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

"Why is that?" Dani asked, startled. "It's totally against Guild protocol for me to meet with a
client in your district, especially one like Lord Von'hot. Even if I wasn't retired, I know Guildmistresses
who would have me thrown off planet for even considering it."
 Karya chewed her lower lip gently, seemingly lost in thought for a second.

"May I come to your room, child?" she finally asked. "I'd feel more comfortable if we could
discuss this in person. Do you mind?"

"Not at all," Dani said, truly confused. "Please, I would be happy to visit with you."

"Thank you," Karya said, smiling kindly. I'll be there in about half an hour."

Dani nodded, then switched off the terminal.




*****




Karya swept into Dani's suite of rooms in a haze of perfume. A small, timid looking woman
followed her, carrying a large package.

"Calanna, wait in here," Karya said to her assistant, waving toward the couch. "Dani, can we
speak on your balcony? We're far less likely to be overheard out there," she added giving Dani a
confidential smile. They walked together out on to the balcony. Karya turned to her, her expression
grave.

"It's difficult to explain all of this, Dani," she said with a sigh. "Normally I wouldn't share this
information at all, but under the circumstances it seems necessary. You'll need to keep this to yourself, of
course. It isn't exactly public knowledge within the Guild," she added with a meaningful stare. There was
power in that look and Dani had to stop herself from squirming like a chastened youngster. No wonder
so many movers and shakers in the Guild feared this woman, she thought. SheтАЩd met Imperial
commanders with less authoritative gazes.

"For some reason, Lord Von'hot has been less than cooperative toward the Guild since he
inherited the title last year. He allows us to continue our work here, but he hasn't been very forthcoming
about policing the unauthorized pleasure houses and brothels that are always springing up in the city. HeтАЩs
also cut off several other sources of revenue, and weтАЩve recently discovered his people have been
working against us on a number of business ventures. To be quite honest, itтАЩs undermined our position
here considerably. We've been keeping the situation quiet, of course. The last thing we want is for every
Lord and ruler throughout the Empire to follow suit."
 Dani gasped. The implications for the Guild were too horrible to imagineтАФfor centuries the
Guild had maintained a monopoly on the pleasure industry, protecting their members and keeping them
safe from exploitation. How many thousands, hundreds of thousands of women, would find themselves
without protection if the Guild faltered? They had always been completely independent of local politicsтАж