Book of One 04: A Child of Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

Kasha and it was strange that she would suggest such a thing about the lizard girl, though the way she said it, Aaron did not think she sounded jealous. He was not sure what she was trying to say and all he really knew was that he was confused. "I did not even think about such a thing. She is hurt and sick from the potion the traders forced on her, and she needed help, so I helped her. That's all."
    "I see," Kasha said. "I understand why you entered the circle and why there is so much unrest among the registers and the traders. The traders use these potions with many fighters, but such arrangements must be entered freely and with very clear agreements. It is not the Ansari way to enslave others. The traders have made a grave offense and the registers may be afraid for having allowed a slave to fight in the circles. You must bring this girl to the desert also. She will be of interest to Ansari."
    "If she recovers, I would not force her to go anywhere if she did not want to," Aaron said.
    "Of course," Kasha said with a smile, pleased at his words. "You continue to prove to me that I made the right choice at Forsina. It is pleasing to me, to call you husband."
    "You are mated?" Tash gasped, then she turned back to the lizard girl and folded the cloth on her forehead, regretting her outburst.
    Kasha smiled and took a small sip of her wine then she put it back on the tray.
    "Young Tash, that is something that is not yet known, even to Ansari," Kasha said, looking at the girl with a strange expression. "I believe you are trustworthy in such matters, even if there is no coin on offer, which is why I have spoken of this in your presence."
    "Yes," Tash said. "Such private matters, my ears do not hear them."
    "No," Kasha said. "You hear such things, and you may know them, but you will not speak of them unless I say."
    "Yes, Kasha," Tash replied, looking at the woman and meeting her eyes.
    "That will be your first test," Kasha said. "If you are to come to the desert, you will need to show yourself to be true of purpose and worthy of trust."
    "You would take me to the desert?" Tash blurted out, almost shouting with excitement then she cleared her throat and tilted her head in a small bow. "I would be honored to walk the sands."
    "I don't understand," Aaron said. "You want me to go to the desert, to meet the Ansari, and now you want to bring Lexi and Tash as well?"
    "Yes," Kasha said. "It is very curious that you have attracted such individuals into your domain, and very fortunate." Kasha stepped closer to Lexi and leaned over and gently touched the lizard girl's cheek. "She is awake now."
    "Water," Lexi whispered, her voice small and dry.
    Tash jumped to her feet and fetched a cup from the tray, poured some water in it and took a sip then brought it over to the bed. Kasha took the cup and held it to Lexi's dry, cracked lips. She swallowed the cool clear liquid that ran down her throat then coughed and spluttered, spitting it out over her naked chest. She knocked the cup away and it fell to the floor with a clatter. Lexi's eyes were like dark slits, barely open, but the glare in them turned to Kasha, who put her hand on her chest and held her firmly in place. Lexi hissed and slashed at the warrior woman with her sharp fingernails, even cutting her arms and drawing blood, but she could not move. Tash ran and hid behind Aaron, who stepped toward the bed, but he stopped when Kasha spoke.
    "It is fine," she said. "Let her rage flow. It is not anger and there are no true thoughts behind this."
    "Let me go," Lexi growled. "Give me the water."
    "She wants the potion," Aaron said.
    "No," Kasha told her. "You do not need it. I can feel how strong you are, but you do not use your power. Do you wish to die?"
    "Let me go!" Lexi struggled to get free but she could not move even though Kasha held her down with only one hand.
    "I have asked you a simple question," Kasha said. "Do you wish to die? Or do you wish to live?"
    "I don't care. Just let me go.