Poison Dance

By Livia Blackburne

James is skilled, efficient, and deadly, a hired blade navigating the shifting alliances of a deteriorating Assassin's Guild. Then he meets Thalia, an alluring but troubled dancing girl who offers him a way out—if he'll help her kill a powerful nobleman. With the Guild falling apart, it just might be worth the risk. But when you live, breathe, and love in a world that's forever flirting with death, the slightest misstep can be poison.

 

 

Poison Dance is a short story of approximately 14,000 words long (54 printed pages). The ebook also includes several deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes blog posts about the writing process for this novella.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lion's Quill Press
• Release date: May 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781940584010

Livia Blackburne

Livia Blackburne is the author of Clementine and Danny Save the World (and Each Other). She is also the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight Thief, Rosemarked, and Feather and Flame, as well as the picture book I Dream of Popo, which received three starred reviews and was on numerous best-of-year lists. Livia graduated from MIT and lives in Los Angeles, CA. Visit her online at liviablackburne.com.

Book preview

Poison DanceFull Page Image

Copyright © 2015 by Livia Blackburne

Cover Design by Regina Wamba of ReginaWamba.com

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No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author.

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eBook ISBN: 978-1-940584-01-0

Contents

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Epilogue

Note from Livia

Midnight Thief Excerpt

One

Also By Livia Blackburne

Deleted Scenes

Scene 1: James and Gerred

Scene 2: James and Hamel

Operation Chest Hair

Operation Chest Hair Part I: Attraction

Operation Chest Hair Part II: Grief

Acknowledgements

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One

It was the way she looked at James that caught his attention. The young woman didn’t avoid his eyes like the serving lasses who hurried away after handing him his ale. Nor did she gaze at him coyly through her lashes like a dancer hoping for extra tips. This girl met his eyes straight on, and there was a quiet confidence in the way she held herself. She must have been watching James as he ate, because she came to him as soon as he stepped away from his table. She brushed her fingertips across his elbow.

I would speak with you, she said, holding his gaze. The girl was tall, with auburn hair pulled back from a delicately featured face. She wore no makeup, and a loosely woven homespun dress hid her slight form from view. The skin of her hands and wrists was pale, almost translucent where they escaped her sleeves. She turned and walked away.

Despite her plain attire, the girl was attractive, and her request intriguing. James followed, though he did look back to make sure all was well at his table. Rand and Bacchus were engaged in a loud debate over which tavern had the best lamb stew. They hadn’t yet noticed the girl.

She weaved gracefully between drunken revelers to a corridor that opened off the tavern’s cask-lined back wall. The Scorned Maiden had filled up by now with after-supper patrons, and heat from the crowd made the air damp and heavy. James followed her halfway down the corridor’s length—far enough for them to be hidden in shadow but still within earshot of his companions. Then he stopped.

We speak here, he said. Years in the Guild had taught him to take precautions.

She hesitated, glancing down the corridor in both directions. Then she slowly nodded. As she moved closer, he loosened the tie that bound one of his daggers to his arm. The knife dropped into his hand. The girl caught the glint of metal and flinched.

Just being careful, he said, making no effort to sound reassuring.

She pulled her gaze away from his weapon and did a respectable job of wiping any fear from her face. When she spoke, her voice was cautious but steady. I’m not foolish enough to lead you into a trap. Her speech lacked the rolling cadences common to Forge’s peasants, but James couldn’t place her accent.

Now that they were standing closer, he recognized her—the way she tilted her head and the graceful flow of her movements. Occasionally, her eyes caught the light from the dining room, and James saw that they were dark green. You’re one of the dancing girls. He hadn’t recognized her without the costume and eye paint.

And you’re an assassin, she said.

He took his time answering. It was no secret that he was a member of the Guild, but it wasn’t something usually announced on first meeting. I may be.

I would retain your services. Her tone was serious. She believed herself earnest, at least.

He gave a low chuckle. Many think they would. But few have the coin, and even fewer truly have the stomach for it.

I have enough coin.

And how does a dancing lass come across so much money? He dropped his eyes to her shapeless dress. Unless your trade is not purely dancing.

She flushed now, her nervousness replaced with anger. My business is my own. Will you take my coin or not?

It raised his opinion of her, that she didn’t meekly accept his insult. Nevertheless, he couldn’t help her. It doesn’t work that way. I take orders from my guildleader.

But do you have to? I could pay you well.

I don’t need the trouble.

The sounds of conversation in the dining room had died down, and James heard a talesinger’s theatrical voice projecting over the crowd. He turned to leave, and she took his arm. You have a job tomorrow, don’t you?

That stopped him. To know that he was in the Assassins Guild was one thing, but to know what he was doing the next day . . . What of it?

If there’s anything in your quarters you’d rather keep hidden, move it somewhere else before you leave. And you may want to return early.

He studied her face for any signs of deception. I’ll keep that in mind.

And one more thing, she said before he could turn away again.

What?

The rumors are right. Your guildleader is dead.

Bacchus wore a wide grin when James returned to the table. Not bad. Though I didn't get a good look at her. His cheeks were red over his thick black beard.

Couldn't, with that flour sack she was wearing, said Rand, scowling at his mug. While Bacchus could forget his troubles as soon as he entered a tavern, Rand didn’t have that gift. And with rumors of the guildleader's death flying around, they'd had plenty to worry about.

It was the redheaded dancer. The one who performed earlier today, said James.

Bacchus raised his eyebrows and peered over the crowd. That was her? Lass must be blind. Or have a fancy for scarecrows. He gestured dismissively with a brawny arm toward James's lean form. James didn't bother to reply. Bacchus knew well enough that James could outfight him two

Reviews for Poison Dance

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novella was a nice introduction to the world of Forge and some of the people who are trying to survive there. James is young but a seasoned killer. His first kill was his own father. He killed him because he was beating James' sister who died of her injuries. He was taken in by the leader of the Assassin's Guild. Now, that leader is dead, and James doesn't get along with the new man in charge.When he is approached by a young dancer to take a commision to kill a nobleman, he declines. But he does offer to help train Thalia to kill the man herself. Thalia offers a chance to make some coin by doing some smuggling. Coin would be very helpful in letting James and a couple of his friends leave town and start somewhere new.James learns that Thalia lied about her target who happens to be in cahoots with James' new boss. After a tragedy, James decides that staying and cleaning up the Assassin's Guild is a better idea than leaving.

[stefferoo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I first saw the intriguing description for the upcoming book Midnight Thief, I just knew I had to check it out. But with a release date of summer 2014, it was going to be quite the wait. So it was a pleasant surprise when I was contacted by the author and asked if I would like to read and review the book's prequel novella, Poison Dance. Needless to say, I eagerly accepted; I hadn't even known there was a prequel, and thought it would be an excellent opportunity to catch an early glimpse of the world and get a taste of the writing style.Now that I've read it, I'm just as excited if not more for the first book of the series. Livia Blackburne first described Poison Dance to me as "darker, and heavier on the romance" than Midnight Thief, and probably leans more towards adult fantasy than young adult. She's absolutely spot on, as those are all things I picked up from this novella. It stars James, a skilled assassin who is approached one night by Thalia, a dancing girl who offers him a job to kill a powerful nobleman. And if he won't take it, she is determined to go through with it all the same, with or without his help.I'm typically very picky about my short stories and novellas; characters always come first in my reading, so I find the fewer pages there are in a story, the more challenging it is to make me grow attached to or form a connection with the protagonist. However, Poison Dance impressed me immediately, painting a clear picture of who James is in a very short period of time. I also found out later that he will only be a supporting character in Midnight Thief, but that just makes me think: how much more awesome will the characterization in that book be, if even someone in the supporting cast like James gets this much thought into his back story? Livia Blackburne obviously puts a lot of care and effort into her world and characters, and if what I saw in Poison Dance is any indication, I'm sure it's going to pay off.This novella sets the tone nicely, and gives a good general background for the world in which the series will take place. I didn't expect too much world building, but what is there definitely piques my interest. If Poison Dance is meant to build up my enthusiasm and fuel my eagerness for Midnight Thief, then its mission was most certainly accomplished.

[emily_anne-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! Poison Dance was an amazing novella that left me salivating for Midnight Thief. The story is one you don't want to miss!

For those of you just hearing about this novella, Poison Dance is a novella surrounding James, a supporting character in the upcoming Midnight Thief. Also note, the novel Midnight Thief will be published by Disney-Hyperion in Summer 2014, so you can read this novella now to excite you about the release and get a early look into the world Livia Blackburne has created.

High Fantasy is my absolute favorite genre, earning itself the position after I devoured Tamora Pierce and Jessica Day George's many series, so needless to say, I had high expectations. Thankfully, my flying hopes were met. James's story was powerful, intriguing, and a great introduction to this new world.

Within the mere 54 pages, I actually felt like I connected to James, Thalia, and the rest of the cast. James had this cool and fascinating demeanor... I immediately wanted to know his story and secrets! Thalia was a very well written character, with her air of confidence and determination to murder a certain nobleman.

There is never a dull moment. Within the Assassin's Guild, many things are happening. Thalia is plotting a murder, James is teaching her, and there is a new leader that may just make James' and his friends lives more complicated.

You would think a novella, being a good but shorter than a 350 page book, wouldn't leave much of an impact on you. Wrong. By the end of Poison Dance, I definitely was filled with emotion, and I will report that the author ends James's story with a bang.

Overall, the superb world building, characters, amazing ending, dialogue, and writing in Poison Dance makes this novella a satisfying read. I know that myself and many others are anxiously awaiting Midnight Thief. Who wouldn't be counting the days 'till Midnight Thief after reading Poison Dance?

4.5/5 Stars (rounded up to five!)

*Received for free in exchange for a 100% honest review*