

  “There are always a few citizens who resent the necessary part they play in keeping our city strong.”

  “I didn’t see any violence. Why were the protesters arrested?”

  “It was overzealous on the Lawkeepers’ part,” she said, equally bewildered by their actions. “It was not necessary.”

  “Not if you have free speech in Tanis,” he said. “Do you?”

  “Even your Enclaves do not have completely free speech,” she said, “but we do what we can to encourage it here.”

  “Just not today,” Daniel said. “What will happen to the protesters?”

  “Since Bes defused the situation, they will be sent home with a reminder not to disturb the peace.”

  “And if the same people do it again?”

  “I do not know,” she admitted. “As long as they remain peaceful—”

  “What do you do with humans who won’t give blood?”