The Way of Thieves

by K.N. Lee

  “Met me? That’s impossible.”

  She shook her head. “No, it’s not. After we met again in Kathrael, and I remembered your name, something clicked. At the time, I didn’t know what is was. After you … rendered me unconscious, I went to the library to do some research. That’s when it all came back to me.”

  “What came back to you?” he asked.

  “We keep detailed records of every sorcerer in the Sorcerers Guild. What especially interested me was strange deaths, and disappearances.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “Through hours of research, I found it. Brenden and his sister, Kiera went missing over ten years ago.”

  Brenden pursed his lips.

  “Then when I saw your parents were Aridian and Miranya, I knew I was on the right track.”

  Brenden’s eyes widened.

  “I remember your parents. They were great people. Great sorcerers.”

  “What did it say about them?” another voice asked from the shadows.

  Quinn glanced to the shadows of the cavern as another figure appeared. She had beautiful, long red hair and hazel eyes. The woman held a book in her hand, her index finger marking her place at a quarter of the way through it.

  “Kiera?” Aayliaya asked.

  “What do your books say about our parents?” Kiera asked.

  “That they’re great sorcerers.”

  Kiera shook her head. “No, about their deaths.”

  Quinn nodded in understanding. “Someone broke into their house. Your parents fought the intruder, and they lost their lives. Sword wounds killed them both. Nothing was found missing in their house, but no one knew where you two had vanished.”

  “Did no one search for us?” Kiera asked.

  “Many did … for years. But no trace of you two was ever found.”

  “Did you search the Thieves Guild?” Brenden asked.

  Quinn nodded. “They searched everywhere. They questioned every guild, and traveled to every city. There was no trace.”

  “Uriah killed our parents,” Kiera said.

  “I’m sorry,” Quinn said. “I knew them. They were my parents’ best friends.”

  “You’re parents?” Brenden asked. “You’re the daughter of a duke.”

  Quinn nodded. “There is a strong alliance between the Nobles Guild and the Sorcerers Guild. I was sent to your parents for training several times. They always treated me well, and by being with them, I met the two of you, though you probably don’t remember it.”

  “None of this explains why you are here now. Why are you searching for us?” Brenden asked.

  “There is trouble in the Nobles Guild. Assassins are running all through the cities, killing at will.”

  “I don’t know what you want us to do about it. We are ill equipped to face assassins. Not to mention that the Thieves Guild is out there searching for us.”

  “They killed my father …” Quinn whispered.

  “I’m sorry,” Brenden said. “But again, I’m not sure how we can help.”

  “He was supposed to be protected. He had a pendant, but it failed.”

  Brenden nodded.

  “I traced the counter spell that allowed his pendant to fail, and it brought me to you. What have you done?” she asked.

  Brenden sighed. “I had little choice.”

  “What did you do?” she asked.

  “Do you know what our parents were working on when they were killed?” he asked.

  Aaylia bit her lip. “I remember my parents talking with them about developing a spell to protect them and all the nobles in Tynaereal.”

  “They finished it. Or, at least the blueprints.”

  Aaylia’s eyes widened. “Where is it? We can cast it to save the Nobles Guild.”

  Brenden shook his head. “No, we can’t. The Thieves Guild has it. And they forced me to cast it.”

  Her eyes furrowed. “Then why aren’t we protected?”

  “They made me cast it with the Scepter of Reverum.”

  Aaylia gasped. She took a step back. “Why? Why would you do such a thing?”

  “Because of me,” Kiera said.

  Aayla’s face twisted as she looked at Kiera.

  “They held a dagger to my sister’s throat. I had no choice.”

  “And the spell?” Aaylia asked.

  “They have the blueprint … and the scepter.”

  “There has to be a way to stop them.”

  “Unless you know something I don’t know … I believe they have won,” Brenden said.

  “There’s one thing I don’t understand,” Kiera said.

  “Hmm?” Aaylia asked.

  “Your parents are the duke and the duchess. Yet, you’re a sorceress.”

  “How much do you know about the alliance between the Nobles Guild and the Sorcerers Guild?”

  “Practically nothing,” Brenden admitted.

  “Magic is in your blood. We’re not exactly sure what it is, or what causes it. But those who are gifted with magic have an extra sense. They can sense what is around us, and they can manipulate it. It isn’t an innate magic like is believed with dragons. Our magic is the world itself. Sorcerers can use the world to create magic. Its why dragon powder works for those who are not sorcerers. By consuming dragon powder, someone is able to have this extra sense temporarily, until it finishes running through their blood stream or digestive system. Well, the Sorcerers Guild discovered that some nobles are born with the ability as well. Every sorcerer and sorceress pair conceives a child with the gift. But with nobility, each offspring has a thirty percent chance to have the gift as well. Even without their parents having it, they still have a chance to pass it on. It’s like a recessive gene. Because of this, the Sorcerers Guild wants to keep good relations with the Nobles Guild. That’s why there’s an alliance between the two. The Sorcerers Guild wants to acquire more sorcerers, and the Nobles Guild wants their children to gain the knowledge and training of the Sorcerers Guild. And both of us want what’s best for the people. Well, for the most part. If one of these guilds falls, it is likely the other one will follow.

  You two are sorcerers. And powerful ones. Your mother and father weren’t rivaled in their power in the entire Sorcerers Guild. We need you if we’re to defeat the Thieves Guild and the Assassins Guild.”

  “The assassins?” Brenden asked.

  “It is definitely the Assassins Guild who are killing the nobles. And if they continue, they’ll send this entire land into chaos. If that happens, no matter where you hide, none of us will be safe.”

  “We don’t stand a chance against Mirabelle,” Brenden said.

  “Mirabelle?” she asked.

  “She’s the leader of the Thieves Guild. We have a suspicion she may be a sorcerer. At least, that’s what Uriah’s dying breath had said. He claimed she’d been controlling him with compulsion.”

  “Mirabelle was a great sorceress,” Quinn admitted. “She tried to take over the Sorcerers Guild over ten years ago. We stopped her, and her remains were found. We thought she was dead … but it seems she faked her own death, and now leads the Thieves Guild.”

  Brenden’s forehead creased. “And you expect us to fight her?” He shook his head. “We aren’t strong enough. No matter who our parents were, we have not studied magic.”

  “I can teach you,” Aaylia said.

  Brenden bit his bottom lip, rubbing his chin.

  “I wouldn’t expect you to face Mirabelle now, untrained. But I can train you. I can train you both. And with your help, together we can defeat the Thieves Guild.”

  Brenden’s lips pursed together. He ran his hand through his hair.

  “She will never stop hunting you,” Quinn said. “But if I train you, we may all have a chance to survive this.”

  “All right,” Brenden finally said. “We’ll help. But until we’re trained, we’re not going to foolishly risk our lives.”

  Aaylia nodded. “Understood.

  He held out his hand. Aaylia grabbed it, s
haking tightly. All hope was not lost.

  Thank you for reading The Way of Thieves. If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review here. Also, the sequel The Rise of Magic will be released soon. Stay tuned for updates, freebies, giveaways, and more by subscribing here.

  An Exclusive Look at Throne of Deceit

  The sound of hooves thundering down the main road rang in Elise’s ears.

  She jumped up from her spot on the ground. A summer breeze wafted through, sweeping ebony hair around her face as she peered downward.

  Sure enough, it was an armored messenger, astride a horse, with a red banner in his hand.

  Elise raced through the garden to the road at the end of the grounds of Devynshire Castle.

  Bright sunlight cascaded through the trees, highlighting every ebony wave as she bounded down the grassy, poppy-littered hill.

  “Elise,” Lady Devyn, shouted after her, shielding her eyes from her spot on the blanket sprawled across the grass. “Where are you going?”

  “The messenger!” Elise shouted to her mother. “He’s here.”

  As she glanced over her shoulder, she caught a glimpse of her mother’s smirk, as she waved her on.

  At eighteen, this would be her last year of seclusion from the world.

  Today, she just wanted to be a young lady, fuss over what elaborate gown she would wear, and try her charms on handsome suitors from all over the realm.

  Despite the fact that several eligible young men would be in attendance, her sights were set on only one—one very special prince.

  Practically giddy, she grinned to herself. To think, she might have her choice of husband in just a few short days.

  A giggle escaped her lips as she skidded to a stop, right before the messenger who leaped from his horse and gave her a bow with his head.

  “Good day, Flint,” Elise said with a slight curtsy.

  Flint cleared his throat. “Good day to you, my lady.”

  “Do you have something for me?” Elise’s eyes peered at his brown satchel, hoping to catch a letter or parcel with the crest of the kingdom of Arundell on it.

  “Hmmm,” Mr. Fulton said, rummaging through his bag. “I don’t believe I saw anything for you today.”

  Shoulders slumping, Elise sucked her teeth. “Nonsense. You wouldn’t be here without a message,” she said, leaving the plush grass, to stand on the hard-packed dirt road that led through the forest and to town.

  “Aye, I have a message for your mother,” he said.

  “It can’t be!” Forgetting decorum, she stood right before Flint and dug her hands into the bag.

  Instead of scolding her, he chuckled. “All right! All right,” he said and pulled a cream-colored envelope with the Arundell seal of a golden lion.

  “You scoundrel!”

  Elise took the envelope, a smile spreading from ear-to-ear. He handed her another letter, and with a giggle, she ran back toward the castle.

  “You’re welcome,” Flint shouted after her with a laugh.

  Looking over her shoulder, Elise shouted back. “Thank you!” She gathered her skirts in her hand and quickened her speed. She made her way to the front entrance, her heart racing with anticipation.

  Her mother sat on her knees and ushered her back to their picnic.

  “What is it, dear?”

  Elise grinned, plopping back down onto their blanket and handing her mother the letters. One from Arundell, and another from the palace in Perth.

  She picked up Princess Polly, her pet pig, and held her in her arms as she watcher her mother open the letters.

  Her grandmother, Inora emerged from the castle to join their picnic.

  “Morning, Grandmama,” Elise said, and she nodded to her.

  “Good morning,” she said. “What is all of the fuss about?”

  Inora stood, towering over them, her hands clasped before her gray gown.

  Her auburn hair was worn in a bun with a black veil secured to it.

  “Just the best news ever,” Elise said as her mother held the seal up for Inora to see.

  “Prince Tolwin will be in attendance,” she said, and gave Elise a wink.

  Inora eyed the letter and nodded, though her mouth remained in a single line. “Is this what you truly want? A match with Prince Tolwin?”

  “What kind of question is that?” Elise asked. “Of course, I do. He’d be a perfect match.”

  “She is the king’s only daughter,” Mother said, lowering the letter. “It could unite the kingdoms.”

  Inora snorted, and lowered herself to sit with them. “That would be true if King Caden was a rational man, Seyena. Alas, he is not, and chances are that he will keep Elise imprisoned in this place until her death.”

  Shoulders slumping, Elise and her mother shared a look of worry. She’d only ever heard stories of her father. How when he came to see her as a baby, he didn’t hug, kiss, or hold her. It was said that he looked at Elise as if she were a monster. Perhaps that was why he kept her prisoner in her home.

  “Let’s pray that isn’t true,” Seyena said.

  “Didn’t Prince Tolwin just run off to fight in the Tidelands?” Inora asked.

  “What does that matter? It is the duty of a prince to act in service for his kingdom,” Elise pointed out as she kissed Princess Polly’s snout. She fed the pig a strawberry, and then popped one into her own mouth.

  “It is also the duty of a prince to marry whomever his father chooses. Do you think he would choose a bastard for his son?”

  That stung. All traces of a smile faded from Elise’s face. She stood, and frowned down at her grandmother.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking the letter, as tears stung the backs of her eyes. “For reminding me what I am; a bastard—someone not worth loving.”

  She turned to head toward the forest where her favorite place of solitude awaited. The Crystal River ran through the Hempstead countryside and all the way to Perth. It was the only place she felt safe, or at home, despite the stone walls that made up the castle she’d been forced to live in since she was born.

  “Elise,” Inora called after her. “That is not what I am reminding you of, dear. It couldn’t be further from the truth. You are loved, and you are more than a bastard. More than anything you have ever dreamed. When you see that, you will know the truth of your fate.”

  Ignoring her, Elise trudged away from the castle and to the grove where the falls frothed and pooled and glistened beneath what trails of sunlight shone through the ancient trees.

  Didn’t Inora understand that marriage was the only way she’d be free to truly live? She had to know that Elise craved a life of her own.

  Her father would never let her leave Devynshire Castle, unless it was by being bound to a man of great standing—one he could use as an ally. Of course, that wasn’t all she wanted out of life. But, Tolwin was the best option. He hadn’t been promised to any of the other eligible princesses in the realm, or anyone of great standing.

  She was the natural choice.

  Dark stones lined the river, and piled onto one another just before the white falls. She sat on the cool rocks with a sigh and kissed Princess Polly on the top of her fuzzy spotted, pink head. She brushed her hair back over her shoulder, and opened the letter.

  Just the fact that the prince agreed to come to her coming-out ball was a sign that things might be changing.

  Princess Polly snorted and Elise smiled down at her despite the tears on her cheeks.

  She brought the letter to her nose and sniffed the parchment, hoping for a brief whiff of his scent. There wasn’t any. His father had probably signed the letter.

  Once she read it through, she placed it onto the water and watched it float down the river.

  She rested her cheek on her bare knees and followed it as it curved and vanished around the bend.

  The sound of the forest sang to her, and as she hugged Princess Polly close to her chest, she prayed for an escape from her life in exile.

  An Exclusive Look
at Awakened

  The soft splatter of cool rain dripped onto Elise’s hood.

  She sat in the tree, waiting, listening. It was just before sunset when the horns would blow and the villagers would be called back to town before curfew. Nightfall meant danger for anyone who dared to linger outside of the gates of The Vale.

  It was up to Elise and the other Dragon Elite to keep them safe—to protect them from the beasts who prowled at night.

  She’d taken this mission from the King of Saldoria—a king who balked at being sent the ‘little fairy’ instead of one of the elven males from the Elite.

  Arrogant bastard.

  She glanced at the darkening sky, and the gray clouds that rolled across at a leisurely pace. From the sweet smell of the air, she could tell that a storm was coming. She loved a good storm. Perhaps the weather would keep the creatures who haunted most children’s nightmares away.

  When the loud horns began to blow, she settled in on her belly, hiding within the leaves of a tall tree. The black bark and dark, evergreen leaves were perfect for such a disguise. Her purple hair was hidden beneath her hood, and her olive skin helped her camouflage herself along with the branches and foliage.

  She pressed her ear to the branch, listening to the wood nymphs humming. It was a hypnotizing melody that almost lulled her to sleep.

  Peeking down at the villagers as they left the fields and lakes from a busy day gathEliseg food and supplies, she spotted North. He walked behind his two younger brothers, ushEliseg them on as they begged to stay out and play just a bit longer.

  With a crooked smile on his face, and long chestnut hair falling into his eyes, he was one of her oldest friends from the Titan Academy for Mages.

  She was coming of age to leave the Academy and pursue a life of her own. It was either that, or continue her studies to rise up the ranks of mages, and perhaps ascend to greater things.

  She’d chosen her path, and the Dragon Elite was where her heart belonged.

  The silence that followed the procession of the villagers away from the forest was unsettling. She tried to focus on the hum of the nymph-folk and the soft drip of rain. Before long, thunder began to vibrate across the sky and strike lightning with a loud crackle that perked her up. She pushed herself to her bottom and wrapped her toned arms around her slim frame. The wind picked up and her soaked cloak and tunic began to cling to her in the most uncomfortable fashion.