A Little Taste of Poison Read Online Free

“Papa, he’s not . . .”
    â€œDon’t tease her, Papa,” said Annagail. “She’s nervous enough already.” Stooping to kiss Isaveth’s cheek, she whispered, “I’ll be praying for you.” Then she slipped back to the kitchen.
    â€œDon’t worry, sweetling.” The twinkle in her father’s eye softened to tenderness. “You’ll do fine. Especially with Mistress Anandri and the Sagelord’s own son looking out for you.”
    Isaveth couldn’t deny it, not when she’d used those same words to convince Papa three weeks ago. But he had no idea that Governor Buldage was a murderer, let alone that Eryx Lording had put him up to it.
    Yet how could she tell Papa the truth without confessing all the risks she’d taken to save him from the gallows? If he knew what powerful enemies she’d made, he wouldn’t just refuse to let Isaveth go to the college, he probably wouldn’t let her out of the house.
    â€œYes, Papa,” said Isaveth, hugging him. Then she scooped up her school bag and ran out to catch her tram.
    *  *  *
    When Isaveth arrived at Tarreton College, the snow was falling in fat flakes, soft and fluttery as goose down. Shestepped off the tram, gazing at her new school in silent awe.
    The main gate loomed above her, its square pillars engraved with the college crest on one side and two lines of cryptic runes on the other. Before her lay a cobbled avenue lined with spell-powered lampposts, still glowing faintly in the gray morning light, and past them, at the end of the long drive, rose the steep-angled roofs and pointed archways of Founders’ Hall.
    The last time Isaveth had walked these grounds was in the heat of fairweather season, when the buildings had stood all but empty, awaiting the rush of harvest term. But she’d been so caught up in her mission back then, so desperate to investigate the scene of Governor Orien’s murder and prove her father’s innocence, that she’d barely noticed what the college looked like. Only now, with those dark days behind her, could she truly appreciate the school that was about to become her own—and it was beautiful. Even with icicles dripping off every roof edge and grimy salt trails sprinkling each snowy path and stair, the grandeur of the college buildings took Isaveth’s breath away. Who could look up at those soaring gray-gold towers, those arched doors and jewel-glass windows, and not feel humbled by their magnificence? Even after a month of preparation, Isaveth couldn’t quitebelieve she was here and not at the dreary little school back in Gardentown.
    â€œChin up, Isaveth,” she murmured, gripping the strap of her school bag. She’d taken an early tram, wanting plenty of time to collect her schedule and other essentials before class started. But her fellow students were beginning to arrive now, climbing out of spell-carriages and taxis, or strolling up the sidewalk with their friends. Most of the girls wore the slim, tailored coats and fur-trimmed carriage boots that were the height of fashion, and Isaveth had to fight the urge to hide behind the gatepost as they approached her.
    Mister Wregget had agreed to keep Isaveth’s identity a secret, so no one but the masters of the college—and Esmond, of course—would know who she was or where she’d come from. With her new hairstyle, a smidge of lip tint, and her olive cheeks dusted rose for a healthy glow, she’d hoped to pass for the daughter of some lesser merchant family—her father wasn’t the only Breck in the city, after all. But despite all Anna had done to help her look the part, Isaveth still felt like the word “commoner” was branded across her face.
    Yet the girls swept by without a pause, too busy chatting to notice her. The boys also ignored Isaveth as they slouched past, hands deep in their pockets and collarsturned up against