Imprudence by Gail Carriger Read Free Book Online Page B

wishes. Just like a cat, to mould her environment to suit her whim. Thus, while Rue had told the Shadow Council – she had
had
to tell them – of her encounter with the weremonkeys, she’d left werecats out of her report.
    Tasherit was invaluable muscle, being the first supernatural anyone had ever met who could travel through the aether. Although, truth be told, she slept like the dead the entire time. This, too, was intrinsically catlike.
    Thus, in the face of their prisoners, everyone treated Tasherit as if she were different from the lioness. No reason for these thugs to know anything. Besides, it would only add to
The
Spotted Custard
’s reputation as having a trained attack cat.
    â€œMiss Sekhmet? If you could please assume control of the prisoners and begin questioning? See if you can find out who hired them and what they’re after.”
    â€œIt’s not my area of expertise but I will do my best.” Tasherit’s beautiful face was impassive.
    â€œIf you can’t get anything out of them, I’ll pass them on to Dama. I’ll wager he can.”
    The werecat nodded. “Agreed.” Miss Sekhmet had yet to meet Rue’s vampire father but she knew of him. At least, Rue assumed they’d never met – hard to tell with immortals.
    â€œStill, I’d prefer to source this mess ourselves before we involve any of my parents. Things always get dramatic with them.”
    â€œAnd you’re young enough to still hunger for your independence.” Tasherit’s tone didn’t indicate whether she found this charming or annoying.
    Rue had no idea how old the werecat was, but she would guess she was older than most werewolves if not as old as a vampire. Which meant three hundred at least. Under such circumstances, a little condescension was expected.
    â€œYou have the deck. I should go and tell the twins that everything is safe now.”
    Tasherit nodded. “Good idea. You sent the little flower down to her brother?”
    â€œYes. I find it best to keep Prim out of the way when things get rough. She’s a delicate flower.”
    Tasherit laughed. “Or she likes to be thought a delicate flower.”
    Rue narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing to her anyway?”
    The werecat’s brown eyes went wide with assumed innocence. “Me? Nothing. Nothing at all.”
    â€œMmm.” Rue could almost see her licking her whiskers. “Try not to break her, please? She’s my best friend and not your toy on a string.”
    Tasherit only looked smugger. “I assure you, I have no intention of harming one hair on that lovely head. And I am most assuredly not playing.”
    Rue issued her a measuring stare. “Cats.”

    Rue knocked on the library door.
    â€œYes?” said a tremulous voice from within. “Who is it?”
    â€œHoneysuckle Isinglass.” It was their agreed-upon code for all extenuating circumstances.
    The door swung open to show the twins, wide-eyed and sobered after listening to the kerfuffle abovedecks.
    Percival and Primrose Tunstell did not look like one another. Prim took after their dark-haired frippery of a mother and Percy their flamboyant father. Neither had inherited their respective parent’s personality, thank heavens, aside from a certain flair for the dramatic.
    â€œHas anyone died?” Primrose demonstrated her flair immediately.
    â€œPossibly.” Rue was thinking of the one man who had jumped overboard while not in possession of articulated bat wings.
    At Prim’s harried expression she added, “But no one we know or care about.”
    Primrose let out a whoosh. “And Tash – Miss Sekhmet?”
    â€œShe’s perfectly topping. Been down, changed forms, and back up to take control of the interrogation. We have two prisoners.”
    â€œRue, you never?”
    At that juncture, Footnote made his appearance. Footnote was Percy’s cat, as much as any cat