City of Fire (City Trilogy (Mass Market)) Read Online Free Page B

the docent spread her arms wide as if she were going to embrace the dais and the guards. “Of all the masterpieces that the Hearn wanted, the Jade Lady is to be the capstone. We assured the Kushan we would protect the exhibit with every device known to technology and every charm and ward known to magic. But the only way that the Kushan would allow Lady Tabiti to come here was if her own Pippalanta were allowed to watch over this exhibit day and night. Of course, her own tribe was assimilated by the Kushans long ago. Even though the Pippalanta are now a regiment open to any woman who can meet their exacting standards, they have continued to add glory to their name.”
    A reporter jabbed his pencil at a ring carved from bone stained yellow and brown by the years. A triangular wedge protruded from the side and strange signs ran along the band but they were so worn that they were impossible to read. “Well, that looks pretty chintzy for a lady with all that jade.”
    “It’s an archer’s ring. It protects the thumb when the archer draws back the string. You can see where the bow strings have cut grooves into the surface.” The docent smiled condescendingly. “And that humble ring once belonged to the Emperor Yü, the legendary ruler of China. Centuries later, a Chinese emperor sent it to the Kushan king in gratitude after an alliance between China and the Kushans destroyed the Huns. And then a descendant of that king presented it to the Jade Lady in honor of her service, and she was entombed with it.”
    Bored, Scirye started to drum a heel against the floor but felt Kles squeeze her wrist in warning. Over the years, they had developed their own silent code of looks and touches.
    Stilling her leg, Scirye drew out a small beaded purse from her sash and removed a piece of hard candy from it. As she slipped it into her mouth, Kles cleared his throat.
    “Ahem,” he coughed softly. “I’m feeling a bit peckish myself.”
    “You’re awfully spoiled, you know that?” Scirye teased. However,she slipped a small tin from the same purse. A faint chirping came from within and the girl stole a worried glance at her mother. But she was too busy being amused by the docent.
    It was a tricky maneuver to pull off with just one hand because her griffin was on the other. But she managed to lift the lid and shove her fingers inside, probing until she caught a cricket. Snatching it out, she closed the lid immediately. As the small insect wriggled, she held it between her pinched fingers.
    Kles took it carefully, tilting his head back as he swallowed it whole. Then he cleared his throat meaningfully.
    “I don’t think I should,” she joked. “If you get any heavier, I won’t be able to carry you on my arm.” But she lifted the lid anyway. This time a green shape darted out. Startled, she dropped the tin, which fell open on the floor. The next moment a dozen crickets were hopping merrily about the gallery.
    When Scirye heard Kles’s wings snap open, she immediately reached out her free hand to seize him. However, the griffin had already launched himself from her gauntlet. Kles might pride himself on being a scholar and a courtier, but there were times when blind instinct could overwhelm his reason and he reverted to a wild beast.
    “Mine!” he screamed.
    From the corner of her eye, Lady Sudarshane caught the blur of feather and fur. Immediately she knew who was to blame. “Scirye!”
    Scirye jumped to her feet and held up her gauntleted arm. “Come back!” she commanded, and then gave the piercing recall whistle over and over.
    Lady Sudarshane gave a sigh and did what she could to repair the damage. Everyone was standing around just gaping. “Catch the crickets,” she ordered the consular staff. A dozen of the costumed junior officials immediately fell on all fours and began to crawl about. Though the Pippalanta remained at their posts, the museum guards joined the hunt. Between the chirping of the crickets and thenoise people