Daka let her take his hand and lead them off the main street. He already knew where they were headed—the Golden Jackal. Her senses would have locked on to it like a beacon as soon as she arrived in town. The women there would probably still be sleeping, and Daka would feel guilty for disturbing them. But not Niya. She was a force of nature. She’d have them dancing to her tune in the span between heartbeats.
Daka thought of Mahu, alone in his paper shop, waiting for him. He regretted having to run off so suddenly yesterday. It was his own fault. He’d embraced Mahu on a whim, in a rush of excitement, and because his intuition told him Mahu would accept the affection. Their bodies pressed together, and perhaps Daka had held him a moment too long, let his lips linger when he should have pulled back, because Mahu had responded with a pulse of lust that woke Daka’s hunger. He gulped the divine flavor like a man lost in the desert having discovered an oasis. Mahu’s arousal shook him, called to him, and lit him on fire.
A rushing wave of hunger had caught him off guard, threatening to sweep his careful progress away in its undertow. Daka couldn’t feed from Mahu, not yet, even if the man were willing. Even if Mahu wanted him. Mahu wouldn’t understand the sudden intensity, the desperate need for release, the frenzy of feeding an incubus. Because Daka wouldn’t be able to stop himself once they’d started, and he wouldn’t use his sway on Mahu.
No. That’s not how it would happen between them. Mahu deserved to be courted, so Daka had fled even as the confusion on Mahu’s face made him desperate to stay.
“You’re quiet. What are you thinking?” asked Niya. It would never occur to her not to pry. The act was as natural as breathing for Niya.
His only option was to play along and hope she’d soon be on her way. “I’m thinking you will hog all the pretty ones as you always do.”
Niya gave a careless shrug. “And so? You’ve never cared much what they looked like.”
That was true enough. Daka liked all humans. Tall, short, man, woman, willowy or plump, each had their own allure. But none were equal to Mahu’s quiet, stoic charm. No other carried themselves with such graceful posture, none could match his kind garnet eyes. His gentle manners. His lovely scent…Daka sighed.
Niya glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. She pursed her lips. “Something has you preoccupied.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but she didn’t allow it.
“Don’t deny it. I won’t ask any further. You’ve made it clear it’s your own little secret. But you will come to me if you need help, yes?”
“Of course,” said Daka, and he meant it. He knew he could count on Niya, but she couldn’t help his pursuit of Mahu, she could only harm it. “Let it go for now. Let’s eat.”
They stood at the closed wooden doors of the Golden Jackal. His eyes roamed the naked dancing ladies painted on the plaster beside the entrance. Daka wondered if men worked here too. He wouldn’t have to wonder for long, because Niya projected a wall of sway strong enough to make Daka unsteady on his feet.
“Curses, Niya, do you intend to have all of them pawing at you?”
Her brows arched. “I don’t see why not. I’ll be headed back to Rhakotis after this, so I shall enjoy them while I have the chance.”
He rolled his eyes. Siblings. Daka was both relieved to hear she’d be leaving and irritated by her gluttony.
One of the double doors slid open and a fair-skinned woman in a sleeping gown stood gaping at Niya from the threshold. Behind her, a second woman approached, both of them with their eyes slightly glazed. Daka’s hunger stirred.
“Hello ladies,” Niya purred.
Niya wouldn’t care much for their preferences, but Daka did. With a steady breath, he cast his extra sense forward to get a read on the mood. These women wanted his sister. Good. He could relax knowing they’d enjoy themselves and not regret the pleasure when it was over.
The women welcomed them in as they entered the cozy parlor. Another appeared from the hall. Her green eyes lingered on Daka’s calves, slid slowly up his thighs, over his chest, and finally met his gaze. He didn’t need his intuition to gauge her interest, but he checked all the same. Her desire was palpable.
Niya waved goodbye as she sank onto a wide settee with the women. Their robes were gone already, and they worked together at undressing Niya.
Daka turned back to Green Eyes. “Do you have a room?”
“Yes, come.” She took his hand and led him down the hall.
With one last thought of Mahu, Daka resigned himself to the change of plans. He’d feed until he was stuffed or Niya had had her fill, whichever came first. Then she’d leave for Rhakotis. At least this way it would be easier to control his appetite when he next saw Mahu. Hopefully the man wouldn’t be mad.
* * *
Mahu
Mahu stared at the open door, willing Daka to come through it, but the frame remained empty. Daka hadn’t said when he’d come by, only that he would. With the sun beginning its journey to the underworld, he must accept the disappointing truth—Daka wasn’t going to show.
Rolling his neck, Mahu allowed his shoulders to cave inward. He surveyed the shop, checking to be sure all was in order for his departure. Water bins covered, weights stacked on the press, today’s pith stripped and soaking. With a weary sigh, he gathered his things to head for home.
On his way out the door, Sebek nearly ran right into him.
“Mahu.” Sebek clutched his chest. “You startled me.”
