Hellhole Inferno Read Online Free PDF Page B

“At least we know that Enva Tazaar won’t be eating a meal like this. Where she’s gone, she may have to settle for a warmed noodle dish in a company cafeteria.”
    Ishop smiled. “Do they have cafeterias on Tehila? I thought on a backwater planet like that, she might have to hunt her own food with a rock and a stick.” After the noblewoman’s disgrace and death sentence, Ishop and Laderna had secretly arranged for her escape out to the Deep Zone planet of Tehila—strictly because they knew it would embarrass Diadem Michella. In fact, Enva did not know the identity of her mysterious benefactor. He suspected, though, that even in her exile Enva was no wilting flower of a noblewoman; she was tough, ambitious, and resourceful.
    A pity that the woman’s plans to overthrow Michella had failed. She would have made a worthy Diadem, or a valuable noble wife for Ishop. Enva was exiled now, but someday she might reclaim her house and wealth. Further changes were in store—he and Laderna would make sure of that.
    Laderna saw his preoccupied expression. “What are you thinking about?”
    He told her only a half-truth. “How I wish I could get even with Michella. I have noble blood, just as she does.”
    She smiled. “And you and I have a lot of that blood on our hands, from each of the houses that wronged your family so many centuries ago.” She gave a wistful smile. “I have so enjoyed helping you go through the list. If only we could have finished it—”
    Ishop cut her off. “It’s finished.”
    â€œNo, we still have a Duchenet name on the list. Simply tricking Michella’s daughter into a dangerous war zone isn’t good enough—and we know Keana Duchenet is still very much alive.”
    Ishop grimaced, not wanting the reminder. “I’ll eliminate the Diadem herself, sooner or later. That’ll take care of the Duchenet name.”
    â€œThat may be too difficult, at least for now. She is well-guarded, and lucky.” Laderna raised her eyebrows, and he could tell she was holding a secret. “But I have found another.”
    He was surprised. “Another Duchenet? Some distant cousin?”
    Laderna took her time with a bite of the mushrooms. “No, someone very close. Remember, Michella has a sister. Haveeda.”
    â€œ Had a sister. Haveeda disappeared decades ago. No one has seen her in—”
    â€œThirty-two years. But it doesn’t matter. She is still alive—I found her.”
    Ishop raised his eyebrows, always admiring her skills. “How?”
    She sniffed. “After all I’ve accomplished so far, you need to ask? I tracked down all the old records of noble families from when your ancestors were banished. I compiled the evidence that you have noble blood. I found all the tiniest clues, no matter how cleverly they were hidden. Do you think tracking down Michella’s sister was really all that difficult? The Diadem thinks she covered all the tracks, swept Haveeda under the rug. But I just needed to look a little harder. I have my methods, just as you have yours.”
    Now Ishop was intrigued. “Where is she?”
    â€œMichella has been hiding her for years, keeping her quiet because Haveeda witnessed something in their childhood. It was never proved, but I am convinced Michella murdered their own brother. Haveeda probably saw it. Right now she is being hidden on Sandusky, no doubt under extremely high security—I am still tracking down her exact location.”
    Ishop stopped eating, no longer interested in the food or wine. “Sandusky? An unpleasant place—full of laboratories and isolated research centers, isn’t it? If she’s been trapped there, poor Haveeda must be quite distraught. It would be a humanitarian service to take the woman out of her misery.”
    â€œAnd finally check the last name off our list.” Laderna nodded. “I am ready to leave