Cover

Copyright

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Dragon Blood

AnAce Book / published by arrangement with the author

Copyright ©2003 byPatricia Briggs

This book may not be reproduced in whole or part, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission. Making or distributing electronic copies of this book constitutes copyright infringement and could subject the infringer to criminal and civil liability.

For information address:

The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc.,

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

ISBN: 1-101-13389-9

ANACE BOOK®

AceBooks first published by The Ace Publishing Group, a member of Penguin Putnam Inc.,

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

ACEand the “A” design are trademarks belonging to Penguin Putnam Inc.

Ace Books by Patricia Briggs

Ace Books by Patricia Briggs

DRAGON BONES

DRAGON BLOOD

THE HOB’S BARGAIN

Dedication

For
Michael Enzweiler,
Mary and Bob Kerns,
Ann Peters (aka Sparky),
and
Kaye Roberson;
my reading, writing, and riding buddies.

Map

Contents

1 TISALA IN ESTIAN

2 WARDWICK AT HUROG

3 WARDWICK

4 TISALA

5 WARDWICK

6 TISALA

7 TISALA

8 WARDWICK

9 WARDWICK

10 GARRANON IN ESTIAN

11 WARD

12 WARDWICK

13 WARDWICK

14 WARDWICK

15 WARDWICK

16 WARD

About the Author

1
TISALA IN ESTIAN

It takes many years of hard work and dedication to produce a competent torturer. Young men just don’t want to take the time to learn the craft.

—Lloth of Edelbreck, Royal Torturer

“IT’SJUST LIKE SKINNING A RABBIT,” THE OLD MANsaid to his grandson. There was strength in his grip that belied the age on his face as his sharp knife removed another sliver of flesh from Tisala’s finger.

“I’ve never skinned a rabbit alive.” The boy looked ill, like a newly blooded recruit, thought Tisala.

The old man lost all patience with him. “Don’t be an idiot. Now watch.”

The next move of the knife forced Tisala’s attention back to her body. Eventually she would tell the old man what he wanted to know, but if she could wait long enough, they could trust none of what she said. But she’d only been there something under two days and already her body ached and her mind flinched away from what had been done to her.

“What do you know about Alizon’s rabble, little girl? Tell me and I can quit hurting you,” he crooned as his knife worked its magic. “I don’t like hurting little girls, but you are hiding something our king needs to know. A brother shouldn’t try to hurt his own kin. What Alizon is doing is wrong and you know it. All you need to do is tell me who’s helping him and I can stop.”