He wished he could discuss the matter with Agape. To what extent was there merit in the proposition that the two frames were separate, and that a man could have a woman in each? Stile and Blue, as alternate selves, had different women. But Mach and Bane, as alternate selves, already had different women. For each to have two—that seemed too much of a stretch of ethics. Yet the temptation existed. Now he realized that Tania could be useful. He knew a lot about the one in Proton, because of his experience with the one in Phaze. He was sure he could get her help, if it could be done covertly. Perhaps she had been involved in Flach’s action in sending the message; she was there with Fleta in Phaze, now, because the Adepts suspected her of trying to let Flach escape the net. The boy would not have known what to do about the threat against his mother, but Tania’s more cynical mind could have handled it. Still, he could not see the boy confiding in her, so that matter remained in doubt. Could he trust her?
He reached Tan’s office. Tania was there alone; the pro vocative serf secretary was absent.
He decided to gamble on her. “Tania,” he said without preamble, “I need thy help.” He knew that this was private; the office was always sealed off from unwanted intrusion.
She was surprised. “What, no sneer today. Bane?”
“Swear to me that thou willst betray my confidence not, and I will tell thee much that interests thee.” Her eyes assumed the look of those of her other self, though they lacked the magic power.
“You want me to do something for you, and not tell, and you will tell me what I want to know? I believe I am safe in assuming that you are not think ing of asking me for sex.”
“Aye. I promise naught more, but I think it be enough.”
“I don’t trust this. Bane. You never gave me the time of day before.”
“I ne’er had need, before.”
She walked around the room, considering. Bane, accustomed in youth to the clothing of Phaze, had never completely adjusted to the nudity of Proton serfs. She looked exactly like her other self, except for her lack of clothing, and he found that illicitly fascinating despite all the deliberate glimpses her other self had proffered. In Phaze he had a spell to ward off her seductions; here he did not. “I won’t kill anyone, or do anything against my side,” she said.
“It be against thy side.”
She laughed. “And why would you suppose I would do that?”
“Because, an thou didst, I might pursue thy case with Mach.”
She halted abruptly. “You’re serious!”
“Aye.”
“Listen, Bane—if I go against my side, I can wind up dead!”
“An they learn o’ it, aye. But things be changing, and mayhap the other side would protect thee.”
She stared at him. “Are you changing sides? What of the covenant?”
“Swear, and we deal.”
She paced again, and he watched her breasts and buttocks moving. She had been foolish to go after Mach, when she could have had any other man she chose. But perversity was evidently her basic component. She was fascinated with the notion of Phaze, and of magic, and with the notion of power; thus Mach became the object of her interest. Had there been any other available male with similar connections, she would have been as interested in that one. Indeed, her other self pursued Bane, because of his connection with Proton. Then she nodded. “I’m a fool. I swear.”
“In Phaze thine other self hast spent the past four years seeking to seduce me, just as thou hast done with Mach. Thine actions have been parallel. But with her the ploy turned; instead of corrupting me, she fell in love herself, and her nature changed. She be in bad grace with the Adverse Adepts, because she tried not hard enough to capture the lad Flach, Nepe’s other self.”
Tania nodded. “So you believe I am similarly vulnerable, and ready to help you.”
“Aye.”
“Aye,” she echoed ironically. “Damn it, I know it’s true; I felt her emotion. I echo it. I do want Mach—and Phaze, as she wants you and Proton. We are locked in this foolishness, letting a man rule us instead of the other way around. And you—you gave her no more satisfaction than Mach has me!”
“Aye.”
Those eyes bore on him again. “But did you wish to?”
Bane was silent.
“You promised to tell. Bane! I need to know.”
“Mach gave me a spell to ward her off. I ne’er touched her.”
“You still haven’t answered! Did you want to?”
“Aye,” he said reluctantly. “When I returned here to Agape, at times she teased me, assuming her likeness.”
“My likeness! And you had sex with her like that?”
“Aye,” he said, even more reluctantly. “But I knew it was Agape, else ne’er would I—”
“You desire me now!” she exclaimed triumphantly.
“I love thee not!”
“Again you haven’t answered! You desire me!”
“Thou knowest I may not answer that.”
She nodded, satisfied. “And Mach would wish to—?”
“Aye.” That much he could fairly answer.
She nodded again. “You were right. This interests me. If I help you, Mach may have reason to treat me more compatibly. And, judging by you, he would also have the desire.”
It was his turn to nod.
