Asunder: A Gathering of Chaos by Cameron Hopkin (children's ebooks free online .txt) 📕

says. Every damn time.” The man slapped his hand on something they couldn’t see, and a person-sized door set within the larger gate swung inward. The tall guard waved them in with a bored expression as the other one chattered on. “Good Master Guyrin should see what I’m going home to. Might give him some perspective.” He strolled over as the gate closed behind them and motioned to Kest. “Spread those arms, mister, gotta make sure you’re not up to anything stupid.”

Kest’s sneer faltered, but he spread his arms out wide and tried not to flinch as the amiable guard patted him up and down his body, fingers poking into his armpits, waistband, and inner thighs. That last one made him jump a little. “Sorry, fella. Nothing personal.” The Beast Rider muttered and tried to look unconcerned. Nira would have laughed, but she knew she was next. Mere seconds later the talkative man turned to her, taking stock of her for the first time.

“All right, missy – oh ho! Missy indeed!” He pushed his helmet back up off his brow. “What’re you, fourteen?” Nira’s ears heated, and she clutched her threadbare cloak tighter about her. “Where’d you come from?”

“I – they s-sent me from…” Her tongue was in knots and her heart lurched. What was that sun-cursed name?

“She’s a Slipskin girl,” growled Kest.

She nodded eagerly, trying to swallow the egg-sized lump in her throat.

That pulled the man up short. “Them folks know better than to send out a young’un like this,” frowned the guard. “The Low Guild’ll send them up before the Merchant Council and strip their license.” He shook his head. “Can’t be making ‘em whores before sixteen, fella. You gotta know that.”

“I’m eighteen,” Nira protested. The two men laughed.

“It’s true,” grunted Kest. “I’ve got the papers. She just looks young.”

The short guard looked dubious. “She looks like a boy, you ask me.”

The broad young lad glowered at him with a single eye. “I didn’t.”

The tall, laconic one spoke up. “It’s Jerran that usually brings the Slipskin girls. Where’s he?”

Nira was instantly wary. They’re onto us. Her feet itched to run, but the gate had closed behind them. Calm. Be calm. Kojan had run them through the possibilities. This wasn’t a problem. If I could just remember the names. I don’t remember Jerran. What was it?

Kest opened his mouth to reply, and she felt a sudden flash of alarm. It’s a trick! “Marcus!” she blurted before he could speak. She tried to modulate her tone so she sounded confused instead of scared. “It’s Marcus that usually brings us, but he’s sick. Who’s Jerran?”

Kest blinked, closed his mouth, and nodded. “Yeah, that’s right. What’s this about some Jerran? You tryin’ to fool me or sumpthin?” He clenched his fists as if eager to fight.

The tall guard squinted at him narrowly. “I have to make sure you are who you say. It’s my job. Don’t make it into trouble, kid.” He rested a hand casually on an obsidian-studded club that hung from his belt.

Nira glanced from one man to the other. They both seemed wary. They’re going to turn us away. Do something.

“You never searched me,” she said to the short one, throwing back her cloak.

That distracted them readily enough. The tall one pursed his lips appreciatively, taking his hand from his weapon and crossing his arms. The other one hooted and clapped.

“You know, miss, I’m right sorry for calling you a boy a minute ago,” he sighed. “You might be a tad on the short and skinny side, but I never saw no boy look like that.” He put one hand to his heart, never taking his eyes off her body. “Earth Mother bless me, I never did.”

She wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or disgusted.

“I like ‘em skinny,” remarked the tall one.

Disgusted. Definitely.

Her opinion did not change as he proceeded to pat her up and down. It took longer than it had for Kest despite her lack of coverage. She had to resist the urge to bat the little lecher’s hands away more than once when they lingered. You’re supposed to be a prostitute, stupid. Don’t get mad. She distracted herself by wondering what she would see if she touched this man with her power. For that matter, why does it not spark a vision when he touches me instead of me touching him?

She entertained herself with the thought of the little man weeping from some horrifying vision of betrayal and death until finally the groping ended. Is such a thing in his future? Could I make him see it anyway? He finally stepped back with a satisfied look. She wished she could punch him. She looked to Kest and was strangely touched to see that he had averted his gaze. She twitched her cloak shut.

“Where did you think I was hiding things, exactly?” she asked.

“Oh, I didn’t suppose you were, really, miss,” grinned the nasty, happy little guard. “But it pays to be careful these days. Oh yes it does!” He laughed, and the other fellow joined in. She gritted her teeth and gave them a little smile like she imagined any dockgirl would if she hadn’t been paid yet.

“Off you go, then,” he said as he waved toward the manor. “Hallway on the left and follow it around to the back. Take the stairs to the third floor and look for Hibben and Mackey and the others. The guards. It’s the only door with guards. You can’t miss it.”

Kest took her by the arm and they started on their way only to have the tall, quiet one step in front of them. “You watch it,” he warned the Beast Rider, wagging a finger in his face. “I don’t like the look of you. I’ll be checking your pockets before you leave, and don’t forget it.”

Kest bared his teeth as if he’d like to bite the finger off but gave a nod. After another stern glance at them both, the odious man stepped out of their way