“Right,” Vinni muttered.
The Residence continued, female voice coming from speakers set in the ceiling. “This—my personality—has been in place for nearly a century and a half. I do not wish to lose it as has happened before to other Residences who have not proven flexible with their new Heads of Households.”
Vinni had only heard of one Residence that had happened to, so T’Vine Residence knew more than he did. But, though immobile, the Residences and the starship Nuada’s Sword did have a communications ring.
And new Houses were becoming aware every year. That might help keep their brains from stratifying. Maybe it was time to introduce another couple of Flaired stones into the brain-web of the Residence, one of them to take the place of the agate he’d given Avellana for her home. Think about that later.
He didn’t want to have to watch his words with his home, tiptoe around notions instead of being blunt and clear. The Residence had stated bedrock beliefs, but would the House hold to those?
If Vinni had to change the personality of the Residence to be more in line with Vinni’s own goals, follow his lead, best to handle that fight right now.
Switching back to telepathic communication, Vinni said, I believe we harbor another traitor or traitors in our midst.
A long groan came from beams overhead and the Residence spoke mind-to-mind, also. Not again.
A person who has assaulted Avellana, who fears her Flair, who would kill her to prevent her from becoming D’Vine.
Nooo!
Vinni had never felt such a cold and bitter wind blast through the Residence, and from the outcries of his Family along their bonds, neither had anyone else.
Softly, softly, with the quietest whisper of his mind, he addressed the Residence. You did not know this.
No! the House whispered back. Great Flair is to be prized. A pause. No matter what kind of Flair that might be. So the Residence might know Avellana’s Flair for reviving the newly dead. Vinni hadn’t ever told it that, either. Secrets kept on both sides.
T’Vine Residence continued, Such psychical, magical power is what makes us, the FirstFamilies and Residences, the strongest and wealthiest Families on Celta. We must encourage that so we remain strong and wealthy and powerful.
All right, then. Vinni swallowed. If he spoke aloud, he’d clear his throat, but this was not something he could wish to speak aloud. I do not ask you to violate the privacy rules you have vowed to uphold.
I would not do so, T’Vine Residence shot back. My walls would begin to crumble, and my self disintegrate.
Rather like humans breaking Vows of Honor.
That is so. Though humans are shortsighted enough to forget this.
Vinni coughed. I do ask you to note the comings and goings of our Family. To be aware of angry feelings or traitorous words in other rooms than the bedrooms, which are off-limits.
I will watch and listen for evil sentiments and behavior.
Good. Naturally, only report what you find extremely suspicious to me. People are allowed their irritation at others and at me and general Family ways and you.
Yes, T’Vine. But I am currently a very reasonable entity. My mental health is well.
Vinni sensed a shade of doubt from the Residence . . . with regard to the future? He scraped his wits to find reassuring words for the Residence and said, “Your glory days, and ours, as a Family, are yet to come.”
The Residence seemed to sigh and settle around him. I so believe.
Good. Back to our problem. Instead of proceeding to the Family mainspace across the narrow courtyard, Vinni sank into one of the chairs Bifrona had insisted on providing for this room. Residence, you can recall when Family members are within your walls, correct?
Slowly the answer came. I can. I might not pay attention to those who are here or not moment by moment, but I can . . . remember.
Vinni wouldn’t say that the Residence recorded events moment by moment, but the House wasn’t human. He went on speaking mentally. No doubt the Residence recalled telepathic conversations, too, but maybe not as easily as actual sounds within its walls. Residence, please check on the presence of our Family members for the following times. He paused, thought back. Two days ago, Playday, at dawn. That night after MidEveningBell. Both these instances are when Avellana was assaulted. You may or may not know that a man from the Thermarum Baths went missing at this time, also.
The stones of the Baths are not sentient, the Residence replied. The Thermarum Residence HeartStones may be viable in the next decade.
I understand, Vinni replied. And now, like a human being, T’Vine Residence might be distracting itself with minutiae instead of contemplating a hurtful truth. We must find any Family members who threaten Avellana.
T’Vine Residence agreed.
Vinni paused. I had a nightmare last night about danger to Avellana.
I know, I felt your primary Flair radiate to and through my walls, the Residence replied.
A grunt escaped Vinni; he didn’t like talking about this, was damn tired of it. As always I wished to immediately send her away.
The House replied slowly, as if picking its words. That response has not been . . . wise . . . for some time.
I have finally understood that. I am considering my options. They may include staying at Avellana’s new home in Multiplicity for a couple of nights.
A creaklike sniff from T’Vine Residence. Brand-new houses, OUTSIDE Druida City. They won’t be intelligent for a good nineteen decades. That NEW home she will reside in CANNOT protect her.
And the House continued to drop bits of information that Vinni didn’t have. As far as he knew, the absolute minimum amount of time for a house to develop intelligence consisted of two hundred years.
Obviously the network of Residences had information he didn’t—and maybe not just him. He wondered who might keep up with that kind of information. Well, naturally, Antenn Blackthorn-Moss, who lived in one of the newest Residences to become sentient—the Turquoise House. But Antenn hadn’t said anything to the FirstFamilies about such data. Vinni would have to prompt the man—again something that could wait.
She is as protected as she can be. Vinni sent a calming thought. She has an amulet from T’Ash and protective armor from D’Yew.
I know, stated the Residence, but it began creaking around him. You should bring her here and put her in our tower and I will protect her.
Vinni shuddered. I like that idea, but she would leave and never come to us again.
A pause and the creaking stopped with a house-groan of strained wood.
We will find our enemies, inside and out, Vinni stated.
Yes! the Residence agreed. Sounded more like a promise or a vow to Vinni.
Meanwhile, I will be . . . away . . . with Avellana. I thank you for not expressing disapproval for any absence.
We will find the enemies, and you and the Family and I must proceed with the wedding. I have been working on that with D’Hazel Residence, who has been dilatory.
Right.
I have noted that a good relationship for a couple includes being alone with time away from their Families.
Good, Vinni replied, and then, pulling his thoughts back to the distressing conclusion of an enemy in the Family he had to deal with, he said mentally, I know that my schedule, meetings, and appointments are usually available to the Family. I wish to put a privacy lock on those as of now.
Yes, T’Vine.
Also, for your—not ears—knowledge only, in the future, I will not be at every meal. I will show up as I wish on a casual basis. You may inform the cooks of that.
Done!
I will not attend every internal Family meeting I’m scheduled for. They’ve always seemed too many to me, and this is a good time to cut back.
He felt his mouth set into a grim line, the thought of enemies in the Family
sickening, the idea that someone—or more than one—hated him so. It had to be hate, didn’t it? At least disrespect, putting their notions of whom he should marry—his HeartMate—over Vinni’s own judgment.
He was the Head of the Household. If someone had problems with that they should have challenged him, followed legal procedures. Instead they hid and snuck around and assaulted the woman he loved.
Because they couldn’t prove that someone might be a better GreatLord or GreatLady than he. The whole thing made him sick.
T’Vine? prodded the Residence mentally, and Vinni understood that he’d stayed in the round tower too long.
He forced nausea back, tried to think of his own procedures. Residence, to cover our internal investigation, I will explain my absences and varying schedule as due to the fact that my beloved HeartMate is in town. We have the wedding to prepare for.
Yes.
Another pause, as T’Vine Residence probably scrutinized Vinni’s schedule and Family commitments.
This investigation will be time-consuming for me, the Residence said. Who else can we use for help?
Who do we really trust? Vinni replied. He thought of the guards—they’d had problems with the guards before. His Chief Guard joined the Family within the last few years, had clasped hands with Vinni and taken a Loyalty Oath, a Vow of Honor. Vinni hadn’t seen any signs of physical deterioration from a broken Vow of Honor in anyone.
I don’t know who else in the Family to trust. Perhaps you can consider our people, who YOU would trust, he muttered mentally.
You will be late to the meeting you called if you don’t leave now, the Residence reminded him.
Being late would be a discourtesy. Fligger that. Lord and Lady knew that harboring enemies in the Family ready to harm his HeartMate was a fliggering discourtesy.
But he’d risen to his feet at the prod. One moment. I must ensure my consultation chamber is free of any whiff of evil.
I sense nothing, the Residence shot back.
With quiet steps he moved into his consultation offices, one of the most secure chambers in the castle. After all, he—and other very powerful people—went into trances here. Extending all his senses, he found no trace of negativity.
Residence, we can mark off all the people who visited this room in the last two days.
Yes, T’Vine.
That included Bifrona, and when he thought of her, a vision rolled over him—that a great upset in the Family would trigger her death. His gut clenched.
He glanced at his wrist timer. “I’m going to be a trifle late. Good for them to wait. I’ve been on time my entire life. Residence, we will update each other later. The Druida City guards and Garrett Primross, the private eye, are also investigating.”
Yes, T’Vine.
Still inwardly grumbling, Vinni left the round tower behind him and crossed the narrow courtyard. If he called for another Loyalty Ceremony—his third as T’Vine—not only would it signal weakness within the Family, it would stir up his unfriends in the FirstFamilies.
Those who’d broken alliances with him a few days ago.
Doors opened in front of him and had him straightening, donning the complete manner of a GreatLord. Striding to the front of the room, he swept a scrutinizing gaze over those who’d come when he’d called. Not nearly as many as who should’ve. He couldn’t help his nostrils widening or his lips forming a slight curl. No, not much respect for him . . . or maybe they just took him for granted, he’d been GreatLord for so long.
He stared at those of the Family who’d gathered, his Chief of Guards, who sat stolidly with no expression, though Vinni believed the man seethed with impatience at this gathering and having his work schedule screwed up. His old tutor, who looked, as usual, supercilious. Bifrona, who stood by the door, her hand at her throat, her eyes lifted in exasperation.
He saw no best friend, no confidant in those faces before him. Whether due to his taking on the title so young, or, probably, the fact that there were no people within five years of his age, his best friends and companions did not lie here within his Family.
His closest companions were men from the other FirstFamilies—those in his relative age group and with whom he’d trained at The Green Knight Fencing and Fighting Salon. Along with some once-Commoner Clover men whom he’d trust more than any of those facing him.
He would not make that same mistake with his own children. They should have siblings and close confidants within the Family. Lord and Lady knew the Clovers did, and the Hollys . . . a couple of others. Not Saille T’Willow, though. Another thing to face; despite wedding HeartMates, the FirstFamilies were thin on children.
People fidgeted, and suddenly he’d just had enough of Family.
“I’m leaving to spend time with my HeartMate in Multiplicity,” he said shortly. “We may also make the rounds of the Vine estates.”
A wave of surprise and irritation from the now-still group washed over him. As if he were abandoning them. He locked down his own anger from surging through Family bonds, then gave in to instinct and teleported away. In the brief instants between T’Vine Residence and Antenn’s business courtyard, more than annoyance touched him. A spear of malevolence, an image of Avellana dead, from blazer shot—this someone else’s visualization.
But he landed on the teleportation pad in the back of Antenn Blackthorn-Moss Architects, located on one of the main streets near CityCenter.
Vinni allowed himself a little time to consider that inimical Familial touch, settle until the red fury before his eyes faded. He wanted to beat something up. He’d have no problems with any of his mature male relatives—and that was what that trace of evil felt like, a man in his prime.
If he teleported right back . . . he still wouldn’t find the sneaking, hiding villain. Leave the investigation up to the Residence and Garrett Primross.
He would continue to work on protecting Avellana—tell T’Vine Residence that the hater was on the premises now and had lately been in the round tower.
Avellana would welcome him in Multiplicity.
Twenty-seven
So he rode with one of Antenn’s staff to Multiplicity.
The woman took out writestick and papyrus and began questioning Vinni on house ideas since he’d bought a lot the night before. She pointed out passing homes through the glider windows and managed to focus Vinni on something other than danger to his HeartMate.
When they stopped briefly at the entrance to Multiplicity, he approved of the wall and gates. The woman informed him that Antenn’s office had received more inquiries into the town that morning, and most preferred having a wall.
They headed up to the observation hill, where Avellana awaited him. She wanted to watch more homes being raised. He found her outside the filled-to-capacity tent and close to the gentle edge of the hill, on the outskirts of the crowd.
“What’s going up today?” Vinni asked.
Avellana pointed to the first lot inside the gates, the foundation of the house facing east. An elaborate belowground courtyard had already been laid out, with long sweeping stone staircases on either side up to a terrace also defined by stone balustrades.
“Nice lower level,” Vinni said.
“Vensis Betony-Blackthorn’s home,” Avellana stated.
Of a design reminiscent of the home he lived in now. This one showed a classical Earthan style of white stone with pillars and stylish windows; Vensis’s house seemed the most elegant to Vinni. He shrugged. “Very pretty. I suppose it suits him.”
Avellana turned to him, brows raised. “Of course it does; Antenn’s designs are masterful.” She tilted her head. Her eyes narrowed and she sent him a telepathic stream. You yet worry about me.
Always, he returned mentally.
I and my Fam will not leave again at your command.
He took her hand and lifted it to his mouth, kissed her fingers. N
ot without me.
“What!” she exclaimed aloud.
“Let’s talk about this privately,” he murmured.
She slid her arm around his waist, and before he understood her action, she’d teleported them to a small closet and he knew from how instantaneous the transfer was that they’d gone to her home.
“What the fligger?” he swore, taking the two strides to the door and yanking it open to see the second level. “You can’t know this place quickly enough to teleport to it!”
“Muin, of course I can.”
He scowled, then looked back at the small rectangular room. If he stood in the center of it, he could touch the longer walls with his fingertips.
Then he blinked and stared into the tiny teleportation chamber filled with pale greenish-brown light that accented golden-brown walls.
“How did you make this place look exactly like a teleportation room in D’Hazel Residence?”
Her eyes held a slight disbelief. She opened her hands. “It is the light, Muin. Everyone knows that teleportation depends mainly on visualizing the light of the space where you will land. I work in light. All my holographic murals are created by tinting and bending light.” She shrugged. “Of course I can use my Flair to solidify them into sculptures . . .”
“Like those sculptures of the Lady and Lord you gave me as my last Samhain—New Year’s—gift, thank you, again.”
“That is right.” She raised her chin. “I can also draw and paint in two dimensions. I have worked hard at my craft, Muin, the same as you have done.”
“Of course,” he agreed.
“But it is primarily light.” A line etched between her brows as she concentrated. She waved a hand and the tint of the room became blue, with the walls seeming greenish. “T’Vine Residence public teleportation rooms.” Her brows dipped more and the light brightened until it became more blue-white. “Your personal teleportation chamber in your suite.”
He nodded.
Then the atmosphere turned a rich golden amber as if sunlight flowed through gold-orange-paned windows.
“D’Marigold Residence, main-level teleportation chamber.” The words fell from his lips without thought.
Heart Sight Page 27