Sharp Ends: Stories from the World of The First Law Read Online Free PDF Page A

too,’ said Carcolf, brushing past the curtain so the sunlight shone through her hair from behind. ‘It’s been too long, Shevedieh.’
    The room looked vastly improved with Carcolf in it. You wouldn’t find a better ornament than her in any bazaar in Westport. Her clothes weren’t tight but they stuck in all the right places, and she had this way of cocking her hips. God, those hips. They went all over the place, like they weren’t attached to a spine like everyone else’s. Shev heard she’d been a dancer. The day she quit had been a loss to dancing and a gain to fraud, without a doubt.
    ‘Come for a smoke?’ asked Shev.
    Carcolf smiled. ‘I like to keep a clear head. How can you enjoy life otherwise?’
    ‘Guess it depends whether your life’s enjoyable or not.’
    ‘Mine is,’ she said, prancing around the place like it was hers and Shev was a valued guest. ‘What do you think of Talins?’
    ‘Never liked it,’ muttered Shev.
    ‘I’ve got a job there.’
    ‘Always loved the place.’
    ‘I need a partner.’ The Prayer Bells weren’t all that low down. Even so, Carcolf bent over to get a good look at them. Entirely innocently, it would appear. But Shev doubted Carcolf ever did an innocent thing in her life. Especially bend over. ‘I need someone I can trust. Someone to watch my arse.’
    Shev’s voice came hoarse. ‘If that’s what you want you’ve come to the right girl, but …’ And she tore her eyes away as her mind came knocking like an unwelcome visitor. ‘That’s not all you’re after, is it? I daresay it wouldn’t hurt if this partner of yours could pick a lock or a pocket, either.’
    Carcolf grinned as if the idea had only just come to her. ‘It wouldn’t hurt . Be good if she could keep her mouth shut, too.’ And she drifted over to Shev, looking down at her, since she was a good few inches taller. Most people were. ‘Except when I wanted her mouth open, of course …’
    ‘I’m not an idiot.’
    ‘You’d be no use to me if you were.’
    ‘I go with you I’ll likely end up abandoned in some alley with nothing but the clothes I’m standing in.’
    Carcolf leaned even closer to whisper, Shev’s head full of the scent of her, which was a far stretch more appealing than rotten onions or sweaty redhead. ‘I’m thinking of you lying down. And without your clothes.’
    Shev made a squeak like a rusty hinge. But she forced herself not to grab hold of Carcolf like a drowning girl to a beautiful, beautiful log. She’d been thinking between her legs too long. Time to think between her ears.
    ‘I don’t do that kind of work any more. I’ve got this place to worry about. And Severard to look after, I guess …’
    ‘Still trying to set the world to rights, eh?’
    ‘Not all of it. Just the bit at my elbow.’
    ‘You can’t make every stray your problem, Shevedieh.’
    ‘Not every stray. Just this one.’ She thought of the great big woman in her bed. ‘Just a couple of ’em …’
    ‘You know he’s in love with you.’
    ‘All I did was help him out.’
    ‘That’s why he’s in love with you. No one else ever has.’ Carcolf reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair out of Shev’s face with a fingertip, and gave a sigh. ‘Is that boy knocking at the wrong gate, poor thing.’
    Shev caught her wrist and guided it away. Being small didn’t mean you could let folk just walk all over you. ‘He’s not the only one.’ She held Carcolf’s eye, made her voice calm and level. ‘I enjoy the act. God knows I enjoy it, but I’d rather you stopped. If you want me just for me, my door’s always open and my legs shortly after. If you want me so you can squeeze me out like a lemon and toss my empty skin aside in Talins, well, no offence but I’d rather not.’
    Carcolf winced down at the floor. Not so pretty as the smile, but a lot more honest. ‘Not sure you’d like me without the act.’
    ‘Why don’t we try it and see?’
    ‘Too much to lose,’