Free Harlequin Nocturne May 2016 Box Set by Susan Krinard Page A

“You said it yourself. It is your place to guide.” He looked up. “Is that what Bes was doing?”
    â€œHe knew those people, and—”
    â€œHe persuaded them to back down. He used the same influence you do, even when you don’t realize it.”
    â€œWe have had this discussion before. What I—”
    â€œIn this future you envision, can there really be any free will for humanity?”
    â€œWe Elders have lived for thousands of years,” she said. “Is it so wrong to give others the benefit of our experience?”
    â€œBut does your experience apply to humans?” He counted off on his fingers. “Isis. Ishtar. Bes. Hera. They all have one thing in common, aside from being Elders. It isn’t just coincidence that you’re all named after ancient gods, is it?”
    Isis knew the time for prevarication was long past. “You have guessed,” she said, lifting her chin. “We once acted as gods and goddesses among your kind, very long ago.”
    â€œYou ruled humanity, even before the Long Sleep, when most of your kind went into hibernation.”
    â€œHumans made us what we became.”
    â€œBut you went along with their delusions. And, eventually, you left the people who worshipped you. You became myth. And then, after the War between your kind and mine, you rose again to rule as you did before.”
    â€œThat was never our intention.”
    â€œMaybe it has nothing to do with your intentions.” He smiled crookedly. “Isis. If I remember correctly, she was the protector of mothers and children, the Lady of Magic, friend of slaves. Your ability to influence others would have seemed like magic in ancient times. And you’ve already proven yourself a friend of slaves, haven’t you?”
    * * *
    Isis was beautiful in her injured pride, her head high, her eyes flashing. As he watched her, Daniel could almost forget what he had seen at the depository and in Hera’s ward. He could almost accept that everything Isis said was true...all her hopes, her dreams, her faith in Tanis’s ultimate success.
    â€œI helped to guide Egypt for over two thousand years,” she said, a slight note of defensiveness in her voice. “I did not rule. That was the work of mortal kings. I was there for humans who sought my help, and I gave them advice and encouragement when I could.” She met Daniel’s gaze. “Is that such a terrible thing?”
    â€œAnd were all your fellow gods so benevolent?”
    â€œSome had almost nothing to do with humanity, but merely took on the aspects of deities created by humans. Bes was a god of mothers and childbirth, as I was, and also a protector of the household. He is a good Opir.”
    â€œAt least his intentions are,” Daniel said. “What about Hera? Was she so benevolent?”
    â€œShe has changed from the time I knew her long ago,” Isis said with obvious regret.
    â€œAnd Ishtar?” he asked. “She was a goddess of fertility and sex. She still uses her powers for seduction to get her way, no matter what you and the other Nine intended.”
    â€œ You did not respond.”
    â€œMaybe that’s because I was thinking of another goddess.”
    The words came out of his mouth without any thought behind them, but he realized at once that they were true. He had been thinking of Isis every moment that Ishtar had been doing her best to seduce him. Isis, with her dark eyes and lovely body and her odd trust in him. Trust he’d done little enough to earn.
    â€œIf you...think well of me,” she said, “you cannot believe that I have ever used my influence to harm any human.”
    Daniel stepped around the table, coming very close to her. “You’ve been honest with me, more than you had to be. I saw you with that baby and his mother. You weren’t faking your affection.” Very cautiously he touched her cheek with his fingertips, doing