“Leo.” Dara rose and motioned to the seat on her right. “Please come and sit with us. Alyah, if you would take his other side.”
“Thank you, Watcher,” Leo said.
“You are very welcome.” She sat and lifted a glass of beer. The others at the table joined her. “Leo of Istanbul, find rest at our table.”
“Well met and well greeted, Dara of Bangkok.” Leo lifted his glass and looked down the table. “I find joy and rest with my brothers and sisters.”
The words had not changed in hundreds of years, but the fact that Leo was actually eating with both his brothers and his Irina sisters delighted him. The scribe houses of Europe could learn much from this model, and Leo was eager to question how Dara had integrated Irina warriors so quickly into her house. They sat and plates of fruit were passed around the table.
“May I ask, Watcher—”
Dara held up a hand and Leo paused.
“Technically,” she said, “I am not the watcher of this house. I am only standing in place for my mate, who is in council in Vienna at the present time. I apologize for interrupting. You have questions.”
The servers went around the table, piling heaps of fragrant rice and curries on plates. A whole fish appeared in front of him, and Leo’s mouth watered.
“I do have questions,” he said, trying to ignore the food for a moment. “I count three Irina warriors at your table. May I ask if they are recent additions to the house?”
Leo noticed that Alyah paused, as did Rith. He wondered if they considered the question impertinent.
“I ask this sincerely,” Leo said. “And with all respect. Integration of Irina warriors into scribe houses has proceeded very slowly in Europe and the Middle East. Many on the singers’ council in Vienna have been hesitant to press for it, so it has been left up to individual watchers. Unfortunately, not all of them are utilizing the resources available to them. I know of a dozen singers of Mikael’s line in Rěkaves alone who are ready and waiting for assignments to scribe houses.”
Dara nodded. “Please eat. I will answer your question, but do not let your stomach continue bellowing, brother.”
A scatter of laughter around the table, and Leo eagerly dug into his food. It was, as he’d suspected, delicious and very spicy. He was glad the beer came in large bottles.
Dara picked up her spoon as she spoke. “I believe your explanation answers your question, Leo. I have overseen this house with Anurak for over fifty years. Because of this, singers have always been welcome here, though prior to the Battle of Vienna, there were only a few who ever fought openly with us.”
“But they did fight on their own?”
Dara’s expression revealed little. “Irina have always fought. In their own way.”
“And now they fight with you.” Leo used his spoon to taste the curry. Heaven.
“Some do,” Dara said carefully. “Some prefer their independence. This house is unique. The majority of scribe houses are still overseen by Irin watchers. When they are given the chance to recruit warriors, they recruit from their own training houses, which are full of other scribes.”
Though a few murmured conversations were taking place at the other end of the table, most of the attention focused on Dara.
“What advice would you give me to share with our leaders?” Leo asked. “Many want more Irina participation but do not know what steps to take.”
“If you want more singers in your scribe houses, you must have more Irina in leadership,” Dara said. “Not watchers, for they are appointed by the Watchers’ Council. But trainers. Weapons masters. Most of our intelligence is gathered by Irina assets.”
“And watchers’ mates, obviously,” Leo said, smiling. “A mated Irin couple at the head of the house is always more powerful.”
“Clearly,” Rith said quietly. “But many of us are still wanting for mates. Of the five singers in our house, only one is unmated.”
“And she will likely remain so,” quipped Alyah.
Rith smiled, but his eyes were tired. “We have four unmated warriors,” he said. “Including myself. Our people are still working out of balance. It is contrary to the Creator’s wish.”
“I agree,” Leo said. “But in your house I see hope, brother. Scribes and singers together. It is balanced.”
“Thank you.”
“Now,” Dara said. “To the present problem. These so-called ‘free’ Grigori. I do not like to admit that I didn’t know of them prior to your watcher’s revelation in Vienna. To know that there have been Grigori among us who might have been trying to change their fate and live a more honorable life is… unsettling. At the same time, I am not sure I am confident of their motives. They could easily be a threat.”
“We cannot ignore that most Grigori still hunt humans,” Leo said. “Even those with no living sire often hunt. While I do hope to build a point of connection between your house and the free Grigori here, Irin protection is very necessary, particularly in a country like Thailand that sees so many visitors.”
Dara nodded. “Travelers have always been Grigori’s favorite prey because they are vulnerable. That is why the house here and the house in Phuket are quite large for the size of the city. But we may have a population of these free Grigori as well. Particularly in the city of Chiang Mai in the north. Local scribes have reported that the city has not seen a tourist attack in over two years. Could you tell me why that might be? We are optimistic. But… cautious.”
Leo said, “I cannot know for certain. It’s possible that the free Grigori there have cleared the city of threats to their control. I don’t know Chiang Mai. Is it very large?”
“No. A medium-sized city, though one with many foreign residents. Very international. It’s situated in the mountains in the north.”
“But you’ve seen these Grigori?”
“We’ve had reports from local scribes,” Rith said, “but we don’t have a clear number. It could be a few Grigori. It could be a large group.”
“If a Grigori community wanted to hide there, would it be difficult?”
“In the city?” Rith asked. “There are Irin and Irina who train in Chiang Mai and keep an eye on things. They would have noticed a large group in the city. But in the surrounding hills? It would be possible to conceal a large group there.”
“If there is a large group outside the city, it’s possible they are concealing sisters.”
Rith asked, “Sisters?”
Leo felt all the attention in the courtyard zero in on him as he explained the existence of the kareshta, as he had to Alyah in the car. Questions came quickly.
“You have seen them with your own eyes?”
“They have magic?”
“How many are there?”
“Voices? They hear the voices as we do?”
“Your own watcher’s mate?”
“Are they violent?”
“Are they mad?”
Leo patiently explained the history as well as he knew it and the mandate given by the Irin and Irina councils to find and help the kareshta.
Just as he had in other cities, Leo perceived the same sense of combined dread and pity for these women who were so powerless to control their magic. Also, the same veiled anticipation from the males in the room that, just possibly, there were more women of a related race. The wish for more potential mates was rarely stated openly, but when Leo explained that some kareshta in Europe had taken Irin mates, he knew the Bangkok scribes would see the possibilities as well.
“There may only be a few,” Leo explained. “There are far fewer kareshta than there are Grigori. But I suspect if your free Grigori are creating a safe haven, it is in part to protect their women and girls.”
Dara asked, “And these women are now under the official protection of the scribe houses?”
“As per the mandate of the Elder Council, yes.”
Dara nodded and fell silent.
Rith asked, “And these women would be Grigori sisters, correct?”
“They would likely have the same father,” Leo said. “Most free Grigori communities we know of were formed by Grigori trying to protect the female offspring of their sires. They live communally in family groups. The women need to be protected as most can’t function well in the human world.”
“Why not?”
Alyah said, “We shield our minds from the humans, Rith. Constantly. Have you forgotten this? If these kareshta cannot do that, they are mentally handicapped.”
Her tone made Leo’s hackles rise. “Handicapped implies that they are incapable. If they are taught to control their magic—”
“But they are not,” Dara said.
Leo didn’t try to explain Ava. His watcher’s mate had Grigori blood and more than a little skill with magic. With training, Leo knew kareshta were as capable of performing magic as Irina were. However, it wasn’t his place to instruct a singer of Dara’s status unless he was asked a question.
Dara said, “If these women are sisters to the free Grigori, it does not explain where this woman came from.”
“What woman?” Leo asked.
Rith said, “Angels can sire children from many women.”
“It still doesn’t explain where she came from,” the Irina said. “Nothing about her appearance says sister to me.”
Leo frowned. “Who are you talking about?”
“Our surveillance,” Rith said, motioning toward a singer at the end of the table, who pulled out a manila envelope.
Leo said, “You’ve been watching them? Spying on them?”
“As I stated,” Dara said, “we are curious about these ‘free’ Grigori. We will not be caught unaware.”
Leo had been called to broker contact between the two groups, but it was clear the Irin of Bangkok were far from trusting. He would have to tread carefully. It wasn’t in anyone’s interests to push a relationship if both sides were too suspicious to work together. He’d have to see if their known Grigori contacts in Europe had any relationship with this group.
Rith said, “The Grigori we identified kept to themselves. We didn’t approach them because they didn’t hunt women. We were suspicious. A few did have some human contact, but there were no deaths. No assaults. Mostly they were solitary. Then a few weeks ago, an unfamiliar woman showed up. She’s been seen many times in the company of the one we think is the leader.”
“European,” Alyah said. “Definitely not local.”
The envelope was set down in front of Leo. He opened it and slid the pictures out.
And his heart seized.
“She’s not his sister,” Rith said. “I’m fairly certain of that. But she’s not human either.”
Leo’s heart was pounding out of his chest. “These were taken in Chiang Mai?”
“Yes,” Rith said. “A few days ago.”
“How long as she been here?”
“A few weeks,” Alyah said.
Leo couldn’t believe it. She’d disappeared. She was in hiding.
Except that she wasn’t.
Kyra walked with the Grigori at her side, smiling as they passed through what looked like a night market. Her hair was piled on top of her head, and she looked tan. She wore colorful, loose pants and a tank top. She was as carefree as he’d ever seen her.
Leo stood up, his food forgotten. “I need to go to Chiang Mai.”
Chapter Five
Though the food at the temple was simple, it was filling and delicious. One afternoon after lessons, Niran joined Kyra, Intira, Bun Ma, and Kanchana for lunch. Since both Niran and Intira spoke English and could translate, conversation flowed freely. Kyra envied the gift of the Irin and the Grigori, who could learn language with hardly more than a look at the writing and a little bit of conversation. Females of angelic blood did not have such gifts, though the Irina had spells that could spur language acquisition.
Kyra listened to the flow of Thai with receptive ears, hoping to hear anything that might sound familiar. Every now and then she caught a word, but she was mostly clueless.
“Intira,” Niran asked. “Would you like to join Kyra and me at the market tonight?”
The girl’s eyes lit up. “Are you sure?” She turned to Kyra. “There are so many people.”
Kyra said, “I think you’re ready for it. You’re the most advanced of your sisters, but you won’t be able to progress until we test your shields around someone other than your brothers. Their minds are too calm to challenge you anymore.”
“We will take two cars,” Niran told her. “If you become overwhelmed, one of the brothers can drive you home while we finish patrol.”
Niran had explained to Kyra that there were few Grigori attacks in the city because he and his brothers had put the word out that they were not welcome. In the previous two years, Chiang Mai had become a haven for free Grigori who wanted to live a quiet life. As long as they kept the peace and kept to themselves, Niran allowed them to live peacefully. Patrolling the night markets and busy areas of the city was crucial to maintaining that control. It was a familiar pattern to Kyra. Kostas and her brothers did much the same in Sofia.
Of course, many free Grigori were coming to Chiang Mai to obtain the tattoos that Niran and his brothers wore. As far as Kyra could tell, only a few outside their family were granted the privilege. She hadn’t even seen the monk who performed the ritual. In the three weeks she’d been at the temple, only one Grigori had come to get tattooed, and that man already wore extensive marks.
Niran touched the back of her hand. Like Intira, Grigori were hesitant to touch, even with casual contact.
“Kanchana said Prija attacked you a few days ago.”
“It’s nothing I can’t defend myself from.”
Niran frowned. “I do not approve of this risk.”
“Intira said her rages are improving.”
“But at the cost of your safety?”
Kyra smiled. “I’ve defended myself against worse.”
“I gave my word to your brother that you’d come to no harm here.”
“Sirius understands the reality of dealing with our sisters,” Kyra said. “We have our own damaged ones. We care for them even if they are dangerous.”
He nodded. “You are very patient.”
Kyra laughed a little. “I try to be. I’m not always successful.”
Niran smiled and cocked his head, watching her.
“What is it?” Kyra asked. “Do I have something in my teeth?”
“Not a thing,” he said. “I am enjoying how you shine.”
She lost her breath for a second. “Oh.”
“You do, you know. Since you’ve come here, you shine more each day.”
Kyra ran a hand over her hair. “I think it’s getting lighter with all the sun.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.” Niran leaned forward. “When you first came here, you were like a bird just pushed from the nest. Now you are flying. You are a good teacher, Kyra.”
“Thank you.” Her chin lifted. “I’ve only taught my sisters and one other group—mostly children—but the majority of them are leading successful lives now.”
“As you are.”
Her life was slipping away a little more every day, but she forced a smile. “I like to think so.”
“Are you comfortable here?”
“Very comfortable. Thank you.”
“Not too bored?”
This time, her smile came freely. “Not bored at all.”
It was exhilarating to experience so many new things. Every night that Kyra went to the market with Niran and his brothers, she learned a little more. How to bargain. How to cook new foods from the street vendors. New music. New ways of walking and talking and living.
Kyra had never felt more alive.
“Good.” He folded his hands. “Would you like to see a tattoo this afternoon?”
Her mouth dropped open. “Yes! Sirius would be grateful. He might even stop texting me every morning.”
Niran’s smile was devastating. His teeth were st
raight and white. He had a dimple in his left cheek. “Your brother has been far more patient than I would be. You are both to be commended. But I don’t think it’s Sirius’s texts that make you scowl.”
“No, those would be from Kostas.”
“He’s still calling?”
“It’s every other day rather than every day now. I texted him daily at first. He seems to be relenting.”
“We brothers are protective,” Niran said. “It is our nature to protect our sisters. As for the tattooing, I’d planned to let you observe a ritual last week, but the Grigori requesting the tattoo was not comfortable with an audience.”
“But this one is?”
Niran nodded. “He is an older Grigori who has sisters of his own. He is comfortable around women and not tempted.”
“I would be grateful to witness the ritual. I hope you’ll explain it to me.”
“I’d be happy to.” Niran rose. “Let us leave the table so our brothers can clean up. Intira, why don’t you go back to your studies while Kyra and I go to the temple?”
Intira nodded. “Yes, brother.”
“Be ready for the market at five o’clock.”
She smiled. “I will be!”
Intira, Bun Ma, and Kanchana pressed their hands together and nodded their goodbyes as Niran and Kyra rose and walked toward the temple.
“The thing you must understand is that this practice is very old,” Niran said. “Far older than Buddhism. Far older than Hinduism even. It is possible this is something that was once practiced by early Grigori, though it was lost to us and only survived in the human world.”
Kyra said, “The Irin have tattoos, but I don’t really know what they’re for. Other than controlling their magic. I don’t know the specifics.”
“As far as I can tell, what you do with your singing—the words, the spells you say—they do with their writing. The tattoos just capture the magic more permanently. It is the same history with the Sak Yant.”
“But you said you learned it from humans.”
“We did,” Niran said. “My brother, Sura, was dissatisfied with his life even before our sire was dead. He used to say he felt as if he were rotting from the inside. He became friends with a very old holy man who lived not far from here.”