"Anne Bishop - Black Jewels 00 - The Invisible Ring" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bishop Anne)

silence build while she led him through the hallways. Finally, she said, "Do
you still have my present?"
Remembering the white feather, Krelis shuddered. "Yes, Priestess."
"She always was a cunning bitch," Dorothea said softly. "She might have
anticipated an ambush at a station since that's where the attack happened
the last time. Did she have an" escort waiting for her at any of those
stations?"
"Yes. They were eliminated."
"Good. That means she had intended to go to that station and whatever had
changed her plans was unexpected- which means her court is probably just
becoming aware that something went wrong."
"She could have sent the escort to the station as a decoy."
"She wouldn't have sent them there just to die. Grizelle isn't that
practical."
Unlike you? Krelis thought-then hastily buried that thought. "If she buys
passage on another Coach . . ."
"There aren't that many passes over the Tamanara Mountains. She'll have to
reach a station located near one of them and travel overland for some of the
journey, no matter what she does."
"She could ride the Winds."
Dorothea shook her head. "She's thwarted herself in that as much as she's
thwarted me. There's some kind of spell that acts as a barrier across the
Winds, preventing anyone from riding them into her Territory. Anyone trying
to get into Dena Nehele from this side of the Tamanara Mountains has to use
one of passes."
She smoothed her coiled black hair. "Find out where the slaves she purchased
came from. If any of them were from prominent families, she might try
bartering with their kin for assistance."
Krelis's shoulders sagged in relief. At least he'd done this right. "I've
already sent someone to Raej for the list, Priestess."
Dorothea gave him a smile of approval. "I'm sure, once you have it, you'll
be able to offset your miscalculations."
Krelis didn't acknowledge the threat beneath the words.
Dorothea's smile sharpened. He couldn't tell if it indicated approval or
displeasure. They finally stopped walking when they reached a Red-locked
door.
"Since you have a little time while we're waiting for your pet to prove
useful," Dorothea purred, "I'd like you to do a favor for me."
"Anything, Priestess," Krelis said quickly. A pleased, vicious light filled
Dorothea's gold eyes as she opened the door and gestured for him to enter
the room ahead of her. The darkened room stank of sweat and fear to the
point where it almost overwhelmed the presence of a feminine psychic scent.
Sufficient light came through the open door for him to recognize a
bedchamber, but the bed was still too shadowed for him to see the occupant.
Dorothea raised her hand. The candle-lights on the bed tables brightened,
softly lighting the room. Staying near the door, she gestured for Krelis to
stand at the foot of the bed. A young, naked Hayllian witch was tied
spread-eagle in the center of the bed. As Krelis stared at her, she
struggled against the leather straps around her ankles, trying to close her
legs. Since she was also gagged, she could only make muffled sounds of