Read Online The Shifter by Janice Hardy - Free Book Online Page B

a lot worse off if I’d bunked under a bush. Too sore to work at all, let alone make it to Tali.
    You’re just saying that so you don’t feel guilty.
    I gritted my teeth and stretched. It didn’t matter. As Grannyma said, what’s done is done and I—
    The too-silent room suddenly felt loud, like it was trying to tell me something. I stopped stretching and looked around, half expecting to see green and yellow silk poking out from behind the curtains, but the room was as bare as it had been last night. Except the children’s door was open. My breath caught and I darted to the room, wincing with every step.
    All three beds were made. No open windows, no furniture knocked over, nothing that indicated a struggle. I sighed as the clock tower chimed nine. They were just at school. No tracker had sneaked in and kidnapped them.
    Danello’s door was closed, and my knuckles itched to knock. He might be sleeping, but I pictured him sitting on the small yellow stool by his father’s bed, holding his hand, waiting for him to wake up, Danello’s sweet, gentle smile brightening the whole room.
    He’d been so kind. I could still make things right with his family. I could bring Tali here and take their pain away. If we split it between us, it wouldn’t be so bad. Sure, we’d have a rough walk back to the League, but we could manage it.
    Elders and wards and silk-clad trackers slid into my memory. Was it even safe to go to the League? I lifted one edge of the curtains and peeked out. No sight of my fancy men, but they were probably out there, multiplying like rabbits. By sundown, I’d no doubt have four of them on my trail.
    My stomach rumbled and I headed for the kitchen, my eyes alert for leftover fish cakes. It looked like Danello’s family had enough food and wouldn’t miss one or two. I’d heard the schoolroom in this neighborhood even gave students lunch. A cheesecloth lump sat in the middle of the table with a note resting on top. I smiled at the slow, deliberate print, the ends of all the letters round from letting the pen sit too long.

    Nya, here is your breakfast.
    I hope it tastes good.

    Inside the bundle was a feast: two more fish cakes, three pears, and a banana. I ate the fish right there and slipped the fruit into my pockets for lunch and dinner. I’d save one pear for breakfast too, just in case.
    A glint in the cloth caught my eye. Three copper coins stuck in the bottom, as if someone was trying to hide them from me. I glanced at the closed door. Maybe Danello expected me to take the bundle and leave, and not find them until later.
    The food and bed were more than payment enough. I hadn’t done much, and I’d hurt the whole family doing it. Still…
    I picked up a coin and ran my thumb over the etched lion on one side. A Geveg deni, not a Baseeri oppa. In the poorer districts, Geveg coins bought more than Baseer money, just to spite the Duke. Would it be enough to get my room back? Or any room? I’d share if I had to; sleep in shifts with someone who worked nights. I pocketed the money and added “go straight to Millie’s and see what I can get” to my list of chores.
    I glanced at Danello’s door again. It was only polite to say good-bye, but my feet refused to move. He knew I was here, and if he’d wanted to see me off, he’d have been there when I woke up. My hand slipped into my pocket and rubbed the coins again. Why would he even want to see me? I was just hired help, and I’d been paid for my services. It was time to go.
    My muscles fought me every step down the stairs, burning as if I’d run three times around Geveg. It was tempting to spend one of my coins on a pole boat to the League, but money didn’t come easy and the poleman probably wouldn’t take a deni anyway. Sore or not, I had good legs and feet to carry me.
    I paused in the doorway, scanning every person, every bush, every hiding place in sight. No fancy men. I crept outside, staying in the crowds as much as possible. The sun