Read Online Shadow's End by Thea Harrison - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Thea Harrison
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of the men approached her with an unsteady gait.
âOoh, you looks like you might be a tasty bird underneaf all that,â he said. A strong scent of brandy washed over her. ââOw much dâyou charge for the night?â
She scanned him, but he wasnât one of the would-be rapists. Dismissing him as innocuous, she pulled a gentle swath of Power between them.
An expression of confusion crossed his face, and his eyebrows drew together. He turned away, muttering to himself. After wandering along the edge of the room, he shouldered his way into a game of dice.
She sent a second glance over the room. Her small spell of misdirection had shaken off the attention of several of the others, but she hadnât rid herself of all of them.
That was the problem with such spells. They worked on some people, but not everybody. Someone with a strong enough, determined mind could break through them.
She couldnât stand and do nothing while she waited for Graydon to return. Focusing her attention on the games, she tried to imagine what Ferion might do.
Or at least what she thought Ferion might do. It was painful to admit that she was no longer quite sure.
She did know he favored games of both dice and cards. As she considered the various tables, she noticed the presence of several more armed Orcs standing at attention at regular intervals along the walls.
While she studied the Orcs, a well-dressed Vampyre male gave her a long assessing glance before he turned back to watching the tables.
He was so clearly not like any of the other males who were watching her, she opened her mind again to sense his intentions and got the impression of a cold, businesslike mind. The Vampyre wasnât at Malfeasance to gamble. He was working.
Coming to a decision, she strode toward him. While he did not appear to notice her approach, he swiveled to face her as she grew near.
The Vampyre bowed. He was not a young one. He hadsome strength of presence and an aura of accomplished Power.
âMy lady.â His smooth smile contained a hint of sharp tooth. âWe are honored that you would grace us with your presence. Are you interested in joining a game? Perhaps a discreet one, in a private room.â
So much for trying to keep her identity a secret. Still, one person recognizing her was not the same level of disaster as it would be if the whole room had.
She told him telepathically,
I am not here to play any of your games, but I would appreciate a few answers to some questions.
He cocked his head and switched to telepathy.
Please, do tell me more. It would be my pleasure to service you in any way you desire.
His oily manner ran along the surface of her skin. Repressing a shudder, she snapped,
Ferion Thalinil. He was here at some point in the recent past. Do you know where he is?
Ferion is your son, is he not?
The Vampyre prowled close, eyes flickering with a predatory gleam.
How heartwarming to see such familial concern. It speaks well of you, my lady.
Disliking his overly familiar attitude and how close he came, she held herself stiffly. She refused to let this creature see how he affected her.
Have you seen him today?
she persisted.
Do you know where he might have gone?
The Vampyre inclined his head and assumed a mournful expression.
My deepest regrets, but we at Malfeasance consider the privacy of our patrons to be one of our highest priorities. Whether or not the Elven heir mentioned where he might go upon taking his leave here is not for me to sâ
The insincerity in his voice was as abrasive as his oily manner. Bel did not often feel the urge to violence, but as she considered him, she imagined taking his head in both hands and twisting it off his shoulders.
She interrupted.
Iâll make it worth your while.
His dark gaze flickered, and the corners of his mouthindented as he repressed a satisfied smile.
How might you do that?
Lifting the edge of the hood again with one hand, she met his gaze and said
âOoh, you looks like you might be a tasty bird underneaf all that,â he said. A strong scent of brandy washed over her. ââOw much dâyou charge for the night?â
She scanned him, but he wasnât one of the would-be rapists. Dismissing him as innocuous, she pulled a gentle swath of Power between them.
An expression of confusion crossed his face, and his eyebrows drew together. He turned away, muttering to himself. After wandering along the edge of the room, he shouldered his way into a game of dice.
She sent a second glance over the room. Her small spell of misdirection had shaken off the attention of several of the others, but she hadnât rid herself of all of them.
That was the problem with such spells. They worked on some people, but not everybody. Someone with a strong enough, determined mind could break through them.
She couldnât stand and do nothing while she waited for Graydon to return. Focusing her attention on the games, she tried to imagine what Ferion might do.
Or at least what she thought Ferion might do. It was painful to admit that she was no longer quite sure.
She did know he favored games of both dice and cards. As she considered the various tables, she noticed the presence of several more armed Orcs standing at attention at regular intervals along the walls.
While she studied the Orcs, a well-dressed Vampyre male gave her a long assessing glance before he turned back to watching the tables.
He was so clearly not like any of the other males who were watching her, she opened her mind again to sense his intentions and got the impression of a cold, businesslike mind. The Vampyre wasnât at Malfeasance to gamble. He was working.
Coming to a decision, she strode toward him. While he did not appear to notice her approach, he swiveled to face her as she grew near.
The Vampyre bowed. He was not a young one. He hadsome strength of presence and an aura of accomplished Power.
âMy lady.â His smooth smile contained a hint of sharp tooth. âWe are honored that you would grace us with your presence. Are you interested in joining a game? Perhaps a discreet one, in a private room.â
So much for trying to keep her identity a secret. Still, one person recognizing her was not the same level of disaster as it would be if the whole room had.
She told him telepathically,
I am not here to play any of your games, but I would appreciate a few answers to some questions.
He cocked his head and switched to telepathy.
Please, do tell me more. It would be my pleasure to service you in any way you desire.
His oily manner ran along the surface of her skin. Repressing a shudder, she snapped,
Ferion Thalinil. He was here at some point in the recent past. Do you know where he is?
Ferion is your son, is he not?
The Vampyre prowled close, eyes flickering with a predatory gleam.
How heartwarming to see such familial concern. It speaks well of you, my lady.
Disliking his overly familiar attitude and how close he came, she held herself stiffly. She refused to let this creature see how he affected her.
Have you seen him today?
she persisted.
Do you know where he might have gone?
The Vampyre inclined his head and assumed a mournful expression.
My deepest regrets, but we at Malfeasance consider the privacy of our patrons to be one of our highest priorities. Whether or not the Elven heir mentioned where he might go upon taking his leave here is not for me to sâ
The insincerity in his voice was as abrasive as his oily manner. Bel did not often feel the urge to violence, but as she considered him, she imagined taking his head in both hands and twisting it off his shoulders.
She interrupted.
Iâll make it worth your while.
His dark gaze flickered, and the corners of his mouthindented as he repressed a satisfied smile.
How might you do that?
Lifting the edge of the hood again with one hand, she met his gaze and said
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