THE DEMON'S LEGACY

Chapter 20

Nyssa walked in a daze back to her room with her armed escort. She could not believe what had just happened. Bane, Gotham's Reckoning, and her long-lost half-sister were going to allow her a chance to fulfill her destiny, the one her father had tried to keep from her. She trembled with excitement and concern, knowing she could trust neither of these murderers. They could be setting her up, allowing her to think she was accepted and thus lowering her guard. But if they truly didn't want to give her this opportunity, why didn't they simply kill her? Or was this all show for the other members of the council, to allow the illusion of following the League's dictates? Whatever the truth was, she was in the soup now, and unfortunately so was her mother.

Her worried parent waited just inside the door to their room, wringing her hands, close to tears. Nyssa could tell she had been pacing. Her mother threw her arms around her the moment she entered.

"You're safe!"

"Of course, Maji. I told you not to worry."

"What happened? What did they say?"

"Here, let's sit down. You look frazzled, and you're not completely well yet, remember."

She guided her distracted mother to the couch, holding her hand.

"Are they going to let us go, Nyssa?"

Nyssa steeled herself for her mother's unhappiness. "I'm sorry, Maji; no. But Bane has given me his word that you won't be harmed."

"Me? What about you?"

"I'm going to be trained by the League. I have to leave tonight to start."

"Leave? Where are you going?"

"To their training facility, but I don't know where that is, of course. You'll be staying here, in the palace."

Indignation darkened her mother's face. "I most certainly will not. I'm going back to my home. Either that or I'm going with you."

Nyssa took her parent's hands, pinned a sympathetic but firm look on her. "I'm sorry I got you caught up in this. But what's happened has happened; we can't go back. I'll keep in contact while I'm training."

"How long will that be?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe a year."

"A year? Nyssa, no. This is nonsense. You must tell that muscle-bound murderer that you've changed your mind."

Nyssa almost laughed. "I can't change my mind, Maji, even if I wanted to. And I certainly wouldn't be able to change Bane's mind. The council has voted on this. I'm going to be trained and initiated, then I'll take my rightful place as the Demon's Head."

"They are lying to you. It's a trick, betee."

"No. If it was a trick, they'd just kill me now."

"Well, if you insist on going through with this fantasy, then take me back to our home. Right now. I won't be a part of this."

"I'm sorry, Maji. They won't let you leave here."

"What? So, I am a prisoner?"

"Don't call it that. You'll be detained so you can't tell anyone about them."

"One and the same—I am a prisoner. At least tell me I will see you regularly."

"I don't think they'll let me see anyone while I'm training. I'll keep asking, though. Perhaps I can at least write to you or call. But you'll be safe here."

"As safe as any caged bird," her mother grumbled, pulling her hands into her lap and fidgeting. "And what am I supposed to do while my daughter is joining the ranks of the damned? Sit inside these walls and play cards with Maysam?"

"Actually," Nyssa struggled to look at her, "you'll be employed by Maysam."

Her mother reared back. "Employed? I don't need employment. I do just fine making and selling my scarves and—"

"It's not a choice—it's a condition. I'm sorry, but the alternative is much worse, as you can imagine."

"So now I am to lose my daughter and be a slave."

"Maji, please, it won't be like that. You'll be a servant to Maysam, just while I'm away."

"I will not!" Her mother stalked to the window that looked out over the village, her sari whipping in her wake. She crossed her arms and kept her back to Nyssa. "This is a nightmare, betee. I need to talk to that hulking beast. I will convince him that I won't say—"

"Don't even think about talking to Bane about anything. You have to be compliant. I don't want anything to happen to you. It would be my fault. I need to concentrate on my training, so we can both have a better life."

"Being a captive is not a better life, Nyssa."

Nyssa approached her and put an arm around her sloped shoulders, tears on her mother's cheeks. Her heart broke.

"I can only say I'm sorry so many times, Maji. But you have to trust me; you have to believe me when I say our lives will be better."

Her mother frowned, the anger drifting away, her arms uncrossing. "What if I never see you again?"

"You will. I promise."

Her mother sighed and turned from Nyssa to stare back out the window, shaking her head. "Your father…I should have never looked at that man."

###

When the council was dismissed, Bane and Talia went to Maysam's suite to give her the news. They found her in the living room with Henri, both sitting on the floor at a low table, with coloring books spread before them. Bane smiled at the sight of his child instructing his great-grandmother that she must color inside the lines. Abrams was coming out of the kitchen with a drink for Henri.

"Mama," Henri called. "Come see my turtle!"

Talia sat next to him, putting an arm around him. "That's a wonderful turtle, baby. The colors are perfect. And Jiddah's is nice, too." She winked at her grandmother.

"The council has reached its decision?" Maysam asked, her carefree expression of a moment ago flying away.

Abrams set Henri's sippy cup on the table. "I'll give you some privacy," he said to Bane.

"No, Aaron," Maysam said. "Please, stay. You need to hear this, too."

Abrams offered his hand to help her up. Bane sensed something pass between the two when their hands met, followed by a private look that made Abrams blush and clear his throat. After Maysam settled in her accustomed recliner where she often rocked Henri to sleep, Abrams sat on a loveseat across from her. Bane and Talia settled on a sofa next to Maysam. Henri's focus remained on his coloring.

"What was decided, hafida?" Maysam asked, doing her best to appear calm.

"Nyssa will be allowed the chance to be trained and prove herself."

Maysam stared and started to speak, but Talia continued.

"She will leave with our brothers tonight and be taken to 'Eth Alth'eban. She will remain there until her training is complete. That is, if she can master the necessary skills."

"And if she can't?" Maysam asked with a glance at Abrams's scowling face.

"Then," Talia continued, "the council will decide her fate."

Maysam frowned. "I must admit I'm a little shocked. Is this what you want, Talia?"

"It was my vote that decided it, Jiddah. I can't say it's really what I want, but I felt bound by the League's practices. And, for better or worse, she is my sister. A part of me feels some sort of pull because of that blood tie. I don't know why Papa rejected her, but he once rejected Bane, too, and that was a mistake. Maybe it was a mistake for him to reject her, too."

"Time will tell," Bane said, putting his hand over Talia's on her thigh. "Your granddaughter did the right thing, Maysam."

"What about Nyssa's mother?" Abrams asked.

"She will serve Maysam in Sanjana's stead," Bane said.

"A servant?" Maysam said. "Certainly she will resent that."

"Her feelings on the matter are immaterial," Bane rumbled. "I assured her daughter that she would be treated fairly in her interim role. She must be detained until we know if her daughter will become one of us, so she might as well be useful in the interim."

"I doubt Diya has any experience."

"Neither did Sanjana," Talia reminded her. "If you are uncomfortable with this, Jiddah, Diya may attend to me, and I will relinquish Hisham."

Bane again noted something private in the glance Maysam exchanged with Abrams. Abrams seemed determined not to look at him. Ah, yes, Bane decided, something has happened between those two. He smiled inwardly. Abrams was a fool to think he could hide this.

"Well," Maysam said, "let me try it. It might be even more difficult on Diya to serve her step-daughter than to serve me. She was always a good woman when I dealt with her in the bazaar—and she's always been sweet to Henri—so I do wish to lessen the difficulty this transition will be to her."

Hearing his name, Henri paused in his coloring. "Who that, Jiddah?"

"Ms. Panjabi from the bazaar, sweetheart," Maysam said. "The lady who makes the dolls. She's going to live here with us for a while."

Henri grinned, his blue eyes crinkling. "She make me more dolls!"

"Only if you are a good boy," Bane warned.

"I be good." He tossed a grin over his shoulder at his father, reminiscent of his mother's flashes of mischievousness, then resumed coloring.

"And you will not tear the dolls apart in front of her," Talia said. "She will show you how to make them instead."

"Oh, Mama," Henri whined, sitting back on his haunches to look at her.

"You heard your mother," Bane said. "I don't want to hear another word about it from you, young man."

Chagrin, Henri said, "But Papa Baba…" and buried his face against Bane's round belly. When Bane sat him on his lap, the child leaned into the crook of his arm and let out a small huff. Bane raised an eyebrow at him, and Henri put his hands over his eyes and gave a small giggle.

"There is something else, Jiddah," Talia said. "I'm afraid you won't like this bit of news either, but I'm asking that you keep an open mind."

"What is it, hafida? Just tell me."

Talia hesitated. "When Bane spoke with Nashir after Nyssa was apprehended, Nashir told him that if Nyssa was allowed to live, we could no longer stay here."

Maysam's back straightened. "He should never have said such a thing! I've spoken with him before about this. As long I live, you will always be welcome here. You are his blood, hafida. And Haris is my son."

Whenever Maysam made such a declaration about him, Bane's heart swelled with pride and love. She always said it with passion and genuineness, as if he were a small boy who needed his mother to protect him; such an image amused him greatly, especially the older Maysam got.

He held up his hand to calm her. "Do not be angry with Nashir; he is within his rights."

"No, he is not, Haris. I have rights here in this palace, my husband's home. Nashir cannot chase away my family just because he is a coward—"

She started to stand, but Talia reached for her arm to keep her in the chair.

"Jiddah, please. Listen to me first. Then, if you still feel the need to talk to Nashir, do so. But don't go to him angry like this. You know it will only insult him and make him more determined."

"Nashir hasn't seen determined," Maysam insisted, her teeth showing. "I can't believe he would even bring this up again to you, Haris. How dare he? I forbade it."

"Jiddah, please," Talia soothed. "Nashir has been very gracious letting us stay here this long. And he did it only for you, so it wouldn't be right for you to attack him, especially since Bane agreed that we would leave if Nyssa was allowed to live. You can understand Nashir's concerns. He has to think of his family."

"You are his family, Talia. Obviously, I need to remind him of that."

"Maysam," Abrams's gravelly voice surprised them all as did his oddly soft expression. He looked at Maysam as if they were alone. "Why don't you let Talia say what she has to say? Charging downstairs to confront Nashir before you even know what Talia has on her mind doesn't make any sense."

Henri piped up, "Don't be mad, Jiddah."

Maysam sputtered a moment in broken protest, fingers playing with the silken fabric of her dress. "Well…I suppose Aaron is right," she said at last. "I am sorry, hafida. But you just can't go."

"We need to honor Nashir's request," Talia continued. "We've already stayed here too long. No place is a sanctuary forever. Leaving may be the safest thing for Henri and us. You need to look at it that way."

"Where we goin', Mama? See elephants again?"

"No, darling, not to Jaipur. We haven't decided where yet, Jiddah, but wherever we go, we want you to come with us. Bane will continue on in his current role so I can focus on Henri; Nyssa will just have to remain ignorant of that arrangement and think I'm the Demon's Head for now."

"Come with you?" Maysam echoed. Again, she looked to Abrams, whose confused frown made his underbite more pronounced.

"Abrams could come too, of course," Talia said. "You will have our men protecting you, but we would be honored if he continued to serve you."

Some of the dark concern on Abrams's face dissipated. "Of course, I would, as long as Maysam wants me."

"That goes without saying, Aaron," Maysam said, calm again, an appreciative smile in her eyes. "But…I just don't know, Talia. I've lived here since I was a young bride."

"You do not have to decide right now," Bane said gently. "Think about it, even overnight if necessary, but we cannot delay longer than that. I will be discussing various options with my brothers today. I will have a location decided upon before they leave tonight. There are many things to consider when it comes to safety for our new location."

"One of the places we're considering," Talia said, "is Chateau Blanc. You said before you would love to see it. It's beautiful and peaceful and green, Jiddah. You would come to love it there, I'm sure."

"But France?" Abrams said. "Wouldn't it be safer someplace more remote?"

"France is but one consideration," Bane said. "Talia favors it."

"What about John?" Maysam asked with worry in her tone. "He will be coming with us, won't he? Or will Sanjana insist on remaining in her homeland? Her family is here, of course."

"Yes," Bane said. "He and his family will join us. Exactly when is contingent upon James's health. The doctor will insist that he not be moved until he is stronger."

Talia reached for her grandmother's hand. "Will you promise to consider it, Jiddah? I will understand if you decide to stay here, though."

"I don't see how I can, not now, not after more than two years of having my great-grandson with me every day. And Sanjana will need help with her child, as well, especially when John is away." But her furrowed brow showed fear and uncertainty.

"There are many factors," Bane said. "Consider your decision carefully." He smiled down at his oddly patient son. "Now, I must excuse myself. There is someone to whom I promised a morning trip to the swimming pool."

###

After the council had been dismissed, Barsad knew he should immediately go to Sanjana to let her know the verdict, but he did not want her to see him this angry, nor did he want that negative energy to be felt by his son. So, instead, he headed outside to the gardens to walk until the strengthening sun could sweat the poison from his pores, which happened quickly this time of year, even in the morning.

When he finally went to the infirmary, he found Sanjana with James in her arms, sitting beside the incubator, Dr. Haqqani just leaving.

"How's he looking to you, Doc?" he asked.

"So far so good. We need to be vigilant in these next few days for jaundice, but there are no signs of it yet."

"Good, good. Thanks, Doc."

"I will be back after lunch to check on them."

Barsad shook his hand and held the door for him.

"Has the council been meeting all this time?" Sanjana asked as he came to her. "I thought I heard the others in the hallway a while ago."

"I'm sorry I didn't come right away, darlin', but I was a bit pissed off. I needed to cool down."

"So, they've vote for Nyssa's inclusion, then?"

"Yeah. I did everything I could to sway the others, but it came down to Talia's vote."

Frowning with worry, Sanjana held James a bit closer, kissed his forehead. "I'm surprised she's letting Nyssa stay, aren't you?"

"Because of Henri, yeah, I'm surprised. I don't know if it was simply because of the League that she voted the way she did or if she feels some pull with that damn woman because of their father. Even from the grave, he seems to have an influence on her still."

Sanjana murmured, "I'm scared, John."

"Oh, honey," Barsad kissed her head then sat beside her on the edge of the bed, "I don't want you worrying. You know I won't let anything happen to you and our boy."

"How can Bane and Talia trust Nyssa?"

"They don't. She'll be watched closely. She's leaving tonight for 'Eth Alth'eban. She'll stay there until her training is over. The isolation alone might break her."

"Will they kill her if she fails?"

"That's to be determined when and if it happens. You know which way I'll vote again." He stroked Sanjana's ebony mane and basked in the sight of his tiny son, who slept contentedly. "But don't worry, sweetheart. Even if Nyssa could tell anyone where we are, it won't matter because we won't be here much longer."

"What do you mean?"

"Bane said Nashir told him we'd have to scram if Nyssa was allowed to live. Like you and me, Nashir doesn't believe Nyssa won't betray us, and he doesn't want to be implicated, of course, in what the League does."

"But…where will we go? And when? James can't be moved—"

"We're not going anywhere until the doc says James is out of the woods. Well, the others might leave soon, but I'm not going anywhere without you and our boy. Bane said he would talk to Nashir about it. And if Bane can't convince him, then I'll find a way to do it."

"But what about Maysam? Henri will be devastated to be without her."

"Bane and Talia are planning to convince her to come with us. I can't see Maysam staying behind, especially because of Henri. We'll see how things play out."

"Where will we go?"

"There are a couple of options. Chateau Blanc is one of them, but I have a feeling Bane will want something more remote. We're going to hammer it all out today."

Sanjana stared toward the door. "My family… My mother…"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. But you'll be able to say good-bye; I'll make sure of it."

She looked sadly at James. "I want my mother to meet her grandson, even if we aren't married. My father wouldn't have to know about it. Could we arrange something if we do have to leave?"

"Anything you want, darlin'. I'm sorry the timing is so bad for this."

"It's not your fault."

"I should just kill Nyssa and be done with it. Then you wouldn't have to move."

"You wouldn't dare defy Bane, would you?"

"I'd be doing him a favor if, instead, we're killing her anyway when she can't cut it."

"What would they do to you if you killed her, do you think?"

"Hard to say. Maybe excommunication."

"Oh, John. Do you really think he would do that? He loves you like a brother."

"He does, yeah, but he is my commander, and it would be gross insubordination on my part, so he'd be obligated to censure me. And then there's Talia's wrath as well. She doesn't look kindly on insubordination either."

"Then don't do it, John." She touched his knee. "I wouldn't want anything to come between you and Bane. I would feel it my fault. You would never kill Nyssa if it were not for me and James."

"I'd do it not just for you and James but for Talia and Bane, too. Then things could remain status quo. Everything's been pretty smooth these past couple of years."

"But it would not be status quo if killing Nyssa led to your excommunication or worse. You know I care about Bane and Talia, too, and little Henri; I would miss them terribly, and so would you. No. As much as I'd feel safer with Nyssa dead, I have decided I don't want you to jeopardize your position with the League or your relationship with Bane and Talia."

Barsad grinned. "Just the other day you were demanding her head."

"I know, but I was pregnant and not thinking it through then. I was being selfish." She smiled up at him. "I know you will keep us safe."

He kissed her. "Always, darlin'."

###

In the evening, after darkness had fallen, Bane and Talia said farewell to the men of the council. Finn Donnell was the last to leave. They accompanied him to the front door, Hisham in tow with Finn's duffel bag.

"It was wonderful to see you," Talia said, taking the Irishman's hands momentarily as they stood in the foyer. "Thank you again for getting here on such short notice."

Hisham breezed past to take the bag to the waiting SUV.

"Anything for you." Finn kissed her hand, then gave Bane a devilish grin.

"Best be on your way, brother," Bane grumbled with a slight, indulgent smile.

Finn chuckled. "Aye, I should."

Talia briefly embraced him, then he nodded to Bane and headed outside into the sultry night.

"Sometimes," Bane teased her, "I think you do such things on purpose, my dear."

"What?"

"You know."

She gave him an impish smile then threaded her hand through the crook of his arm and urged him back to the stairs, the house quiet around them. "I have to admit, I do sometimes find it amusing."

"You are cruel, little mouse."

Talia chuckled. "It's just a part of being a woman who has a very desirable man. I like seeing that you still want to possess me."

"Still? Always. And when we get to our room, I will prove it."

They climbed the stairs and headed for the elevator, the inuendo drifting away.

"I'm glad you've agreed to Chateau Blanc," Talia said as the doors closed after them, starting their brief ascent.

"You know I have my concerns, but since Maysam has agreed to join us, I felt it was the most appropriate setting for her. The locale will give her the opportunity to explore a whole new world. Perhaps she then will not have time to be homesick."

"I think Abrams particularly likes the location. He knows Jiddah will be farther out of reach of her in-laws's enemies in France. Here he's always expecting someone to storm the gates." She softly laughed as she stepped out of the elevator.

"I think Abrams's reasons for approving the location has more to do with something else."

"What?"

"Oh, habibati, you disappoint me."

"What?"

"Are you trying to tell me you did not pick up on the signals this morning when we spoke with your grandmother?"

"Signals?"

"Maybe you were distracted by thoughts of Finn Donnell," he said with a sidelong glance as they reached the door of their suite.

"So jealous," she taunted.

He returned her grin and opened the door, following her inside, his eyes on her shapely bottom. "I am referring to the tacit signals between your grandmother and Abrams." He had lowered his voice once inside, for he did not want to disturb Henri asleep in his room down the hallway.

"They have been making eyes at one another since they returned from Jaipur," she said, moving to the bed to remove her white, Romanesque sandals.

"This was different. They have most assuredly slept together."

Talia's head snapped up. "You think so?"

"No, my dear," he kissed her forehead, "I know so." He sat beside her and removed his own loafers. "Abrams was as sheepish as a schoolboy with his first sweetheart. They think they are keeping a secret from us."

"Why would they do that? We've all been encouraging them."

"It is surely Abrams, rather than Maysam. He will be worried about Nashir and his family's judgment. Going to France will help erase that concern, and he knows it. Perhaps then they will reveal their little secret to us."

"I'm going to ask Jiddah. She will tell me."

"You will do no such thing, my love. Respect her silence. Give her the pleasure of revealing it to you in her own good time."

Talia put on a false pout. "I suppose I can wait. But, if it's true, I'm so excited for them. They both need this, especially Abrams. I have always felt so sorry for him. He's come so far since living here, and I think Jiddah will be able to pull him completely from his shell once they embrace their relationship. Don't you?"

"Yes." He had started to unbutton her blouse while she spoke. "Now, let us speak no more of other couples."

She lay a hand against his warm cheek. "If you insist."

"Let us speak of something I have been thinking about since the birth of Barsad's baby." His lips drifted to kiss her neck.

In delight, she shrugged her shoulder against his cheek, squirmed beneath his ministrations. "What?"

"A baby of our own, a little girl, just as lovely as her mother."

"Bane—"

"She could be birthed in France and grow up to run the vineyard."

"Not the League?"

"Jin will do that." His fingers had untucked her blouse from her skirt and worked their way up her back to unhook her bra.

"What if he doesn't want to? Would we insist?"

"He will want to."

"Always so certain, my love."

"Yes," he crooned. "And I am certain that I must have you this very minute, to plant my seed and watch you blossom as my daughter grows within you."

"Do I get a choice in this matter?"

"Of course. But even if you resist, you know I will wear you down in time, especially because I think you want a sibling for Henri. I saw how you looked at little James and Sanjana. I saw envy, little mouse. Don't deny it."

"Well," she sighed under the brazen wandering of his hands, "maybe I felt a little envious."

"And," he nibbled at her flesh, "since I will remain as the League's commander for at least another year, you will be free to remain a mother only." With her shirt and bra removed, his mouth lowered to her breasts, kissing, one hand kneading gently.

"You see me as only a mother?"

"I meant your primary role, habibati. Of course, you will always be a part of the League, no matter what. But in the eyes of your lover, one duty is now more important than the other. It is a role I love to see you embrace. And I promise I will find ways to spend more time with the children. And if Nyssa succeeds in her quest, I will no longer have to devote my life to the Demon's Head."

Her fingers trailed lightly across his head, along his cheek to his ear. "You have done wonders with Henri in just this short time, habibi. I'm grateful, and I hope I can live up to your example as a parent."

"You have already succeeded me in those talents, my dear. Never doubt that." He kissed her lips, lingering close as he continued, "It was only your doubt that caused our boy to become rebellious. There is no reason for such doubt. You are a wonderful mother." Bane kissed her again, longer, deeper, melting her down against the mattress.

Parted, she grinned at him. "I am not a wonderful mother, but you have given me hope that I can be." Talia shrugged one shoulder playfully. "Maybe I could handle two. And a girl would be a joy, especially for Jiddah and you. Henri, however, might not be so enthusiastic."

Bane chuckled. "He will have James to roughhouse with. And he will protect his sister, just as I once protected you, my dove. I can already see that quality in him." He grinned and straddled her as he unzipped his pants. "Now, let us waste no more time. I am impatient to meet my daughter."

END