"Briggs, Patricia - Sianim 2 - Steal the Dragon.text" - читать интересную книгу автора (Briggs Patricia)


crowded desk, ignoring the resultant thump as a pile of papers fell to the floor. He
rested his chin on his hands and waited patiently for the arrival of one he had
summoned.

At last there was a soft tap on the door.

"Who?" he barked.

"Rialla of the horses, as ordered, sir." The voice that answered him was soft and
shy. Ren's mouth tightened in annoyance. If she was as meek as she sounded, he
might as well send her back home.

Ah, wellЧit wasn't the woman's fault that his informant had misled him. Even if
she wouldn't serve his purpose, he could use whatever information she could
provide.

Schooling his voice into a more welcoming tone, Ren called out, "Come in,
Rialla of the horses. I've been expecting you."

The door opened with a sigh and squeaked a protest when the horse trainer shut
it behind her. She was taller than he was, but so slender that she appeared fragile.
Her red hair was pulled tightly back in a short braid that barely reached her
shoulders. He got a quick glimpse of emerald-green eyes before she dropped her
gaze to the floor.

She waited silently for him to speak, her arms held loosely at her side and her
face expressionless. He noted absently that she would have been beautiful if it
weren't for the scar that covered most of one cheek.

He greeted her in kind tones. "Trainer."

The green eyes briefly met his. "Spymaster." There was a slightly mocking note
that someone who was less observant would not have caught. Ren was so
fascinated by the inconsistency between the demure mien and that subtle disrespect
that he let the silence stretch uncomfortably long.

When he didn't reply, she shrugged and turned her back to him to examine a
nearby bookcase. The illusion of fragility was shattered with her movement. She
moved with the grace of a trained athlete, and sinewy muscle corded her arm as she
reached to pull a book out of its shelf.

The Spymaster watched her with a tingle of pleasure. This just might work.
Experimentally he held his silence. She turned a page and seemed to become
engrossed in the book.


Finally, Ren laughed softly, pushed his chair away from his desk and said with a
smile, "Aren't you the least bit curious about why I called you here today?"