Thieves World 7 – The Dead of Winter by Asprin, Robert

vein throbbed in his temple, and his eyes snapped wide with death-fear.

It was over with startling swiftness. Daxus slumped forward, his head making a

loud crack as it hit the floor. “So they will all end,” she promised again,

recovering her composure, patting a loose curl back into place. She stepped away

from the body. “But for the moment this business is done.” She took Kadakithis’s

arm in a firm grip. “Many of you were my friends before I left, and I’m eager to

speak and laugh with all of you. This is a celebration, so let’s celebrate!”

Without giving Shupansea another look. Daphne led her husband into the thick of

the crowd.

Chenaya motioned to Dayrne that he should take Daxus away. She didn’t miss the

shocked expression he wore. Neither of them had considered that Daphne would

kill Daxus there. She had taken too much pleasure in tormenting her plaything.

Lowan Vigeles appeared at her elbow. His features were stony. “This was not well

done. Daughter,” was all he said before he left her to rejoin Rosanda.

Shupansea whirled on her. For an instant Chenaya thought the Beysa would spit.

The woman seemed barely in control of herself, unable to find words. Instead,

she mounted the stairs and stormed from the hall.

Molin was next in line. “You foolish child!” he started. “You’ve made her a

whore in the eyes of the entire city. Do you know what you’ve done?”

Chenaya glared at him, recalling with disgust how once she had trusted this man.

He alone knew of the gifts Savankala had granted her. With that knowledge, of