Human After All Read Online Free PDF

said.
    “I wasn’t being sarcastic. They really are sweet together. If I didn’t know Vale was under contract, I’d believe they were in love.”
    “Vale won’t say it out loud, but of course they’re in love. Just look at them.”
    “Then it’s bitter as well as sweet.”
    “Are you two having a drink?” Parry called out, holding his glass aloft.
    “Would you make a batch of Glaznosties for everyone while I say hello to the Prince and his friend?” Cade asked. “Good evening, Jaymes. A genuine pleasure to see you again.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Jaymes said. “With me is Drue….”
    “Cotes,” Drue supplied. “Drue Cotes, better known as the Fox.”
    “I’m pleased to meet you, Drue,” Cade said as though they were cousins. “I hope you’ll have a drink, but I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you all to leave before very long. Unfortunately, I have a brief meeting before I can relax in pleasant company.”
    “A meeting at the Covillion?” Parry exclaimed in patent shock, as he handed glasses around.
    “A very brief meeting,” Cade said. “I’m sorry, Vale, but I really need the room. Would you and your friends mind coming back a bit later?”
    “Too late,” Parry said, setting his tray down and going to answer the door.
    “Wait,” Cade said quickly. “Let me check first.” Speaker Londean touched his lapel pin and spoke a few words. “All right, Parry, you can open the door now.”
    “Who is it?” Vale asked as one of the Combat-Ulteem bodyguards from down the hall entered the room.
    His question was answered when a tall, gaunt man strode in behind his guards. The hawkish profile and the wings of iron-colored hair that fell straight to sloping shoulders identified the Deputy President of The Cities as surely as the badge of rank he held up.
    “There’s no need for that, Brandel,” Londean said. “We have spoken face to face many times.”
    “Men with your sort of compassion are easily deceived,” Brandel Ampery said in a deep, rich voice at odds with his mantis-thin frame. “What a charming council you have.”
    “I know I said I’d be alone.” Cade smiled equably at the D.P.’s veiled insult. “But who can tell the breeze when it may come and go?”
    Brandel’s lips moved in something that could charitably be mistaken for a smile. “Your Companion is exquisite, of course,” he said. “But they’re such flighty creatures.”
    “Then we’ll talk about something more down to earth.” Cade beckoned to Brandel to join him by the bar. Valens started to accompany Cade, but the Speaker bade him wait. “What I need to say to the Deputy President is for his ears alone. I won’t be long.”
    Jaymes handed Valens a drink. “He’s only a few feet away,” Jaymes said. “You’ll be able to see him the whole time. I wonder what he’s discussing with the D.P.”
    “I don’t trust Citizen Ampery,” Valens said.
    “Why would you?” Drue joined the conversation. “The Deep’s a politician.”
    “So is Speaker Londean,” Jaymes reminded the Zot.
    “But he doesn’t act like one,” Drue said. “More like a duke or something.”
    “He doesn’t use his title, but he actually is a duke,” Parry said. “When his father is gone, he’ll be a Sire.”
    “That would explain it, then.” Drue took another sip of his drink. “Looks like they’re through with their meeting already. That didn’t take long.”
    Valens’s eyes had never left Cade during the conversation, constantly monitoring for the subtle cues of minute changes in posture or expression. “It didn’t go well,” he said.
    “Don’t worry. You’ll find a way to make him feel better.” Parry smirked.
    Jaymes heard Valens answer Parry’s innuendo, but the words were just background noise. He had caught the Deputy President’s gaze as the man walked toward him, and everything else faded like recorded music when the volume is turned down. Brandel Ampery’s eyes were like chips of black glass, but Jaymes