Stalking Darkness

again, closer to the surface this time, but just as confusing. “I didn’t think to check the lantern. I just came in.”
    Seregil chuckled softly. “Curious as usual, eh? Well, now that you’re in, are you going to stay? Tirien’s an excellent choice. Azarin knows his business.”
    “No.” Alec glanced at the young prostitute, still waiting hopefully nearby, then hastily back to Seregil. There was no hint of challenge in his friend’s face, just bemusement. Why then, held in the calm gaze of those grey eyes, did his own agitation increase? The situation was well past his ability to explain.
    “No, I was just looking for you. I’d better go. This place makes me feel strange.”
    “There’s more than incense burning in those bowls. But I assume if you were just passing by, then you’re here on business of your own? Let’s see now, how long has it been?”
    “I was thinking of it,” Alec admitted. He could feel the warmth of Seregil’s skin through the thick silk of the robe now. “I don’t know—I might just go on home.”
    “Don’t be silly,” Seregil said, releasing him at last. “I was planning to go back upstairs, but that can wait.” The grin flashed again, and Alec abandoned all hope of escape. “There’s a place just down the street that’s probably more to your liking. And long overdue, too. I’ll be right back.”
    Returning to the main room, he said something to Tirien. The man gave Alec a last wistful look, then drifted away.
    Leaning in the shadow of the arch, Alec watched Seregil take leave of his companion, who was clearly dismayed by his departure. After a brief, animated exchange, Seregil pressed him back on the couch with a deep, lingering kiss, then disappeared up the stairs.
    He came down again a few moments later fully dressed, sword belt slung over one shoulder.
    “Come along,” he said jauntily, leading the way to a villa down the block.
    Well, at least there’s a pink lantern here
, Alec thought, nervous again as Seregil urged him up the stairs.
    Seregil appeared to be well known here. A number of women greeted him enthusiastically as he led Alec into the salon. This establishment was quite similar to Azarin’s. Erotic tapestries and statuary adorned this room and lovely women in various states of dishabille entertained their patrons, brilliant and lovely as rare birds.
    As they handed their cloaks and swords to a page, a richly dressed woman left a knot of conversation and rushed to embrace Seregil. Her skin, generously exposed by the blue silk gown she wore, had a golden olive tone Alec had never seen before. Thick black ringlets hung in a shining cascade to her waist.
    “Where have you been keeping yourself, you rogue,” she cried with obvious delight.
    “A million places, Eirual, my love, but none so pleasant as here,” Seregil replied, kissing her throat lasciviously.
    She laughed, then pushed him away, dark eyes widening in mock reproach. “I know that scent. You’ve been to Azarin’s already. How cruel you are, coming to me with your fires already spent.”
    “Spent? My fires?” Seregil caught her close again. “And when, my lovely one, have you ever known
that
to be the case?”
    “I’d like to put you to the test—upstairs.”
    “I accept your challenge gladly, madame, but first we have to find companionship for my young friend.”
    Alec had been gazing around the room during this exchange, his heart pounding in a manner even his old, Dalnan-bred self could find no argument with.
    “I think he’s found someone already,” Eirual said with an amused smile.
    Alec nodded shyly at a slender, blue-eyed brunette in burgundy silk. “She’s very pretty.”
    “Myrhichia?” Eirual shot Seregil an arch look as she summoned the woman. “He has excellent taste, this friend of yours.”
    “He hasn’t disappointed me yet,” Seregil replied, giving Alec a wink.
    Myrhichia glided over, wrapped in perfume and mystery. She was older than Alec had supposed, older than he, but that didn’t matter—there was something familiar about her, something thatmade him wave aside the offer of wine and let her lead him up the stairs to her room.
    It wasn’t until she turned to speak to him over her shoulder that he realized how much she resembled Seregil, or rather Seregil as he’d looked playing Lady Gwethelyn aboard the
Darter
. It was an unsettling revelation and he did his best to put it out of his mind as they entered her chamber. Looking around, Alec