A burst of laughter sounded behind Hannibal. He edged away from Daniel, turning just enough to see who had joined them.
A scantily clad young woman, accompanied by a man in clothes almost as revealing, looked from Hannibal to Daniel with curiosity and surprise.
“Look, Dustin,” she said from behind her flower mask. “Two of our fine citizens with nothing to do!” She reached for Daniel’s hand. “You’re missing all the fun!”
“By all means, go with her,” Hannibal said with a contemptuous smile. “Enjoy yourself while you can.”
Daniel almost stayed behind, but he reminded himself that it was Hannibal’s intent to provoke him into doing something stupid. He let the young woman pull him away from the alley.
“Come along,” she said when he stopped in the street.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“A friend,” she said, as the young man slipped away.
Daniel pulled his hand from hers. “There’s someone I have to find.”
“Perhaps you will find her where I am taking you.” She tilted back her mask for a few seconds, and Daniel recognized her as Hugh’s redheaded friend from the tavern in Bes’s ward.
“You remember me?” she asked, pulling the mask in place over her face. “I’m Greta. We know what you want. I can take you to the right people.”
“Hugh?” Daniel whispered as she tugged on his hand again.
She didn’t answer. Very much on his guard, Daniel let her lead him through the crowd and along several alleys to a very ordinary building that might have been some kind of community hall. Greta directed him toward a side door and tapped on it lightly.
The door opened. The man behind it nodded to Greta and looked hard at Daniel.
“He’s with me,” Greta said.
The doorman nodded, and Greta pulled Daniel into the main corridor. The first room they entered was furnished with at least twenty couches, the floors obscured by dozens of cushions. Men and women in various states of undress were kissing and fondling each other: the white hands of Opiri on human skin, humans of all skin tones caressing other humans or very enthusiastic Nightsiders. Opiri were taking blood from willing humans of both sexes.
Daniel stopped. Greta took his hand.
“Almost everything is permitted here, as long as it is consensual and does no harm,” she said. “We must blend in with the others.”
“No,” Daniel said, thinking of Isis.
“I don’t expect you to do anything,” she whispered. “Just play along.”
CHAPTER 17
Before Daniel could protest again, Greta was unbuttoning his shirt. Without hesitation, she shed her own filmy robes to reveal a nearly transparent sheath dress.
“Take your shirt off,” she said. “Pretend you’re interested.”
Realizing that he could either choose to trust her or walk out, Daniel removed his shirt and draped it over his shoulder. Greta spread her hands across his chest and kissed him. He pretended to respond, and she dragged him deeper into the room, where hands reached for Daniel and plucked at his pants and boots.
“You would be very popular here,” Greta said, dodging the grasp of a male Opir. “There are private rooms in the back.”
By the time he and Greta reached the rear of the room and another door, Daniel had turned down seven offers from men and women, and helped Greta disentangle herself from a threesome hoping to add another to their private party. She reached the back door and pushed him through.
It opened onto another corridor with many doors, most of them closed. In the corridor itself, a man and woman were making love against the wall.
“Where are these people I should talk to?” Daniel asked, turning his face away.
“In here.” She reached one of the closed doors, knocked, and walked into the room.
Several men and women occupied the room, some half-dressed but none engaged in anything but conversation. Their masks lay at their feet. Hugh stood up as Daniel entered, nodded to Greta and instructed Daniel to sit.
“We know you’ve been trying to gather certain information,” Hugh said without preamble. “Whatever I tell you can’t go beyond this room.”
Daniel glanced around at the serious, almost grim faces of Hugh’s associates. He recognized Apollo from the beer garden. “I have no intention of betraying you,” he said.
“If we thought you would, you wouldn’t be here,” Hugh said. He nodded to each of his companions. “Marcel, Chaya, Jessica, Fernando, Kevin. If you meet them again outside this room, you don’t know them.”
“Understood,” Daniel said. He took an empty chair. “I presume you have something to tell me.”
“We’ve heard enough to know that you’ve come from outside, looking for answers to certain questions.”
“You’re a spy from some colony in the west,” Fernando said.
“Who told you that?” Daniel asked, beginning to rise.
“Maybe spy isn’t the right word,” Hugh said.
Daniel decided to take a chance and trust, as these people had done. “My colony has both human and Opiri members, living as equals,” he said. “I came here to learn if an entire city could maintain the same way of life.”
“That’s all?” Hugh asked with a skeptical frown.
“I also needed to be sure that Tanis wasn’t a threat to us, which it might be if it wasn’t what rumor claimed.”
“And now?” Chaya asked.
“I’ve seen and heard enough to doubt that Tanis is as devoted to equality and peace as it seems on the surface.”
“Then you know enough to leave Tanis and make your report to your colony,” Greta said.
“Not yet,” Daniel said. “There’s too much I don’t understand.”
“How did you manage to escape the consequences of fighting the Opiri in the first gang attack?” Kevin asked abruptly.
“I went to the Nine. I convinced them of my innocence.”
Glances were exchanged. “How?” Hugh asked.
“Anu decided that guilt or innocence could be determined by combat with the Opiri involved.”
“More corruption,” Kevin muttered. “Are you sure your friendship with Isis didn’t have anything to do with it?”
So his and Isis’s relationship was common knowledge even among humans, Daniel thought. “Isis helped me get in to see Anu,” he said. “She never believed in my guilt.”
People shifted in their seats. Kevin continued to glower.
“You and Isis tried to stop the protest at the Games,” Hugh said. “Was it for Anu?”
“I didn’t want to see anyone hurt. Neither did Isis.”
“So you acted entirely on our behalf.”
“If you thought I was working for the Nine, would I be here now?”
“You said there were better ways to present our issues to the Nine.”
“And Isis agreed to help you.” Suddenly, Daniel felt like an idiot. “Were you behind the protest?”
“There has been evidence that Opiri were bribing the contestants to throw the Games, as well as gambling at the competitions.”
“And after all your concern about the public exposure of your grievances, you thought a protest conducted by fighting among yourselves would get the Nine’s attention. Or wasn’t it completely under your control?”
Hugh had the grace to look embarrassed. “It was a mistake.”
“Did you expect so many people to be arrested?”
“No,” Greta admitted. “But we know that Isis was given charge of them, and that they were released.”
“You can thank her for that.”
Kevin muttered something that brought Daniel to his feet. Greta glared at Kevin. Hugh smoothed his beard.
“Kevin,” he said.
The younger man clenched his fists and stared at the floor. Daniel sat down again.
“You know that discontent is growing, Daniel,” Hugh said. “Tanis’s original charter claims that free speech is a necessary part of true civilization. But we know the difference between what is and what should be. And we know that hypocrisy reigns in Tanis.”
“We,” Daniel said, his pulse drumming in his ears. “How many of you are there?”
“Not nearly enough,” Greta said. “Too many humans here are mesmerized by the Nine and are blind to the problems.”
“Why don’t you leave?” Daniel asked. “You’re free to go.”
“Are we?” Kevin asked.
“Not all of us were originally serfs,” Hugh said. “We came here believing in the dream Tanis promised. Why should we be driven away?”
“You know about the Opir who attacked a human woman a short time ago?” Daniel asked.
“I saw it,” Greta said. “I also saw what you did.”
“It’s crazy,” Marcel said. “A public assault, with the obvious intent to kill. And then there’s the gang raids on the wards.”
“Lundquist was telling the truth? There’ve been more of them?”
“He’s a drunk, but he’s not a liar,” Greta said. “The gangs taunt us about human weakness, how we can’t be trusted to run our own lives. It’s as if they want to provoke us.”
“You think these are organized attacks?”
“You heard what Lundquist said.”
“So did everyone else in the beer garden,” Daniel said. “He thinks the Nine control people. He also said that humans have gone missing.”
“It’s true,” Hugh said. “About fifty in the past six months.”
Eight a month, Daniel thought. “And there’s been no public outcry?” he asked.
“There’s fear,” Kevin said.
“Do the victims have anything in common?” Daniel asked. “Age, sex, profession?”
“Adult men and women,” Greta said, “mostly young. The disappearances seem to occur randomly, and sometimes nobody knows the people are gone until they don’t show up for days on end.”
“We did our own investigation,” Hugh said. “None of them planned to leave Tanis or went on patrols with the rangers outside the city. No one held a grudge against any of them, as far as we know.”
“You believe Opiri are responsible.”
“Who else?” Hugh asked.
“And you all think that the Nine know about this?”
“There is a rot in Tanis,” Hugh said, “and it can only have begun in one place. With the founders.”
Daniel massaged his shoulder, which the Opir had nearly pulled out of its socket, thinking of his conversation with Isis. “What motive would they have?” he asked.
“We don’t know,” Greta said. “But they could stop all these problems if they wanted to.”
“Negligence,” Daniel said, playing devil’s advocate. “Detachment. Why do you assume their purpose is malicious?”
Nobody offered a further explanation. But Daniel couldn’t shake the impact of their certainty...or his own strong doubts about the Nine, especially Anu.
“I’m still an outsider,” he said. “What can I do to help you?”
“Isis,” Hugh said. “Of all the Nine, she is most sympathetic to humanity and yet strong enough to hold her own among the others.” Hugh cleared his throat. “We want you to approach her, Daniel. She’s our only direct connection to the true rulers of the city. We need her to be completely on our side.”
“You want her to betray her own kind?”
“We need her to listen to the Nine and inform us of their next move against us. We need to know what they’re trying to achieve.”
“Isis isn’t in Anu’s confidence.”
“She’s the only hope we have,” Hugh said.
Pacing across the room, Daniel considered the man’s request. Isis had already agreed to try to learn if the Nine were aware of further Opir attacks on the wards as well as the supposed disappearances. Yet for all that had happened, in spite of what he and Isis had heard, he didn’t know if she was willing to turn against her peers, the “gods” who had shared her dream. She would have to acknowledge, at last, that there was a deadly chasm in Tanis that might soon rip it apart.
And that the humans were on the right side.
“Lundquist doesn’t trust her,” he said, facing Hugh again. “Obviously Kevin doesn’t, either. Are you so sure she won’t turn against you?”
“You know the answer to that, Daniel,” Isis said, walking into the room. She removed her mask and met his gaze steadily.
At once all the humans were on their feet. Daniel moved between them and Isis. She shifted to stand beside him.
“Do not fear,” she said to Hugh’s people. “Nobody else knows I have come.”
“How did you find us, Lady Isis?” Hugh asked, his voice gruff with suspicion he couldn’t conceal.
“I was not followed,” she said, avoiding his question.
Daniel looked her over carefully. “You went through the main room?” he asked.
“It was an interesting experience.” She took the nearest seat. “Please,” she said. “Continue your discussion.”
No one spoke. Daniel stood beside her chair and stared at Hugh and his comrades.
“You wanted her help,” he said. “Have you changed your minds?”
“We did not expect to meet you today, Lady Isis,” Hugh said.
“No. You would have left Daniel to convince me to help you.” She swept her gaze over the gathering. “If you will not trust me now that I am here, I will go. I will neither hinder nor report you.”
There was a long, uneasy silence. It was evident to Daniel that, for all their defiance, Hugh’s people were a little in awe of Isis.
“How much did you overhear?” Hugh asked quietly.
“You wish me to report on the future activities of the Nine,” she said. She glanced at Daniel. “I have heard several wild theories and speculation without proof. Nevertheless, I am prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to heal our city.”
“And if healing isn’t possible?” Hugh asked.
Isis didn’t reply. When Daniel touched her shoulder, he felt her muscles tense as if she suspected imminent attack.
“Will you help us?” Greta asked.
“If you will accept my assistance, now and in the future, without doubt or hesitation. You must avoid calling attention to yourselves, and advise other humans to do the same. No more protests at the depository, the Games or elsewhere.”
“Nobody leads all the humans in Tanis,” Hugh said, “and no one person has the ability to prevent future protests.”
“Talk to as many as you can,” Daniel said. “Explain that incidents like the one at the Games aren’t going to help them now.”
“And what about defending ourselves from the Opir gangs?” Kevin asked. “Are we just supposed to let them attack us?”
“I will approach Hermes and see that his officers station more Lawkeepers in the human wards,” Isis said. “I will make certain he understands that they must do their work for all Tanisians.”
“Will he agree?” Greta asked.
“He will listen to me,” she said.
Kevin snorted in exasperation. “What if he’s in on all this with the rest?”
“In on the conspiracy?” Isis asked. “I do not believe that Hermes would ever wish ill upon humanity. But I thank you for your concern.” She flashed Daniel an enigmatic glance. “How will we arrange to meet again?”
“You can find me at the tavern, when it’s safe to approach,” Hugh said.
“Safe for the lady as well as for yourselves,” Daniel added.
“Of
course.” Hugh addressed Isis. “Is there anything you want us to—”
Without warning, she broke for the door and stepped out into the corridor. Daniel followed her.
“I’m sorry,” Daniel said, closing the door behind them. “I know how hard this must be for you. But we have to get at the truth, no matter how difficult—”
She snatched up her mask, charged through the door to the main room and stopped, her gaze sweeping the tableau of couples and groups engaged in unashamed lovemaking. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. Then she turned around, clasped Daniel’s shoulders and kissed him.
At first, Daniel was too startled to respond. The wild, almost desperate nature of the kiss convinced him that Isis wanted to escape all the terrible implications of the conversation with Hugh and his people. She wanted to lose herself in passion, like every other person in the room.
As did Daniel. Even if it meant breaking the last threads of his commitment to keep his distance from her. Isis was a creature of pure sensuality now, indifferent to her surroundings, lacking all inhibition. If he’d let her, she would have dragged him down to the cushions then and there, opened up to him and pulled him inside her with no thought to the others around them.
Daniel had to maintain his reason. He took her hand, drew her back into the corridor and led her from door to door while she kissed his neck and pulled at his clothing. The first two rooms were occupied; the third was not, and Daniel had barely closed the door before Isis was shedding her robes. She stood before him, panting, her eyes almost as black as a moonless night.
CHAPTER 18
Daniel began to unbutton his shirt, but Isis was unable to wait. She dragged the shirt over his head and kissed his chest, her tongue running over his nipple. He shuddered as she unbuttoned his pants and grasped him with her slender hands. She began to stroke him, running her fingers up and down his erection, teasing him with the tips of her nails.
Then she took him into her mouth. He moaned, startled by the almost violent rush of sensation, and she caressed him with her tongue as well as her hands and fingers, scarcely brushing him with the tips of her teeth.
Harlequin Nocturne May 2016 Box Set Page 17
