The Black Tide (Outcast 3)

Zendigah’s was a small three-story building situated on the corner of Second and a cross street into First, and its interior was as shadowed as any of these places ever got. A large hearth dominated the small front room, and the fire belted out so much heat I started sweating almost as soon as I entered. There were a number of leather sofas and high-backed chairs scattered around the room, and all of them were occupied. I knew without looking that Charles wasn’t here—his preference was for a table on the top floor.

A waiter made his way toward me and gave me a welcoming smile. “A pleasure to see you again, Catherine. Lord Charles Fontaine awaits at your usual table. If you’d please follow me, I’ll take you up there immediately.”

“Excellent. Thank you.”

We made our way through the small room and up a rather steep set of wooden stairs. The second level held six well-spaced tables, all of which were occupied, and another fireplace belting out heat. As we went up to the next level, I had to hope the heat wasn’t repeated; otherwise, the pinpricks of sweat dotting my skin might become a flood.

Thankfully, it was marginally cooler up on the final floor of the building, as the flames in the hearth had been allowed to die down. Like the level below, the end wall here was entirely glass, and it gave a direct view down the cross street and into the park. Charles’s table—the one he always got, no matter how busy the place—held the prime spot for that view.

He rose as we approached. “Catherine,” he said, his voice holding a very slight edge that I couldn’t quite place. “It’s lovely to see you again.”

I gave the waiter a smile of thanks as he held out my chair, and, once seated, I said rather formally, “A feeling that’s mutual, I assure you.”

“Would you like a drink before you order, madam?” the waiter said.

I hesitated, and then said, “What would you recommend?”

“A predinner aperitif such as champagne, perhaps?”

“That would be lovely, thank you.”

He nodded and disappeared. I crossed my arms and leaned back into the chair. “So how have you been, Charles?”

He smiled. “A little out of sorts, I must admit. The events of the last few days have been... unexpected.”

“A statement I certainly agree with.” And one that had my instincts stirring, although I wasn’t entirely sure why.

“Yes.”

He paused as the waiter returned and poured a small a

mount of champagne into my glass. Once I tasted it and nodded my approval, the waiter topped it up and disappeared again.

“Please believe I had no control over the events that unfolded,” Charles added. “And I certainly had no intention of frightening you in any way.”

“That I can accept,” I said. “But was the gun in my face truly necessary?”

“Of course not, and I told Karlinda as much.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And her response?”

He grimaced. “She rather crossly reminded me that I was the one who’d insisted on being accompanied by an armed guard.”

“But isn’t she, as chancellor, always accompanied by a guard whenever she is out?”

“Indeed, but she is not someone who likes being placed in an awkward position, and that is exactly what happened.” He picked up his wine and took a drink. “I’m not in her good books at the moment, I fear.”

“Does that really matter? You’re a member of the House now; what possible sway can she have over you?”

“None,” he said. “But it’s nevertheless a bad idea to put her offside. She holds the balance of power, remember, and if any legislation I bring to the floor is locked, she’s the one who will have final say on whether it’s passed or not.”

“Ah,” I said. “I didn’t realize.”

He raised an eyebrow, speculation flaring briefly in his eyes. “I still find it very surprising that you cannot remember the intricacies of the government and the House of Lords when it is something that is taught at a primary level.”

I forced a casual smile. “It is not as if I’ve had any reason to remember such things over the course of my life, Charles. I am a sexual masseuse, remember, and the politics and problems I deal with on a daily basis are very different to those faced in the House of Lords.”

He laughed softly. “I guess that is totally true.”