Handmaiden's Fury Read Online Free Page B

that.
    The shadowed not-man had claimed to
know who I was and what business I had with the sorcerer. Did that mean Orin
knew as well? That would present a problem.
    I still held more than enough of the
Lady’s passion to handle myself before some street-crow or alleyway thug. I
could even probably hold my own against an armed soldier or two. Yet to do so
without further calling upon Rydia’s Blessings? That was another matter
entirely.
    I cast a glance over my shoulder to
see if they had tracked me around my last turn. They had. I swore to myself
under my breath.
    Perhaps I could simply escape them.
    Ahead, a carriage for hire ambled
down the other side of the street but not out of reach. I ran across the road,
waving my arms to alert the driver. As it slowed, I stepped in front of the
alleyway, hoping that it would stop between the two men and me.
    It did, completely blocking me from
their view.
    “Need to rest your feet, miss?” The
young man was polite enough, but I could feel his eyes on my skin.
    I looked up at him, apologetically.
“I thought I did, but I seem to have dropped my purse.” I gave him a frustrated
shrug. “Sorry to trouble you.” I stepped into the alleyway before he offered to
take me for free. That ride wouldn’t actually be without payment, I knew.
    Not that I would have minded. Ouigiin continued to pulse in me, a warm
presence I couldn’t ignore. It drew my attention to the driver’s smooth, golden
skin, no doubt a gift of being in the sun all day. His strong hands waited on
the reins. I took in a swift breath as thoughts of what he might do with those
rough hands hit me. Quickly I moved away before I did something I might regret.
    The natural shadows of the alley
swallowed me into their soft darkness. I moved to the other end, where it
opened onto Arbor Road. I peered behind myself, hoping those two aberrant
shadows no longer followed me.
    The alleyway held only emptiness and
darkness.
    Smiling to myself, I hurried down the
road, past the drunkards and street-crows.
    A man tried to stop me, calling out,
“Winterbloom for the lady’s hair?”
    “Not tonight, thank you.” I smiled
but kept my voice firm. Typically, I enjoyed the blue flowers, but I had no
time for such indulgences.
    When I realized he intended to push
for the sale, I walked on, ignoring him and his broad shoulders, his kind eyes,
his thick chest…
    My steps slowed, reluctant to abandon
him. I felt the flower man’s eyes on my backside and allowed my hips to develop
a subtle roll. I took in a deep breath, holding it before letting it out.
    Then, I saw one of my pursuers.
    If the flower man hadn’t stopped me,
I might never have glanced to my side. There, lounging in an alleyway, stood
one of the men wearing a cloak with the hood wrapped tightly around his head. I
still couldn’t see his face, as the hood opened away from me, so I didn’t know
if he had seen me as well.
    Hoping not, I picked up my pace.
People were just exiting one of the dumb shows at a small theatre ahead. I
melded in with them, moving as quickly amongst the crowd as I could. Obscured
in the throng, I glanced behind me.
    Yes. He followed me.
    Cursing, I sprinted ahead, running
into a street cafe. I nearly bowled over the young woman who served drinking
chocolate, and I pushed past several people who were trying to find seats. I
searched for the door to the kitchens, and once I had found it, I quickly
stepped through, surprising the spice-skinned man working the chef’s board.
    “I apologize.” I gave him my most
winning smile. He had nothing to say, stunned by my sudden appearance.
    As quickly as I had stepped in, I
found a side door and left the cafe.
    In the alley, I ran. I ran as if
chased by savage cannibals.
    After winding my way down Yrrim
Street, I neared the quarters where Brys ought to be waiting for me. I took an
arching bridgeway over to Mercantile Road. Looking carefully up and down the
avenue, I saw nothing unusual, just the typical