Conspiracy by Lindsay Buroker Read Free Book Online Page B

else,
I swear it. The money’s real good, so we don’t ask questions. Beats
thieving in the Buccaneers territory.”
    Huh, so they were from the streets.
The Buccaneers had been a rival gang to Akstyr’s own Black Arrows,
but it didn’t sound like these two were members, so that didn’t
give him much of a clue as to who might be behind
things.
    The knife and the light flickered, and he
grimaced, refocusing his concentration. Even with simple illusions,
one had to keep thinking about maintaining them, or they blinked
out. Nobody seemed to notice.
    “ This Jovak hired you?”
Maldynado asked.
    “ Yes, he’s the only one
we’ve ever seen that’s in charge.”
    “ That go for you too?”
Maldynado shook his man.
    “ Lick my sweaty balls,
Dung-for-Brains.”
    “ Oh, yes, this one’s
definitely going under the wheels,” Maldynado said.
    Basilard smirked and
managed to sign with one hand, I think he
likes you.
    “ He’s too ugly for my
tastes,” Maldynado said. “Let’s get them out of here.”
    Akstyr extinguished his illusions and helped
Basilard and Maldynado drag the prisoners onto the roof. Despite
Maldynado’s threats, he didn’t throw anyone under the train, but he
was none too gentle with chucking the surly one into the passing
fields. He lowered Rov down more carefully, though both men tumbled
away like empty cans hurtling down a cobblestone street in a
windstorm. Their speed and the train’s own noise muted whatever
yells they might have made.
    Once the three of them were back inside,
Maldynado shut the trapdoor, found a lantern, and lit it. He kept
the flame down low, but not so low that Akstyr didn’t see his
grin.
    “ What?” he asked
suspiciously.
    “ They called you a witch,”
Maldynado said.
    Basilard smiled faintly too.
    “ That’s because they’re
idiots,” Akstyr said.
    Perhaps , Basilard signed, you should
consider a haircut.
    Akstyr scowled and patted
his locks. Because he hadn’t bothered greasing them into spikes for
the train adventure, his hair hung limply to his shoulders. He
was positive it
didn’t look girlie though.
    “ Now, now, Basilard,”
Maldynado said. “Not everybody wants to go through life with a head
so shiny it can confuse ships if it’s near a
lighthouse.”
    Basilard made a sign Akstyr didn’t
recognize, but he noted it for later use since it seemed to
indicate Maldynado could stuff something somewhere unpleasant.
    “ We get to go back to sleep
now?” Akstyr asked.
    Maldynado shrugged. “Until the rest of those
people start wondering where their comrades went and come
looking.”
    “ Guess we gotta put someone
on watch then,” Akstyr said.
    “ Excellent idea. Thanks for
volunteering.” Maldynado promptly lay back down and closed his
eyes.
    Basilard winked and did the same.
    “ What?” Akstyr scowled
again. “That’s not fair. You know who should stand watch? Whoever
owns the underwear that started this whole problem.”
    Overzealous snores answered him.
    “ I hate you
two.”

Chapter 3
     
    Amaranthe woke to sunlight on her face. It
was slanting through a gap in the canvas flap hanging over the
lorry gate. The vehicle still bumped and thumped over dirt roads,
and an uneasy feeling crept into her stomach. How far were they
going? As Sicarius had said, the team needed to return to the city
in time to catch the train that would allow them to intercept
Sespian’s transport.
    Books lay flat on his back, eyes closed,
mouth agape. Fortunately, he wasn’t snoring. The drivers might
notice their stowaways if thunderous nasal noises competed with the
engine reverberations.
    Sicarius lay next to Amaranthe, propped
against his rucksack. The relaxation of sleep softened his face,
and, not for the first time, she caught herself thinking how young
he looked for a man with a son who would be twenty this winter. No
creases lined his forehead or mouth, and no lines edged his eyes.
Maybe it was because he never laughed or changed expressions. Or
maybe those