City of Lies - Lian Tanner [9]
Smudge made a clumsy bow, still keeping an eye on the cat. “Pleased to meet ya, Princess.”
“Oh, for Bald Thoke’s sake!” shouted Cord. “You’re a moron, Smudge. What are ya? A moron. Find out ’er real name.”
“That is my real name,” said Bonnie. She glared up at Smudge. “Why did you steal me? My father the king will be very angry.”
Smudge looked confused for a moment. Then Goldie saw a cunning expression slide across his big face. “We didn’t steal ya. Yer ma and pa sold ya to us.”
“That’s not true!” cried Bonnie.
“Well, course it’s not,” said Smudge, sounding surprised at her protest. “I’m practicin’ for the Festival.”
Under the tarpaulin, Toadspit’s fingers flashed a message. What festival?
Goldie shook her head. Don’t know.
“If she won’t tell ya her name,” Cord shouted, “take ’er below.”
Bonnie pressed herself against the mast. “I’m not going back down there.”
“You have to,” said Smudge. “ ’E’s the boss, so ya gotta do what ’e says.”
“He’s not my boss,” said Bonnie. “And I like it better up here.”
“Aw, come on, Princess. You’ll get me into trouble.” The big man took a step toward her, but the cat hissed at him and he quickly backed away again. “Um—Cord?”
Cord jerked his head in disgust. “Do I ’ave to do everything meself? Yeah, course I do.” He beckoned furiously to Smudge, who lumbered over to take the tiller.
Beside Goldie, Toadspit gritted his teeth.
Cord was clearly not the least bit afraid of the cat. He marched straight past it, aiming a kick at it on the way. But the cat was not afraid either. It twisted away from the kick and leaped up onto the nearest coil of rope. Its back bristled. Its long claws snaked out and raked Cord’s hand.
Cord swore loudly. “Scratch me, would ya? Ya little—!”
“Told ya it was a demon,” shouted Smudge.
“That ain’t no demon,” hissed Cord, snatching an iron bar from a nearby barrel. “And I’ll prove it.”
There was a flurry of movement as Bonnie scrambled to her feet and launched herself at him. “Don’t you dare!” she cried, kicking his ankles and punching his chest with her bound fists. “Don’t you dare hurt that poor cat!”
A chill ran through Goldie. Cord swore again and dropped the iron bar. He grabbed Bonnie by the scruff of the neck, his thin face purple with fury. “Ya little ratbag,” he snarled. “It’s time ya learned some respect!”
“Careful, boss,” said Smudge uneasily. “Harrow won’t like it if ya damage the goods.”
“Harrow told us to get a snotty, and we did,” growled Cord. “It’s not our fault if she gets a bit mashed up on the way ’ome!” And he raised his fist.
Goldie had almost stopped breathing. She grasped the edge of the tarpaulin, ready to leap out of the dinghy.
But Toadspit’s hands were again flashing in fingertalk. Stay here. Need someone they don’t know about. Keep this for me!
He thrust his folding knife into her pocket. Then he pushed past her and tumbled out onto the deck.
To the two men, it must have seemed as if he had dropped from the sky. He leaped over the barrels and tore his sister away from Cord before the sharp-faced man knew what was happening.
“Toadspit!” cried Bonnie, and she threw her bound hands around her brother’s neck.
To Goldie’s relief, the sudden appearance of a fourth person shocked Cord out of his mad rage. He leaned back against the rail, breathing heavily. “Well, well, looks like we got two snotties, Smudge, instead of one. We’ll ’ave to search the bilges. There might be a whole gaggle of ’em down there, hatchin’ out like goslings.” He chortled nastily. “You and me’s gunna be in Harrow’s good books.”
“We’re not going anywhere with you,” snarled Toadspit.
“I don’t see that ya got a choice in the matter,” said Cord. “Unless ya fancy a very long swim.”
He swaggered toward the boy. Goldie sucked in a sharp breath, but Toadspit backed quickly out of reach.
Bonnie stuck her tongue out at Cord. “You might as well give up now,” she said. “My brother kills people like you.”
“Shush, Bonnie!” hissed Toadspit.
“Bonnie?” said Cord sarcastically. “I thought she was some sorta princess.”
Goldie huddled in