Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine by Jeanne G'Fellers (reading tree TXT) 📗

thigh. “You’ve made it painfully clear.” She flounced her skirts and hurried toward the kitchen. It wouldn’t do any good to challenge Cance’s cruelty now. Too much relied on her role. Besides, she had seen all she needed of the map. It was of a Center’s Assembly, specifically the sentry stations in the vicinity thereof.

Safe in the kitchen, she examined her purpling thigh then spooned five servings of the meats, arranging them on a large tray. She laid the bulky load on the back counter then tapped Starnes on the shoulder. “Five crystals and a single glass.”

“Five?” Starnes had been wiping the counter with a damp towel. “Who ordered so much and did they show their money?”

“Cance says they’re on the house.”

“Figures.” He helped her center the crystals on the tray. “She could outdrink a water demon.” He balanced the load on her shoulder then set the single glass in the center. “Want me to carry it?”

“I can manage.” LaRenna grunted from the demand on her tired muscles but held the tray steady. “Where’s Brandoff?”

“Upstairs. Cance won’t let her down during business hours. Seems she don’t know how to behave in public, is the more off of the pair—if you can believe that.” Starnes glanced to where Cance sat. “Better get over there.”

“On my way.” LaRenna slowly made her way through the tables. She balanced the tray on her hip and distributed the order, ignoring Cance’s attempts at flirting. The single glass she saved for last, creating an excuse to see Trazar.

“I didn’t mean to startle you before and I certainly didn’t mean to get you in trouble,” he said before she could turn away. “Is the manager always so rough?” A short nod in Cance’s general direction showed his distrust. “I saw him give you that pinch. Are you hurt? Why do you put up with it?”

“Don’t worry over me. I’ll survive. There’s not much honest work available for a woman. Everyone knows that. I took the only decent thing offered me.” LaRenna tried to pull away again, but Trazar held his solid grip.

“Don’t you have family?” He looked into her face.

LaRenna relaxed and squeezed his hand. No phase was needed to know Trazar’s intentions were noble. “None that will claim me.”

“Man?”

“The same.”

Trazar squeezed her palm before letting go. “If you need anything, anything at all, let me know.”

“Thank you.” From any other man the words would have sounded hollow, an attempt to wedge into her life and bed, but for some unexplainable reason, she could believe them from him. She smiled back. “I’ll try to remember that.”

Trazar winked and waved her away. “You’ll get in trouble if I monopolize any more of your time.” He watched as she went about serving the other tables, positive they were related though the rationale still evaded him.

“I think our valiant leader is sweet on the barmaid,” one of his sentries teased.

“That’s not it.” Trazar sipped his wine. “I know I’m related to her, and I think I know how. But how do I prove it?”

“See, I told you,” said the sentry who’d noticed the similarity.

“Think I’m a little sweet on her myself!” exclaimed another, a little too brash and tipsy for Trazar’s liking. “I’m going to wait around til closing and see if she has plans for the night.”

“You do”—Trazar turned to face him—“and you’ll find yourself rotated to night duty for a pass. Leave her alone.” Glass to his lips, he mumbled his suspicions to the crimson contents, the words disappearing on the wine’s surface. “I’ve got to find out more about her.”

Chapter Twenty

New lovers are seldom discreet. The desire is simply irresistible.

—Taelach saying

Starnes locked the doors behind the last customer, grabbed a handful of empty glassware, and carried it to the counter. LaRenna was close behind him, her arms laden with plates. She heaped them in the kitchen basin and returned, yawning, to the dining room.

“I laid you out a pallet in the storeroom.” Bane repeated her yawn. “Get some rest. We’ll finish this later.”

LaRenna shook her head and pulled him close. “Let me clean up now,” she whispered, “then send me to the wine stores at first dawn.”

“Why would I?”

“Shhhh.” LaRenna placed her hand over his mouth. “Listen, send me with a list and payment. Everyone knows the best supply is available in the morning. Say you had a regular customer request one of those odd fruit wines they produce on Saria Four. It’s an excuse for me to leave.” He mumbled something against her palm and nodded just as Cance stepped from the small bathroom located beside the bar. LaRenna dropped her hand and returned to work.

“I told the girl to go ahead and clean up.” Starnes thrust a wadded Autlach bill into LaRenna’s hand. “A regular customer requested a regional wine I charge premium for. The girl can get it at first dawn otherwise they’ll be out. Stocks always run low on odd lots.”

“Why don’t you go?” Despite a short rest, Cance looked tired. Prock gradually shifted one’s brain wave patterns, ruining all attempts at restful sleep.

“I have to tend Father,” Starnes stammered. “Let her do it. That’s what we hired her for, isn’t it?”

“I suppose.” Disgust added to Cance’s tired expression. “Clean up the privy first. It’s rank. There’s not a man alive who can hit his target after a couple of drinks.” She yawned and motioned for Starnes. “Come on, Starnie, let’s get some sleep.”

“In a minute.” Starnes gathered another stack of glasses. Cance, never to be disobeyed, lunged forward and hooked his collar.

“No, now. Let the girl do the work. That’s what we hired her for. Isn’t that what you said?” She pulled him to the stairwell, Cance slowing long enough to give LaRenna one last thoughtful glance. “Be quiet in your cleaning, girl. Don’t wake us breaking dishes. Hurry to the Stores and back to your bed. Use the funds Starnes provided you and bring back a receipt—and the change. I’ll check on things later in the