Urden, God of Desire by Anastasia Rabiyah Page A

routes, and we use them to smuggle things…people, supplies, weapons…whatever will help the cause.” She shifted her weight. The chair creaked in protest.
    “And what about my father?”
    The woman shrugged. “What about him?” She dropped another spoonful of sugar in her tea, stirring, the spoon tick-tick-ticking. “You can’t say his motivations aren’t noble.”
    “Do you know for sure?” Sima sat down beside Razi’s friend, old fears emerging. She didn’t want to go back, but the more she thought about helping those tribes in the mountains, the more she remembered the little girl who hid her from the police, and the more guilt ate at her heart. She had the power to do something, to get people out, to teach them how to stand up for themselves. All the Unangi lacked was an organized government to face the factions ruling the planet. “Well, do you?”
    Lensi knocked on the tabletop, her eyes grim. “Is anything ever really for sure?”
    “No. I guess not.” She cast her gaze down to the floor.
    “Razi means well,” Lensi said. “I know he does. But he’s always been different. He never wanted out of Hicklan. He came to me after you paid for his freedom and really didn’t know what to do with himself .”
    Rubbing her temple, Sima sighed. “You think I should have left him there?”
    “No. No! Of course not. I’m just saying he errs on the side of caution. He’ll take the safe road if he can. You were the only person he ever stepped out of his boundaries for. Talk to him. Make him see what’s right. You’re the only person who can.”
    “Yeah. I’ll try.” She reached across for Lensi’s data sharer and read over the map, scanning it for flaws. “You’ve chosen a representative already?”
    Lensi drank and closed her eyes. “An old shaman. Most of the tribespeople know him. I can’t say they trust him, but we haven’t much choice.” She reached for a frosted roll, bit into it and leaned back.
    Sima knew there was more the sister wasn’t revealing just yet. Lensi bided her time in small ways, sharing only what her audience could handle at any given time. Together they nibbled at the rolls and waited. Razi was late. Very late.
    “What is it?” Sima asked. She placed her hand over Lensi’s. “Just tell me. You’ve chosen me for this for a reason.”
    Lensi nodded. “Your father is in contact with the shaman, apparently to return two artifacts to the Unangi people. We’re certain it’s in exchange for access through the mountain passes. He needs Hemec to fund the war he’s planning on bringing about. There are other resources, but by taking Irnia, and in turn, taking the mountains, this will be the most cost effective route.”
    “I don’t want to see my father again.” She wondered just how much Lensi knew, but was afraid to ask. The less she knew about her father’s contacts, the better.
    “Just talk to the shaman. Meet with him. Explain the politics. The Unangi need someone from the inside.”
    “You mean they need someone who knows how my father thinks.”
    The door opened. Razi tossed his jacket across the couch and pursed his full lips when he saw Lensi. He shut the door, bypassed the women and leaned against the wall.
    “Hi, hon. How was your day?” Sima rose to go and hug him. “I missed you.”
    He glared over her shoulder, slipping his arms around her waist. “What did she tell you?”
    Lensi groaned.
    Sima liked how he smelled after he came home from the mill, the flavor of ground wheat clinging to his skin, his clothes. He was tired and by the looks of it ,   cranky as hell. She ran her fingers up and down his lower back, hoping to calm him. He didn’t let go.
    “Well,” he whispered in her ear. “What did my old friend tell you?”
    “She wants me to go to the mountains for a while.” She kissed his cheek and waited.
    “No.” He squeezed her against his chest. “No, you’re not going back there. Neither am I.” Razi raised one hand and pointed at