Tree-shaded alleyways (2 Shoiyeshekhin of Poràkol 1865)
Before work this morning, I did not make the mistake of calling Likua. I sent him a message:
PASS GY4S2T12A. ACCESS ME. FILES TAGGED WITH YOUR NAME.
With any luck, the same technological expertise Likua used to get the image information from the previous photos will provide us with ample information about the documents Aneti is holding.
The blue paint washed off most of my face—everything except the bird. I redid the bird design in henna shortly after my morning shower and notified Akah Kara that I will be slightly late for work. I could not afford to have any unnatural colors show through. When the henna dried, I put on my gyena and grabbed one of the umbrellas by the door, shielding my face as much as I could from the thunderous onslaught outside. The wind tore me forward and back as I walked. Tree branches pelted the sides of buildings and dark funnel clouds passed over our heads, harmless as poisonous gikeič hanging from forest trees. Looking at the world from the skyrail, one of them looked like it would touch down. My heartbeat felt like a dancer’s drum and my breath came hot and heavy until the threat passed. Why they didn’t close down the city during this weather is beyond my understanding.
Aneti and I were kissing beneath hanging plants in Senatorial Square when I heard my communication band ring. I pulled her closer to me and ignored the ringing, pushing my tongue deep inside her mouth. She rested her hand in the small of my back and made a small noise in the back of her throat before she pushed me away. I recognized the number as Likua’s.
You should answer that,
she said. Don’t mind me.
No—personal business. It can wait.
I smiled at her. My communication band screamed at me once before it fell silent. And, as I was about to say, he could always send me a message.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DANGEROUS THAT WAS? WHAT IF SHE HAD SEEN YOU?
Aneti kissed me on the forehead and chipped some of the caked henna from my cheek. I licked my lips and smiled at her. For a moment, I thought she tried to look at the message on my communication band, but I moved her face to my lips before she could try. Hanging vines tickled my cheeks and the perfume of her neck tantalized me more than I want or need to admit. And … I would like to say that I am above many things. Like having sex in tree-shaded alleyways beneath the back windows of one of the ambassadorial complexes.
Everything seems strange with Aneti. Sometimes I watch her walk past the office because I like the way she moves. I like that pressed, determined look on her face and I know that I am completely in love with her. I know that everything duty has pushed me to do—everything that Likua has egged on—forces us farther and father apart, and she doesn’t even realize it. That’s the worst part. And … just the amount I feel she trusts me, and the amount she opens up about her family and her past … does she have anyone to talk to? Does anyone in Daybreak care about her beyond the services she provides? I … I don’t know what to do. I hate what I am doing to her and I know that there is no way out now without defiling my duty to the state and the Gods and … and everyone who counts on me to provide this information … but provide it to whom?
Maybe it’s about time I found out.
