Free Close Contact by Katherine Allred Page B

only without the theatrics, as well as how I’d come to be in the castle. When I was done, Marcus sighed.
    “The men weren’t evil, just idiots,” he said. “Next time Isee them you can be sure they’ll hear about this from me.” He turned to Reynard, keeping one arm around my shoulders. “My apologies for the disruption, Commander. August was something of a recluse and kept Echo away from people for the most part. Because of her isolation she’s a bit naive. She meant no harm. May I take her home now? I’m sure she’s exhausted from her adventure.”
    While I did my best to look all tuckered out, Reynard straightened and clasped his hands behind his back. “Of course. She’ll be living with you?”
    “Yes, and working at the Terpsichore to earn her keep.”
    I was? News to me. But I didn’t think it was the time to argue. And at the moment, I was busy worrying about Peri. She was watching Marcus’s arm where it rested on my shoulders and emoting a great deal of resentment.
    Friend , I sent her. But you’re my favorite.
    She gurgled happily and her feathers settled. Silly creature. And now that I thought about it, why hadn’t she resented it when Reynard touched me?
    “Just one more question, if you will, and then you may go.” Reynard’s voice yanked my attention away from Peri and focused it on him. Marcus nodded his consent and Reynard continued.
    “She said her father was a weapons master. Whom did he work for?”
    Marcus smiled. “He was teacher to Lowden, chief of the Bashalde.”
    “He was that August?” Reynard’s gaze swung to me, a speculative look on his face. “I hadn’t realized he had a child.”
    “Very few know. Echo was born shortly after August and his wife vanished into the desert.”
    “I see. Then you’ll be pleased to know that Lowden and the Bashalde will arrive here tomorrow for the yearly gathering to renew their treaty with the king. I’m sure he’ll want to honor the daughter of his old teacher.”
    Me, Miss Happy-To-Be-a-GEP, suddenly had a past so convoluted it would confuse a Natural. I decided that silence was the better part of valor and looked to Marcus for a response.
    “I’ll see to it that she’s introduced,” he told Reynard.
    “They’ll camp outside the city as usual, and the gathering will begin on the day after tomorrow. It would be my pleasure to escort both of you.”
    “And it will be our honor to accept.” Marcus gave a slight bow. “Now, we really should be going.”
    Reynard went to the door and opened it, then spoke to the soldier waiting in the hall. “Escort them out of the castle, please, and then return here.”
    “Yes, Commander.” He held out my cloak and pouch. “These were found outside near where Furgan was felled.”
    Reynard took them and turned to me. “Yours?”
    I nodded. “I dropped them while fleeing your men.” And there was no doubt in my mind they’d been thoroughly searched. Good thing I’d finished off that Zip Bar.
    Moving away from Marcus, I draped the cloak over my arm and settled the pouch strap on my shoulder before calling Peri to roost. “Thank you for your hospitality, Commander. The meal was much appreciated.”
    “You’re welcome. I look forward to seeing you dance.”
    What? Hold the phone, here. Who said anything about dancing? “Lillith, what in Zin’s name is he talking about?”
    “Marcus’s tavern. It’s named after Terpsichore, the goddess of dance.”
    Now wasn’t this just dandy? I go from being a respected employee of the Department of Protocol, to a job I’m horrible at with the Bureau of Alien Affairs, and abruptly I’m demoted yet again. Only this time I get to be a glorified stripper. Whoopee. What was next? Cleaning outdoor toilets? By hand? Without a shovel?
    Sure I’d danced in my previous job, but that was different. Mostly because I’d always had a partner and hadn’t been dancing alone to entertain large groups of men. That dancing had been personal recreation, even