Free Balanced on the Blades Edge #2 Deathmaker by Lindsay Buroker Page A

had ordered this new ship designed after the same model as the one Wolf Squadron had destroyed the summer before—and headed for the stairs to the officers’ deck. He wanted to go straight to his cabin and check on Ahn, but Goroth’s door opened as he passed, as if he had been listening for Tolemek. Maybe he had been.
    “Come have a drink with me, Mek.”
    The cabin smelled of brandy; it seemed the captain had already had a few drinks.
    “My prisoner being treated well?” Tolemek asked.
    “Well enough. This is a pirate ship, not a passenger steamer.” Goroth shut the door, waved to one of the benches bolted to the wall, then sat at his own desk. “The boys chained her in there, so she wouldn’t bother your work. I’d leave her that way if I were you. Or put her in one of the cells. You’ll sleep easier that way. I walked in on her about a half a second away from shooting Bloodnose and escaping, not five minutes after she was brought on board. She may not look like a big cannon, but she’ll be trouble.”
    “Yes, I’ve seen her shoot.”
    “Listen, Mek.” The captain grabbed a brandy glass from his bar, wiped it clean with his shirt, then poured the amber liquid. “I like the idea of setting a trap with her, but nobody knows where Zirkander is right now. He hasn’t been leading his squadron of late. Does she know where he is?” He lifted his brows and handed Tolemek the glass.
    “I haven’t asked. I will.”
    “You ask her about the flier power sources at all? Those are worth a fortune, and maybe if you got one, you could figure out how to use it. Then sell the information to the government. Or we could make our own fliers and use them for raids. We’d be untouchable. She say anything about them?”
    “No.” Tolemek sipped from the glass and searched for a political way to tell Goroth that he could be talking to her about these things now, if he would let him go.
    “What were you doing down there for hours? Flirting?”
    “Escaping.”
    “Fine, but I want answers now. Before we reach the outpost tomorrow. If you don’t question her, I will.” Goroth’s gaze drifted to a cat o’ nine tails hanging on the wall. “But you know I’d like that. And have a hard time stopping.” His hand tightened around his own brandy glass. “I’d have no trouble shipping her head in a box to Zirkander’s office.”
    “I will speak to her,” Tolemek said, keeping his voice calm, though he didn’t appreciate the threat.
    “I know you won’t interrogate her, but speak to her with that truth serum of yours. I want real answers, not lies.”
    Tolemek set his jaw. It wasn’t a bad idea, but he didn’t appreciate being told how to handle his prisoner. “Yes, Captain,” was all he said. He finished his brandy, the liquid burning down his throat, and stood. “I’ll begin now, if you need nothing further from me.”
    “Mek,” the captain said, his tone softer, almost apologetic. “Did you find what you were looking for down in that dungeon?”
    “No. Whatever scrolls and books were once there had been burned.”
    “Too bad. It’s your project, not mine, but I’d give a lot for the treasures—the power—those sorcerers once wielded.”
    “I know.” Tolemek headed for the door. He didn’t want to discuss the topic further. Goroth believed he sought the ancient magic to make his experiments more powerful, and that was something “Captain Slaughter” could support. If he knew the truth, he might become an obstacle rather than an ally. Or even competition. What Tolemek sought was invaluable, especially to one who could use it.
    “Mek? Be careful with her. She’s Iskandian. She’ll know about Tanglewood. She’ll shoot you the second she has a chance.”
    Except she hadn’t. Tolemek walked out, closing the door behind him.

Chapter 5
    C as wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but she dozed at some point, weariness finally catching up with her. When the door opened, she woke with a jerk, her