Dark Journey. Susan Krinard

      Isis remembered how angry she had been when Daniel had been “disrespectful” to her. Her reaction had sprung from the habits of millennia, but it discredited her own philosophy. How would Anu react to such boldness from a human?

      What would he think if he found out how readily she had given herself to Daniel so soon after they had met?

      “I will see to my people,” Athena said. The others Anu had admonished agreed with brief nods and sighs. Isis stepped back from her chair and walked away from the table.

      “It is not wise to provoke Anu,” Athena said behind her. “He is overly proud, but he still has power.”

      “No more than any of us,” Isis said, facing her friend. “We are all equals here.” She lowered her voice and touched Athena’s arm. “Perhaps you will come to my ward and see the new human. I do not think he is a danger to anyone in Tanis, but another interrogator might learn more than I have.”

      “Let me do it,” Ishtar said, joining them. “I can be very persuasive.”

      “And I have neglected my people too long,” Athena murmured.

      “If you have failed to acquire enough information from this human,” Anu said, slipping up behind Athena, “it would be wise to let Ishtar try.”

       Chapter 4

      Isis considered objecting, but she had no desire for a real quarrel. Anu could be right, and he, too, held part of a long-lost past in his memory. The past Isis tried to ignore but was not yet ready to forget.

      So she agreed, and she and Ishtar—the latter in robes that rivaled the most transparent and revealing garments worn in the Egypt of the old days—summoned a shuttle to take them back to the human sector.

      “It is the middle of the night, when most humans are sleeping,” Isis said when the driver helped them out of the vehicle. “Come to my house and share my wine until morning.”

      “But any human will be more vulnerable at such a time,” Ishtar said. “We should not delay.”

      Isis knew she was right. Reluctantly she accompanied Ishtar to the Immigrant Center. She knew better than to let Ishtar into Daniel’s room, and had the guards bring him to the interrogation chamber.

      Dressed in his new clothes, Daniel seemed almost like any other fit human in Tanis. But his eyes revealed nothing when he looked at Isis, and they narrowed to slits at the sight of Ishtar.

      He knew Ishtar for what she was, Isis thought. She remembered with painful clarity every accusation Daniel had flung at her: You don’t have to order anyone to get what you want.

      If he thought Isis was a seductress who commanded reverence with her influence, Ishtar would quickly prove that Isis had nothing on her sister of the Nine.

      “Is this my new interrogator?” Daniel asked Isis in a calm, cool voice.

      Unlike ordinary Opiri, Isis could blush. Even Daniel’s few, cursory words carried her back to his bed and into his arms...and reminded her of his final mockery: I am honored that you chose to suspend your noble chastity with me.

      Ishtar had no concerns about chastity. She moved very close to Daniel, her eyes heavy lidded.

      “I am Ishtar,” she purred. “I doubt you will find my questions unpleasant.”

      Daniel smiled a cold, almost cruel smile, ignoring the brush of Ishtar’s full, barely covered breast against his shoulder. “Are you finished with me, Lady Isis?” he asked.

      She lifted her chin. “I thought it was you who was finished with me.”

      With a throaty laugh, Ishtar looked from Isis to Daniel. “How interesting. Did she not please you, Daniel? Was she reluctant to share her many gifts?”

      “You seem eager to share yours, Lady Ishtar.”

      “I have no prejudice against humans,” she said, stroking his chest with a plump forefinger.

      “But you’re like Lady Isis,” he said. “A Bloodmistress used to getting your way.”

      Instead of showing offense, Ishtar merely laughed again. “I see why Isis had trouble with you,” she said. “But if you have any secrets, you will give them up. If not to me, then to another.”

      “My choice of pleasure or punishment?”

      Isis flinched, thinking of the scars. “I told him there would be no punishment,” she told Ishtar.

      “Then by all means, let us try the former.” Ishtar smiled at Isis. “Do you care to watch?”

      The room filled with the smell of lust, and Isis couldn’t bear it. If she’d had any courage, she would have dragged Daniel out of the room. But Ishtar might succeed where she had failed, and all Daniel would lose was his pride. The city must come first.

      She quickly left the room, locking the door behind her, and sat in the reception area. Endless moments passed. The Opir guards offered her warmed blood. She declined.

      At last she heard the sound of a door opening and quickly closing again, with no little force. She rose as Ishtar entered the waiting room and swept past her to the door.

      “Ishtar,” Isis called after her.

      The former goddess paused, her beautiful face thin lipped and set. “He did not respond,” she said, as if she were speaking of something quite impossible. “He must be made of stone.”

      With a silent sigh of relief, Isis took Ishtar’s arm. “You learned nothing?” she asked.

      “Only that he has come for sanctuary, but wished to learn if Tanis was all that he had heard before he let himself be known here.”

      “As he told me,” Isis said. “Surely there can be little more to tell.”

      “Not if he resisted me,” Ishtar said with a toss of her black hair. “But perhaps that alone makes him dangerous.”

      “He is different,” Isis said, “but we learned long ago that not all humans are the same.”

      Ishtar blew out a puff of air. “I did note the scars upon his neck. His history must be quite interesting. I should advise Anu to keep Daniel in custody until he has the chance to interrogate the human himself, but I see that you have some concern for him.” She smiled slyly. “What draws you to this human, Isis? Perhaps you wish to take him as your consort? I would not blame you.”

      “You know I have no need for a consort,” Isis said, “even if he would agree.”

      “Yes,” Ishtar said with a faint scowl. “By all means, let us not forget that mortals are now our equals.”

      “It was our goal when we arrived to take charge of Tartaros,” Isis said. “To guide, but not to rule.”

      “Like Bes, you spend too much time among humans.”

      “If you would look upon them as students rather than casual bed partners, you might see the value in their company.”

      Ishtar snorted inelegantly. “Let me handle my charges in my own way. They are content enough.”

      Isis knew she would gain nothing by arguing. At least Ishtar took a personal interest in some of her humans, and it was largely benevolent. She seduced, but did not coerce...though perhaps, with her, there was little difference.

      For Daniel, there obviously hadn’t been.

      “I will go back,” Isis said. “Tell Anu that Daniel will be my responsibility.”

      “I will do as you ask,” Ishtar said, her voice silky with insinuation. “But do not let him get into trouble, or we shall both be in trouble with Anu.” She shook out her robes. “I think I shall seek out more willing