Delari gestured at Heris, who said, “We’ll let you enjoy one another for a while, now. Piper. Remember. I need to get you back in time for your morning staff meeting.”
That did not improve Hecht’s temper. “Early enough for me to have time to get myself together?”
“Good idea.”
Heris and Delari began arguing softly. Hecht paid no attention. He gathered his family round, suddenly fearful that this might be his last chance to enjoy them all together.
Anna wanted them to be alone.
But the children were determined to get a share of him, too. Hecht was touched that the bonds of family included Lila, now.
He led everyone to a lounging room where the furnishings were low divans and large pillows. Delari called it his orgy room, though nothing of the sort had happened there in recent centuries. It was a comfortable place to relax with loved ones.
Hecht took the opportunity to catch up on all their lives, devouring the trivia. What seemed so dull when it was there every minute, all around, was a treasure from afar.
Pella claimed he was going crazy. That he had to get out. And not to any stupid studies at Gray Friars or down under the Chiaro Palace. And, damnit! Yes! He did know that actually doing what he wanted might well land him in the clutches of somebody who would use him to gain leverage on the Commander of the Righteous. It was not fair! He never asked for this!
“That’s life, boy. If you’re lucky, you’ll have problems for another hundred years.”
Lila was still too shy to chatter about herself. Vali, however, had lost all her reticence. Hard to believe that she was the quiet little girl who had attached herself to him and Pinkus in Sonsa.
She said, “Pella is right. Gray Friars is really, really boring. Especially if you’re a girl. But afterward we get to go to school with Grandpa Delari. That’s fun.”
“Doing what?”
“Learning the Construct. I’m not so good with it and Pella doesn’t pay attention but Lila is like a genius. She already knows how to…”
Hecht finally cut her off. Despite having no private time with Anna he was pleased to have these rare hours with his unexpected family.
“Time to head out, little brother.” Heris shook Hecht’s shoulder again.
He had fallen asleep with Anna and the children piled around him. Only Anna and Vali stirred as he extricated himself.
Heris whispered, “It’ll be dawn in an hour. We need to go.”
He whispered, “I’m not sure I can take that again.”
“No option, Piper.”
“I know.” He scratched his left wrist.
Anna wakened. She got her feet under her, got up, leaned against Hecht groggily. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“I wish I didn’t, too.”
“There’s so much to talk about.”
“I know. If everything goes right I could be back in a few days.” He scratched again. Then started, raised his hand, and stared.
Anna clung. Vali joined her. Lila and Pella went on snoring. Anna said, “I’ll pray that it goes that well. But I don’t have much hope.”
Nor did he.
“Piper! Come on. We’re running out of time.”
“Heris, I need to see Grandfather first.”
“He isn’t awake. There isn’t time. Come on.”
“Then you need to tell him when you get back. There’s something coming. Something dark. My amulet started nagging me a few minutes ago. It hasn’t done that for so long that I thought it had stopped working.”
“Let’s hope nobody knows you’re here. I like Turking and Felske.” The implication being that those two could be the only sources of leaks should news of his presence get out. And that the price they would pay would be dear.
There was a harsh soul inside a harsh woman, Heris. Very harsh.
Hecht did not remind her that their enemies had darker and sneakier espionage resources. Though he imagined that it did take human eyes to look inside Muniero Delari’s house.
The harsh soul promised, “I’ll see him as soon as I deliver you. If something is headed our way he’ll deal with it.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
“Piper, enough! Let’s go.”
Hecht found this transition no easier than the last. And it could have been worse had he not been distracted by concerns about Anna, the children, and Principat? Delari.
Their situation was sure to grow riskier by the day.
Titus Consent rousted Hecht out. Hecht congratulated himself on having unbarred his door before he collapsed, too exhausted to dwell on nightmares seen during the transition. Consent said, “Time to get up, boss. Work to do. Man, you look like shit warmed over. What’s the deal?”
“Nightmares. Bad news nightmares, Titus. I think they mean that there are some Night things around here and they’re looking for me.”
“Sent by someone? Or just local spooks?”
Hecht shrugged. “One, the other, or both. Doesn’t matter.”
“I’ll look into it.” Consent’s tone suggested deep skepticism. “There have been no reports. And the villa is warded at double and triple depth.”
“Was it exorcised before we moved in?” He was taking the pretense too far but could not stop.
Consent said, “That might be it. We’ll move you to a room far away from this one.”
“That’s all right. I like this one.”
“Despite the nightmares? You’re getting scary, boss. I wish you’d stop.”
Hecht understood perfectly. He had done a lot, lately, that Titus considered troubling.
“Titus, I don’t do it on purpose.”
Consent seemed to understand what he meant.
Hecht told his staff, “You’ve all been worried about me lately. I point out that I’m still doing my job. And the Empress and I expect you to go on doing yours. Which will be whatever she tells us it is. I don’t expect you to be happy about that. I’m not. But the discretion I enjoy will be limited because she’s right here with us. I can argue with her. She tolerates that. And lets me change her mind occasionally. But that’s only when there aren’t any witnesses. If someone is watching she won’t budge to save her own life.”
Clej Sedlakova asked, “What’s your point?”
“That, going forward, we won’t have the freedom of action we’re used to. We’ll operate according to the Empress’s mood because she plans to stay right here with us.”
Rumble rumble. Somebody growled, “That’ll draw unfriendlies like shit draws flies.”
Hecht nodded. Having trouble staying awake.
Sedlakova quickly established himself as the loudest voice. “Boss, we need to get a lot stronger before we go racing around in open country. I’d bet they could have a force ten times the size of ours up here by tomorrow. If they’re really in a mood to be nasty.”
Consent observed, “That all depends on one man. Serenity.”
Hecht asked, “You suggesting we go on the defensive, Clej?” Disinclined to mention Heris’s suggestion that
