Fantasy of Flight by Kelly St. Clare Read Free Book Online Page B

living. There is laughing and joking between the two groups. It’s a roomful of happy people. Of course, the illusion is dispelled after opening your eyes and seeing the corded muscles, ropey scars and broken teeth.
    The steady volume around our table grinds to a halt as Alzona draws a strappy bit of leather out of her pack and holds it up. Everyone at our table peers at it. By the silence behind us, I guess some of the other tables are doing the same thing.
    “What is it? A harness?” I ask, thinking of dog sleds.
    Alzona laughs and chucks it at me. I catch it, moving my head back to avoid the flailing straps.
    “No, it’s for you.” She bends over her food, apparently dismissing the subject.
    I look at it, pulling bits of it up. “What for? Is it a weapon?” I press. Flurry chokes on a bit of food. Avalanche thrashes him on the back, throwing him into his plate.
    Alzona doesn’t look up. “I suppose you could look at it that way. But it’s supposed to be worn.”
    My eyes widen. “Worn?” I hold the straps up, but can’t see how they would form anything wearable.
    “Where is the rest of it? Or does it go over something else?” I say. I look over to Tricks’ table. They are definitely listening.
    “Oh, wait.” She holds up a finger. I sigh in relief, there’s more.
    “Use this to lace up the sides.” My mouth drops open as she chucks me two thin lengths of leather and bows her head over her paperwork again.
    I shake my head. “I’m not wearing this.” I toss it on the table.
    Alzona lifts her head and gives me a hard stare across the table and I have a second to remember why I don’t argue with her.
    “That will help you win,” she spits. “And it’s not up for discussion.”
    I pick up the leather again and shake it at her. “This. Is not clothing! I might as well not wear anything!” There is only so much I will do to fit in. This goes far beyond that point.
    “If you do wear it, I’ll fight you first!” the beautiful man called Sin shouts out. I ignore him, locked in a battle of wills with Alzona.
    “Listen, you little bitch. You know the deal. You do what I say, when I say it, or you’re out on your pretty little arse. Or more likely on your back, because that is the only future for you outside my barracks,” Alzona says, her voice rising. Usually, I can understand her motives. She’s a woman in a world dominated by males, and in the most dangerous area I know. But now? Her words make me furious.
    I keep my expression blank, mimicking King Jovan. “You’ll be making me into one anyway, if you force me to wear this.” I hold her gaze. I know my worth. She can’t afford to lose me.
    She snorts. “You ain’t seen the half of it, girly,” she says in a hard voice, adopting Ice’s phrase. “You put that on, or you can get out.”
    I stand and place the “garment” down on the table. It’s a shame it’s come to this. I truly don’t know where I’ll go. At least I have some street smarts now.
    “I’m sorry you’ve wasted your coin on these, Alzona. I would also thank you for taking me in, though as you once said, you didn’t do it out of the kindness of your heart.” I look around at the others. “It was lovely to have met and to have fought with you all.”
    “Where will you go?” Shard asks, brows furrowed.
    I wink at him. “Best you don’t know. You can’t follow me there anyway.”
    Shard raises an eyebrow. He probably knows this means I don’t know. Avalanche rests a heavy hand on my shoulder. I turn and hug him. I nod at Blizzard, punch Ice on the shoulder and smile inwardly as I give Flurry a quick kiss on the cheek. His face flames red. I finally figure out what his issue is.
    “Do I get one of those?” I hear Sin call out. I pick up my pack, turn and stride out.
    “Is she fucking serious?” I hear behind me.
    “Yep, you screwed up big time, Alzona. You just lost your best fighter,” Shard says.
    “No I haven’t. You’re my best