Jake didn’t answer, seeing something in the corridor beyond. Without asking permission, she opened the door once more, this time admitting a sleepy Margaurethe.
Whiskey’s heart tripped as Margaurethe approached. She wore a robe over her nightgown, the material a green so dark it was almost black. Her mahogany hair spilled over her shoulders, red highlights glowing beneath the gymnasium lights. Her bare feet whisked across the floor. Whiskey met the tendrils of Margaurethe’s mind, wrapping herself in a cloak of mulled wine and woodsmoke.
Margaurethe slipped into her arms. “I woke and you were gone.”
“I slept plenty yesterday afternoon. I couldn’t get any more.”
“How long have you been down here?”
Whiskey shrugged, enjoying the smell and feel of her lover against her. “Maybe an hour?” It had been more like two, but she didn’t want to admit to that long an absence. She crossed her fingers in the hopes that Jake wouldn’t spill the beans.
Margaurethe pulled back to peer at her. “I saw Lionel in the hall.”
“Yeah, he came to say goodbye. He’s got a lot of work ahead of him.”
“Indeed.”
“Your mother’s returning to Europe with him.”
Margaurethe remained quiet for several seconds. “That’s good. We’ve always done better with long distance.”
They held each other for some time, the sky outside becoming gray with impending dawn. Traffic began picking up on the highways across the river, and Whiskey heard delivery trucks beginning to trundle past the building. Reluctant to speak, she nevertheless felt the sensations of fleece and carnations that indicated Jake had bristled. She looked to see her bodyguard standing sentry, glaring out the door at whoever was in the hallway. “I think it’s time we went home. It seems we’re monopolizing this room.”
“An excellent idea.” Margaurethe kissed her. They crossed the room, arm in arm. “We wouldn’t want Jake to break any bones over the matter of public space usage.”
“Nope, not at all.” Whiskey chuckled. “It’s okay, Jake. Let them in. We’re leaving.”
The warning in Jake’s expression lessened but didn’t abate as she opened the door. Out in the corridor, a half-dozen men stood in shorts and T-shirts, two carrying basketballs. Though Human, as soon as they caught sight of Whiskey they straightened and bowed to her.
“Our apologies,” Margaurethe said. “The gymnasium is yours, gentlemen.”
Their apparent leader, a man who worked in the marketing department, grinned. “No apology needed, Ki’an Gasan, Ninsumgal, but thank you.” As soon as Jake cleared the entry, they ducked inside to begin their game.
The cardiovascular room was doing brisk business. Every machine was occupied and three women had gathered on mats for a yoga session. “And so begins another day.”
Margaurethe smiled at Whiskey. “As it should be.”
She reached out and punched in the elevator express code and the button for the sixteenth floor. “No place to go but up.”
Glossary
Aga Maskim Sañar–Bertrada Nijmege’s title, Judiciary of the High Court of the Agrun Nam
aga ninna–fearsome crown
aga’us/aga’usi–security, policeman, soldier
aga’gída–the Ninsumgal’s personal guard
Agrun Nam–council (literally “inner sanctuary”)
Baruñal–midwife to the Ñíri Kurám process
ebánda–younger brother
gasan–lady, mistress, queen
Gidimam Kissane Lá–ghost walker, a talent, able to move through solid objects
Gúnnumu Bargún–shape shifter, a talent, able to change appearance
Ki’an Gasan–Margaurethe O’Toole's title (literally “Beloved Lady Mistress”)
kizarus, kizarusi–vessel
kunsi–Lakota–grandmother
kutyafasza–Hungarian–dog’s dick–swear word of Nijmege’s
lamma–female spirit of good fortune, nickname, term of endearment
lú-inim-ma–witness
m’cara–beloved, an affectation of Margaurethe O’Toole for Elisibet Vasillas
malandro–Brazillian–tough guy, bad guy
Maskim Sañar–Samuel McCall’s title, Judiciary of the Low Court of the Agrun Nam
minn’ast–beloved, an affectation of Elisibet Vasillas for Margaurethe O’Toole
ñalga súp–nitwit
nam’en–lord
Nam Lugal–Lionel Bentoncourt’s title, leader of the Agrun Nam
Ninsumgal–lady of all, sovereign, dragon, monster of composite power, official title of Elisibet
Ñíri Kurám–the change, the turning
nu-me-en-na-ta–you don't exist
puru um–idiot, hillbilly
r-a-bar-ra–bastard
Sabra Sañar–Aiden Cassadie’s title, Diplomatic branch of the Agrun Nam
saggina–local magistrate for European Sanguire
Sa’kan Sañar–Ernst Rosenberg’s title, Master of the Treasury of the Agrun Nam
sañar/sanari–councilor of the Agrun Nam
san–slave
Sañur Gasum–Reynhard Dorst’s title, Eunich Assassin
su-lum–covered in shit
takoja–Lakota, grandchild
Ugula Aga’us–Captain of the Ninsumgal’s personal guard, the Aga’us
u-nu-nar-ra–fraud
Usumgal–lord of all, sovereign, dragon, monster of composite power, official title of Elisibet’s father
wicahca–Lakota–real man, term of respect
za–you; yourself
Zi Agada–chief bodyguard, Jake Jacobsen’s title
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