This time, I’m going to catch him, and he’s going to tell me why he’s been following me.
Several people call out my name, but I rush past them as I hurry after the man, intent on my mission. The crowds thin as I go farther into the halls. Just ahead, I see the man dart into a room. Holding my dagger at my side, hidden under my long black cloak, I throw the door open.
The room is pitch black. Before I can step back into the light of the hall, perhaps find a candelabra or wall torch, a hand closes around my arm, and I’m yanked into the black room.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
A Secret Meeting
I struggle against my attacker, but just as quickly as I am grabbed, I am released. A spark of light springs to life, and then it spreads, illuminating the room. It appears we’re in some sort of storage cubby. My stalker stands in front of me, holding the charmed ball of light that’s casting a blueish glow on the walls.
Undaunted, I hold out my dagger. “Who are you, and why have you been following me?”
The man’s close to forty years of age, and he’s not much taller than I am. He doesn’t seem to be armed, and he watches my dagger, uneasy. “I have no intention of bringing you harm, my lady.”
I jab the blade a bit closer and repeat, “Who are you?”
“My name is Sam, and I am a steward.”
“All right, Sam the Steward. Why are you following me?”
The man swallows and finally pulls his eyes from the blade to meet my gaze. “My employer would like to hire you.”
I frown. “Hire me? For what?”
“A scouting job, something rather covert. I trailed you this week, hoping to ascertain your character.”
Not seeing this squirrelly man as much of a threat, I slowly lower my dagger, but I keep it in my hand. “And what did you discover?”
The man shrugs, cryptic.
“What sort of job is it?”
“Item retrieval. Nothing you aren’t capable of.”
“What item?”
“You’ll have to discuss that with my employer.”
“And the pay?” I ask.
“You’ll have to discuss that as well.”
“Why not speak to me the first time I saw you on the docks, why all this subterfuge? You realize I could have killed you?”
The light flickers. “It crossed my mind, yes.”
“So now what?”
Sam shifts, nervous. “Now you come with me, if you’re interested in the job.”
This is reeking of trouble, but my curiosity wins, as it usually does. “Fine. But I’m going to bring my business partner.”
The man doesn’t seem to like that idea, but I won’t budge if he refuses. I might be curious, but I’m not a fool.
“Fine,” Sam finally says.
“And Captain Greybrow?” I ask.
Sam winces. “I don’t think that’s a good—”
“I bring Avery as well, or you can consider yourself less one adventuress.”
The man rubs his forehead. “Fine, but you must come tonight. We’re running out of time.”
My feet are killing me, and I’m dying to take off this awful corset. But, despite all that, I find myself saying, “All right. Tonight.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Thane Scouting, Inc.
“You met with this man in a storage closet?” Sebastian demands. “Alone? Without telling anyone?”
“Yes, Sebastian.” I glance at Avery, hoping he’ll come to my rescue with one of his flippant remarks. That hope dies when I meet his eyes. He doesn’t look angry like my business partner, but there is definitely concern in his expression.
We’re standing in an alcove just outside the castle courtyard. I finally rounded up our group, feeling as if I was herding chickens. Avery’s far too popular, and Adeline’s only been here a week, and she seems to already know everyone. Every time I had one, I’d lose the other. It was ridiculous.
“What was I to do?” I demand. “He would have gotten away.”
Sebastian growls under his breath. “It didn’t occur to you that he might have been hoping to lure you into a dark corner—”
“Technically, that’s exactly what he did—”
“Lucia!”
“She’s fine. It’s all fine.” Adeline adjusts her cloak and hides a kitten yawn with the back of her hand. “Lucia’s not exactly helpless.”
Adeline’s the last person I expect to come to my rescue, but I shoot her a grateful look.
The seamstress turns to me. “Unless we’re talking about her fashion choices, but that’s what I’m here for.”
I roll my eyes and look back at Sebastian. My business partner doesn’t seem to be swayed by Adeline’s light conversation, and Avery looks far too serious as well.
“Are you coming with me or not?” I set my hands on my hips and stare the pair down.
“If we don’t, you’ll go alone,” Avery points out.
I don’t even bother to agree because it’s a given.
Sebastian runs a hand through his hair, messing it up. Adeline watches him, lips pressed together, eyes focused on the wayward strands. I know she wants to brush it back into place. It’s killing her.
“Fine,” my business partner finally says, not wanting me to go on my own but obviously exasperated with my choices.
It’s nice to know some things never change.
“We’ll take Adeline home, and then—”
“Why can’t I come?” Adeline demands.
“Well, I…” Sebastian frowns, confused. “I didn’t expect you’d want to.”
“But you didn’t even ask.” She tilts her nose in the air, disdain dripping from her voice.
Sebastian turns to me with a look that suggests Adeline is my fault, like some of my temperament has rubbed off on the once docile seamstress.
I smile, and Avery covers a chuckle with a cough. My eyes stray to the captain, as they are wont to do, and my amusement fades. He looks tired—not sickly, just wiped out. “You’re exhausted.”
Avery scoffs, though I know I’m right. “I’m fine.”
“You’re still healing. You should—”
“Don’t say it,” he warns.
A loud and quite likely inebriated group of noblemen stumbles from the gates, either forgetting their carriage or deciding it’s a nice night for a walk. As one, we step a little deeper into the shadows. A cool breeze blows through the trees, gently lifting my hair from my neck, reminding me I need to pull it up.
“Listen, we’re running out of time,” I tell them as I poke the ground with my toe, looking for two semi-straight twigs. “I’m going now. Whoever wants to tag along is welcome.”
I spot a long, thin stick that looks strong enough. I snap it in half, wind my hair into a loose bun, and jam the sticks into the rope-like coil to hold it in place.
“That’s a clever trick,” Avery says.
“Never wear your—”
“Hair down,” Adeline finishes for me. “We know.”
“Good.” I flick her updo. “Lucky for you, you’re all set.”
“Adeline isn’t going with us,” Sebastian says in that tone that riles me up when he uses it on me. Now I sit back and watch the show.
Adeline turns toward Sebastian. “Yes, I am. If Lucia can go, then I can too.”
“Weren’t you paying attention? Lucia slays sirens. She’s got wicked good aim with her dagger, and she’s not above biting when push comes to shove.”
I raise my eyebrows, nodding toward Avery. The captain shakes his head, probably thinking my ego doesn’t need inflating.
Adeline doesn’t argue with Sebastian, doesn’t try to sway him with wit and reasoning. No, she pulls a completely different weapon from her arsenal. The seamstress steps forward, all soft doe eyes, and gently rests her hand on his chest. “Please… I want to go with you.”
Sebastian frowns, but I can already tell she’s won. “I…fine.”
She grins. “Thank you, Sebastian.”
&nb
sp; He nods, but I know he thinks it’s a terrible idea. In his mind, business transactions should not take place after dark, in secret locations given to you by a man who has stalked you around the city.
Come to think of it, that might be sound reasoning.
No matter Sebastian’s reservations, an hour later, the four of us find ourselves in front of what looks like a gardener’s cottage on the scholars’ guild grounds.
“Are you sure this is the right place?” Sebastian asks, frowning at the dark building.
“It’s the right address,” I say, though I too am wondering if I got my directions confused.
“Only one way to find out.” Avery strides to the door and knocks three times, then he turns back and gives me a roguish smirk. “I should have asked; were you given a secret code? Several long knocks followed by a brisk one?”
“That’s ridiculous,” Sebastian says, shaking his head. “How do you ‘knock long?’”
Avery angles toward him. “Well, little cousin, it’s all a matter of—”
Before the two can get into it, the door cracks open, and Sam sticks his head out. His eyes fall on Adeline, and he scowls at me. “You said the captain and your business partner.”
“She’s with us. Take it or leave it.”
Sam frowns at me, probably thinking that I’m horrible at following simple instructions. Reluctant, he ushers us inside.
Though the room looks dark from the grounds, it’s only because there are makeshift drapes pinned over the shuttered windows. A fire burns in a hearth so sooty, my mother would faint dead away just to look at it. The small house isn’t much more than a hut, and the interior has a disheveled, somewhat ominous feel—especially with the years of dust coating the ground and furniture. I’m fairly certain no one’s lived here for quite some time.
The setting isn’t instilling confidence in my friends—or in me, for that matter.
Sam shoots me one more disgruntled look, and then he grabs a candelabra and walks toward the kitchen, beckoning us to follow him. Sebastian takes a step closer to Adeline, and Avery sets his hand on the hilt of his favorite ancient broadsword. In the dim light, the blade lets off the slightest blue gleam, betraying the fact that it’s enchanted—which is quite illegal in Kalae.
Without looking back, Sam tosses open the larder and steps inside. We stare at him, bewildered. Even I’m growing uneasy. Before Sebastian can quickly and efficiently usher us out of this mad man’s abode, Sam disappears.
Adeline gapes after him, looking as if she’s rethinking her decision to join us.
“Uh, Sam?” I take a few steps closer to the larder.
“Hurry up,” he calls gruffly. “There’s no time to dawdle.”
The four of us exchange questioning looks, and then I step toward the cupboard. Just before I’m in, Avery gently pulls me back. “I’ll go first.”
“That’s very chivalrous of you,” I hiss quietly. “But you’re not exactly at the pinnacle of your health, now are you?”
Before Avery can argue, Sebastian pushes in front of us. “I’ll go first. Avery, take the rear.”
Avery looks like he’s going to argue, but Sebastian is already stepping into the cupboard—and going down. I follow and find there are narrow stone stairs, leading into what I assume is a hidden basement.
But it’s not a basement we follow Sam into, but a large tunnel. He continues ahead of us, his candelabra flickering on the tight stone walls. We go straight for a while, and then we begin to climb.
“I’ve heard this tale,” Avery whispers to me as we go deeper and deeper into the tunnel under the groundkeeper’s cottage.
I shoot the captain a warning look.
He leans in closer, his breath warm on my cheek. “In case you’re wondering, the pretty, helpless one usually dies first. Keep an eye on Adeline.”
I’m already on edge, and though he’s only teasing, my nerves are wound tight as it is. I’m just turning to tell him to keep his thoughts to himself when Sam’s light illuminates a plain wooden door at the end of the tunnel.
Our possibly-insane guide stops at the dead end, and then, ever so quietly, taps on the door three times and then raps once, letting the sound vibrate through the wood.
“That’s how you knock long,” Avery murmurs, just for Sebastian’s benefit.
Sebastian scowls at his cousin but doesn’t bother with a retort because the door opens a sliver, and Sam speaks with someone.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do. You said you had to have the girl.” Sam nods, looking contrite. “I know. Yes.”
I try to peer at the person on the other side, but the shadows are too heavy, and the flickering flame distorts the light.
After several more moments, the door closes, and Sam turns toward us. He peers at our group like we are the largest inconvenience known to man, and then his gaze settles on Avery. “You three may go in. The captain will wait in the hall with me.”
“No, I’m afraid that won’t work for us,” Sebastian says bluntly. Then, as if we’re walking away from a normal business deal, he places his hand on Adeline’s shoulder and steers her back the way we came. “Come along. We’ve wasted enough of our evening as it is.”
“Wait!” Sam says, desperate. “Just…wait.”
He turns back to the door and knocks again, repeating the same ridiculous pattern. Exactly who else would be standing in the tunnel? It’s not like they didn’t just speak to him seconds ago.
The door opens, and there is another discussion. This time, Sam looks quite worked up. We wait about five or so minutes, and then a parchment ledger and quill are shoved into Sam’s hands. The door slams shut yet again.
Sam turns toward us, writing utensils in hand. “The captain may come, but my employer insists you sign a confidentiality agreement.”
“Is this really necessary?” Avery asks. He leans against the wall, his hand absently held over the doublet that hides the long scar on his abdomen.
“Yes.”
“Fine. Whatever.” I step forward and take the quill from his hand. I scan the hastily written up document, frowning. “Business name?”
“Just fill in the blanks,” Sam snips, as if it is my fault we’re standing here at nearly one in the morning, filling out contracts.
“We don’t have a business name—”
“How about The Greybrow Company of Scouts Most Extraordinary?” Avery says, his voice dry. “I’ll pop over to the stationary shoppe on Vine and Bounds tomorrow and request letterhead.”
“Avery—”
“Captain Greybrow and his Band of Peppy Pirates? Lucia’s Luscious—”
“For heaven’s sake, shut up, man,” Sebastian says, taking the quill from me. I peer over his shoulder, wondering what he’s going to write.
Thane Scouting, Inc.
“Why Thane?” I demand. “Why not Linnon and Thane, Inc? Or L & T, Inc?”
“What does ‘incorporated’ mean, anyway?” Adeline asks, joining the conversation. “I’ve always wondere—”
“Just sign the ledger!” Sam bellows, apparently at the end of his patience.
We four turn to him, mildly surprised.
“Someone’s crabby,” Avery mutters under his breath as we pass the book around, signing our names in the correct spaces. We leave Thane Scouting, Inc. for now, but we will return to this subject later.
The last to sign, I hand the ledger back to Sam. “Are we allowed to go in now?”
Sam nods, and then he knocks one more time before he opens the door himself and leads us into a circular room that takes me completely by surprise. There are heavy velvet drapes covering what I assume are several windows. Lanterns burn on the walls, washing the area in pleasant light. There’s a dark wooden desk in the middle of the room, topped with all kinds of delicate metal contraptions. A glass tank of fish stands in the corner, and a dim light charm hovers just beyond the glass toward the back, illuminating the exotic contents.
But it’s not the tiny desktop pendul
ums or the fish or even the floor-to-ceiling cases of insect specimens lining the walls that take me by surprise. No, it’s Sam’s employer, who stands behind the desk, looking particularly lovely for the wee hours of the morning.
“Madame Serena?” Adeline asks, baffled.
The dressmaker watches us with sharp eyes, apparently not liking the crowd I’ve brought with me. When her gaze falls on Avery, her frown deepens. “Captain.”
Avery looks as baffled as we are, but he collects himself and nods in her direction. “Serena.”
Serena looks at Sam and holds out her hand. “They all signed, correct?”
“All four of them.”
She accepts the ledger and confirms Sam’s words. Then she looks at Avery. “You will not utter a word of this. Do you understand?”
“I signed, didn’t I?” The captain looks around, taking in the room. “This is your husband’s quarters. How’s marriage treating you?”
The woman purses her lips and blinks far too quickly. “Not well, I’m afraid. And that’s why you’re here.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Wildwood Larkwing
I hold up my hand, asking permission to speak though I have no idea why. “Just so we’re clear, we don’t hide dead bodies. Or create them.”
Serena narrows her eyes at me, and I take a subtle step back. She stares at me for several moments, and then she looks away, again blinking quickly. Her blond hair hangs in a perfect, glossy sheet down her back, and it sways when she turns from us.
“I’ve done something…awful.” Her voice breaks, and her shoulders begin to quiver. Sam is at her side in an instant.
My apprehension grows.
As if she cannot bear to look at us as she explains herself, she keeps her back toward us and continues, “It wasn’t completely my fault, not really. Bib had been acting so strange, so odd—”
“I’m sorry,” I interrupt, earning a sharp look from Sebastian. “Who’s Bib?”
Serena turns. One glistening tear runs down her perfect cheek. “Bib is my husband—Master Head of the scholars’ guild. Surely you know that?”
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