Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1)(52)
Author: Richelle Mead

“It’s worth the risk for him to actually see a tree.” With Quentin successfully up, Mae helped Tessa. “Would you rather have him guessing ages and backstories?”

Cynthia scowled, and they fell silently into their shared memory. With her students safely settled, Mae climbed up into the higher branches of the tree. Joy lit her features, and Justin couldn’t take his eyes off her. He’d thought Aurelia might make being around Mae easier, but the girl’s face was already fading from his mind the more he watched Mae.

“She’s an athlete,” Justin observed, more to himself. She effortlessly jumped to the ground from a height that would’ve broken a bone in anyone else.

His sister gave him a sidelong look. “Really? It took a tree for you to realize that and not the part where she’s one of the most lethal soldiers in our country?”

“There’s a difference. She’s physical for the love of it, not just because she’s trained to be.” It was a new discovery about her, a puzzle piece in the mystery that was Mae Koskinen. He might adhere to his hands-off stance, but the urge to figure out her inner workings was one of those things he just couldn’t ignore.

“You can’t sleep with her,” Cynthia said abruptly.

He turned to her in surprise. “What?”

“Some women are even out of your league.”

If only she knew the hilarious truth, remarked Horatio.

Mae caught sight of her audience and helped Quentin and Tessa down so they could return to the house. Naturally, she hadn’t broken a sweat, but there was a very pretty flush to her cheeks and that same delight in her eyes as she stepped inside. “Good morning,” she told him, actually sounding sincere. Tree climbing apparently put her in a good enough mood for her to temporarily forget that she hated him. “Hope we didn’t take too long.”

“No problem,” Justin said, more enchanted than he wanted to admit at getting a glimpse of the woman he liked to think of as “Panamanian Mae.” “We’re right on time. Let’s go see what the Nipponese have to share.”

He’d scheduled an errand before they had to be at the airport, and he used the trip into the city to tell her about Geraki. She stared at Justin in disbelief when he finished the story.

“Why are we going to the Nipponese grant when there’s a religious zealot after you?” she exclaimed. This was the kind of danger she yearned for—a threat on his life that he hadn’t actually caused. “We should find him!”

“The authorities will. Er, the other authorities. Internal Security’s got a warrant out for him. As soon as he trips a checkpoint, they’ll bring him in for questioning.”

Mae still didn’t look convinced. In fact, she looked like she’d have jumped off the train then and there if it was possible. Knowing her, she could probably have done it and survived. “But will they actually be able to hold him?”

“They’ll hold him long enough,” he said. “Someone like him showing up at a servitor’s house is pretty serious…but yeah, no one will be able to prove he actually meant any harm.”

It was how Geraki worked. He’d been on a watch list for years. Justin knew Geraki was a cult leader, but no one could prove it. It was all instinct and circumstantial evidence, and that just wasn’t enough to bust someone as smart as Geraki. Every year, the servitor’s office investigated him. And every year, he came up clean. Worse, Justin knew he was one of those people tied to the network of underground religions, just like Callista, the priestess of Artemis. The difference between them was that Geraki wasn’t the type to give up useful information.

For his part, Geraki seemed to enjoy the servitor visits—in a smug and condescending sort of way. He was always jovial and cooperative, assuring the servitors they could look into anything they wanted. And all the while, Justin had seen a glint in the other man’s eyes that was both knowing and mocking.

Coming to Justin’s house was out of character, though. Retribution happened sometimes when religions were shut down, but Geraki had no reason to seek revenge. No one had ever censured him. No one had ever proven he had a following. Nonetheless, Justin didn’t want him anywhere near his family.

You should talk to him, said Magnus. Maybe he has something important to say.

Justin wasn’t convinced. I know what he has to say. Cryptic nonsense and faked innocence. And all the while, he’ll be laughing behind my back.

Seeing Mae’s hardened expression, Justin couldn’t help but tease her. “You actually look like you’re worried about my safety. And here I didn’t think you cared.”

“I don’t,” she said. “I mean—I do, but never mind. I care about religious freaks coming after you.”

“Hopefully detaining him’ll scare him off, and then we’ll get a restraining order to boot.” What he didn’t mention to Mae was that Geraki was actually the reason they were going on this errand. One thing Tessa had mentioned when quizzed further about her encounter had particularly piqued Justin’s interest—Geraki’s comment about SCI hiring more servitors. A little poking around had found that was true, but no one could explain the spike in employment.

The car took them to the House of Senators, not far from Hale Square. Despite the early hour, the RUNA’s main government facility was already abuzz with activity. Lobbyists and aides hurried up and down the front steps while tourists stopped to take pictures. Guided tours started early, and Justin could hear one guide describing the makeshift building that senators had first used following the Decline. Off to the side, a sign pointed the way to the National Gardens a few blocks away, a vast wonder of horticulture that attracted visitors from all parts of the RUNA and hosted fancy political parties.

And it was here that Mae—who always walked with such confidence and fearlessness—faltered. Justin looked over at her in surprise. The senate overwhelmed a lot of people, but she shouldn’t have been one of them. She would’ve had to see this building countless times, especially since prætorians had a strong presence there.

In fact, three prætorians stood on each side of the building’s entrance now, hard faced and watchful as they took in the morning activity. Guns hung openly at their sides, and their black uniforms provided a sharp—almost sinister—contrast against the white marble. People who worked in the building walked past the prætorians easily, but newcomers gave the guards nervous looks and a wide berth.