Destiny's Rift (Broken Well Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page B

sent it skidding across the stone floor, where it slid neatly under the Grey’s footfall. Her eyes went wide as her foot shot out from under her, sending the fork clattering away. The tray of oysters she carried wobbled precariously.
    Fall , urged Tyrellan.
    To the Grey’s credit, as she realised she was going down, she managed to get another hand under the tray. As she crashed to the floor, she kept the tray upright so that only a few of the oysters slid off on impact. In an instant Tyrellan was on his feet, faster than Battu could scowl.
    ‘Wretched oaf!’ he snarled, moving smoothly around the table. ‘You dare waste food from the Shadowdreamer’s pantry!’ He snatched the tray with one hand and seized the Grey by the scruff of her neck with the other, lifting her to her feet. ‘Be gone,’ he said, and backhanded her across the jaw. She quickly retreated, holding a hand to her face.
    ‘Tyrellan,’ said Battu, ‘it’s not like you to let someone off so lightly.’
    ‘I did not wish extra interruption to this special occasion, my lord. I will speak to her again later, I assure you.’
    ‘Grimra eats her if First Slave pleases,’ offered the ghost agreeably, which actually made Battu chuckle.
    ‘No, Grimra,’ said Losara. ‘You have enough to eat right here.’
    Tyrellan inspected the oyster tray. ‘The dish appears unsullied,’ he announced, and brought it around to Losara’s end of the table. ‘I can assure my lords that the food remaining did not touch the floor.’ He bent over to set the tray next to Losara, glancing sideways to make sure Battu wasn’t paying attention. ‘The anemones are poisoned,’ he breathed in Losara’s ear. Then he swiftly returned to his seat, confident the exchange had gone unnoticed.
    •
    Losara knew he shouldn’t be surprised, although he had not expected poison – it seemed low even for Battu. No matter what else Losara thought of him, he’d never considered him a coward.
    He watched with interest as the anemones arrived, served by a fat Grey whose gaze remained firmly downcast as he came around the table to place the delicacy before him. What to do? he wondered. He did not want to reveal his hand just yet – he was curious to see Battu’s reaction.
    He reached for the plate with his fork and skewered a squishy blob.
    ‘Yuck,’ said Lalenda, wrinkling her nose, for which Losara was grateful.
    ‘This brings back memories,’ he mused, turning languidly to Battu, who had been staring at him intently. ‘On my twelfth birthday you introduced me to this dish.’ He dangled the blob in front of his mouth. ‘Remember? I was reticent to try them, but you encouraged me.’ And I realised for the first time that there was no real love in your heart.
    ‘Ah,’ said Battu, wetting his lips. ‘Yes, I remember. I hope you do not find them as unpalatable as you once did.’
    Beside Battu, Tyrellan was staring fixedly into the middle distance. Ready to move, thought Losara, at whatever was coming shortly, bless him. The goblin tensed as he put the anemone into his mouth.
    ‘I did always find them a little bland, admittedly,’ said Losara, chewing thoughtfully. ‘Although whatever these are coated with is delicious. What is it? I can’t quite place it. Let’s see if another taste can solve the mystery.’
    He stabbed another anemone and put it in his mouth. Across the table, Battu’s forced grin dropped from his face, and paradoxically he now actually looked gleeful.
    Look at him , thought Losara. He’s so happy. If my imminent demise brings him such joy, how can I ever hope to make him see reason?
    ‘I’m so glad you like them,’ Battu said.
    Losara swallowed. ‘Ah, but I am being rude. Would you like them passed to you?’
    ‘Oh, no,’ waved Battu, sitting back in his chair and patting his stomach. ‘I am . . . quite full. Please, if you are enjoying them, have more.’
    ‘I will,’ said Losara, and reached for another. ‘Though I have never