Cloak and Spider: A Shadowdance Novella by David Dalglish

Author:David Dalglish
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
Tags: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy, Epic, Genre Fiction, Literature & Fiction
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2013-12-03T06:00:00+00:00

Stealing Memories

Thren kissed his wife on the lips, then told her goodbye.

“Don’t worry,” he said, pausing at the door to the quaint home on the corner of the winding street. “The Scorpion Guild will never find you here.”

Marion smiled at him, exotic and beautiful despite the simple dress she wore, which clung to her dark skin and hinted at so very little being worn underneath.

“I’m more worried about not being found,” she said. “Do not forget about me here, and bring my boys to me when you feel it safe. I miss them already.”

She gave Thren a look he’d often wilted under before, one that promised a fiery passion should he return to her. All he had to do was momentarily escape the guilds, the dealings, the bloodshed and drugs.

“I miss you already as well,” she told him.

Thren chuckled, shook his head, and then stepped out into the street. Waiting for him was Grayson, arms crossed over his muscular chest.

“I’m telling you,” he said in his baritone voice. “It’s not safe here.”

“And why is that?” Thren asked as the two walked down the empty street. Worn homes were on either side of them, many with boarded windows and locked doors. The territory was newly taken by Thren and his Spider Guild, and it still showed the remnants of the bloody conflict that had earned him the victory.

“Territory’s too new,” Grayson insisted, rubbing a hand over his shaved head. “This was Scorpion territory for years. Those who live here, they aren’t loyal to us, not yet. Too many are watching us from the cracks in their windows. I fear at least one will run to Carr, hoping to earn themselves a shiny copper.”

Thren paused at the end of the street, glanced back at the home his wife hid within.

“I know,” he said, turning away. “I’m expecting it.”

Grayson barred the way before he could take another step.

“No,” his friend said. “No, you won’t do this. I won’t allow it.”

“She’s not at risk,” Thren said.

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Damn it,” Grayson said, shoving Thren back. “She’s my sister!”

Before he’d even taken a staggering step back, Thren had already drawn one of his short swords and pointed it at the enormous man.

“And my wife, or have you forgotten?” he asked, meeting Grayson’s hard stare. He let his voice drop. “Carr won’t dare harm a hair on her head, Grayson. Not while his own wife and son are in my custody. He’ll only want to take her to keep things even between us. If I can ambush him in the act, I can devastate his ranks, perhaps even capture the slimy bastard himself.”

Grayson’s hands flexed, hovering over his own swords before relaxing.

“How many men are watching the house?” he asked.

“A dozen, all my finest,” Thren said. “I’ll be here as well. The moment he makes his move, we’ll be on them. I promise.”

They resumed walking down the street, an act Thren knew he had to carry out before he could slink back through the darker streets to take up the watch with the rest of his men.

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