by Rachel Grace
James tilted his head. “Which women, sir?”
“Leave that to me. Just make sure the room is properly prepared and attended. And make a batch of our special two-tiered brandy. But first, bring me that list.”
His guard nodded and disappeared without another word. Bodhan’s grin quickly returned to a grimace. Which women? The customer in question was never easy to please. His first thought was for the free-spirited Seraphina. She was no easy one to control, but business increased tenfold when word spread that she was on board.
Though the Felidae was as well known for her sticky fingers and eavesdropping abilities as she was for her skills at seduction, she had never taken from any in his employ. Her qualities could be used to his advantage in this situation. Especially if she suspected he was aware of her trespass. He couldn’t trust her but he could motivate her by offering her something she wanted. In that way, Seraphina was predictable.
If only he could say that about Dare. He had no idea what she wanted, other than off his Siren.
What was he going to do about her? Just release her to her own devices once they reached port? How could he do so with a clear conscience? She was such a tiny thing, ill-equipped for the world around her, despite her surprising strength. Her honest surprise as she discovered each new aspect of her current situation was proof of that. The world was full of dangerous people who would take advantage of her naïveté.
Yet what were Dare’s alternatives? Staying here was just as fraught with danger. She could share pleasure for her living, though the idea of anyone laying a hand on her made him reach instinctively for the theorrite pistol concealed in a clasped holster at his thigh.
She could stay with him. An indefinite guest who would soon become privy to all his machinations. The bribery, the secrecy. His secrets shared, while he still knew close to nothing about hers. He suspected many things, but had no tangible proof.
He had ways. It was his business, after all—other people’s secrets. A family business he had been proud of, until this one small scrap of a woman looked at him with scorn. Still, he could use his connections to discover the truth about who she was, where she’d come from, without her knowledge.
That would certainly woo her straight into your arms, his inner voice mocked him. He couldn’t take away her choices any more than he could accept the authority of the Theorrean Raj. And he wanted her to tell him. Strange though it sounded, he wanted Dare to trust him. Not to flinch when he came close, or read dark intent into his every word and action.
Why did it matter?
There was nothing for it but to let her go when the time came.
His life was complicated enough. Each year, each new lost girl in need of a job, each man in need of a second chance or fugitive from the Raj’s laws needing to find sanctuary, brought him more complications.
In the beginning his job had seemed so simple. Long-term, but simple. And honorable. Where had he gone wrong? Why had he, unlike his clever predecessor, been stuck collecting so many strays? And why now, of all times, had the confounding, utterly distracting, and inexplicably vulnerable Dare arrived on his Siren? Tied up like a gift meant for him alone.
Or a trap.
Big movements were afoot, rumors he could hardly fathom, and danger for those he cared about at every turn. The news his cousin had shared with him in Newgarren after he’d left the Siren to save him from those greedy, thieving thugs was difficult for him to believe. An old myth was stirring to life in the desert.
Right now, all he could do was focus on his latest target, whose odd proclivities and running mouth would hopefully be his downfall, as well as turn him into Bodhan’s involuntary informant.
He ran a hand through his hair. He dared not take the wrong step in this. He needed more information, reliable information that he could use about where the missing had been taken. All shapes, sizes, and genders in every town they frequented. The stories of abductions made no sense. Had no reason he could discern.
Granted, most of them were half-breeds or lowborns who wouldn’t be missed as much as the higher castes. But traders were not safe, either. It wasn’t unprecedented that the Wode who worked for the science ministry would take people into custody indefinitely, but this was different. People were being taken from their beds, from street corners.
Dare was lucky it was Lucy Thrice, an ordinary criminal, who had taken her for profit. It could have been much worse. She could have simply vanished.
More and more had been disappearing over the last few months until finally, in an action Bodhan could not countenance or forgive, someone had been taken off the Siren itself. A tall, slightly banged-up, self-confessed Wode half-breed who had found his way on board for a short trip, and ended up with more than he’d bargained for.
Bodhan’s eyes narrowed, staring out the window at nothing.
Wode.
That man had appeared near as dazed by his surroundings as Dare, though he’d hidden it a hell of a lot better. He’d also come of his own volition, with goods to trade and the knowledge of how to contact the Siren. Bodhan recalled it being suspicious that the man had seemed surprised it actually existed.
He frowned. Apart from his height and shaved head, the half-breed seemed more like Dare than chance should allow. Intelligent. Curious. And he didn’t fit, either. How had that comparison evaded him until now? Was there a connection between them?
His door opened and Bodhan whirled on his booted heel, grabbing for James’s collar a bit too roughly. The paper in the guard’s hands rattled. “Our missing passenger a few months back. The Wode bastard. Do you remember his name?”
James chuckled nervously. “What? Oh, sure. Of course. The boys and I took him under our wing, it being his first time on and all. Almost asked you to hire him, he’d looked so down on his luck, but then he disappeared.”
“I remember, James. Clearly. His name,” Bodhan spoke through gritted teeth, reminding himself that he was known for his patience. Famous for it. “What was his name?”
“C-Cyril? Or Silas I think? No, Cyrus. That’s it. I remember because the night we got him drunk enough to talk to Grey and Ivory, who were both giving him the eye, he went and bragged about having a cock the size of a sword.” Bodhan let James go and the guard took a nervous step back, a wary smile on his face. “Cyrus the Sword, he called himself. We told him dagger or sword, it’s still all about skill.”
Bodhan shook his head absently. “I was distracted during that trip, but he was a bit of a prig, wasn’t he? More like the nobles who refuse our services than an abused stray.”
James Stacy’s shoulders relaxed and his eyes sparkled. “He was nice enough that he didn’t deserve to be taken, but he was upright and tight for a certainty. He ended up turning down all comers and drove Seraphina herself crazy. I seem to recall her sniffing after him. She loves a challenge. But even I was surprised at how often he rejected her. She’s not used to that, you know.”
Yes, Seraphina had been on board then as well. And just as interested in Dare now as James said she had been in the man. Damn. More than chance indeed. He now knew for certain that Seraphina would be one of the women he chose for the evening.
“James, I’ve changed my mind. Whoever it was sneaking about my suite has nothing but the knowledge that I leave sweets and customer complaints in my desk. We’ll worry about security after we surface.”
Another guard knocked on the door, balancing a tray of food delicately in his large, awkward grasp. Bodhan offered the man a genuine smile. “At last. It looks good.”
He hoped Dare thought so.
James and the guard exchange knowing smirks, and Bodhan scowled at them. “Is something amusing?”
“No, sir.” James’ smirk disappeared and the other guard made a hasty exit.
Bodhan lifted an eyebrow. “Spit it out.”
James Stacy shrugged. “Coral said everyone is talking about you and the girl… I mean, the way you and she…” He raised his hands as if to ward off Bodhan’s expre
ssion. “Women do love to speculate, sir.”
“The women aren’t paid to speculate. They are paid to distract and please our passengers and indulge their whims. Let them know that in the future, restraint concerning speculation about me is strongly recommended.”
“Did you still want that drink, sir?”
Bodhan took a breath, offering an olive branch. “Relax, James. I am not myself today. And this food will do to soothe your beast of a boss. You can go now. I’ll let you know when I’ve chosen the women I’ll need for this evening.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll just leave this with you.” James set down the paperwork he’d been asked for and headed out of the room once more.
The door had no sooner closed behind him than the female voice that haunted his dreams spoke up behind him. “I volunteer.”
Chapter Five
Dare felt his surprise through the blood pounding in her ears and the intensity of her own emotions.
She’d barely slept, too aware of the man on the other side of the hidden door. Too tempted to join him. Instead, she’d found one of his shirts in a small chest in the corner of her sleeping chamber and put it on after working her way out of the layers of her gown and corset. Then she’d proceeded to study every inch of the room, the devices on the shelves, and each seam of the wall for an alternate entry point.
It hadn’t taken long to discover the latter. Minute metallic shavings beside the narrow vent that allowed air to circulate through the room was all the proof Dare needed. Seraphina must share her penchant for climbing through air ducts. She was, however, far better at it than Dare had been. There was no way she could imagine squeezing through the narrow aperture, yet Seraphina had done it. For folly? Or something more nefarious?
The devices were unusual and varied, one seeming to have no relation to the other. At least, none she could discern. They certainly gave her no clue as to what this room was used for.
There was a small board that seemed to be a puzzle game. Its strange, maze-like structure and miniature steel ball that journeyed through it had distracted Dare for half the night without being solved.
Another device looked to be more dangerous. It was made of smooth swirling desert glass, similar to the jewelry she’d seen at the square, only this piece was long and thick as a bottle’s neck. When the small brass key was wound at the base, the shaft’s tiny internal mechanism began to hum and flicker with life, giving off a shock that reminded her of the stormgate technology. When her fingers touched it, however, it did not cause pain. Just a strong tingling sensation that spread throughout her limbs. If it was a weapon, its smoothly rounded end made it an awkward and ineffectual one. But what else could it be? Without context the devices told her nothing, held no secrets. She was no closer to understanding Bodhan or his activities than she had been yesterday.
When she could wait no longer, she had studied the door, finding the latch to open it from the inside without much difficulty.
So he’d told the truth. This wasn’t her prison.
She’d heard voices as soon as the painting began its silent slide to the side. No one noticed her. Bodhan had been too busy threatening a science minister when his guard had come in, concealing the sound of her arrival.
Dare had stayed half hidden by the painting, her heart in her throat as she was thrown by one revelation after another.
Bodhan already knew someone had been in his room. Already suspected Seraphina. More importantly, people had gone missing, and he was planning on entertaining a man he believed had information about them. Were the abductions related to Queen Idony? If so, Bodhan’s desire to know more surely proved his innocence. Didn’t it?
She’d almost revealed herself the first time James disappeared, but something stopped her. She wasn’t sure she was ready to face him, and not just because of her state of undress.
Dare felt vulnerable. The intensity of Bodhan’s emotions were heightening her own. She’d felt sure he would hear the shortening of her breath, her heart pounding. Sure he would turn around and see her in the shadows. But he didn’t.
When James returned Dare was thankful she’d remained out of sight. They mentioned Cyrus. It had to be her companion guard. Had the Queen’s Sword been aboard the Siren in disguise, and then taken away against his will?
The instant she’d heard his name her resolve returned. She was Wode. More than that, she was the Queen’s Chalice. She may be underwater, but she was never helpless.
When he remained silent she lifted her chin and raised her voice. “I said, I volunteer.”
Bodhan did not pretend to misunderstand, though his expression was dubious. “Blushing virgin to whore overnight? Were the accommodations that uncomfortable, or have I underestimated the Siren’s seductive call?”
She blushed, thankful he had turned, offering her his back as he uncovered the platters of food on the desk methodically. “I believe there is an old saying about making decisions on an empty stomach. Surely it applies to such a dramatic change.”
She stepped closer, drawn by her desire to help as well as the aroma of freshly baked bread. “You said people have gone missing? Taken against their will?” People that included Cyrus. She was no whore, but there was much she would risk to save her companion guard.
His chuckle caressed her. “I knew I should have confined you below. Though I can only imagine what the guards discuss down there.” He glanced over his shoulder, slipping a wedge of queensfruit between his lips and chewing. “As to my private conversation, abductions happen all the time, princess. You are proof enough of that.”
“These are different.” She could feel the truth in her words, knew from what she sensed in him that she was right. “And someone like me was taken off the Siren. You just said so.”
He turned back, his expression sobering. “Someone very much like you. Curiously so. Although, he was never in any danger of being deflowered or harmed. A man of his size could more than handle himself. At least, that was what I mistakenly believed. You are a different story. Regardless of what you did to your captors, to me, you could not protect yourself from every male on board were I to reveal you to them.”
Had he moved closer or had she? “Just one. I could protect myself from one man. And I do not believe you would allow anyone to hurt me.”
Did she truly believe that? Did she trust that he would protect her? She barely knew him, and what she did know should have made her wary. He was a rogue, a thief, and a seller of pleasure. And more than that, he was one of the last people to see Cyrus alive.
Could he still be alive? After all this time? Was it fate that had thrown her so far off course—perhaps the queen herself, guiding Dare to find her Sword, to ensure her own safe return?
Bodhan shook his head. “You must have been sent to test me. Or damn me. You stand here, in nothing but a man’s shirt with your hair wild from sleep, and attest to my honor. You trust me to protect your virtue and yet share none of your secrets.” He sighed. “Of course you are correct. I would never let anyone hurt you. But tell me, Dare… who is it that will protect you from me?”
She smiled. She could not help herself. It seemed he was going to give in. “James Stacy?”
He pulled out his desk chair and guided her to it, setting a full plate of food in front of her. “Never wager on it. Eat. Before I change my mind and throw you back in your room. It is lucky for you, this particular gentleman doesn’t enjoy the physical act itself. He only requires the performance, preferably between two women. Two unique women. And if there is one thing you are, Dare, it is unique.”
Dare choked on the piece of bread she’d been hungrily devouring. “Two women? Together?”
Bodhan’s expression heated, making Dare intensely aware that she was naked beneath a thin, white shirt that smelled of him. “You volunteered.” He winked, leaning over her to steal a slice of cured meat. “But if it eases your mind, Seraphina can be gentle if the occasion requires it of her.”
Dare paled, recalling the Felidae’
s provocative behavior. She could only hope Bodhan still held possession of Seraphina’s whip, and that her own lack of skill was not too apparent. If there was a man aboard who knew Cyrus’s fate, she would find out tonight. One way or another.
“Lesson one, fair Dare, is to not seem quite so terrified by my presence. Some men enjoy fear, but you will take all the fun out of my evening, I can assure you.”
Dare blinked, startled. She’d been staring again, not at Seraphina but at the contraption in the center of the room beside her.
The chair.
“I am not scared of you. I am just unused to—” She made a weak gesture toward the offending object, then toward herself, unable to find the words.
Seraphina licked her lips. “Fornication? Debauchery? Lust? Any of those will do.”
Dare nodded and crossed her arms protectively over her breasts, once more pushed up and out in an unnatural fashion by the corset she’d been given to wear when she was escorted to this guest room. That, along with a sheer pair of lace-trimmed bloomers completed her degrading ensemble.
Was this what Bodhan had wanted her to wear? In front of other people? Other men? She supposed after her eager plea to participate in seducing information out of one of his customers, he had no reason to think she would demure.
“I’m sorry, Seraphina. I’ll do my best.”
Stunningly green eyes sparked with laughter and the Felidae smiled. “I’m sure you will. You can call me Phina, Dare. We will be getting to know each other much better, after all, and I prefer it. No need to be formal, not you and I, yes? Certainly not now, when I know you kept my secret.”
Dare watched the woman place one of her long, agile legs on an arm of the chair, unclasping her garter and rolling down her stockings to reveal the smooth, leanly muscled limb. “Secret?”
Phina lifted her eyes to the ceiling and shook her head. “You saw me in his suite at the same time I saw his head buried between your pretty pale thighs. Bodhan has a suspicion it was me but he’s not sure. I could smell it. That means you did not tell him I was the one who found my way into his rooms. You could have, but you didn’t. If I were an honorable sort I might think I was in your debt.”