Shadowdance 01 - A Dance of Cloaks

bells rang.
    And right now her life was in his hands.
    His face brushed her neck, and his arms held her closer against him. For once, it did not excite her. Instead she fought down her revulsion, pretended to be aroused as his tongue flicked across her skin. As his hands fumbled across her breasts, she swallowed her anger and shame and let it burn away her self-delusions. To the ground by the fire they went, and she spread her legs for him as he pulled down his trousers. She let him think he’d convinced her, let him believe himself still in control. She was a Gemcroft, and could endure the man’s touch for a little while longer. But she swore that should she somehow assume control of the estate that was rightly hers, she would not let a dog like Yoren have a single taste of its power.
    Father was right
, she thought as Yoren grunted louder.
I am such a stupid girl. But that girl dies tonight.
    Yoren would be the next to die, and unlike her, he would not be reborn wiser, stronger. He’d just stay dead.

CHAPTER
8
    G iven the mansion’s numerous closets, secret pathways, and gardens, Aaron couldn’t have been happier with his new home. He’d spent the past few days lurking more aimlessly than normal. Since the attempt on Aaron’s life, his father had not appointed a new teacher in weaponry, stealth, or politics. With little else to do, Aaron had begun picking random workers and stalking them. He’d watched fat Olivia slaving away at the ovens for nearly four hours before she noticed his presence. Deciding a busy, unskilled person like that was no fun, he moved up in difficulty. Senke had caught him in less than four minutes; Will in less than two.
    But Senke and Will were gone, as was Kayla, whom he hadn’t worked up the courage to stalk yet. He’d discussed her with Senke plenty, blurting out how beautiful and skilled she was. Senke, the wily woman-lover that he was, had been more than sympathetic. But then he’d gone on and said the worst three words in the world to Aaron: “You’re too young.”
    With the king sending soldiers to kill him, Aaron didn’t think growing older that much of a guarantee. He’d spent the last two hours hiding atop an old wardrobe. Floor planks opened up nearby to one of the many tunnels leading in and out of the mansion. Aaron had watched people come and go, observing their reactions as they stepped into the light. For a few, he’d even scratched the wood with his fingers or let out a quick cough. None had noticed. Aaron found himself missing Senke even more.
    Aaron thought perhaps he should be in bed, but the Spider Guild was far more active at night than during the day. More active meant more interesting. He wandered the hallway, listening for something to watch. On a good day he’d catch several members of the guild gambling with dice, and he’d watch the twitches of their faces and the nervous movements of their hands. Aaron had gotten quite skilled at guessing who would win by the severity of their tells.
    As he wandered, he found his spirits dropping. He bypassed only a couple of men, all alone and looking almost annoyed at his presence. When he passed by the front door, Aaron crossed his arms and leaned against it. “So bored,” he sighed.
    Then he felt the door behind him shudder, as if someone was grabbing the iron handles on the other side but not yet pulling. Voices drifted inward. Aaron wasted no time. Before the door could creak open, he was already hidden in a shadowy corner.
    Senke entered first, and Aaron’s initial joy at seeing him was tempered by the deep scowl across his face. Kayla followed. There was blood on their clothes, and numerous cuts across their bodies. Aaron sank farther into the darkness, watching with a mixture of curiosity and fear.
    Will entered, an old man held in his arms. It took a moment before Aaron realized who it was: Robert Haern, the kindly teacher who had risked his life to help him escape the soldiers. His face was bruised, his hair dirty, but enough of the man remained to clearly identify him. Aaron felt an initial inclination to reveal his presence, but he fought it down. They had entered through the front door. No one was permitted to use the front door.
    “He still with us?” Kayla asked, gingerly touching a gash on her forehead with her fingertips.
    “He lives,” Will said. “But his sleep is deep.”
    “We’ll let Thren wake him up,” Senke said as he ducked his head outside, looked about, and then shut the