Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine by Jeanne G'Fellers Read Free Book Online Page A

cruel to be sure. Twins, too.”
    A pit formed in Krell’s stomach. The vilest Taelach criminals came from undestroyed twins, but only one set was of recent times and they were acknowledged dead. Her voice remained low. “Twins?”
    “Yes, alike in the face with odd markings on their necks.”
    Now Krell was certain. “Markings?”
    “Sorta moon shaped. Like this.” Starnes held his hand up in a perfect letter C.
    Krell nodded and tapped thoughtfully on the table. Belsas Exzal was right, two of the Branded had escaped, and identical looks meant twice the trouble, triple the insanity. “What do you want the Kinship to do about it?”
    “Do?” Starnes wheezed. “Do? I want the bitches outta my bar. That’s what I want!”
    “Tell me more.” Krell cast Starnes a slow stare that planted a subtle mind phase to check for lies.
    “What else is there to tell?” He shrugged. “They’re Taelach, they drink too much, and they’re pure evil coming to an ugly head.” Then he cocked his head and pointed to Krell. “They both had braids like yours, but one of them cut theirs off and dyed”— Starnes hesitated, reforming his next words in an effort to not offend his only chance at assistance—“its hair, tinted its skin, too, but the dye made it sick before it could accomplish a very dark tint. The other one hasn’t tried to change a thing. Hair is real long, sort of a dingy white with a few of those dark streaks your people get as they age. Kinda skinny as well, looks kinda like one of your women,” he scowled, “but it sure as hell isn’t.”
    “Taelachs are all women and my type is called guardian, not it, ” snapped Krell. “And if you wish assistance I suggest—”
    “You have my apologies,” stammered Starnes. “But it is a better word than most my people use.”
    “Point taken. Continue.”
    “Neither of them is especially tall to be guardian. That’s what they are though. They’re your kind. You take care of them.”
    Krell rested her elbow on her boot top. “They’re not in the Kinship and they’re not supposed to be here. Anything else?”
    “Yeah.” Starnes wagged a fat finger toward her. “The one who cut off the braids, Cance is her name, wears brown lenses.” Having seen Cance both in and out of her Autlach disguise, he preferred the lenses. With them, she couldn’t mind-phase him the way she could and did when she wasn’t hiding her telltale blue eyes.
    “Look Autlach enough for a passing glance?”
    “Does a pretty damn good job of it. Got walking and talking male down to an art.” Starnes drew back when a couple sat down at the next table. If Cance had the means to pass as Autlach there was no telling who else was involved. “Time’s up. You going to help me or not?”
    “You know where the Hiring Hall is?”
    “Of course,” he said. “But the last thing I need is—”
    “Silence. In five days, go to the Hiring Hall and ask for someone who can wait tables and clean up. Be sure to talk to the Assistant Hall Master. He’ll be expecting you.”
    “For the love of—”
    “You’re not listening.” Krell showed her impatience by drumming her fingers on the table. “Just do it, and make sure you hire a female.”
    “Taelach?” he asked hopefully.
    “No, Autlach. Her name will be LaRenna. Remember that.” Krell rose from the table and peered at Starnes, who flinched involuntarily. “If you want help, this is what you’ll do.” Krell turned to leave, but halted when the Autlach reached out.
    “And what do I tell my unwanted guests about a new employee? Things have been slow.”
    “You’re about to have a boom in business.”
    This still failed to pacify the barman. “Listen, my father is ill. He’s bedfast. They won’t let me get him treated.”
    Krell picked at his head a second time. Again, no deception. “What’s wrong with him?”
    “Strong’s Seizures.”
    “How long?” Her concern surprised a man used to the unfeeling nature of his current