BloodLust (Rise of the Iliri Book 1) by Auryn Hadley Read Free Book Online Page A

Sal, you grab that bath you want so bad, and I'll make myself presentable enough to be seen with you.  Oh, and wear the red one.  It's in the closet."  He walked confidently out of her room without waiting for a response.
    When the door closed, she shook her head and pinned the lock, amused at Zep's arrogance, then stripped out of the last of her clothes.  After scrubbing the worries of the day from her body, she returned to her wardrobe and pulled it open.  A selection of new clothes hung beside her uniforms.  The "red one" Zep referred to was a fitted jacket and corset combo, complete with tails.  Black and red brocade formed the corset; the jacket was made of a brilliant red velvet.  The pants matched the ensemble, a delicate red pattern woven throughout.  The clothes were beautiful and of a quality she'd never worn.
    She pulled on the skin-hugging outfit and was lacing the corset when she heard the knock.  Crossing the room in her stockinged feet, Sal unpinned the lock and welcomed Shift in.  He stopped in his tracks, looking her over. 
    "I'm glad I didn't miss this.  Wow, Sal.  You look amazing!" His words made her smile.
    He walked all the way around her, making appreciative noises before pushing her to a chair.  "Ok, business first.  You're gonna want to be sitting for this."
    Kneeling before her, he grabbed her hands and looked deep in her eyes.  Sal felt like a player in a bad proposal until it hit her.  The world jerked sideways and her vision split.  The room doubled: two wardrobes, two walls, and more importantly, two Shifts.  Suddenly, she realized how he earned his name.  It felt like he'd shifted reality.  When he released her hands, she swayed, waiting for the room to settle and her vision to return to normal.  Sal tried to concentrate on her breathing and closed her eyes while the vertigo passed.
    "That's the best I can do," he said, "but you're an easy patient.  The bruises should be gone, and no, the aches won't return tomorrow."
    "Thank you, Shift," she managed to say.  "I do feel better."  It was true.  The vertigo passed and her aching muscles felt fit and ready to use.  The bruises no longer screamed beneath the corset.  "I guess that's your special trick, huh?"
    "Yep.  So you finish getting ready and make Zep look like the big man he thinks he is.  Oh, and use the riding boots, they'll go perfectly, and you'll want to break them in."
    How did the Blades have such intimate knowledge of her wardrobe?  They treated her like their latest toy, a doll for them to dress up.
    Something like that, Shift agreed as he closed the door behind him.   In reality, it's because Razor will requisition a set of armor for you, if you make it far enough.  Risk looked up your stats in your file and we all found a reason you needed something nice.  Oh, and if you don't want us in your head, you're going to have to learn to stop sending.  You always leak your feelings loud and clear.
    She sighed but wouldn't let it prevent her from enjoying feeling beautiful for once in her life.  Sal pulled the riding boots on like Shift suggested and sent a thought across the street to Zep.  She took one last look in the mirror.  The brilliant colors made her look washed out, but she had a few cosmetics.  Her white iliran skin was smooth and, after Shift's efforts, blemish free.  Grabbing kohl, she lined her lids, unsure if she approved of how it accented her white eyes and lashes, making them look so stark.  A few swipes of dark mascara helped even out the look.  Just as Zep entered her room, she found a tube of brilliant red lipstick.  Sal stained her lips before turning to acknowledge him.
    Dressed in a double breasted and ornately piped jacket that hugged his broad chest, with pants of almost liquid leather, Zep stood one step inside her door, his mouth hanging open.  After a few false attempts, he finally managed, "The red was a good choice."
    She'd never been complimented like this before.