The Conscripts: Fight or Die (Blood War Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

and dear friend. Should you ever need anything, I am at your service.”
    For the first time ever, Dasan saw Istas taken back for a split second. Istas gave Kat a very small smile and said, “I accept your kind offer and will not hesitate to call.”
    Kat put her other hand on top of Istas’s and said, “Good.” She then turned to Dasan. Dasan could almost physically feel her gaze it was so powerful.
    “And last but not least, you must be the famous General Dasan Daniel Sand. The Hero of Rift.”
    Dasan was afraid he would not be able to speak.
    “You are too kind,” Dasan finally managed to say.
    Kat looked him up and down for several moments before she said. “Come, I must introduce you to a few of the less boring of my guests.”
    Kat slid her arm through his and pressed her naked, bejeweled breast into his arm. The feel of her breast and the smell of her perfume almost overwhelmed Dasan. He was stunned by the sexual presence of this woman. Without trying she had made the rest of the women in the party fade into the background, and he allowed her to lead him away like a child.
    Istas exchanged a glance with Usiche as Kat walked away on Dasan’s arm.
    “Really?” she said.
    “I am as surprised as you are. I thought Kat might like Dasan, but I have never seen her react to someone like that before.”
    “Our general seemed a little like a deer in the headlights. Excuse my pun,” Istas said.
    “Yes, he did. She has that effect on people.” Usiche smiled and glanced at Istas before she said, “You should know.”
    Istas arched an eyebrow and said, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
    “Good, because I would hate having to get into a fight with our hostess.”
    “Really,” Istas said, obviously enjoying Usiche’s jealousy. “That is something I would like to see.”
    They laughed together and Istas took Usiche’s arm.
    “Seriously, I could not have hoped for it to go so well. If she really takes to him, and it's not just a momentary attraction, she will be a true advocate for the general and our needs. Her support will go beyond anything I could have asked for even with our friendship.”
    Istas glanced up at Usiche, who was proving to be a more formidable and cunning player in the political arena than Istas had thought possible. To be willing to use an old friend’s emotions for future needs showed a side of Usiche she had never seen before. This woman continued to surprise and interest her. She squeezed Usiche’s arm and exchanged an affectionate glance with her. They were soon surrounded by guests eager to meet Admiral Raurk. They made quite a couple—the small, glamorous, golden-haired woman and the tall, beautiful admiral in full whites. They had spoken to several of the guests when Senator Carroll walked up with a tall, beautiful woman with white-blonde hair.
    “Admiral, I am so glad to see you outside of the political arena.”
    “The pleasure is all mine, Senator,” Usiche said politely.
    “Admiral, I would like you to meet Raina, my wife.”
    Istas stared at the woman at the senator’s side. Before she had even spoken, every Anjin instinct she possessed over her long career was suddenly on edge. Yet she had no idea why. The woman was dressed in a white, see-through gown that covered her from neck to ankles. Through the gauze you could see she had covered her breasts and pubic triangle with jewels. She was quite a sight, but that was not why Istas’s nerves were on edge.
    “So nice to meet you, Raina,” Usiche said, shaking her hand. “Senator, Raina, I would like you to meet my companion, Istas.”
    “It is my pleasure,” Senator Carroll said, shaking her hand.
    Istas turned to the woman.
    “Pleasure,” Raina said. The woman’s grip was like her own—steel wrapped in velvet.
    “Admiral, I have not had a chance to tell you how glad I am to see you unharmed thanks to your friend here,” Senator Carroll said. “Istas, you do look as though you have recovered from