Thread Slivers (Golden Threads Trilogy) Read Free Page A

and knife. Looking up, her heart racing, she saw it had been Ellar, one of the many servers, who’d brought her meal.
    Relax Ticca, relax, the dead stay dead, and it’s safe here. Ellar was very young, maybe twelve years of age, and had been acting increasingly shyer around her for the last few weeks. She looked directly into his eyes and smiled warmly in thanks, as she slipped her weapons back into their sheaths. He turned a bright red, gave a nod, and dashed behind another table with his large tray of plates. His reaction somehow made her feel almost human again. Her mood finally lifted as she watched Ellar retreat. She started giggling. Yep, he has definitely taken to me. Looking at the food, she was surprised to see it actually consisted of some very good cuts of meat, and there were two small loaves, instead of one. I guess there are benefits to giving him a little smile. She grabbed her knife and began eating the fine meal for which this evening’s work was sure to compensate.
    It was no surprise that as she was finishing the meal and a second mug, Sula appeared and sat across from her. How does she do that? I would have sworn she wasn’t even in the room a minute ago.
    “You’re eating well tonight.”
    “With the bits you pay, I can finally afford to not starve.” Looking into Sula’s dark eyes, she smirked. “Course, I’m doing a lot better than your previous thugs.”
    Sula looked directly at her and tossed the same insult she had been using since Ticca’s first rapid success. “Yes, using an inconsequential thug has worked out.” A hint of humor tinged the emerald pools of Sula’s eyes. “You can track the next link.”
    That was not a question. She obviously can detect that bit of magic she insists I use, Ticca thought, not for the first time. I know she doesn’t follow me. But her information is sometimes too good, especially about what to expect or look for. Again, Ticca worried about exactly what was playing out. Sula had a lot of coin, and the senior Daggers acknowledged her as a serious client. I hope I am working for the right side. My gut says I can trust Sula, but there is something unique about her.
    “When you’re done, meet me in your room.” Sula stood. Her clothes were nondescript, neither rich, nor poor. Her cream-colored blouse was loose cut, but not so loose as to hide her obviously large, well-proportioned breasts, as she leaned in closer to say softly, “You might consider a bath and change of clothes first.” Her green skirt matched her eyes and swept all the way to the floor, yet it showed off both her very fine female figure as well as her graceful moves, as she glided away into the crowd around the bard.
    Stunned for a moment, Ticca looked down at herself. The whole front of her shirt and pants were caked in drying scum. Her cloak’s edges showed that it, too, was in need of a cleaning. Oh my. I didn’t even notice the alley sludge. I must have it all over my face and neck, too. No wonder, I haven’t had to fend off any drunks yet. Looking around, she realized that nobody cared; after all, dirt was part of life here. Still, it was a little embarrassing, especially after working for cycles to establish herself as a real Dagger.
    Shrugging, she decided it was too late to do anything about it. No rush tonight, and I earned this . She leaned against the wooden back of the bench, which was smoothed and rounded from years of customers doing just this. Ticca slowly finished the remains of her meal and savored the last half of her mug of hyly.
    Standing, she maneuvered over to the bar. Genne, the owner, came over, after a minute. He looked her over very slowly from head to foot. Any other man, and I’d be pulling my dagger for taking that long a look. But from Genne, I know it’s an assessment of performance. “Trust d’work was good tonight. D’ya wanna bath or jus’ t’bed?” She felt taller at his tone. He thinks I did well enough tonight.
    Smiling with