按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
The boatman took one of the torches that guttered on either side of the arched stairway and beckoned once again。 In the flare of the burning pitch I saw his arm clearly； muscles flexing； jumping： an arm that was twisted like an olive tree that had fought its way up to sunlight through arid stone。 But there was no sunlight in his world。 I knew his body's contortions had e from the rack； from the fire…hot rod。 He turned； satisfied that I was following； and went up the worn stone steps； steps that many had stumbled up； crying aloud in their pain。 But no one had ever e down again。 No one but the masters。 Or this man or his rades。
I knew this。 I knew not how。
He wore only black breeches。 On his back I could see the marks of the lash； old and new。 I knew he prided himself on those lash scars。 On my own back wounds throbbed and I felt the searing； shame； struggle and moment of pride not yet yielding。
I； too； had been tortured。
Somewhere above； someone was waiting。 A great drum began； its boom drowning the dark howls from the ruins on the midnight plateau above。
The steps ended。
We entered in a great chamber； stone arches lifting into blackness。 A king's weling chamber。 It was empty； except for the man and myself。 He beckoned once more。 I heard the shatter of a cymbal； perhaps only in my mind； as I stared full into his face。 It was riven by a thousand sins； a thousand eagerly sought pains。 His nose had been broken； then broken again before it had healed。 His lips had been shaved away； and his ears were cropped。 His face was sliced by a smile； crooked； black teeth leering。 One eye gleamed black。 The other was a gaping socket。 But something moved within that socket。 A tiny red； writhing fire。 A fire that saw more than the solitary eye that peered at me。
〃Yes； Amalric； my prey； my enemy； my friend； my reward； his intended partner and ambition；〃 said his voice。 〃We are almost there。 This is what you wanted。 This is your weird。 This is what your brother could not embrace。 e 。。。 e 。。。 It has been too long and He is waiting。〃
He laughed； and the laugh was joined by a great boom from the darkness； from beyond。 That roar came from someone who could find no pleasure except in lashing pain。 It rose； echoing the now mad baying from the nightmares in the damned city beyond； then it buried their joy and became its own cacophony。
I smiled and walked forward； my arms open； weling the dark radeship to e。
I awoke； trembling and perspiring； more exhausted than when I had e to my bed。 At first I feared the dream might be an omen or a curse in repayment for my obsession with Melina。 But to accept this； I would have needed to confront myself and see the folly of my ways。 So each time it returned I pushed the dream from my mind and fell to scheming once again for money or presents for Melina。
Finally； the day of reckoning came。 Spurned by my friends； mocked by my enemies； and in danger of being disowned by my father； I sat in my room reviewing the meager possessions yet unsold。 I was to see Melina that night。 One of her slaves had brought the invitation to my house。 She had written at the bottom of the card in her own； dear hand： e early； my love。 So we might steal a few precious moments alone。 Hope burned blight in my breast and my loins； then dimmed as I realized I had nothing of value to sell for her giftprice。 I thought of rushing to the river and throwing myself to the demon of the currents。
I seriously considered creeping into my father's strong room and stealing the gold that would be required。 Then I was appalled for even thinking such a thing。 To steal from my father？ What devil has possessed you； Amalric？ How could you have allowed events to e to such a pass？ This must stop。 This must end。 Besides； what if she spurns me once more； after I steal from the man who gave me life and was so generous and understanding of such a useless son？ It would be impossible to bear。
But I must have her； I thought。 I must make her mine； Yes 。。。 but； how？ An evil plan rose。 It disgusted me to even think it and I hurled it away and flung myself onto the bed where I buried my head from the betraying light that streamed in from the balcony。
A bird cried outside； and I swore it called； 〃Melina ；。 。 Me…lina 。。。 Melina。〃 The evil idea crept in again。 If I could borrow enough money； I knew of dark places in Orissa where it was reputed that certain potions and spells could be purchased； with no questions asked and without the chit of permission from an Evocator。 I would buy a love spell。
I understood this was not only evil but illegal； as well。 I knew very well it was strictly forbidden to give a love potion to a he…taera。 The whole courtesans' guild system might collapse； making a mockery of the sanctity of Butala。 The penalties prescribed by the Council of Evocators started with dismemberment and grew quickly worse。 And you will shame your family； I thought。 Think of the terrible shadow your family akeady suffers under for angering the Evocators once before。 Think of the awful disappointment for your father。
I tried。 I really did。 But all I could think of was Melina's lips and breasts and thighs that had been denied me so long。 These hot thoughts were further fueled by the vow I had taken after our first meeting。 I had been with no other woman since that time。
Lust won the toss。 Risking life and my family's honor； I rushed out to put my plan into action。
CHAPTER TWO
Janos Greycloak
BY DUSK I was pacing back and forth outside Melina's door。 I had a bottle of spirits in my pocket； spiked with a black…market love potion； its guaranteed enchantment was fixed in my mind。 I was waiting for dark 。。。 and courage。 The moon was a sliver over the tenement when I saw Leego exit the building and stroll off； whistling a merry tune。 I knew he'd be ensconced in his favorite tavern for some hours。 A few moments later I was up the stairs； pulling on the bell chain； and then a servant was leading me to Melina's bedchamber。
〃It is your redheaded slave； my fair Melina；〃 I sang out as I entered； my voice as bold as you please； despite the frantic beating of my heart。
〃Oh； my dear； dear Amalric；〃 she said when she spied me。 Her face was so dazzling when she greeted me； I thought perhaps I had been a fool to think I needed a potion。 〃I have been so bored；〃 she said； sprawling across a mighty bed that seemed to have been built to pillow a legion。 〃I am sick of potbellied old men with skinny legs。〃
I plumped down。 She was dressed only in a rough； carelessly draped half robe。 She was direct from her tub and looked like a fresh…scrubbed milkmaid with knowing eyes。 As she raised her head to pillow it on an arm； the robe fell open。 I saw the flash of a tender breast； pink…tipped nipple； and as she lazily tugged the robe closed； the vee of softness between her thighs； the paradise I so longed for that I was willing to risk all。
〃Then let me take you away from all this； Melina my love；〃 I said； in false lightness。
〃You would make me your wife？〃 she said。 Her voice was mocking。 But only a little。
Now I was all seriousness。 〃I would pledge anything to make it so；〃 I said fervently。
〃I don't think you'd wele a hetaera as th