Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X, #1)(108)

She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had sent her flowers. Maybe some love-struck former soldier from back before she’d joined the pr?torians? Porfirio hadn’t been much for gestures like these. Sure, he went for the dramatic sometimes, but it would be things like a candlelit bedroom, the kind of act that usually resulted immediately in sex. For half a second, she wondered if they were from Justin as a sort of Sorry for completely deceiving you about my involvement in illicit religions apology. But no. The flowers had arrived while they were traveling to Mazatlán.

She put them in a vase and received an answer far more quickly than expected when her ego rang with a call. The display showed a shocking name, and she switched the call over to her living room screen. Lucian Darling’s smiling face appeared, as handsome and polished as anything she’d find at a press conference.

“Senator,” she said in greeting. “I figured you’d forgotten about me.”

His grin widened. “Impossible. Just been caught up in the whirlwind of campaigning. Not that that’s an excuse.”

“I don’t know about that. It’s actually kind of a good one, what with you preparing to lead the country and all that.”

“Does that mean you’ll urge your representative to vote for me?”

She laughed and settled onto the couch. “Sure.”

“Then I’m one step closer. Was it the roses that won you over?”

“No, but thank you.” Despite all the ease and charm he radiated, she felt a little flustered by the gesture. It kicked his flirting from their first meeting up a notch, something she wasn’t sure she wanted. “You didn’t have to.”

“Of course I did. I needed to secure your vote. That, and I was hoping I could get you out for a late dinner.”

The unexpected just kept coming. “Tonight?”

“Sorry about the short notice.” Something in his manner made her think he wasn’t that sorry, that he still figured she’d jump at the chance. He and Justin weren’t that different after all. “An event just got canceled, so I’m homebound in Vancouver for the night and thought you might like to come over. Don’t read that as presumption,” he added. “It’s more for convenience. I’d gladly take you out somewhere, but I don’t think you’d like the attention.”

“Probably not,” she said in agreement. Remembering Justin’s observations about the political fallout of a plebeian senator dating a castal, Mae knew Lucian wouldn’t like the attention either.

“Fortunately for you, I can cook the kind of steak most people only dream of. You’ll be a believer.” That smile was in overdrive now as he waited for her response.

“That’s sweet. And flattering,” she said honestly. “But I literally just walked in after a long trip and don’t think I’m up to getting out.” Or navigating the treacherous waters of this sort of liaison. “I’m sorry. But thank you.”

His face fell only a little. Undaunted, he asked, “I’m out of town tomorrow but back the next day. How’s Monday night work for you?”

She shook her head. “I’m out of town. Justin and I are going to be out at the Nordic land grant.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Taking him home to meet the parents?”

“Business,” she said, shuddering at the thought of unleashing him on her family.

“Well, that reminds me…I also called because I’ve got an answer—sort of—to Justin’s question about servitor hiring.”

She’d nearly forgotten about that. “Why not call him?”

“I’d rather talk to you. Besides, he’d give me grief about not having much that’s conclusive.”

“What’d you find out?”

He shrugged. “Mostly that the number of servitors has increased because the demand has increased.”

“Are you sure?” Mae tried to recall what Justin had said. “I think he checked the number of cases SCI’s got. There’s no significant difference from last year.”

Lucian’s eyes sparkled, probably at one-upping Justin. “He checked the national cases. But not ones in the protectorates and provinces.”

She was startled. “I didn’t think we sent many servitors there. Especially the provinces.” Protectorates weren’t that surprising. They were usually on track to being annexed, so it made sense that the RUNA would start cleaning house in advance.

“We do now,” said Lucian.

“Why?”

“No one gave me an answer on that. But I also found out some of the national cases are getting multiple servitors investigating them.” He tilted his head to study her. “Is that helpful?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “Justin will have to make the call on that. I’ll pass it on. Thank you.”

The grin was back. “Happy to help. Especially if I get to talk to you again. Don’t worry—we’ll make something work out one of these days.”

“Thanks,” said Mae, who hadn’t been worried.

There was something appealing about him, but again, it was a mess she didn’t need. After a little more flirtation, Lucian disconnected and Mae stood up, stretching her muscles. The activity in Mazatlán hadn’t wearied her. If anything, it had made her crave more physical action. The odds of finding a canne partner this time of night were pretty low, though.