Read Online Harlequin Nocturne May 2016 Box Set by Susan Krinard - Free Book Online Page B

a moment’s hesitation, Daniel took Bes’s hand.
    â€œA strong grip,” Bes said. “Excellent. Though it was amusing to see the look on your face when you first saw me.” He dropped Daniel’s hand and smoothed the front of his tunic. “What astonished you most? My size?”
    â€œI’m not accustomed to shaking hands with Opiri I’ve never met,” Daniel said.
    â€œBut I look nothing like most Opiri. Did Isis tell you about me? Or did you guess?”
    â€œHe has met only Ishtar,” Isis said cautiously. “How did you know Bes was Opir, Daniel?”
    â€œSurvival instincts, perhaps,” Bes said in his usual blunt fashion. “Humans have a great capacity for self-preservation.”
    â€œYour teeth,” Daniel said.
    Bes covered his mouth. “How silly of me.” He glanced slyly at Isis. “Did you know about her ?”
    â€œHe claims he did not know until I told him,” Isis said.
    â€œWell, you do wear the caps so as not to alarm—”
    â€œI believe he did guess,” Isis said, meeting Daniel’s gaze. “But it does not matter now. We were just taking a tour of the human wards.”
    â€œI trust you approve of mine?” Bes asked.
    â€œYou’re one of the Elders?” Daniel asked.
    â€œIsis has told you about the Nine.”
    â€œOnly a little,” Daniel said, his voice clearly indicating that “a little” was not nearly enough.
    â€œI have just begun to show him the city,” Isis said.
    â€œAh,” Bes said, belatedly aware of the tension in the air. “Well, I think when you return you will find that my humans are particularly well known for serving the finest beer in the city.”
    â€œAnd that, of course, is what makes Bes so fond of this place,” Isis said. “But not even humans can live on beer alone. Are you hungry, Daniel?”
    Daniel shook his head. “I’d like to see the other wards.”
    â€œAnother time,” Isis said. “Let us return to the Center.”
    â€œI’ll come along,” Bes offered.
    The three of them took another shuttle back to the administrative ward, where a small crowd had gathered in front of the blood depository. Several humans, both men and women, were walking back and forth in front of the doors, chanting and holding hand-printed signs. No Forced Donation, one of them read. Isis didn’t have to see the others to guess at their sentiments.
    â€œForced donations?” Daniel said, his eyes like chips of lapis lazuli. “I thought that didn’t happen here. What are they protesting?”
    â€œIt is not what it seems,” Isis said. She started toward the depository, but four uniformed Lawkeepers had already reached the protesters and had closed in around one female, who began to shout and struggle as a male Darketan caught hold of her.
    Isis ran to meet them, Daniel and Bes at her heels. The woman protester was weeping as her hands were pulled behind her, her sign broken at her feet.
    â€œStop,” Isis said. The Lawkeepers in the process of arresting the remaining male and female protesters looked up and hesitated.
    â€œWhat have they done deserving of arrest?” she asked.
    â€œDisturbing the operation of the depository,” one of the Darketans said.
    â€œLet me speak to them,” Isis said, aware of Daniel right behind her.
    â€œWait,” Bes said, his wide mouth fixed in a straight line. “I know them. They will listen to me.” He spoke to the Lawkeepers, who backed away and watched from a respectful distance as he approached the protesters.
    â€œWhat is he trying to do?” Daniel asked.
    â€œCalm them. Encourage them to see reason.”
    Daniel watched intently as Bes spoke to the protesters. The fight seemed to go out of them all at once. Bes gripped one of the men’s arms companionably and smiled at the woman. She smiled back. He spoke to the Lawkeepers