Page 37 of Dark Shaman: The Lost Treasure (The Children Of The Gods #98)

ELUHEED

T he sharp knock on the door came as Eluheed was preparing to join Tamira for dinner. He knew that knock, the knocker, and the summons that it carried.

Lord Navuh required his attendance.

The timing was odd, though. The lord dined with Lady Areana, and it probably coincided with dinner on the second level, even though the first level had its own staff with its own chef.

"The lord wants to see you," Arnav said.

"Isn't he dining with Lady Areana?" Eluheed asked as he closed the door behind him.

Arnav shrugged. "I don't ask questions. I just do what I'm told. If you're smart, you will do the same."

"Thanks for the advice." Eluheed cast him a smile even though all previous attempts to befriend the guy had failed.

He needed information, mainly on how Navuh was traveling between his residence in the harem and his house on the other side of the island.

He couldn't traverse the distance on foot, so he had to use a vehicle, but since no one ever saw him come and go, he must be using a tunnel, and it had to be big enough for a car.

Then again, the vehicle didn't need to be a car.

Navuh could be using a motorcycle or a scooter.

The image of the scary warlord, who was fond of wearing elaborate robes, riding a scooter, was comical, and Eluheed chuckled as he followed Arnav to a staircase that he hadn't even been aware existed instead of using the elevator as they usually did.

"What's funny about using the stairs?" the guy asked.

"I was just thinking about something I heard. But what happened to the elevator?"

"Nothing." Arnav grimaced. "Sabina told me that I need to get in shape and that I need to use the stairs more."

She had a point.

Funny how he hadn't known where the staircase was located until now or that the harem even had one.

The builders of this place hadn't needed to abide by any building codes, so even though it was unsafe to have a seven-floor structure without a staircase, he'd assumed that Navuh just hadn't wanted one included.

It would have been so interesting to peek into the warlord's mind and find out all of his secrets, but Eluheed did not possess that particular ability.

Some of the shamans back home could do that, and there had been one who could even compel like Navuh did, but Eluheed's one questionable gift was visions of personal connections.

He couldn't even foresee disasters, or he would have known to move his treasure to a safer location before the mountain had erupted and buried it under tons of rock.

That was why that vision he'd had about the fire and smoke had struck him as so odd, and he'd interpreted it as an allegory for something else.

Arnav knocked once, waited for the barked command to enter, then opened the door and stepped aside. Eluheed entered to find Navuh pacing behind his massive desk, the restless energy radiating from him immediately setting off alarm bells.

Something had agitated the warlord. In Eluheed's experience, an agitated Navuh was unpredictable and dangerous.

"My lord." He bowed deeply.

"Sit." The command was sharp.

Eluheed sat, keeping his posture relaxed despite tension threatening to lock his muscles.

Navuh continued pacing for another moment before finally settling into his throne-like chair. His presence filled the space like poisonous smoke.

"How are you enjoying my generosity?" the lord asked, his tone deceptively casual.

The question seemed routine enough, but Eluheed knew better. Navuh did not engage in small talk. The lord knew that Tamira had claimed him. She hadn't been subtle about her interest, and privacy in the harem was an illusion.

"My lord, your generosity knows no bounds," Eluheed said, infusing his voice with appropriate deference and gratitude. "I'm thankful for the chance to serve Lady Tamira. She is exquisite."

Navuh leaned back, dark eyes studying him with the intensity of a predator evaluating prey. "And how exactly do you serve her?"

Did he want details of their lovemaking?

"I'm delighted to fulfill Lady Tamira's every wish of me. She is beautiful beyond words, intelligent, and kind. Every moment in her presence is a precious gift."

"Since you spend every night in her bed, you have a treasure trove of those precious moments."

Where was he going with this?

Despite Tamira's assurance that there were no surveillance devices in her rooms, the lord probably knew how many times they'd made love, in what positions, and what words they'd whispered in the dark.

The thought made Eluheed's skin crawl, but he kept his expression appropriately embarrassed rather than disgusted.

"Lady Tamira has been generous with her affections," he said, ducking his head as if overwhelmed. "I am a fortunate man."

"She seems quite taken with you," Navuh observed, and there was something dangerous in the silky tone.

Instinctively, Eluheed knew that he shouldn't let Navuh even guess the depth of their connection, but how was he going to deflect the lord's questions without seeming to do so? How was he going to minimize what was between him and Tamira without insulting her or implying she had poor taste?

"I am merely a novelty, my lord," he said. "Different. I know that her interest will wane once the newness fades. It always does."

"Did she tell you that?" Navuh's fingers drummed against the desk.

"No, but I am a realist, my lord. I am a simple man with some shamanic knowledge that she finds fascinating. Lady Tamira is extraordinary. Once she has exhausted my limited conversational repertoire and satisfied her curiosity, she will move on to a new companion."

"Hmm." Navuh was silent for a long moment, and Eluheed resisted the urge to fill it with nervous chatter. "Tula has claimed the American, but I know she doesn't love him. She is just guarding her toy and doesn't want anyone else to play with him. What do you and Tamira talk about?"

Another test. Navuh undoubtedly knew every word spoken in the dining room, probably had recordings of their more public exchanges.

But did he have the time or inclination to listen to hours of philosophical debate and literary analysis?

More likely he wanted a summary, wanted to know if anything subversive was being discussed.

"Philosophy, mostly," Eluheed said. "Lady Tamira is remarkably well read. She challenges my understanding of various schools of thought. We debate the nature of consciousness, the role of suffering in spiritual development, and the intersection of science and mysticism."

"How intellectual," Navuh said dryly.

"Also poetry," Eluheed continued. "She has introduced me to works I'd never encountered. Her translation work is fascinating—the nuances of meaning that can be lost or transformed between languages. And books, of course. The ladies' literary discussions are quite enlightening."

"And what else?"

"My lord?"

"What else do you discuss? Surely not every moment is spent in rarified intellectual discourse."

Eluheed allowed a slightly sheepish smile. "No, my lord. We also talk about...more earthly pleasures. The excellent food, the rare wines from the harem's cellar, and other things…"

All true and harmless. He'd carefully avoided any mention of the deeper conversations about loneliness, dreams of freedom, and the growing connection that went far beyond intellectual stimulation or physical pleasure.

"No discussion of the outside world? No curiosity about current events?"

Aha, so that was what Navuh was worried about. He didn't want his concubines to know the state of the world for some reason. It was truly paranoia since they were prisoners of the harem and could change nothing.

"Yes, of course," he said. "Lady Tamira knows I have traveled extensively, so she sometimes asks about places I've been, markets I've visited, and foods I've tried.

We don't talk about world politics or international trade because neither of us knows much about these subjects, and besides, those matters are irrelevant to our situation. "

"Your situation?" Navuh's eyebrow arched. "You consider yourself part of the harem now?"

Dangerous ground. "I apologize, my lord. I meant only that I understand my place here, and the ladies understand theirs. We exist in the world you have created for us. The outside does not exist in here. It's a distant memory, nothing more."

"Well said." But Navuh's tone suggested he wasn't convinced. "Tell me, shaman—have you had any visions lately? Surely, proximity to my treasures has sharpened your sight."

And there it was. The real reason for this summons. Not Tamira, not their conversations, but Navuh's endless hunger for foreknowledge of threats.

"I must touch you to see, my lord," Eluheed said.

"You have touched them. Did you see anything?"

Eluheed swallowed. "I've only touched Lady Tamira, and she does not know about any plots against you, my lord."

That was true, and Navuh seemed to read the truth in his eyes.

"Let's do this." He extended his hand with the air of someone making a great sacrifice.

As Eluheed took the offered hand between both of his, the lord's fingers were long and cool, and his grip was firm despite how elegant his hand seemed. His hands belonged on a pianist, not a butcher, but then Navuh didn't do the butchering himself. He sent his minions to do his dirty work.

When the vision arrived, it was more violent than usual. Perhaps it was Navuh's agitation, or perhaps the universe had something urgent to communicate. Either way, Eluheed found himself drowning in images of blood and betrayal.

A figure in shadows, the face obscured. The glint of a blade. Poison in a cup. Explosives planted with careful precision. And through it all, a sense of proximity—this wasn't some distant threat, but someone close who was constantly plotting his ruler's demise.

But who? The vision swirled, showing him snippets without context. Someone with access to Navuh. Someone who smiled politely while planning murder.

It wasn't the son from previous visions. This was different, closer, and more dangerous because it came from within Navuh's inner circle. It must be someone who had been away and had recently returned because Eluheed hadn't felt him before.

Releasing Navuh's hand, Eluheed tried to process what he'd seen and how much of it he was going to reveal. If someone managed to kill Navuh, chaos would ensue, and the ladies would be in danger. They were safe as long as Navuh ruled this island with an iron fist.

"What?" Navuh demanded. "What did you see?"

"Danger," Eluheed said, letting his voice shake slightly. "Someone is plotting your death, and he's very close to you. He doesn't have any specific plan, so I don't think it's imminent, but you shouldn't trust any of your generals or advisors."

"Are you sure it's a he and not a she?"

Eluheed frowned. "Do you suspect the ladies? I think that after five thousand years, you should have realized that they pose no threat to you."

Navuh let out a breath. "I suspect everyone, including you, shaman. That's why I'm still here and still holding power." He leaned back in his throne chair. "Who is it then? Can you give me more concrete specifics?"

"I'm sorry, but the vision is clouded," Eluheed said, which was true enough.

"I saw a charming smile, but that was all the universe was willing to show me.

That and the traitorous thoughts behind that smile.

It's someone with access to you. Someone in your inner circle.

Someone whose betrayal would actually have a chance of succeeding because you don't suspect him.

I mean, beyond the blanket suspicion of everyone. "

Navuh rose to his feet and started pacing, his agitation now focused on this new threat. "My commanders? My sons?"

"I don't know. It could have even been a servant," Eluheed said.

"A valet, a food server, anyone who knows your routines.

Ensure that your food is tested before consuming it.

Don't even trust bottled water. I think it is safest for you to take all of your meals in the harem because it's more tightly controlled, and no one can smuggle any poisons there. "

It suddenly occurred to him that all those expired medications in the clinic could be used as poison, but they were probably not strong enough to kill an immortal. Eluheed quickly banished the thought from his mind, even though he was effectively shielding from Navuh's mental intrusion.

He could see Navuh's mind working, cataloging everyone who fit that description. The lord's paranoia, always simmering beneath the surface, was now at full boil. Eluheed had planted the seeds of suspicion, which meant increased scrutiny for everyone in Navuh's orbit.

The warlord returned to his chair, his expression thoughtful now rather than agitated. "You've given me much to consider, shaman. And I'm surprised that you are so concerned about my well-being."

There was no point in sugarcoating his motives. "I'm just looking out for my own interests, my lord. You are the protector of the harem. Your replacement might decide to just get rid of everyone in here, including me and the ladies."

"Well reasoned and well said, Shaman." Navuh rewarded him with a rare, genuine smile. "You are a smart man, and you understand that Lady Tamira is not yours. She is mine. They all are, and I protect what's mine. You are permitted to enjoy her because it pleases her and serves my purposes."

"Of course, my lord. I'm at your service."

"Don't forget that. The moment you cease to be useful, the moment you become more trouble than you're worth..." Navuh smiled, and it was like watching a shark bare its teeth. "Let's just say the ocean is very deep and very unforgiving."

"I understand perfectly, my lord."

"Good." Navuh settled back in his chair. "You're dismissed."

Eluheed rose and bowed deeply. "I remain at your service, my lord."

"Yes," Navuh said. "You do."