Scholar of Decay by Tanya Huff Read Free Book Online Page A

there was something in the water with me, but that’s hardly surprising. There’re probably as many things living in that cesspool as in the city.” Misinterpreting his brother’s expression, he flushed and added, “Look, it’s no big deal—you dragged me out and I’m grateful, but I bet it happens all the time.”
    “Yes.” Aurek nodded grimly. “Very likely.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “Only that you’re probably correct: what happened to you very likely happens all the time.” Could he only count on the younger man’s discretion, he’d tell him the truth—whether Jacqueline Renier wanted it told or not. Unfortunately, the odds of Dmitri opening his mouth at an inopportune time were too great.
    So, my brother tells me you’re a wererat
.
    He could just hear Dmitri announcing all he knew and ruining everything. He must be permitted to search the ruins of Pont-a-Museau. Nothing could interfere with that. Nothing.
    “You needn’t look so superior,” Dmitri muttered defensively into the silence. “I’m sure you’ve had a few too many on occasion.”
    Aurek shook his head. “I’ve never seen the point in either losing control and making a fool of myself or in making myself violently ill.”
    “Oh, right. I forgot. You’re a … a thing of virtue. What’s that?” he demanded as Edik replaced the porcelain bowl on the bedside table with a heavy clay mug.
    “A purgative, young sir.”
    “Another one?”
    “It is very important that we are certain you have flushed all the river poisons from your system.” Wrapping his huge hand aroundthe mug, he lifted it to Dmitri’s mouth, the other hand supporting the younger man’s head in such a way that he had no choice but to drink.
    Dmitri pushed at Edik’s arms with the same effect a kitten would have in attempting to uproot a tree. Coughing and sputtering, he swallowed.
    “I hate you,” he muttered melodramatically when Edik finally moved the cup away. Glaring up at his brother he added, “And I hate you, too.”
    “I disinfected all his scratches, sir,” Edik told Aurek placidly, setting the mug back on the table. “While the water was undeniably filthy, his wounds were not deep, and I have done what I can to see that he takes no permanent damage.”
    “Thank you, Edik.” That his servant—his faithful servant for all it sounded so cliché—had effortlessly taken responsibility for Dmitri lifted a load from Aurek’s mind. He wished only that there were as easy an answer to the problem of Jacqueline Renier’s young relatives. While he knew very little about their kind, what he’d learned was not encouraging. He doubted very much that Dmitri had seen the last of them, and while their games were not likely to be fatal, thanks to the Lord of Richemulot’s warning, neither would they be pleasant.
    “People,” he said at last, falling into the lecturing tone Natalia had tried unsuccessfully to break him of, “are not always what they appear to be. You’re in a new place where the rules might not be what you’re used to. Think twice before you believe someone is a friend.”
    “Like you care,” Dmitri scoffed, closing his eyes. “Go away before I puke again.”
    “I just want you to be careful.…”
    “And I just want you to leave.” His throat convulsed, and he grimaced as he swallowed. “I’m not kidding about the puking.”

    Closing the door to Dmitri’s bedchamber softly behind him, Aurek wearily reflected that, at least for the morning, he’d know exactly where his brother was. He didn’t understand why the boy was always so angry, why their meetings always ended—if they didn’t begin—with Dmitri snarling and snapping at everything he said. Natalia had understood, but Natalia—his sweet and loving Natalia—was no longer able to explain.

    “You’re in a good mood this morning.”
    Louise slid into her seat at the scarred table that nearly filled the morning room, and smiled beatifically at her