"K. D. Wentworth - Blade Runner" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wentworth K D)

I cracked my eyes open. Gertas pale blond head was pillowed upon her arms on an
ale-soaked table, and she was snoring in a way that indicated waking would not occur for s
time yet. Beyond her, the blade, Reginaldo, was perched on a stool, watching me while he
sang. I gritted my teeth. "If you don't stop that caterwauling, I'll rip your lips off!"

He smiled. "I bet you say that to all the boys."

I buried my head in my arms and groaned.

"We have unfinished business," he said crisply, "and little time. I have received a despe
communiqu├й from the queen, bidding me appear discreetly at the castle to address an
unresolved personal matter."

I snorted. "Dream on, buster."

"And, as I now hold your note for a considerable amount of gold, while you, on the othe
hand, are quite without funds, it does seem as though we should come to some sort of
accommodation."

I groped for my purse and found it flatter than a ten year old virgin's bosom. The receipt
our last venture, and therefore the source for the purchase of our supplies for the next, were
gone. Another groan escaped me. I had an exceedingly hazy memory of wagering the lot on
long I could kiss the serving lad without coming up for air. He had proved disappointingly
uncooperative.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You cheated!"

He waved a deprecating hand. "Well, young Barth has no wish to remain a poor serving
forever, giving it away free when he could have royalty, adventure, and glamour, and I did
offer to give him a few pointers-"

"Yeah, yeah." I buried my face in my hands.

Reginaldo slid off his stool. "As to our bargain."

"We have no bargain!" The words escaped me with a force that made my head pound. I
squeezed my eyes shut.

"Oh, but we do," and I could hear the slimy smile in his voice. "You owe me a large sum
and if you cannot satisfy your debt in some fashion, I shall foreclose upon your assets."

I opened my eyes. "I don't have any-" My gaze followed his to the gleaming sword and
scabbard hanging over the back of my chair. "Not Esmeralda! You wouldn't dare!"

"Wouldn't I?" His smile was poisonously charming. "Now, as to getting inside the castle
don't want to hear any of the usual bilge about climbing up through the necessary facilities.
know how you muscle-bound types thinkтАж"