Barbarian's Soul Read Online Free PDF Page A

sharpened on her, making that crawling sensation coalesce into a thick knot of dread in the pit of her stomach. She stole to survive, never taking from those who could ill afford the loss, not even for the pleasure of it, no matter how she relished the challenge. Most of the time she took only food or an occasional small bauble that she could sell
    surreptitiously, using the coin to pay for rent, clothes or her knife. She clutched the hilt tighter, suddenly thankful she’d procured enough baubles to own such a well-crafted weapon. Adria rose to a standing position.
    Tiege pushed away from the wall and took a few steps toward her. From the corner of her eye she saw a movement in the shadows to her right, and over his shoulder two of his men ambled into position, blocking the entrance to the alley. She swallowed the panic rising in her throat.
    “It’s a shame for such talent to be wasted on such mundane items as...” Tiege glanced at the bag in her lap, shook his head in disgust, “...fruit. It’s time for you to share in the bounty of Rome, child.”
    Adria was mentally calculating the height of the stone wall at the end of the alley when she brought her attention back to the master thief. “I have no need for treasure. I take care of myself and answer to no one.”
    “Tsk, what a foolish notion,” Tiege said. “No one should be alone. You do not have to be alone. Not as you have been since your parents’ death.”
    A small pang of longing shot thorough her at the thought of her parents. How the bastard knew about them was not nearly as concerning as the fact he knew the mention of them would cause her pain. “Whatever it is you want, I am not interested.”
    Tiege matched her steps as she tried to leave, effectively blocked her escape. She had to swallow the bile that rose in her throat from the offensive stench of body odor badly masked with cheap sandalwood scent as he sidled close to her.
    “I’ve been observing you, girl. Been very patient. I’ve allowed you an extraordinary amount of time to hone your abilities, talents that I find myself in need of.” He reached out a grimy hand and stroked one finger down her cheek. “It’s time for you to repay my generosity.”
    It took everything Adria had not to spit in his face. The audacity of the bastard. She forced herself to hold his cold stare, even as her next move caused her to doubt her sanity. “As generous as your offer is,” she answered with far more calm then she felt. “I find I must decline. And I believe you will agree.”
    In other circumstances she would have found his expression amusing when she pressed the sharp point of her knife against his groin, channeling all her fear into keeping the blade steady. Positioned in such a way that if he were to try and pull away, he’d leave with only one of his balls intact.
    She increased the pressure the slightest bit and watched the shock in his eyes turn to cold rage. “Tell your henchman in the shadows to move that stack of tiles to the left of the wall,” she said evenly, though inside she was quaking. “The others need to leave—now.”
    Tiege hesitated, eyed her with a look of pure venom. It added to the sour bile in her throat to stand so close to him, yet it was necessary for advantage. She gripped her knife tighter to still her trembling hand and applied more pressure.
    His glare white hot, Tiege gave the commands. Adria doubted he’d be as entertained by the confused looks of his men as she was as they followed his directions. “Walk backward,” she ordered in a low voice. He let out a low growl but did as she said. As much as it made her gag, she kept pace with him, making sure he could feel the blade with each step. Once they’d reached the entrance she put all her weight against him and pushed.
    Taking only a brief moment to relish seeing the thief sprawled on the ground, Adria toppled over a stack of clay jars to block the way, spun on her heel and raced toward the back of the