"Joanna Wylde - Dragon's Mistress" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wylde Joanna)

Saurellian Federation - Dragon's Mistress
Joanna Wylde


Chapter 1

"You've got to be kidding," Dani said with a laugh to the man on the view screen.

He smiled blankly at her. "No, Miss," he replied in a neutral tone of voice.

He was a young man, in his early 20s at most, wearing the livery of the Von'hot household. The
Von'hots ruled the system, but Dani wasnтАЩt intimidated by their power. She could tell he was
uncomfortable with his assignment, but he tried to cover that unease with professionalism. "His Grace has
specifically requested your services for the evening. We'll be sending a car for you shortly before
sundown. Please be prompt, as His Grace appreciates timeliness in all his people."

"I'm not one of his people," Dani replied with a tight smile, trying to hide her annoyance at his
attitude. "I'm a representative of the Pleasure Guild here on a diplomatic passport. And besides that, I'm
retired. I no longer entertain clients."

The messengerтАЩs mouth gaped. Clearly, he had never heard anyone say "no" to his master
before.

"ButтАФ"

"Please let Lord Von'hot know that I am flattered by his invitation, but that if he would like
professional entertainment for the evening he should consider contactinglocal representatives of the
Pleasure Guild. I've met the Guildmistress here in the capitol, and I've found her to be a competent and
professional woman. I'm sure that she'll be able to find someone to take care of His Grace's needs. After
all, it would be unpardonably rude of me to simply step in and take a contract in her city. Goodbye."

Dani reached over and turned off the screen with a decisive click, enjoying the look on the
young man's face as she did so. She had no idea why Lord Von'hot had sent her such an invitation, and
she didn't care. She was on vacation, and no manтАФeven one who owned his own planetтАФwas going to
mess upher plans.

She stood and walked over to the balcony. Stepping out, she shook out her long, blond hair
and gazed at the city before her. The view was stunningтАФher hotel room was on the 700 thfloor of the
building, high enough that the atmosphere was thin and the air cold. Of course, none of that bothered her,
as her balcony was enclosed in a force field that kept it comfortable. She leaned against the railing,
somewhat amused by its presence. It was strange, but even after hundreds of years of technological
development, humans still liked their balconies to have solid, visible railings no matter how unnecessary
they were for safety reasons. After all, the shield would catch her if she fell.

Around her balcony, the spires of a thousand buildings reached up into the sky. More than a
100 million people lived there, according to the tour sheтАЩd taken the day before. It was a wonderful place
for a vacation, even better for a vacation paid in full by the Guild. A small satisfied smile crept across her
face at the thought. Serving as a diplomatic courier had its perks.

A chiming noise sounded softly through the air. Another call, she realized with a sigh. She