Eidolon by Steve Miller, Sharon Lee Read Free Book Online Page A

"Surely, there must be a
fine place of dining you prefer, you and your absent partner. Name
the place, and if you are free this evening or tomorrow at lunch or
dinner, we shall be there, pleased to have you as our guests. I
have heard very good things of Raleighs, and Panada Paradise, and
Charleschow--please name your choice and time."
    At this juncture the large man arrived,
nodding to both with the nearly absent air he wore like a cloak
over his competence, his colors showing bright points and flashes,
as of irritation.
    ". . . 'essa," Beba heard him say, "We've
been offered an extra rate to stay where we are, as I apparently
misunderstood the community rules here. They seem to feel I owe
some gift or . . ."
    Blood scent, clear and clean, from the
woman. And why not, for the Bazaar was endangering itself with
these games, these so-called second contracts and rise-costs.
    "We will talk in a moment," she said
quietly, "and then I will have the name of the person expecting
gifts. But we await word from the lady if dinner appointments might
be made, so that we can begin arrangements quickly.."
    The colors were gone
quickly, but Beba was sure she would not want this person
facing her in that
mood. And now, there were decisions to be made. Joshu's instincts
must count, but prudence also had a place.
    "Might I know the name of your--"
    There was color behind her then, and a scent
of something more, of carpets recalled and of chocolate and tea
distantly, and of blood.
    "You may, lady, if I may be sure of
yours?"
    He stood before her, shorter by a hand than
she, and bowed an exquisite bow. His colors went cool, as if the
ritual were calming, and his eyes were on hers when he finished the
bow. There was in them frankness, while over all of his face
flickered a strength and determination all limned in steel.
    She'd never seen color take form like that,
down to the shine of metal honed to edge, down to the shape of
knife and gun, behind it all the scent of blood and the scent of
carpet intermingled. She stepped back, startled, from tripping.
She'd found herself steadied, drawn in to his center, his arm on
shoulder. Not since training had she allowed herself to be so
overwhelmed by a reading.
    "Is there something amiss?" The smaller man
looked concerned, the colors were cooled to a mild green tinged
with orange, with alert.
    She centered herself with great effort and
the big man withdrew his hand from her shoulder with a nod.
    "Surprise, I think,"she managed, "usually I
am not unaware of someone so close!"
    There was a flash of hands, speaking that
language she'd never learned, and the trio moved a half-pace back,
giving her room to stand and be comfortable.
    She felt the flush go from her face then,
smiled. There were only colors of normal concern, and the blood
scent had receded.
    "I am Beba,"she said carefully. "I am sure
that my senior partner Joshu and I will both be interested in
speaking with you--dining with you. Our section closes at
fourteen--let us say at fifteen, at ummm--the places you mentioned
are all more than adequate--let us say at Charleschow. If, of
course, I may tell him who we dine with!"
    Another bow, complete with sweep of flawless
hands, bare hands. She had the fleeting impression that the hands
were rarely thus, and ought to be showing a multiplicity of rings.
Not a casual tourist, this one, not an ordinary person.
    "Then it is done. We shall
meet you and Joshu at fifteen, at Charleschow. If it pleases you,
Beba, you may call me Conrad." When he said Conrad there was the scent of a
distant spice, and hot sand, and a wash of color she associated
with someone manipulating their own beliefs.
    *
    "Honest. Direct. Frightening." She'd
distilled the experience to three words, and brought them to her
partner on his return, trying to look beyond his own dark mood as
she delivered the news. "We're engaged to meet them for
dinner."
    Joshu rocked back and forth on his feet as
if he were a tree blowing in the wind. He'd once