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Houston stood for thirty minutes in front of the café cursing his stupidity. Of course, she’d lied. The fact Tegani was beautiful with an innocent face meant nothing. He raised a hand and hailed a personal transport. After barking out the address, he sat back. He felt like choking her. His temper cooled by the time the transport arrived in the poorer section of the city. In truth he might have done the same thing if his hormones weren’t reacting to her.
Tegani stood near a fruit stand and stared across at an apartment building. He walked up and took her by the arm. “I thought we were working together.”
“I decided to get an early start,” she said. “The apartment is empty. Her family fled after the emperor’s murder.”
“Why are we here?”
Her head jerked to the side, and a finger rose to her lips. She pointed at a boy walking past the apartments. His clothes were too fine for this area, and his walk was stilted. “That’s her,” Tegani whispered.
With the speed of a jungle predator, Houston closed in on the figure as Tegani hurried close behind. One couldn’t snatch someone off the street, even in this neighborhood. Well, apparently, he could and did. He grabbed the girl and yanked her into an alley. His hand was clamped over her mouth.
Tegani dashed after them and spoke rapidly to the struggling girl. “Ninallia, it’s okay. We’re friends. We mean you no harm.” She repeated the refrain for the third time.
The girl stilled then delivered a vicious kick to Houston’s non-artificial knee. He grunted but held on.
Tegani raised an arm. The sleeve fell open, revealing her tattoos. “I’m a Sister of the Order. I have been sent to help you.”
The girl collapsed into Tegani’s arms. Her sobs shook the thin body. Tegani patted her back and shared a look with Houston. The girl’s disguise was effective. If her training had made her skilled at watching for signs, they might have passed over the young boy walking in a seedy area of the city.
The trio exited the alley. In case she tried to bolt, Houston kept his arm around the girl’s shoulder. Tegani noted she thought that was unnecessary. The girl seemed relieved to have found help at last.
“How did you find me? How did you recognize me?” The girl turned toward Tegani as if Houston’s presence was unimportant.
“Let’s leave and find a place to rest.” Houston hailed a personal transport.
Tegani frowned and whispered, “No one in this neighbor would have credits enough for personal transport. We should find a public station.”
“I am a well-to-do businessman visiting the Imperial City. I have plenty of credits.”
The transport arrived, and the trio got into the private aircab.
“Your destination, good sir?” the driver queried.
“A family hostel please. We are not from this city and were dropped off in this unfortunate area. Nothing here is suitable for my family.”
The driver rubbed his chin. “How much can you pay?” His question was directed toward Houston, who was likely perceived as the husband and father.
“Nothing is too grand for my wife. A small quiet place in one of the better areas of town would be perfect. Perhaps one with a view of the Imperial Palace.”
The driver smiled. “I know just the place.”
The transport wound its way through the city as the driver pointed out sites of interest. They arrived at a small elegant inn with a view of the palace gates in the distance. Houston paid the driver and tipped generously. The driver looked at him strangely as he drove off.
“Let me handle this. We do not tip here,” Tegani said as they walked up to the door. “It is the custom for women to take care of these things. It would be odd for you to arrange them.”
He nodded while he and Ninallia fell in line behind her. Houston reminded himself to think of the girl as the boy she appeared to be. If he didn’t, her disguise might be blown.
Tegani walked up to the door and knocked. The door was opened by a uniformed servant. She didn’t wait for the servant to speak. “Tell your mistress I wish to inspect your best rooms. We have traveled a long way and were lost in this great city. Be quick and fetch your mistress.”
Soon a plump woman in voluminous robes hurried toward them. “Come in, mistress. I am sorry my stupid servant left you standing at the door.” She eyed the trio with eagerness.
“We need a room for a few days. We want something with a private bath and a view of the palace.”
“All our rooms come with a private bath.” The woman’s voice was haughty. “Our front rooms have a view of the palace, and the back rooms overlook Imperial Park.”
“May we see a room? Show us one of each please. I prefer the palace, but I’m sure my son would enjoy watching the horses. I believe there is an excellent stable, a gift from Earth.”
“Yes, they were a gift to the late emperor on his coronation. Rest his soul in the Mists.”
Tegani and the others lowered their gazes and murmured agreement. The landlady opened the door wider, and they followed her down the hall. No one spoke of credits. He figured if one asked, one probably couldn’t afford to stay there.
The room facing the palace was on the second floor with a balcony. It was large and with two beds, a seating area, and a separate bath. She looked around and nodded. Next, they climbed to the third floor and walked down a carpeted hallway to the end. This room was larger and furnished with the best in antiques. The balcony provided a view of the Imperial Park. The view was breathtaking.
“We’ll take this one,” Tegani said, her voice hushed as if in awe. “We will send for our things.”