Children of Fire Read Online Free

“How’s she doing?”
    Had Methodis been speaking with the scared serving girl in the back room he would have chosen his words to soften the blow. But he wasn’t about to make the same effort with the pleasure-house’s despicable owner. “She’s dead.”
    â€œDead? First the stupid wench gets herself pregnant, and then you let her die on me? You know how much she cost?”
    Luger was no longer leaning against the wall, but was standing at full attention. His six-and-a-half-foot frame towered over the doctor’s slight form.
    â€œThere is only so much I can do under these conditions,” Methodis said, struggling to keep his voice calm and even. He knew the consequences of arousing Luger’s temper. Yet remembering the bruises and welts covering the mother’s body made his own anger difficult to control. “I am not trained to deliver a child in the back of a Callastan whorehouse.”
    â€œWhat the hell did I pay you for if you couldn’t even save her? I ought to take what she cost out of your fee!” Luger spat once more on the floor and took a step forward, casting a dark shadow over the healer. “Gods’ blood, I should be charging you for this visit! She was one of my best girls before she got herself swollen with that damn child!”
    â€œYou should have come for me sooner!” Methodis shot back, voice rising as his own rage bubbled over. “You waited too long. You let her bleed out. Trying to save yourself a few coins cost that girl her life!”
    The healer took a defiant step forward, narrowing the distance between them to mere inches.
    â€œOr maybe,” Methodis added through clenched teeth, “you shouldn’t have beaten a pregnant woman in the first place, you bastard!”
    Luger moved so quickly that the smaller man didn’t even have time to react. He scooped the healer up and slammed him against the wall, knocking the air from the his lungs. He pressed his face in close enough for Methodis to smell his acrid breath and squinted his one good eye.
    â€œNobody talks that way to me in my house, little man.”
    He held the healer pinned to the wall for several seconds to emphasize his point, then released his grip and stepped back. Methodis dropped to one knee, gasping for breath. It was some time before he could stand upright again.
    â€œYou said the baby’s gonna live?” Luger asked, as casually as two men making conversation in the market square. A fuse quick to fire, a mind quick to forget, they often said of Luger.
    â€œThe child will live, though I can’t take credit for that. A little girl. She is a few weeks early, by the look of her. But she’s a fighter. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her.”
    â€œYou?” Luger asked incredulously. “Why should you take her? I’ll get a wet nurse to feed the brat, and I’ve got a dozen girls here to look after her.”
    The offer caught Methodis momentarily off guard. “You … you will raise this child? But why?”
    â€œBecause she’s mine, damn it.”
    Methodis was stunned. The owner of a pleasure-house did not sleep with his girls. It simply wasn’t done. It wasn’t just bad business; it was seen as a sign of weakness. Luger’s ruthless reputation was well known and hard-earned; the thought of him and one of his own girls was almost inconceivable.
    â€œYou’re the father?” Methodis mumbled in confusion, still trying to wrap his head around the concept.
    Luger gave a derisive snort.
    â€œI’m not the father, you stupid dolt. I don’t let my dick lead me around. No good can come of breeding my own whores! But I bought the mother, so the child is mine. I
own
her.”
    Suddenly it was all clear. Luger was the same vile and disgusting creature he had always been. At his core he was a businessman looking to recoup his expenses. To him the girl was an investment for