The Arrivals

Chapter 33

Chloe had spent a quiet evening talking to Daniel. Kitty hadn’t appeared, so late that night, Daniel had sent another courier to the Gulch House. Chloe hadn’t really expected Jack to come after her, but she’d sort of hoped he would. It was foolishness: she wasn’t sure what she’d say if he did, but she still wanted him to. She wanted some sort of explanation that would return them to that moment before he’d called her his dead lover’s name. Admittedly, Chloe also felt like she was coping somewhat better than the last time she’d had an awkward separation—at least she hadn’t crawled into a bottle like she did when she’d caught Andrew screwing her boss.

“I’m sure they’re just busy,” Daniel said consolingly as he led Chloe into a sitting room. “Kitty isn’t the most considerate of women.” He gave her a sad grin. “She’s wonderful, of course, but not always thoughtful or particularly refined in her social graces.”

“You know her well, then.”

“We’ve known each other for a long time.” He motioned to a servant, who brought in a tea tray and set it on the table. Once the servant left, Daniel continued, “I consider her one of the finest people in the Wasteland, but that doesn’t mean I forget that she has faults. Her temper is horrible, and she is quick to the trigger.”

“Not a bad thing around here, from what I saw today.” Chloe poured herself a cup of tea. “The desert and the town both seem to be filled with trouble.”

“True.” Daniel looked at his empty cup, grinned, and poured some tea for himself. “Times have changed in your world, I see.”

“Sorry,” she said sheepishly. “My social graces aren’t very refined either, are they?”

“And your temper?”

Chloe gave Daniel an innocent expression and sipped her tea. He laughed, and she shifted the conversation to mundane topics, happily telling him about the world she’d left behind. The next hour was peaceful and comforting. Then the courier returned.

Daniel accepted the message, read it, and handed it to her, saying, “Kitty and Jack had to tend to business. They’ll be back in Gallows in a few days.”

Chloe read the message, which said little more than that. It mentioned that Melody and Hector were still in Gallows, but they would be headed out to their camp in the morning.

“Do you want to stay here tonight? I’m sure my host won’t mind,” Daniel offered. “It’s more comfortable than the inn.”

“I don’t know,” she hedged. “I think my room there was paid up.”

“If they didn’t leave funds for you, I can help. You are Kitty’s friend, so it’s not as if I couldn’t find you.” His voice was teasing as he offered her money, but she still felt her lack of independence keenly. She had no money, nowhere to live, and no job. If the Arrivals chose to cast her out, the only other person she could turn to was Daniel.

“Chloe?” Daniel prompted.

“I’ve only just arrived here, and it all feels pretty overwhelming,” she admitted, feeling strangely dismissed by the Arrivals. On the other hand, going to the camp without either Jack or Kitty wasn’t appealing. “If you’re sure your friend won’t mind, I’ll take you up on the offer. I should probably head back in the morning.”

“Or wait here until they’re back,” Daniel countered. “I can escort you to the camp then.” When she opened her mouth to object, he held up a hand and added, “You can think about it tomorrow. Honestly, Chloe, you’re very welcome here.”

She gave him a suspicious look, but she didn’t have any reason to distrust him. “When did you see Kitty last?”

“She and Jack were over in Covenant after Mary died,” Daniel answered. “Right before you arrived, I expect.” He returned his teacup to its saucer and glanced at the doorway, where the same servant who had brought them their tea was now standing.

“Dinner is served.”

“Let’s get you some decent food, Chloe.” Daniel gestured for her to follow the servant to the dining room. “Everything will be clearer after a good meal and some good sleep.”

Chloe wasn’t sure that clarity would be so easily found, but she didn’t have a better plan for her evening.

Over breakfast the next morning, Daniel suggested that she might enjoy his host’s library while he went out to take care of an errand. It wasn’t a very welcoming room, seeming more out of place than any other room she’d seen in the Wasteland, but it was filled with books and scrolls detailing history, creatures, and geography. The sheer extent of information made it easy to overlook how uncomfortable the chairs were and how stiff the decor seemed.

That’s where she was later that afternoon when Ajani opened the door to the room.

“I trust you slept well, Chloe,” he said by way of greeting, closing the door behind him.

She stared at him. Details clicked into place in less than pleasing ways. Daniel’s “host” was Ajani. She was in the home of Jack and Kitty’s enemy. No wonder they hadn’t sent much of a message back to her. They also didn’t come after me. They’d been fine with his coming to talk to her, and they’d chosen not to come to her when she was at his house. She felt like a pawn in a game no one had explained.

“I see Daniel didn’t mention me to you,” Ajani continued as he walked farther into the room. He made a small expression of regret, but Chloe wasn’t sure if it was genuine. When she remained silent, he added conversationally, “He’s been hoping to find someone to fill the void Miss Reed left in his life, you know. He was devastated by her rejection so many years ago, but he hasn’t ever brought a woman home since then.”

“He lives with you?” Chloe managed to ask.

“Now and again.” Ajani walked toward her. “He likes his freedom, so he does keep quarters away from me, but when I’m in the same town as the Reeds, I prefer to keep him close.” A look of irritation flashed across Ajani’s face. “His affection for Miss Reed sometimes affects his judgment, and of course, both Jackson and Cordova do like to shoot Daniel.”

“They shoot him?” Chloe repeated.

Ajani waved his hand as if brushing away an insect. “He recovers, of course, but I find it inconvenient when he’s dead.”

Chloe realized she was nodding, as if death were inconvenient, as if the pain of bullets were insignificant, as if it were not troubling to hear that the man with whom she’d recently been naked often shot the man with whom she’d shared breakfast.

Mutely, she walked to a chair and sat. Ajani took the seat across from her. They were silent in this very stiff room, surrounded by books, and discussing death.

“My staff tells me that there was an altercation with one of those demon-summoning cults,” he said after another moment’s pause. “Some of the natives can be such nasty, blood-spilling creatures. That little group of riffraff you were with isn’t much better, though.” He shuddered delicately. “I can’t imagine living in the primitive conditions they prefer. Sometimes they seem not much better than animals bedding down in a stable.”

“They seem to share a mutual dislike of you,” Chloe pointed out. She didn’t add that she wasn’t seeing any reason to like him either. He was arrogant and condescending, but then again, the Arrivals all had their share of flaws. Although Chloe felt that she would trust Jack or Kitty over anyone else she’d met here so far, she wasn’t so naive as to trust anyone’s blanket condemnation after only a few days of knowing him. She was here now, so she’d talk to Ajani and form her own opinion.

“Daniel tells me that you are seeking a job,” Ajani began. “I have positions available.”

She shook her head. “I’m not interested in being a bodyguard or whatever your people are.”

“I see.” He folded his hands together and looked at her. “I could find a place for you at one of the better brothels instead.”

Chloe snapped her gaze to him. “Excuse me?”

“You said you wanted a job. I’m offering to help you make arrangements if you aren’t interested in a position that requires weaponry skills. Some women are more comfortable with gentler skills.” Ajani’s expression didn’t suggest that he thought he was being insulting. If anything, he looked like he thought he was being considerate.

“I’m pretty sure I’ll pass on being a whore. Thanks.”

He obviously missed her tone completely because he shrugged slightly and said, “The accommodations at some of the upscale establishments are quite comfortable.”

After a speechless moment, Chloe tried to remind herself that she was now living in a different world, but her temper seethed. “I’m a lot more comfortable with fighting than fucking for money, but I was thinking more that I could get a job at one of the shops or something.”

Ajani tsked at her. “The natives don’t hire, especially not one of the Arrivals. They pass their trades on to their young. Your options are limited. The houses typically pass on their trade too, but the Arrivals are enough of a curiosity that you’d be a good earner.”

For a moment, she expected him to laugh, to tell her he was joking, to explain that somehow she had other options. He didn’t. Instead, he continued: “I could have Daniel take you on a tour of the nicer brothels. There are several where you could—”

“No,” she interrupted.

Ajani gave her a patronizing smile. “Are you opposed to the number of clients you’d need to entertain in the brothels? Or are you a virgin?”

“Yes. No. I mean, I understand that there are conventions here, but where I come from . . .” She shook her head. “I just don’t think I can do that.”

“The position of mistress is currently vacant.” He looked at her much the way she’d seen people examine produce at the market. “You’re attractive, and I do understand not wanting to kill . . . or bed the natives.”

“You’re offering me a job as your mistress?” She stared at him with a mix of amusement and horror.

“Yes. I prefer not to frequent the brothels as I prefer not to share, especially with the natives.” Ajani made a moue of distaste before smiling at Chloe. “It’s merely a job, my dear. The lovely Miss Reed continues to refuse my offers, so, until she acquiesces, the position is yours if you want it.”

“Until Kitty . . .” Chloe couldn’t hide her shock. When Ajani smiled at her, she realized that he thought she was shocked that Kitty refused him—not that he’d thought he stood a chance of convincing her to live with him. Chloe had only known the brash woman a bit over a day, but she was already certain that Kitty was never going to accept that offer.

“I would find you another position when she accepts,” Ajani said.

Chloe wasn’t sure if Ajani was evil incarnate, but she was beginning to think he might be insane. “I’m flattered, but I don’t think I’d make a very good mistress.”

Ajani nodded. “You think on it for now. I will speak with Daniel. If he wants to keep you, I could also consider offering you a position in one of my homes if he wants to surrender part of his salary. Perhaps as a maid or something.” He stood then and nodded. “There is one other option, but you’ll need to be tested. So, until we decide what to do with you, I’m afraid it’s for the best that you stay here in the house.”

Chloe wasn’t sure she was hearing him correctly. “To be clear, are you saying I can’t leave?”

“Until we do a few little tests, I’m afraid so.” He smoothed down his already unwrinkled shirtsleeves. “We have always allowed the Arrivals to make a choice, you see, but I’m wearying of patience. You will be my guest until we determine whether or not you have what I’m seeking or if you are better employed in another way.”

Fear filled her as memories of Jason and the things he’d done before she’d killed him overwhelmed her. Chloe’s voice was a breath of sound at best when she asked, “What sort of tests?”

“Nothing scandalous. Simply reading some passages for me.” Ajani patted her on the shoulder.

She couldn’t move, couldn’t think beyond the fact that she was trapped. Smiles didn’t change the truth. Jason had smiled too. He’d smiled after he’d hurt her, smiled when he’d left her in restraints, smiled when he’d sat in front of the door with a gun. Her body shook from both the remembered fear and the current anxiety, but her legs wouldn’t move. She had thought that years of training with guns would prevent her from ever feeling this powerless again, but in that moment all of the familiar terror returned and consumed her.

“Once we see the results, we’ll decide what to do with you,” Ajani continued, seemingly oblivious to her trembling. He paused. “Just to be clear, Chloe, I had the staff remove your pistol from your quarters, and they’ve all been instructed as to the rules. It’s an unfortunate situation, but please know that Daniel negotiated the best possible terms for your stay with us. My original plan involved killing Jackson, Francis, and Cordova. They’d have woken, but I understand that it is still unpleasant to die.” He held her gaze as he added, “And there are job opportunities that will be open to you even if you fail the tests. If not for Daniel’s speaking up for you, this entire situation might have been very unpleasant for you. You should thank him.”

“I should thank Daniel,” she repeated dully.

“Yes, my dear.” Ajani smiled at her. “And perhaps ask him about the punishments that I’ve had to mete out to those who disobey me or resist. It may help you to be more cooperative.”

Chloe clutched the side of the chair, trying not to let her growing panic consume her. The man in front of her was evil, and the happy expression on his face confirmed her earlier suspicions that he was mad as well.

I survived before, she reminded herself. Today, though, that reminder wasn’t quite as comforting. She was in a new world, the captive of a madman, and the only people who knew where she was either thought she’d sided with their enemy or were themselves in his employ. Oh, and he couldn’t be killed. There wasn’t any way she could see this going well for her.