Read Cloak and Spider: A Shadowdance Novella for Free Online Page A

eighteen at most. His vest was slightly open, and she could tell through the thin white shirt beneath that he was fit. At his waist was a short sword, its sheath tied shut with a comically oversized white ribbon.
    “It’s not the chair I’m hoping for,” he said, still standing. His voice was deep, commanding. “But the company instead.”
    “Then have the chair,” she said. “We’ll decide on the company as we go along.”
    He slid into the seat, then leaned back. The man openly stared at her, and she realized she’d not been told his name.
    “Will you not introduce yourself?” she asked.
    “My name is Thren,” he said. “Of a family of no importance, I assure you, but at the same time the importance of my being here is of the utmost. So here I am.”
    “Marion Lightborn,” she said, and she caught how Thren’s eyes sparkled at the name. “I’m here with Kyle Garland.”
    “Such a shame,” said Thren. “I was hoping you’d come alone.”
    “Don’t fret,” she told him. “Pretty blue eyes like yours, you should find many women eager to vanish into one of Maynard’s rooms for a quick, private conversation.”
    Thren chuckled.
    “I could take one of those women as easily as I take this seat. But it’s not the seat I want, remember?”
    Despite herself, she blushed.
    “Indeed,” she said.
    Thren looked over his shoulder, scanning the surrounding groups that chatted nearby. Their voices were like a buzz amid the music, which sadly was not loud enough to drown them out.
    “Is that him?” Thren asked, gesturing toward a pack of six. Marion sipped her glass of wine.
    “That it is,” she said. “The one in white, dark hair, gold on the cuffs. Such a fine dresser, my date.”
    “The devotion you show your lover is one bards would sing of for years, should they ever spend time in your presence.”
    Marion laughed.
    “He is not my lover. I am willing to do much for wealth, but not that. Not him.”
    Thren leaned toward her, and his smile widened at that.
    “You impress me more and more,” he said.
    “You give me too much credit. I’m still a whore. I’m just more selective about it is all. Besides, so far I’ve been given weeks of fine food, drink, and clothes to wear, and I haven’t had to spread my legs once. All I’ve had to do is promise to spread my legs come a day that is always soon, always just on the horizon.”
    “That gem on his finger,” he said. “Is that the Heart?”
    Marion finished her drink.
    “Kyle’s pride and joy. The Heart of Ker, supposedly dug from the sands not long after the black spire crumbled and the sands were swallowed by the grasslands. Yes, that’s it. He keeps it with him always. The only things that stay closer to him are his bodyguards.”
    “Bodyguards?”
    Marion searched, gestured to one of them lurking along the wall.
    “The women in the white masks.” She turned back, shook her head. “I wish you could see them sparring sometime. If they weren’t fucking Kyle every night, I wouldn’t think they were human.”
    Thren let out another chuckle, and he rose from his seat.
    “I think your lover has spotted me,” he said, bowing low. As he did, Kyle strode over, an unpleasant look on his face.
    “Marion, my dear,” he said, kissing her cheek. His eyes never left Thren’s face. “I see you have made a new friend.”
    Thren grinned.
    “I wouldn’t call me a friend,” he said. “Good day, Lord Garland. Oh, and nice ring. Wouldn’t mind having one like that for myself.”
    He sauntered off, as if amused by Kyle’s jealous reaction. Kyle slipped into the other seat, still glaring at Thren’s back.
    “Who was that man?” he asked.
    Marion let a small smile spread on her lips.
    “He said his name was Thren.”
    The blood drained from Kyle’s face. Up from his chair he bolted, forcefully grabbing her hand as he stared into the crowd.
    “Thren?” he hissed. “As in Thren Felhorn ?”
    “Perhaps, why?”
    Kyle looked down at his ring,