Undercity Read Online Free Page A

“If you have no doubt about his intellect, Major, you’re in a minority here.”
    “Maybe he didn’t appreciate that.”
    “Maybe not,” Paolo picked up a light stylus and tapped it against his desk. “Dayj could be vain and self-absorbed, but no one ever gave him a chance to be anything else. If anyone took the time to look, they might find a very different young man under his outward veneer.”
    I wondered who he meant by “anyone.” Dayj’s parents? The Matriarch? Her siblings? Paolo probably had a different take on Majda princes than family members who grew up at the palace.
    “You’ve an interesting background yourself,” I said.
    “That was tactful.” He spoke wryly. “Shall I answer the question you really wanted to ask?”
    “What question is that?”
    “Why am I willing to live in seclusion when I had job offers from some good companies?”
    According to my research, those “good companies” were all elite architectural firms. I asked. “Did you want a job like that?”
    “I have my own small business.” He motioned at the holosheets on his desk. “I’ve designed buildings in a few places, including Cries. Also in your corner of space, Selei City.”
    Ho! Those were two of the most prestigious markets in the Imperialate. “You have your own firm? How?”
    Paolo was watching me closely. “That I can’t leave this place, Major, doesn’t mean I can’t work. I have a staff. They take care of anything that requires interaction with the outside world. It leaves me free to be creative.”
    “Nice setup,” I said. “Except you can never touch your creations.” He could walk through virtual simulations of his buildings, but he could never set foot in them.
    He shrugged. “We all pay a price for our dreams.”
    “And Dayj?”
    “Ah, well. Dayj.” His exhaled. “He has more than the rest of us. And less.”
    “Meaning?”
    “You’ve seen holos of him?” When I nodded, he said, “Then you know. He’s one of the best-looking men in the Imperialate.”
    What was it with them and this beauty thing? Even as a child, I had resented it when vendors in Cries gave me food because they thought I was pretty but let my friends go hungry.
    I crossed my arms. “Life has more to it than appearance.”
    “Yes, well, no one ever bothered to tell my nephew that.” He shook his head. “From a certain point of view, Dayj is perfect. The epitome of the Majda prince.”
    Even knowing they were recording this interview, I couldn’t hide my anger. “A prize, right? The ultimate trophy, bred from birth to marry a Ruby heir.”
    His voice cooled. “Take care, Major.”
    Yes, antagonizing the House of Majda was dangerous. But if I was going to find Dayj when none of their own people had managed, I needed to look where they didn’t want to go even if my process of getting there offended them.
    I said only, “How did he respond when the betrothal fell through?”
    Paolo remained silent as he studied my face. Finally he said, “He seemed numb. It wasn’t that he mourned her loss. He hardly knew her. But what did he have left? Nothing.”
    For flaming sakes. “Did you people actually tell him that?”
    Paolo spoke with an edge. “Make no mistake, Major. This family loves Dayj and will do anything to bring him back. You may not like what you hear, but that won’t change the truth.”
    “Maybe that’s the problem.” I met his gaze. “Dayj’s truth might be different than what everyone here believes.”
    His face took on an aristocratic chill. “Whereas you claim to know it?”
    “No,” I said. “But I mean to find out.”
    * * *
    Dayj’s parents were Corejida and Ahktar. Corejida was the middle Majda sister, younger than the Matriarch but older than Lavinda. She resembled General Majda, but with a less imposing presence. Her clothes had a softer look, light blue trousers and a tunic that molded to her body. Right now, she was pacing across the circular alcove. The room had polished walls