The Way of the Black Beast by Stuart Jaffe Read Free Book Online Page B

he had nothing left.
    With her head on his chest, she listened to his heavy breathing and pounding heartbeat. Those memories itched to return, but she refused to give in. She rolled onto her back, pulled her man on top, and pressed down on his head until he got the message. She would not let him come up for air until she had her release.
    * * * *
     
    Malja woke to the sound of a horse being saddled. The rider shushed and cursed and snapped at the horse. With her head throbbing, Malja sat up, careful not to disturb the man next to her, and investigated the noise.
    Fawbry.
    She sneered as she pulled Viper from her clothes pile. She walked straight into view, letting Viper lead as her threat. Fawbry startled at her approach. His face dropped in disbelief.
    "You're naked," he said.
    "And you're trying to escape. Question is — will you sit down and let me tie you up or are you going to do something stupid and let me kill you?"

Chapter 5
     
    The first cool day of the Postkryssta season had arrived. It wouldn't be long before the mornings began with a light frost and the chilly Korstraprime rains would follow soon after. Tommy nestled in front of Malja as she guided the horse back to Ms. Nolan's mansion. A second horse trailed behind with Fawbry bound in rope. She had intended for Fawbry to walk but the people of Noograff wanted to give her the bay in thanks. She still considered making Fawbry walk — especially after his attempted escape; however, she succumbed to the lure of faster travel. Especially with colder weather coming.
    "I ought to thank you," Fawbry said. He had a north-country voice now that he wasn't playing Mayor — a slight accent as if educated from an early year. "Really," he continued. "I wasn't very good at that Mayor-leader thing, but I couldn't get out of it. I thought my incompetent leadership would've ended it, but those griffles refused to go and I didn't want them angry with me. They would've torn me apart. Literally. But they're loyal, I guess. Anyway, they probably think I'm dead now. By Kryssta, I would've been dead, if not for you."
    Tommy pressed against Malja, trying to sleep despite Fawbry's ramblings. She rested a hand on the boy's thin shoulder.
    "Anyway, thanks," Fawbry said. "And I'm sorry about this morning. I'm sure you understand. I've got to take the opportunities as they come. Nothing personal. So tell me about Ms. Nolan. You work for her long? What's she like?"
    "Fawbry."
    "Yes?"
    "Stop talking."
    As they traveled on, Malja fought against her mounting excitement. She had explored too much of the Corlin countryside, battled too many of its inhabitants, and suffered too greatly at its callous hand — all just to find Jarik and Callib. She had never felt closer. Yet she had grown accustomed to her best leads drifting into the air like dust. Fawbry, though, seemed to be the right kind of coward — the kind that worried about an immediate threat more than one far away. She expected her pressure on him to bring results.
    Then she'll have Jarik and Callib. She'll track them down. Confront them. And before she sinks Viper down their throats, she'll get answers.
    Tommy startled awake and looked at Malja with concern. She must have tensed her muscles without realizing. Patting his shoulder, she eased him back into slumber. It wasn't so easy to calm her thoughts.
    That night they camped against a burnt-out home — only two stone walls remained. Fawbry tried to engage her in conversation, but she ignored him. No point in talking when she would be rid of him soon enough. Tommy, perhaps still high from the party, approached Fawbry with his hands together.
    "What?" Fawbry asked. "You want to pray? You know about Kryssta?"
    Malja snorted. "He wants to play The Reflex Game." To Tommy, she said, "It's okay. You can untie him."
    Tommy did so and eagerly pantomimed how to play. Malja pulled out her eight-page book and read a little, but mostly she watched Fawbry. She had no fear of untying him. She