Susan Krinard - Dark Journey

“And they don’t use their power of influence on the people of Tanis.”

Carefully considering how to answer, Isis hesitated. “We...agreed that every citizen of Tanis should be free in every way.”

“Ishtar agreed to this, as well?”

“I am sorry,” she said, clinging to her dignity. “It was wrong of me to call upon her.”

“I accept your apology,” Daniel said, though his expression remained forbidding. “I’d like to meet these other Elders. Unless, of course, they’re too busy to see a simple human visitor.”

“It can be arranged,” Isis said. “But there are other matters to attend to first.” She lifted her chin. “I will ask for your promise,” she said. “Your oath that you will never do anything to harm Tanis.”

* * *

Harm Tanis. It was a strange request. Daniel knew all too well that Isis feared some kind of enemy from among humans or other Opiri outside the city, but hurting Tanis was entirely beyond his capability, even if he’d wanted to do it.

The only humans or Opiri who would face opposition from him were those who prevented him from carrying out his mission. His goals hadn’t changed; he needed to gather general intelligence about Tanis and find out if Ares had passed through this city.

Isis’s description of the Nine had intrigued him, especially as it related to Ares. Ares was, like them, an Elder. If he had carried through with his mission here, it shouldn’t take long to find out what had become of him. Not when Isis had been so free with her information. Not when he seemed to have as much influence on her as she’d ever had over him.

Something had happened between them...something he hadn’t expected or wanted. He still didn’t understand why she had been so quick to offer herself to a stranger.

He glanced at Isis, who waited patiently for his answer. Oh, he knew what she claimed to want: to assure Daniel that she couldn’t or wouldn’t try to influence him. She had also claimed to desire him. A Bloodmistress, one of the Elders, wanting a former serf she knew almost nothing about.

That was the part he still had the most difficulty understanding. And yet, whatever her original intentions, she’d responded to him like a woman in the throes of passion, hungry to be touched, to be lost in sensual pleasure. That wasn’t something that could easily be faked.

But she’d also told him that he couldn’t abide losing control, that it was his way of rebelling against his old life. She thought she knew him.

That wasn’t why he’d rejected her at the end. It wasn’t because she’d implied that humans required her “guidance” and that she had to remain somehow untouchable in the eyes of the city, like some kind of sacred virgin.

He’d stopped because he had felt too much. For her, yes...as nonsensical as that might be.

But he’d also remembered: the human women who had been brought to him in Erebus...and the threats that had followed—threats to kill the women if he refused, threats of ugly punishments that would befall them if they failed to perform as breeding stock.

There had been Opiri women, as well. Palemon had lent him out to service them. He had been a useful object, like all his fellow serfs in Palemon’s Household.

Leaving that Household hadn’t erased what had been done. Neither had Daniel’s escape from Erebus, or the years of freedom afterward.

Just as he hadn’t appeared to have aged in those intervening years, the memories had remained as fresh as the blood in his veins. In spite of what he’d told Isis, he could still hate.

But didn’t hate her, even though she’d thrown Ishtar at him. He’d been cruel to Isis because of his own experiences, his own suspicions, but he hadn’t thought such cruelty was in his nature. Ruthlessness, yes, when it came to protecting those close to him or under his care. But hurting his only ally would not only be foolish, but unnecessary.

For now, he needed her, in spite of the risks. And as long as he had a job to do, he wouldn’t let the memories get in his way again.

“I promise you that I have no ill intentions toward Tanis,” he said.

Isis relaxed a little, as if she’d genuinely feared he might refuse to give his word. “I am glad,” she said.

“I apologize for my discourteous behavior,” he said, holding her gaze.

Her lips parted. “I, too, apologize for any distress I may have caused you. Perhaps we can simply begin anew.”

They gazed at each other until Isis looked away. “I can either arrange for you to stay here like most new immigrants,” she said, “or find a vacant apartment for you near the plaza. The lodgings will still be plain, but luxury is not a priority in Tanis.”

“I never expected luxury,” he said. “I only objected to the lock on the door.”

Isis flushed again. “After you have rested sufficiently and feel ready, you will be eligible for a tour of the city. We have guides whose particular work is to show newcomers around Tanis.”

“I thought that was your chosen work,” he said. “Pretending to be human so that newcomers wouldn’t feel uneasy. Or is your real job to look for immigrants who might pose a threat to Tanis?”

“It is not,” she said. “This particular area of the city—the administrative ward, the plaza and the living quarters in the area—are my responsibility.”

“Your responsibility?”

“I’m responsible for the welfare of my people.”

“You’re only concerned for the people in this area.”

“No, but I represent them for the Nine.”

“Humans, from what I saw in the plaza.”

“There are some Opiri,” she said, her voice a little defensive. “They work in the offices.”

“And other areas of Tanis?” Daniel asked. “The former Opir quarters in the lower Citadel? The towers? Who’s responsible for those?”

She hesitated, sweeping her fall of black hair away from her face. “You asked about the other Elders,” she said slowly. “When we took Tartaros from the original Bloodlords and Bloodladies and freed the serfs, we divided the city into nine wards, one for each of us. There are three Opir wards covering the towers, one for the half-bloods and the remainder in the human sector.”

“Three Opir wards covering the towers,” Daniel said. “The human sector. A city divided.”

“Some Opiri do live among humans.”

“But there are no humans living in the towers.”

Isis shifted uncomfortably. “You have just entered Tanis. You have no right to judge us yet.”

“I can only judge by what you tell me. And you’ve been honest, Isis. Even when what you say doesn’t reflect well on this city.”

Isis glanced away. “If you have such grave doubts,” she said, “why not leave Tanis now?”

“I’m permitted to leave?”

“I can see to it that you are free to do so.” She sighed, and her face took on an expression of gentle forbearance and oddly impersonal warmth. “I do understand, despite what I may have said or implied.”

“Then you will be my guide.” When she didn’t answer, he moved closer to her...close enough to touch. “You’re afraid of me, Isis. You don’t have to be.”

“Why should I fear you?”

“You’re afraid you might want me again.”

“Because you are so irresistible?”

He laughed, concealing his bitterness. She swept away from him and strode toward the door.

“Someone will take you to your new quarters soon,” she said. “You will remain in the Immigrant Center for now, but there will be no locks.” She paused in the doorway. “Exploring without a guide is highly discouraged. I will send one later this morning.”

Daniel stood alone in the room for some time after she was gone. He didn’t like himself for poking and prodding at Isis, but at least now he was certain that there were others like her and Ishtar in Tanis. After centuries of living among ordinary Opiri, Ares would have met nine of his own kind.