Queen of Thieves Box Set

by Andy Peloquin

  "Is it enough?" Fear twisted a knife in her gut. It has to be!

  "Enough?" Elmar whistled. "Hawkling, that's enough to pay off the Bloodbears and earn your keep for days!"

  Tension drained from Ilanna's shoulders. She'd survived. Elmar would pay off the Bloodbears and she could return to the Aerie.

  "Just pray to the almighty Watcher we don't run into the Fifth Claw on our way back to the Guild. The bastards are out for blood. Nearly wrenched Idan's arm out of socket trying to find you."

  Ilanna turned to the smaller Fox. "I'm so sorry, Idan."

  The boy winced and hugged his left arm to his chest. "To know that you bloodied one of the damn bastards, I'll take a bit of pain."

  "Come on, I know a way home." Alun beckoned for her to follow. "One of the sneaky Scorpions showed me a hidden route. The Bloodbears won't know to look for it."

  The hidden route consisted of a long hike through the sewers beneath Praamis. The stench of ordure hung thick in the air and a horrible slime coated the stone passages. Ilanna fought down her gorge. She would rather chance a mouthful of sewage than face the Bloodbears' vengeance. The look in Sabat's eyes had shouted of murder.

  She shuddered. If he'd found me…

  "Here we are." Elmar shoved on a blank section of wall. It rumbled open, revealing tunnels bathed in the soft light of lanterns. He poked his head through the opening and motioned for her to enter. "It's all clear."

  Ilanna ran her fingers over the curious symbols etched into the familiar stone walls. Relief washed over her. We made it!

  The close air of the Night Guild passages came as a welcome relief. They almost made her feel…safe. As long as she stayed underground, she wouldn't have to worry about Sabat or the Bloodbears. He wouldn't risk the wrath of his House by seeking vengeance.

  "Let's get you back to your House." Elmar led the way, with Idan and Alun flanking her.

  Despite herself, Ilanna couldn't help glancing down every side tunnel and intersection they passed. She couldn't breathe easy until the doors of House Hawk stood between her and Sabat's fury. She all but sprinted down the long passage toward her House.

  "Easy, Ilanna." Elmar clapped her on the back. "The fat bastard won't squeal. The Bloodbears won't want anyone to know an apprentice dinged up one of theirs. And a girl, no less. Just keep away from them."

  "Thank you, Elmar. For everything."

  Elmar shrugged. "Just doing my job, Hawkling."

  Ilanna pushed on the heavy doors. Denber stood within House Hawk, his fists balled, his mouth pressed into a thin line. Relief filled his face as she entered the Aerie.

  Elmar jerked his thumb at her. "You've got a real killer on your hands, Denber. Might be she's better suited for House Serpent."

  Denber scowled. "Of course she'd get into trouble under your watch, Elmar." His expression softened and he nodded his thanks.

  "Think nothing of it." Elmar turned to Ilanna. "Stay here for a few days, until things calm down. We'll make sure the Bloodbears are paid off. Soon enough, things will be back to normal."

  The door to House Hawk rumbled shut behind her. I'm home. Ilanna exhaled and slumped against the wall. Sabat can't get me here.

  Anger blazed in Denber's eyes. "Ilanna, what in the blasted hell do you think you're doing? Knifing a Bloodbear? And the Fifth Claw?"

  His anger surprised her, but Ilanna wouldn’t be cowed. She met his glare with equal ferocity. "If you'd have seen the way he looked at me, you'd have done the same thing!"

  "You know the rules, Ilanna. No fighting! Certainly no stabbing. You could've killed him!"

  "I knew what I was doing." Ilanna climbed to her feet and thrust her fingers at Denber's thigh, mimicking a dagger. "Meaty part, right here. If I wanted to kill him, I'd have hit him there, inside the thigh. Ten taught me that."

  Denber frowned and crossed his arms. "Still! You have to be more careful."

  "Elmar made it clear. You're going to do something like this, don't get caught."

  Denber stabbed a finger toward the tunnel. "Damn it, Ilanna! Go to your room."

  Ilanna gaped. Why is he angry? And at me? I was the one in danger!

  "Fine! Next time, I'll just let myself get beaten and killed!"

  Ilanna stalked through the Aerie. Rage burned in her chest. How dare he? I defended myself and this is how he reacts?

  She slammed the door, hurled her gear into a pile on the floor, and tugged on a fresh pair of clothes. Water droplets flew as she washed the grime from her hands. Not bothering to towel off, she threw herself into a chair. Her fingers worked furiously, plying the needle on the ripped shirt. Shaking hands made it hard to work.

  She didn't look up at the sound of the door, but focused on her work.

  "It's because he cares, you know?" Prynn spoke in a soft voice.

  She snarled. "Really? Is that it, Prynn? That's why he yelled at me?"

  Prynn shrugged. "Think he'd be that angry if he didn't care? He was worried the whole day, but he doesn't know how to show it. Anger's all he's got."

  Ilanna was too angry to listen. "Whatever!"

  "He cares about all of us, but you more than the others. Why do you think he's been so hard on you since the beginning?"

  Ilanna said nothing.

  "Remember a few months ago, when you nearly took a three-story dive up on the Perch?"

  Ilanna nodded. The day remained burned in her memory. Her finger had slipped on the ropes. Without the net, she would have died.

  "Did you notice how he's been treating you different after that?"

  "Yes, of course I noticed!" She crumpled the shirt in her balled fist. "He went from being nice, friendly Denber to…to…to this!"

  "It's a self-preservation thing. He's afraid you're going to take that dive one day. Too many others have. He doesn't want to feel the hurt of losing you. Of losing any of us. That's why he changed, Ilanna. He did that with me, with Bert, with the twins. We all do that, in our own way."

  She stabbed the needle into the shirt and studied Prynn. "But why does he have to be so mean about it? He was so nice before…"

  The boy shrugged. "It's just the way it is. It's not personal."

  Prynn left her alone to take out her anger on the clothing. But his words echoed in her mind, dousing the flames of her fury. By the time Werrin, Willem, and Bert entered the room, she'd cooled off enough to smile at the twins’ antics.

  But long after the others fell asleep, Ilanna lay awake. The vivid image of Sabat's murderous expression floated in the darkness. Her stomach roiled and she tossed and turned in a cold sweat until fitful, nightmare-filled sleep took her.

  * * *

  The nightmares came again.

  A monster with fiery eyes roared at her. "Stop that awful racket, child! You're making my head ache. Go upstairs to your room before…" A giant bottle sloshed in one hand and he took a long pull from it. "This is all your fault, you know!"

  She flinched, felt herself falling into an inky void.

  A monstrous finger stabbed at her. "If you would have listened and not climbed that stupid tree, she would still be here! But no, you had to go and be a willful child, so I had to borrow money from the Night Guild to pay the healers to treat you. And now your mother…" His voice cracked and he took another swig. He turned away, muttering, "It should have been you."

  She awoke to find her pillow stained with tears. Curling into a ball, she squeezed her eyes shut and tried to hold back the tears. I'm standing tall, Mama.

  * * *

  For the next two days, Ilanna remained within the confines of House Hawk. Unlike before, she welcomed the time spent underground. No more filthy streets, no more crowded markets. No purses to pick, no Praamian guards, and no Bloodbears out to get her. Only her, the Perch, and bright daylight. The days passed in training with Jarl and Denber. Her time on the streets had increased her confidence, and she made quick progress.

  Werrin, Willem, and Bert treated her with a sort of deference. Prynn spent hours teaching her
new tricks with her knife. Jarl had said nothing upon her return, but his hand on her shoulder and the pride in his eyes spoke volumes. Even Conn's hauteur had diminished, though only slightly.

  Denber's cool demeanor remained. His anger of the first day never resurfaced, but even when he spoke, he seemed distant. A few times, however, Ilanna thought she caught a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. Perhaps it was a trick of the mind. She told herself it wasn't.

  On the morning of the third day, Elmar came for her.

  Denber refused to open the doors. "That Bloodbear bastard will be out there. You don't know what he'll do to her."

  Elmar shrugged. "She has to earn her keep. You know that."

  The Night Guild had its rules. In the end, Denber had to relent.

  Ilanna's heart raced as she followed Elmar through the tunnels. Though she'd enjoyed her time in House Hawk, Ilanna found herself aching to return to the streets of Praamis. She missed the clean air, the open spaces, and the exotic sights and sounds outside.

  But most of all, she missed her garden. She wanted to see it again, spend time caring for her viola plant. It was all she had left of Mama.

  "Think you can stay out of trouble today, Hawkling? Not going to go around stabbing people, are you?" A note of pride filled Elmar's voice.

  Ilanna nodded, her face burning.

  "Good. The Fifth Claw has been paid off and warned to keep Sabat on a tight leash. Stay out of their way, and they won't bother to hunt you down."

  Ilanna nodded. "So where are we going today?"

  "We?" Elmar rolled his eyes. "I think a killer like you can handle your own day, don't you think?"

  Ilanna's pulse quickened. He's letting me go alone?

  "You'll be fine. Just get your half-drake, bring it to Alun near the Old Town Market, and you'll be free to return to your Hawks. Think you can handle that?"

  A grin split Ilanna's face. "Thank you!" With a light heart, she raced down the street. She was free!

  Elmar's laughter rang out behind her. "A real killer, that Hawkling! I wonder who she'll gut today."

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  For some reason, the city of Praamis looked a much brighter, cheerier place today. She strolled the streets with no destination in mind. She had no reason to hurry. The Praamian Guard ignored her. No murderous Bloodbears pursued her. She could do with her day as she pleased.

  Old Town Market was as colorful and exciting as she remembered. Her eyes roamed the multi-hued stalls. The scents of spices warred with the stink of animals and unwashed people for dominance. Smoke rose from a handful of stalls, carrying the delicious aroma of cooking meat. She welcomed the noise and hubbub of the bustling square. It reminded her of Mama and all the times they'd visited the market together.

  She slipped through the market at an easy pace. When a mark presented itself in the form of a well-dressed merchant, Ilanna paused only long enough to lift his purse. Inside, she found a pair of half-drakes, a handful of coppers, and a few baubles. The trinkets held no real value to anyone but the owner, but the coins more than paid her way. Her work for the day was done.

  What now? She felt the call of the Aerie. I could use some time on the Perch or I could train with Prynn. But first, she would pay a visit to her secret garden.

  Ilanna rounded the corner. The sight of three familiar figures at the end of the street made her blood run cold. Sabat and two Bloodbears scanned the crowd.

  Heart pounding, she ducked behind a stack of crates. Did they see me? She waited to hear Sabat's angry voice or the pounding of Bloodbear feet. Her hand crept to the hilt of her dagger. They wouldn't take her without a fight.

  No cry came.

  Ilanna peered around the crates. The three Bloodbears lounged at the end of the street, clearly in no hurry to move.

  What should I do? She worried at her lip, frustrated. I can't go through them and I don't want to wait for them to leave. No, I'll just have to find a way around them.

  She darted out from behind the stack and hurried away. She risked a nervous glance over her shoulder, only to collide with something.

  Or, more accurately, someone. A smallish boy, hardly taller than her, with curly brown hair, dark eyes, and pale skin. The boy looked…familiar.

  "S-Seven?"

  Ilanna couldn't believe it. "Three?" She leapt to her feet. "Three, is that you?"

  Three stood, brushing the muck from his robes. "I can't believe it! What are you doing here?"

  She looked back toward the street where the Bloodbears waited. "Come, we have to leave now!"

  Seizing his hand, she pulled him through the Old Town Market, toward a side street. Mama had taken her that way on a few occasions. She didn't slow until she'd placed a few streets between herself and the Bloodbears.

  "Easy, Seven! What's the hurry?"

  Ilanna pitched her voice low. "Bloodbears."

  Three stared at her with a puzzled expression.

  "Twelve's one of them."

  The echo of old fears flitted across Three's face. "He's here?"

  She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "Back there. He tried to beat me a few days ago. I put a knife in him."

  Three's eyes widened. "Y-you what?"

  Ilanna shrugged. "He deserved it."

  "Of course he did." Three grinned. "And I'm glad it was you who shanked him, not the other way around."

  "He'll be sore about it for a few days yet."

  "I'd bet!" Three studied her. "You've changed, you know?"

  Ilanna returned his scrutiny. "You have, too." He hadn't grown much in the last months, but something about the wariness in his eyes and the lines of his face was different.

  "What's your new name?"

  "Ilanna." Her heart fluttered. She didn't know why, but she needed him to like the name.

  "Ilanna." Three tested it and grinned. "It's perfect! What does it mean?"

  She shrugged. "The boys who gave it to me didn't know. What's yours?"

  "Ethen."

  She tried the name out. "Sounds like a serious name."

  Three's face sobered. "I asked for it. It was my name before…"

  Ilanna's eyes widened. "Did you tell them?"

  Three—no, Ilanna told herself, his name is Ethen now—shook his head.

  "You never told me what you're doing out on the streets of Praamis, Ethen."

  He shrugged. "Running errands. Training with the Hounds has been going well, so Floran decided to change things up Well, Journeyman Floran, really. She's in charge of the apprentices."

  "She?" Ilanna quirked an eyebrow.

  Ethen grinned. "You didn't think all the Journeymen were actual men, did you?"

  "I never really thought about it. Makes sense, though." Women could be as good at thieving as men. She'd proven that.

  "What about you? How'd you get out?"

  "I'm running with the Foxes for a while." She described her training, learning to pick pockets, read crowds, and plan escape routes.

  "Fascinating!" His brow furrowed. "But how will that help you as a Hawk?"

  "Even the Hawks have to come down to the streets now and then. This way, I'll know how to survive. But what about you? Why are you, a Scorpion, training with the Hounds?"

  "You know what the Hounds do, right?"

  Ilanna shook her head.

  "They're the Night Guild's runners, couriers to deliver important messages. If anyone breaks free of the gaol, the Hounds are hired to track them down." He spoke in an excited whisper. "I've even heard of some Hounds chasing their mark as far as Voramis!"

  She poked his shoulder. "But why are you training with them?"

  He retreated, holding up his hands. "We Scorpions handle the manufacture, sale, and distribution of elixirs and potions. Poisons, too. We not only make them, but we deliver them, too. Sometimes we even have to use them on people."

  Ilanna's eyes widened. "Really?" She couldn't imagine Ethen killing anyone. "Have you…?"

  He shook his head. "No, and I never want t
o! But when we're not studying the recipes and mixtures, we're sent out on deliveries. That means we need to learn the secret ways around the city, as well as know how to outsmart pursuers. When it comes to running and hiding, no one's better at it than the Hounds."

  "Do you know all the secret ways?" She had a vision of hidden passages and dusty tunnels.

  Ethen shook his head. "I'm just learning them. Mostly spending time in the sewers these days." He wrinkled his nose. "Glad to not be down there for once. Fresh air is much better, even when it smells like rotting fish."

  Ilanna remembered her journey through the sewers. An unpleasant experience she had no desire to repeat.

  "By the way, where are you taking us?"

  Ilanna blushed and dropped his hand. She'd been so glad to see Ethen she forgot about visiting the garden.

  "I'm…uh…"

  She hesitated a moment. Should I show him? The garden was her special secret. As far as she knew, she broke no rules by visiting the garden. But what would happen if she involved him?

  She took his hand again. "Come, I want to take you somewhere."

  He raised an eyebrow, hesitating. "Where?"

  Ilanna smiled and tugged at his hand. "You'll see…"

  * * *

  "Oh, Ilanna, it's beautiful!" Ethen ran a gentle finger over the purple and yellow violas. "I've only ever seen them when they're dried. The colors are so…"

  Ilanna beamed. Once again, his approval set her heart racing.

  He turned to her. "How did you stumble across it?"

  Her smile faded. "I-It…" A lump rose in her throat. She swallowed and spoke in a quiet voice. "It was my home."

  Ethen's eyes widened. "Really? So this is your garden?"

  Ilanna nodded. "Mama planted the flowers for me. Called me her little Viola." She pointed to a cluster of weeds. "She had a rose bush there and a stand of lilies. One for her and one for…"

  Ethen rested a hand on her shoulder. "Easy, Ilanna. We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

  Ilanna did want to. Her memories had finally returned. Though most were unpleasant—memories of Papa drinking and yelling at her, the death of Mama and Baby Rose—they belonged to her. The Night Guild could never take them away.