She gestured toward my plate. “Eat. I’ll talk while we do.” She paused then added, “and don’t leave the table until I give you the okay.”
With that, a transparent dome with a flat bottom shimmered into existence and wholly enclosed the space we occupied.
“What?” My startled exclamation prompted Sari’s explanation.
“It’s a privacy shield. Completely invisible on the outside and soundproof as well. We can see the slight shimmer to let us know it’s in place and active but no one else can. More importantly, no one can hear us.” She ate a few quick bites of her food then focused the full weight of her attention on me. “Gavin, let’s cut directly to the chase. When you saw Zahra yesterday, what happened?”
I wasn’t sure where she was going with that question but answered anyway. My memories replayed as I spoke. “I was in Zatler’s Park. I'd stayed in the shadows while looking for a way around Bacca’s latest ‘show’ but felt someone watching me. I looked up and there she was, standing on a low hill a few hundred feet away from the fountain. I couldn’t look away from her gaze, and I swear I felt her tremble—although there’s no way I could’ve known that.”
Sari nodded. “Go on.”
I stalled. “There’s not much more to tell.”
She pinned me with a firm gaze. “Go on.”
Reluctantly, as though saying it aloud would either destroy an illusion or bring it to life— “I spoke to her telepathically.”
“Putinfilacxo!” Sari’s sudden outburst prefaced a lot of sotto voce muttering. I only caught a word or two here and there, but it wasn’t difficult to figure out that the normally-unflappable Master armorer was swearing up a storm in a foreign language.
Mindful of appearances, I resumed eating. Several bites later, as I took a sip of my Scotch, she finally spoke to me.
“You’re her sin’yai.”
That shocking sentence hit my ears mid-sip. My hand shook, and I imbibed a much larger gulp than intended to avoid spilling my drink. I coughed and sputtered as the Scotch tried to go down my windpipe instead of my throat. It took a minute before I was able to croak, “What?”
Sari leveled a look at me. “You heard me.”
“How the hell did you come to that conclusion?”
“Neither of you is telepathic, yet you spoke to her that way. That alone points to a sin’yai bond. If that’s not enough evidence for you, I saw the way you watched her tonight, even before Lumi introduced you. It turned proprietary after that, which tells me you already think of her as yours. Then you claimed the first dance of the night. Since that’s a formal dance everyone watches to see who partners with who and also sets the tone for who is and isn't approachable with other offers for the evening, I’d say you’ve made your stance—and the bond—clear.
I swore as I realized everything she’d just said was true. “That’s not the only thing, Sari,” I slowly responded as I gathered my thoughts into a coherent report. “She’s got a target on her back. I’m not sure why, but it’s there. There’s a ‘subvert or kill’ note in her files.”
Sari stiffened. “How did you discover that?”
“I ran a visual search on her after our encounter in the park. Her record didn’t have much in it, but one of the notes said, ‘subvert if possible, kill if not.’” I inhaled then clearly enunciated, “There is no way the notes I saw should have been in there, Sari. That was an unclassified central database search. And yet, they were.” I let that sink in then added, “Hers wasn’t the only record with that kind of information in it, either.”
Sari’s hand shook as she reached for one of the shots. She stopped and controlled it with visible effort before she picked up the glass and downed its contents like water. Steadier now, she put the empty glass down, lifted the second, and tossed it back as well. She inhaled deeply then exhaled with a whoosh of licorice-and-whiskey scented air before she spoke quietly but emphatically.
“Do not, I repeat, do not, tell anyone else what you found. From here on out, I’m the only person you speak to about that and anything else you find unless I say differently.”
I trusted Sari, but that order raised a red flag. She saw it in my eyes.
“Tetrarchs’ orders, Gavin. I can’t divulge the full details right now since we have neither the time nor the degree of privacy shielding required, but Speaker Aerind, Pyrite, Sleight and I are clandestinely working together to uncover all the players in a conspiracy to overthrow the Tetrarchy. Your discovery just landed you on the investigation team as well.
“I need a full report that details how you accessed the database, the results you obtained, and anything else you may have heard or seen from outside sources. You know the types of information needed. Set up a time for us to meet within the next twenty-four hours to review everything. No electronic communications about this. We’re pretty sure someone compromised the system—this seems to confirm it.”
I whistled long and low as she finished. “I knew something was in the works. All right. Sometime this evening, I’ll publicly accept your long-standing offer to kick my ass in a sparring session. Be ready to follow that cue.” I finished my Scotch then added, “We should probably go inside. I believe the first dance will soon begin.”
She smiled impishly at that. “Yes, and I quite look forward to everyone's reactions when you and Zahra step onto the floor together.”
“Evil woman.” I chuckled as she dismissed the privacy shield. “You know I hate the fuss.”
Her smile was predatory. “You may hate it, but it serves a purpose.” She rose and walked inside.
Chapter Sixteen
Gavin
I STEELED MYSELF BEFORE reentering the crowd. While I looked forward to chatting with Zahra during our dance, I was less than thrilled that all eyes would be upon us. Ideal circumstances or not, I wouldn’t squander the opportunity. I was far too curious about her.
Mere moments later, a soft chime sounded. The first strains of music rippled through the room, signaling everyone onto the floor for the traditional waltz that opened the dancing for every Fête. It was an elegant dance when performed correctly, a throwback to a bygone era. Many hated it, but I enjoyed it when I had an able partner. And when my partner was also the object of my interest? The dance offered scope to become subtly sensual while still maintaining its elegant decorum.
I looked around and saw Zahra standing some twenty feet from me, laughing as she shooed Lumi away with exaggerated hand motions. Lumi mock-flounced for a few steps then settled into her usual stride as she moved to find her dance partner.
“Would milady care to dance?” I greeted Zahra as I approached, bowed with one hand on my sword to keep it from swinging out, then straightened and offered her my arm, mimicking the speech and mannerisms of a noble courtier from the waltz's era.
“Why thank you, kind sir, I’d be delighted to accept.” She played along perfectly, right down to her return curtsy and the downward sweep of her lashes which veiled her eyes before she straightened and glanced up at me.
I chuckled appreciatively. “Well played. Full points for style and accuracy.”
She laughed lightly. “Not entirely accurate, I’m afraid. It seems I’ve misplaced the fan used to carry the unspoken part of our conversation. And I refuse to try and flutter my lashes at you—”
She broke off when my amusement turned into outright laughter.
“Points to the lady! Touché. Please don’t try the lash-fluttering business—I never did understand why anyone thought that was flirtatious. I’m relieved that you agree.”
She snorted even as she moved gracefully into my hold, her frame upright and assured. “A simpering miss I’m not, so don’t expect that attitude or reactions from me.”
“I’m thankful for that,” I murmured as I drew her into the initial steps of the dance.
She moved with me fluidly, reading my cues as adeptly as if we’d danced together for years. I led her into increasingly advanced moves as my confidence in her as a dance p
artner grew by leaps and bounds. She matched me step for step with never a bobble. Before long, we were whirling around the outer edges of the dance floor. The music guided our motions as we effortlessly wove in and out of the other couples while conversing.
“What happened between us in the park?” Her straightforward question came out of nowhere just before the dance ended.
“I’m not sure how to answer that,” I admitted as the last notes of the song hung briefly in the air.
We moved off the dance floor as I racked my brain for an acceptable answer.
“Tell you what. The Fête isn’t the time or place for that discussion, so you get a pass for the moment. However, I think we have much to discuss, so let’s meet tomorrow and talk.”
Once again, her direct approach caught me off guard although I was quick to respond, “I’d like that. What time and where?”
“It’ll have to be in the evening. I have a daytime appointment that will likely last several hours.”
I nodded. “Evening works for me. I have matters requiring my attention until then.”
“Perfect. Why don't we meet somewhere for a casual dinner and see where the conversation goes?” A faint hint of challenge underscored her otherwise calm response. I unconsciously rose to it.
“A casual dinner it is, then. Let’s meet at Zanto’s, say 6:00 p.m.? If you get there before me, the reservation will be in my name.”
“Reservation? I thought this was casual.” She raised her eyebrow in an unspoken query.
“It is. But there’s a particular table that will afford us some privacy while we chat over dinner.”
“Ahh. I see. Very well, 6:00 p.m. tomorrow at Zanto’s, then.”
By then, we’d reached one of the numerous round cocktail tables scattered around the room. I was about to ask if she wanted something to drink when Sari and Sleight showed up.
“Gavin, no hogging this lovely lady tonight.” Sleight’s amused voice filled the space around us as he winked at Zahra. “I’ve been dying to ask her to dance since I saw her in Sari’s shop the other day.”
Zahra laughed at his overblown delivery. “You look rather hale and hearty for a man who’s allegedly dying for want of a dance.”
Sleight melodramatically slapped a hand over his heart. “You wound me, fair lady. Please grant me one so I might recover.”
She laughed then accepted his hand as she informed him, “Very well. But if you step on my toes, our dance ends forthwith!”
Sari and I were still laughing at their antics as Sleight led Zahra onto the dance floor.
“So?” Sari’s innuendo-laden tone made it clear she was asking several questions at once, many of which I couldn't answer.
“She’s unusual. And interesting. We’ve arranged to chat over dinner tomorrow evening.” That was the best I could do at the moment, although several other replies floated through my head.
“Good.” Sari’s eyes echoed her verbal approval, although she said nothing more on the subject.
A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER, Lumi and I were dancing when I glanced up and spotted trouble starting. I instinctively looked around for Zahra. Lumi noticed and tapped my shoulder to regain my attention.
“She’s dancing with Obsidian, on the far side of the room. She’ll be fine.”
My eyebrows felt like they’d lodged in my hairline, they flew up so far. “With Obsidian? We are talking about the same guy, right? Tall, dark skin, the one who never dances beyond the obligatory first dance?”
Lumi’s eyes sparkled as she laughed at my reaction. “The look on your face, Gavin! Yes, that Obsidian. I believe he was—how did he put it?—‘taking one for the team’ and saving her toes from Jesper.”
I winced. I'd heard many a diatribe about Jesper’s inability to dance without mangling his partner’s feet. “Still...”
“She’ll be fine, Gavin. I doubt Obsidian would let any harm come to her in the first place, but if the shit does hit the fan that badly, I have her back as well.” Lumi’s even tone and uncompromising stare made it clear she wasn’t blowing smoke up my ass: Zahra would have backup if she needed it.
“Thank you.”
Anything she said in reply went unheard as we broke apart to avoid the wave of bodies hastily moving out of the way of a pair of combatants. The hissing snick of blades leaving their sheaths accompanied my quick assessing glance at the duo. It was Pyrras and a super I didn’t recognize, although I’d thought I knew everyone on the approved attendance list.
I swayed left to avoid a bystander’s outflung arm then tensed as the two went after each other in a flurry of blows, edged steel ringing as their swords met repeatedly. I looked for their weaknesses as I waited for an opening to step in and disarm them both with a minimum of fuss.
A low three-tone whistle on the other side of the combatants drew my attention to the whistler. It was Moravio, a level sigma warrior and quasi-monk I’d known and worked with for many decades. The subtle lift of his chin told me he’d take the unknown super while I dealt with Pyrras. I dipped my chin in acknowledgment, then we both moved.
Two quick steps brought me behind Pyrras. I grabbed his arms and drew them behind him while squeezing his wrist until he dropped his sword. I winced internally, hoping the blade wasn’t damaged—Pyrras might be an ass, but he had a fine weapon and took care of it properly. I used a quick shield on his wrists and feet to keep him immobilized until one of the Wardens put him in cuffs and led him away.
I turned to see how Moravio had fared. The unknown super was not only subdued—he looked stoned.
“What the hell?” My reaction elicited a quick laugh from Moravio just as a second Warden showed up to haul the unsub away.
Moravio addressed the Warden. “Take him to the white room and hold him there, please. No contact with anyone until I’ve had a chance to question him. I’ll let Speaker Aerind know.”
“Of course.” The Warden nodded as he guided his charge toward the doors on the side of the room.
Moravio turned back to me. “Are you coming? I think he might have an interesting tale to tell. Plus, you might think of different questions.”
I had a feeling there was more trouble yet to come, but I couldn’t ignore the opportunity to obtain information. “I’ll meet you in the hallway in a minute. There’s something I need to do first.”
“Very well.” Moravio’s lips twitched. “Although I’m sure everyone you’re about to speak with can handle themselves and knows that more trouble is likely to be brewing tonight.”
“Damn it, not you too!”
“You did make a rather public statement, my friend.” His amusement did nothing to soothe the unsettled feeling in my gut.
I ignored him and looked around. Zahra was still with Obsidian. Lumi and Sari were there as well, although Sari subtly gestured to the crowd when I caught her attention. I knew she meant to work her way through it, unobtrusively listening for whatever she might pick up as she kept an eye on things.
She tapped Obsidian on the arm and nodded toward me, then leaned over to speak with Lumi as Obsidian looked up. I saw Sari’s lips move although I couldn’t read them or hear what she said. Obsidian nodded as I conveyed what I wanted with a quick flick of my eyes. Satisfied with the arrangements, I walked over to the same doors the Warden had escorted the unknown super through.
Moravio was waiting for me in the hall. We set a brisk pace as we headed toward the white room, which was a small, all-white interrogation room located three floors down. Most detainees found it unsettling. A few even became disoriented.
“Any idea who this guy is?” The sound of our feet hitting the stairs in an unsyncopated rhythm punctuated my question.
“No, and that worries me.”
“You and me both.” A few steps later, my curiosity got the better of me. “What the hell did you do to him, anyway?”
Moravio chuckled. “Hit him with calm.” He shook his head. “I didn't expect him to react that strongly. Either his shield was weaker than I thou
ght, or he’s readily susceptible to being influenced.”
“That could be good or bad.” I left it at that as we continued.
Chapter Seventeen
Gavin
WHEN WE REACHED THE white room, Moravio walked in first. I slipped in behind him. I didn't want the unknown super’s attention focused on me unless I needed to take an active part in the questioning. I leaned against the wall as Moravio faced the unsub, who also stood.
There was no furniture or fixtures of any kind in the room, just white walls, ceiling, and floor, all lit from the permanent glow in the latter two. Even I, who had been in many strange places and situations, thought the room was a little unsettling, so it was no surprise to see the unsub shift and fidget uncomfortably.
“Who are you?” Moravio’s calm voice broke the quiet.
“Name’s Darvar.”
“Where do you live, Darvar?”
“Killara.”
“You’re a long way from home. What brings you to Stratis?”
“Hooked up with a group of people when I wanted to travel on the cheap. They came here, so I came too. Y’all are wild, man.”
By now I'd realized that questioning Darvar would be a tedious process. He was blissed out enough that he answered willingly, but only the exact question asked. His last comment sparked an idea to work around it, although I let Moravio continue without interruption.
“Who did you travel with?”
“Asha, Wyvern, Jade, Ricin, and Perro.”
I stiffened when he named Wyvern and Ricin as two of his travel companions. Those two were bad news from another planet. If they were here, our situation was likely to destabilize in a hurry.
“Why did the others want to visit Stratis?”
“Asha and Jade wanted some action. Said Stratis was a happening place where it’s easy to have some wild sex.”
“What about Perro, Wyvern, and Ricin?”
“I guess they wanted some, too. Wyvern mentioned getting in with a group that wanted to shake things up. Ricin, he just laughed and said he knew a guy who had connections. Perro didn’t say a thing about what he wanted...but he didn’t object, either.”
Zahra Unveiled Page 8
