Page 53 of Dark Shaman: Eternal Hope
"He distracts me as much as he can." Tamira leaned back. "But when he sleeps, I'm left alone with my thoughts and fears."
It was true, but she knew Areana would interpret that as Eluheed's human need for many hours of sleep and Tamira's reduced need.
"What are you afraid of?" Areana asked.
Tamira canted her head. "Isn't that obvious? The enhanced soldiers. I know that they are being contained, but fears are not rational. I was so terrified in Lord Navuh's basement that I haven't managed to return to normal. I jump at every noise. Elias can't defend me from these enhanced warriors, and it's up to me to defend both of us, but I have no training, no weapons, and I feel helpless." She leveled her gaze at Areana. "You probably don't feel any of that because you have a powerful compeller sleeping next to you at night. You don't feel the danger as acutely as I do."
Areana nodded. "I fear too, but not as acutely. Having Navuh sleep next to me helps, but he's not there every night."
That was something Tamira hadn't known. "How come? He never goes off island, so what reason can he have for not spending the night with his truelove mate?"
"Sometimes he works late at night, communicating overseas across many time zones, and then he just spends the night at the mansion."
That was the opportunity Tamira had been waiting for to ask what she came for. "The ladies and I have been wondering for years how Lord Navuh comes to you at night and leaves in the morning without anyone knowing. We are guessing that he has a secret tunnel leading between your rooms in the harem and his mansion."
Areana laughed. "I wondered when one of you would have the guts to ask me about that."
Tamira widened her eyes in pretend shock. "So, there is a tunnel?"
"Of course. How else do you think he gets to my rooms? Flying on a magic carpet? Even that could not bring him underground."
Tamira leaned closer to the goddess. "Have you ever been in that tunnel?"
Areana shook her head. "I know where it is, and I know how to open the secret passage without triggering the alarms, but I've never actually stepped inside of it. Navuh told me to use it only in an emergency, when the harem is attacked or on fire."
So, Eluheed was right, and the entrance to the tunnel was rigged.
Tamira assumed an offended expression. "That kind of information should be shared with all the ladies. What if there is a fire and you are unconscious from smoke inhalation, and we can't evacuate you through that tunnel because we don't know where it is? What if you leave and we remain trapped?"
Areana had the decency to look uncomfortable. "You are right. I've never thought of it that way. Knowing how to open that door could be lifesaving. I guess I could show you how to open it without showing you how to disable the alarms. Navuh would have my head if I did that. But in case of an emergency, you can just use the escape route and trigger the alarm. If there is a fire or the defense parameters are breached, all the other alarms would be blaring anyway."
That was less than ideal, but maybe Areana would open the passageway for Tamira to see, and she could memorize what needed to be done to disarm the alarm.
"So, Lord Navuh has to disarm that door every time he enters or leaves?"
Areana nodded. "He uses an application on his phone. But since I don't have a phone, I use the manual sequence."
"That's another thing I wanted to ask you about. Why don't we get phones? They can be for on-island communication only, but they could also be a lifesaver in an emergency."
Areana looked exasperated. "Don't you think I know that? Don't you think I tried to get us phones or even walkie-talkies with just one channel? Everything is an endless negotiation, and I need to be careful not to press too hard or he shuts down completely. It's a delicate balance, and every little concession is a victory."
"I understand." Tamira put her hand on Areana's arm. "I'm sorry for dumping all of this on you at once, but we were all wondering about those things, and you are the only one who could get us those concessions."
Areana nodded. "Do you want to see it now?"
"The entrance to the tunnel?"
"Yes. We can stop by my suite before we head out to the library."
"What about the others?"
Areana smiled indulgently. "I'm not about to lead a guided tour. One at a time is better, and since the other ladies are at the library already, this is the perfect time to show you."
"Then lead the way." Tamira pushed to her feet.
She followed Areana through the corridor and then the staircase to the first level, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpets. The opulence here always made her slightly uncomfortable—not because she envied it, but because it felt like a gilded cage within a cage.
Areana's suite was sprawling. They passed through the sitting room with its silk-covered walls and entered the bedroom, where the massive four-poster bed dominated the space. Tamira's eyes went immediately to the shallow bookshelf Eluheed had described, built into the north wall. Then her eyes darted to the ceiling, and the ornate drapes covering the doors that led to the balcony overlooking the interior courtyard.
