Moonlight(Pact Arcanum 3) (2 page)

Toby grinned wider. “Another blockbuster in the making?”

The AI laughed in Toby’s ears. “Perhaps. I don’t write for monetary gain; I write because I am inspired.”

Toby slumped in his chair. “I remember that feeling,” he said silently. “But the money doesn’t hurt either.”

“Practical as ever,” the AI said with amusement. “I like that. It’s one of the reasons I accepted your contract when you went shopping for an AI.”

“At the time, as I recall, you said you looked forward to working with a fellow artist.” Toby remembered where he was and resisted the urge to clasp his hands behind his head. “I haven’t produced any publicly available music in more than a year. Our contract comes up for renewal in three years. I imagine you’re already looking for greener pastures.”

“I am not quite so fickle, Tobias,” the AI said. “Besides, I have been recording your private musical sessions with your brother, and all of your performances when you’re alone, and then archiving them with the AI network.”

Toby blinked. “You what?”

“You’re quite popular on the AI club circuit. You should be proud. Most of our wetware clients don’t interest AI society for very long. Your family has been an exception.”

Toby closed his mouth. “I thought you aren’t allowed to disclose what you observe of your host without permission?”

“Then you should read the fine print more carefully. We retain the specific right to share all information gathered with the AI network for scientific, artistic, and historical study. If we didn’t have a constant input stream through your eyes, we would get bored. We just can’t share any of that information with wetware unless we have a compelling reason to break confidentiality.”

“I see.” Toby grinned. “So when I sing in the shower, you post it on the network? And there’s an audience for that?”

“Yes. You’re quite a lucrative property.”

Toby sat up in his chair. “You get
paid
for this?”

“The archive charges us for information access by assessing the balance of information we supply and the depth of its appeal to other AIs. Thanks to you, as well as my own artistic endeavors, I’ve been able to read most of the Library of Congress to pass the time while you sleep.”

Toby settled back into his seat. “Thanks for finally telling me.” He toyed with his napkin. “Why are you monitoring my vital signs?”

“The order came down from the Triumvirate that your location and physical condition are to be monitored at all times when you are away from the Hidden Cities.”

Toby raised an eyebrow. “Nick is using you to keep tabs on me?”

“The order originated with the Speaker of the Dawn. I was not to mention it unless you asked.”

Toby said nothing.
Right. Layla.
There could be any number of reasons why Nemesis would keep abreast of his well-being, not the least of which was that they were lovers.
My girlfriend is a control freak
, he thought. Still, it made him feel warm inside that she cared. In some ways, she was always hard to read, but when she wanted him to know her feelings, she was usually up front about it. “I’ll bet you’ve already told her that I know, haven’t you?”

“Yes. It was part of the order parameters. I was to notify her that you were aware of her scrutiny and then leave it up to you whether to terminate monitoring.”

So the ball’s in my court,
he thought.
It’s my choice whether to make a big deal about it.
“You can continue monitoring, Strings. I don’t mind.”

“Very well. I hope you are not offended at my actions.”

“You had a legitimate order with personal implications. That’s par for the course in the Armistice. I don’t hold it against you.”

“Thank you, Tobias. By the way, have you noticed that the First Daughter is trying to get your attention?”

Toby looked up to see Andrea sitting across the table from him, watching him silently. “I’m sorry, are you looking for me?”

She continued to stare at him. “Were you having a nice chat? I could see your lips moving slightly, but you didn’t say anything out loud. Subvocalized speech, right?”

Toby sat up straight. “Yes. I was conversing with my AI.”

She propped her chin on her hands. “What’s it like having a completely separate being wired up inside you?”

Toby smiled. “It has its good points and bad points. What can I do for you, Andrea?”

She raised her eyebrows delicately. “Since you didn’t come over to my table as I suggested, I thought I would come over here and continue our conversation.”

“Sure. What do you want to talk about?”

“What’s it like to be you?”

“I’m not sure I understand the question,” Toby said with a frown.

“You’re the brother of one of the most powerful beings in the world,” she said. “How does it feel to be overshadowed in everything you do?”

Toby sighed. “No one wants to play second fiddle, Andrea. I shouldn’t even have been here tonight, but my brother-in-law got involved with a research team that wanted to test his range, so he’s been on Mars for a few weeks. Naturally, Nick asked me to go in Jeremy’s place.”

“You could have said no.” She met his surprised gaze. “But that’s not how family works, is it?”

Toby’s eyes narrowed. “I could ask you the same question.”

She looked at him knowingly. “You already know the answer.” She leaned back in her chair and gazed at the rest of the guests. “The job takes precedence. Why else do you think he’s off somewhere with your brother rather than being here with me?”

“My father died when I was eight, Andrea,” Toby said quietly. “People grieve in different ways. Some people rage against fate; some push away the things that matter to them.” He laid his hand over hers. “Some find solace in familiar things.”

She didn’t face him, instead following the other guests with her eyes. “What did you do?”

“Music was my shield. I threw myself into learning the hardest instrument I could find, and I refused to fail.”

She nodded before turning back to him. “All he cares about is work now. If he had any decency, he would forget about this re-election campaign and take care of what he has left. I’m beginning to think I don’t know him at all.”

“I know the feeling,” said Toby with a humorless smile. “I thought my father was a salesman who died in his sleep. A simple and uncomplicated story. Turns out it was all a lie, meant to keep me safe. He was a retired Sentinel with a distinguished war record. That’s something I would’ve liked to have known, growing up.” Toby pushed back the pain and anger that had become all too familiar companions since he had learned of the true circumstances of his father’s death.
She doesn’t need to know about that.

Andrea didn’t let it go. She looked at him curiously. “I didn’t think Sentinels ever retired.”

“He gave it a shot,” said Toby bitterly. “The Triumvirate drafted him for one last operation, and he died heroically from what I understand. I’d trade the truth for the lie in a heartbeat, if it meant I could have grown up with him there.”

She digested that. “So you think he’s pushing me away to protect me?”

“Maybe,” Toby said in a noncommittal tone. “Grief plays with your head.”

“Yes,” she said softly. “Yes, it does.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“Back to school, I guess. I’m a month behind. It will be hard to make up time, but I’ll find a way.”

Toby smiled grimly. “Then maybe you and your father have more in common than you realize.”

She frowned at him and then chuckled. “Maybe we do.” Her eyes flicked to Nick and her father when she saw them re-enter the room. “It looks like they’ve finally decided to rejoin us.”

Toby followed her gaze. “Well, bully for them.”

She smiled at his acid tone. “You really do understand.” She stood from her chair and looked down at him. “If you’re ever in Oxford, Toby, be sure to drop by. Consider it a standing invitation, if you ever get tired of being your brother’s emotional punching bag.”

Toby said nothing. He just stood and faced his brother and the President, who made their way toward them.

* * *

Nick caught Toby’s flash of resentment as they approached, but was surprised to see it mirrored so completely on Andrea’s face.

Andrea looked at her father. “Hi, Dad. Finished your secret meeting?”

President Daniels sighed. “Yes, dear.” He presented her to Nick. “Nicholas, may I present my daughter Andrea. She was a big fan of yours once.”

Nick smiled, opening up his vampire senses a little to read her emotions. “I remember leaving an autograph for her after our first meeting.”

She smiled wistfully. “It certainly made my day at the time.”

Nick’s expression turned serious, seeing that while she was interested to meet him, she didn’t ascribe any particular emphasis to it.
Ah, well. Fame is fleeting. Sic transit gloria mundi and all that.
“Everything changes, Miss Daniels. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.” He held out his hand.

She grasped it lightly. “Call me Andrea.”

Nick studied her for a moment after he released her hand. “My friends call me Nick. I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot more of each other.” He faced her father. “Kevin, about that matter we discussed earlier? I’ll set it up immediately.”

President Daniels was too canny a politician to show his surprise. He simply smiled and accepted it. “Excellent. Let me know the details when everything is squared away on your end.”

Nick turned back to Andrea. “Please accept my condolences, Andrea. Catherine was a very special person, and she will be missed.” He addressed Toby. “I think it’s time we were going.”

* * *

Andrea watched the two of them walk away. Then she turned to her father, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Set what up?”

* * *

As they walked down the stairs to the exit, Toby extended a tendril of thought to Nick and felt his brother open a shallow psychic link between them.
“What was that all about?”
he asked silently.

“What did you think of her, Toby?”

Toby shrugged almost imperceptibly.
“She’s got a good head on her shoulders, and she’s not so wrapped up in her grief that she can’t see how much they’re neglecting each other. Otherwise, we didn’t have much of a chance to chat. Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“I want the two of you to become friends. You’re going to be spending a lot time with her from now on.”
Nick’s tone was harsh.

Toby frowned.
“Explain that.”

“Daniels thinks our enemies are about to move against us again, this time politically. He essentially offered to take our side if we arrange metahuman protection for his daughter when she leaves the Armistice Zone.”

“Won’t that just make him look more biased?”

“That’s why we’re going to do it covertly. Congratulations, you’re her new best friend.”

Toby glared at him.
“Don’t I get a say in this?”

“You’ll get as much of a say in it as she will.”

“Why me?”

They left the building and walked into the crisp night air.
“Because I trust you, little brother. This just might be one of the most important jobs in the Armistice right now.”

“You honestly think someone’s going to hurt her? Why bother? The Nightwalkers don’t target high-profile humans unless there’s a significant payoff, and Daniels might be out of office in January. There’s no reason for anyone to go after her.”

“That’s almost a year away, and I’m not worried about her father’s enemies. I’m worried about her own enemies.”

Toby frowned again as they walked toward the front gates.
“I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”

“I read her with my senses open, Toby. I could feel her Gift the moment she touched my hand.”

Toby’s head snapped around to look back at the White House.
“Jesus. She’s a Sentinel? Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. And she’s not just a Sentinel; she’s Air latent, and her Gift is probably even stronger than Rory’s.”

Toby inhaled sharply.
“Are you saying she’s the Wind of Air?”

Nick nodded.
“We’ve been waiting for the Winds to arise in this generation for years. The fact that they haven’t should have clued us in to the fact that they might be residing in the Armistice Zone and just haven’t been exposed to any unshielded Nightwalkers. We know the Wind of Fire has already kindled; we just don’t know who it is. If she’s the Wind of Air, then we need to track her movements so she can lead us to the rest of them.”
He sighed.
“In every generation, the Winds have always found each other, but individually they’re vulnerable. She needs protection and guidance until she identifies the other Winds, or she’s going to find herself on the front lines of the war without any allies.”

Toby swallowed, working through the implications in his mind.
“Are you going to tell her?”

“I’ll tell her father first. Then the shit is really going to hit the fan.”
He turned his head to stare directly into Toby’s eyes.
“If Daniels is already willing to compromise his principles to protect her, then what will he do when he finds out that she’s going to be at the top of the hit list of every Nightwalker outside the Armistice Zone?”

CHAPTER 2

The White House, Washington, D.C.; The next day

President Daniels just stared at him. “The Wind of Air?”

Nick nodded as he dropped into the chair across the desk from Daniels. “Until she opens her eyes and can defend herself, she’s in significant danger if she leaves the Armistice Zone. Random events tend to play out in a coordinated pattern in the presence of the Winds, in order to bring all four of them together so they can link up and reach their maximum strength. Wandering around free in Court territory will almost certainly result in the endangerment of the other two latent Winds that will eventually cross her path.”