Child of the Night Guild (Queen of Thieves Book 1)

by Andy Peloquin

  Master Gold leaned forward. “Where did you find this, child?”

  Ilanna shuddered. “A body…in the Black Spire. The pin was…” She trailed off, uncertain what to say. Would Master Hawk want to know the truth? Ilanna met his gaze and was surprised to find genuine pain filling his eyes. No. Better not to tell him. He didn’t need to suffer with the knowledge of how his friend had died. “Was there.”

  Master Gold eyed her, his skepticism plain. “You are certain?”

  Ilanna nodded. “Yes, Master Gold.”

  “So be it.” Master Gold stepped back. His booming voice echoed through the Menagerie. “You have provided sufficient evidence that your Undertaking is complete, Ilanna of House Hawk.”

  Heads turned away as the hooded and robed figures muttered amongst each other.

  Master Gold held up his hands. “Silence!”

  The voices died out.

  Master Gold returned his attention to the ceremony. “Master Hawk, do you accept this apprentice into your House as a Journeyman?”

  Master Hawk’s voice came out shaky at first. “I…I do, Master Gold.”

  “Do you accept responsibility for her actions?”

  “I do, Master Gold.” His words came out in a flat, emotionless tone and he swept a deep bow.

  The Guild Master turned to her. “Ilanna of House Hawk, do you swear to serve House Hawk, the Night Guild, and the Watcher in the Dark faithfully?”

  Ilanna crossed her arms over her chest in the ceremonial gesture. “I do, Master Gold.”

  “Do you swear to honor your House Master, your fellow Journeymen, and the apprentices who follow in your path?”

  “I do, Master Gold.”

  Master Gold uncrossed his arms and raised them high. “Then in the Watcher’s name, I welcome you to the Night Guild, Journeyman Ilanna of House Hawk.”

  A roar of applause and cheers washed over her and the Menagerie echoed with the tumult of congratulations. Master Hawk handed her the candle, gripped her shoulder, and led her away. Fire flooded Ilanna’s face and she clutched the golden candlestick to stop her hands from trembling.

  A feeling of satisfaction coursed through her as she took her place beside her House Master. Master Gold’s droning voice faded into the background. The world swam around Ilanna, her vision whirling.

  Journeyman Ilanna of House Hawk. She repeated the name in her mind. It sounded right. She’d done it, had achieved the impossible. She had finally earned her place in the Night Guild.

  The ceremony passed in a blur. Her mind barely registered Master Gold speaking the final words of the ritual. Before she could react, a crowd of well-wishers descended on her. Denber, Prynn, Willem, Werrin, Jarl, and other Journeymen from House Hawk thronged around her. Her fellow apprentices—no, Journeymen now—shoved through the press of people to exchange a few words. A handful of Journeymen from other Houses spoke with her, their eyes and voices filled with pride. Ilanna tried to reply to each one, but soon gave up. Overwhelmed by emotion, she could do little more than smile and nod.

  “Enough.” Master Hawk’s voice cut through the tumult and the man himself shooed the crowd aside. “I would speak with the Journeyman.” Taking her arm, he led her aside. Ilanna was glad for the reprieve; her head whirled.

  The House Master held out a cloth bundle. “For you.”

  Ilanna unwrapped it with trembling fingers. Within lay an ornate dagger, a hawk’s head engraved into the pommel, a bright yellow stone for its eyes. Torchlight glinted off watered steel honed to a razor-sharp edge. “It’s beautiful, Master.”

  Master Hawk nodded. “Every Journeyman receives one upon acceptance into House Hawk. Along with this.” He drew a golden pin from his robes and held it out to her.

  “B-But this is…”

  Master Hawk nodded. “Callidis’ pin. I had one made for you, but I believe this is a better fit.”

  Ilanna swallowed the lump in her throat. “But he was your friend. Surely you should keep it!”

  The House Master shook his head. “My friend would have been glad to see it in your hands, Ilanna.”

  She bowed deeply to Master Hawk. “It will be an honor, sir.”

  He handed it to her. “Wear it with pride, Journeyman.”

  “I will, sir.”

  Master Gold strode up behind the House Master. “A moment with the young Hawk, if you please, Jagar.”

  Master Hawk nodded. “Of course, Master Gold.” With a bow to Ilanna, the House Master retreated.

  Ilanna stared into Master Gold’s eyes. What could he want with me?

  “Easy, Journeyman.” The Guild Master held up a hand. “Tonight, we celebrate your accomplishments.”

  The tension drained from her shoulders. “Thank you, Master Gold.”

  He stroked his chin. “The Black Spire, eh? I’d have to say I’m impressed. You remind me of a young man I once knew…”

  Ilanna smiled. “A young Hawk, by any chance, Master?”

  “Something of the sort.” A rueful grin spread his lips. “He would have been proud to serve House Hawk beside you. Indeed, he is proud to be Guild Master, knowing one such as you stands by his side.”

  Ilanna blushed, heat racing to her cheeks. She could find no words.

  “I trust I can count on you in the days to come, Journeyman?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “Of course, Master Gold.”

  He leaned close and whispered in her ear. “It will be good to know I have one such as yourself to watch my back. There are ever more daggers in the dark.”

  “Y-Yes, Master Gold.” Her brow furrowed and her mouth tightened. What is he talking about? The knowing look in his eyes confused her. He was Master of the Night Guild—he had no need to fear. He commanded the hands that wielded the knives in the dark.

  The Guild Master’s face broke into a smile and he clapped her on the back. “Excellent! Well, off with you. It’s your celebration after all.” He snatched a cup from the hand of a passing Guild member and handed it to Ilanna. “Drink up!”

  Ilanna forced herself to drink. The chilled wine slid down her throat, the heavy floral and fruit notes refreshing. “It’s good!” She drained the rest of the cup.

  “Good?” Master Gold raised an eyebrow. “It’s the best wine in Praamis, my dear! Straight from Nysl. Now, if you will excuse me, I will take no more of your time. After all, this is your celebration!” With a grin and a bow, he retreated.

  Ilanna watched him leave. How odd. What could possibly make him say that? A sudden desire to escape overwhelmed her. I have to leave now! I have to get back to Ethen.

  She slipped from the Menagerie and shambled down the tunnels toward House Hawk. It didn’t matter that the festivities were in her honor. How could she celebrate when the people around her were responsible for destroying everything she’d ever loved? Papa. Mama. Baby Rose. Her garden. Now Ethen. She wanted none of the drinking, feasting, or merriment.

  There was only one place she needed to be.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  “I did it, you know. I defeated the Black Spire.”

  Ilanna sat at Ethen’s bedside, clasping his hand. Once so warm and strong, it felt frail, clammy to the touch.

  “You should have seen it up there, Ethen. The view…it was breathtaking. You could see the entire city of Praamis. The lights in the city looked like hundreds of fireflies, shining in the night. It was so high and the wind was freezing. Like Praamis during the winter, after a night of frost.”

  Ethen didn’t seem to mind her rambling. He lay there, unmoving, his hand hanging limp in hers. Her mind was playing tricks.

  “And then Master Hawk’s face when I showed them the pin. He looked like he’d seen a ghost. Did you know that it belonged to Journeyman Callidis? I found him, after all this time!”

  She gritted her teeth against the wave of emotions. “We’ve been accepted into the Night Guild, you know. No more training. No more taking orders from the Journeymen. We’re one of them now.”

  For a moment
, Ilanna thought she caught a flicker of motion behind Ethen’s closed eyelids. She bent close, her heart racing. A weight pressed on her chest; pain lanced her heart. She shook his shoulder. “Please, Ethen! You have to wake up. Don’t leave me alone here.” Her voice cracked and a tear slipped down her cheek. “I can’t do it without you.”

  She rested her head on his chest. It rose and fell in a shallow rhythm, the beat of his heart growing fainter as she listened. No! Not yet. He’d clung to life all this time, as if waiting until she had been accepted into the Night Guild. I’m not ready for you to go yet.

  She wiped her eye with her sleeve. “Tyman says you’re doing better.” She tried to sound hopeful. “Your body’s healing. He said there’s no reason why you shouldn’t open your eyes any day now.”

  She didn’t believe the lie for a moment; the healer had written Ethen off days ago. But maybe if he hears the words, it will convince him to wake up.

  She swallowed hard. “There’s quite the celebration going on, you know. All the House Masters and Journeymen are drinking and feasting in the Menagerie. They’re waiting for us. You just need to get up and we’ll…”

  Her words trailed off lamely. She clutched his hand. His pulse fluttered, weakening with every agonizing heartbeat.

  She threw herself to her feet, shouting. “I did it for you, Ethen!” Desperation tinged her words. She shook his shoulders, her vision blurring. “I did the impossible, so you can, too. You have to get up!”

  His body hung limp in her arms. She collapsed, burying her face in his blankets. All the sorrow and anger burst free in a keening wail. Great heaving sobs shook her body and tears soaked into the bedding. She pounded his chest. “Wake up, damn you! Open your eyes!”

  He lay silent and still. The deluge of emotion washed over Ilanna, burning through her until she felt hollow, empty. Her body ceased its trembling as the sobs gave way to quiet weeping. Gradually, the flow of her tears slowed and stopped. She lay atop Ethen, feeling his warmth beneath her. For a heartbeat, the world ground to a halt. They were together and, in that moment, everything was perfect.

  The moment passed. Slowly, Ilanna pushed herself up and climbed to her feet. She took his hand in hers and squeezed it. Somehow, somewhere deep inside, she knew. It’s time.

  She bent and kissed his lips. “Goodbye, Ethen.”

  His eyelids flicked open and his dark eyes met hers. A smile teased at the corner of his mouth. His lips struggled to form a word.

  The word went unspoken. His chest rose and fell one final time. The light in his eyes dimmed and his smile faded. With a soft gasp, the tension drained from his body.

  Ethen was gone.

  Ilanna squeezed his hand. I-I won’t let him go. Not yet. I’m not ready. Just a few more minutes with him—

  A rough hand gripped her throat. An arm wrapped around her waist from behind. “Make a sound and you’re dead, little Hawkling.” The whispered words sent a chill of horror down her spine.

  Sabat.

  Instinct kicked in. Ilanna jerked backward, but her head struck only his shoulder. She struggled against his grip, but he stood nearly twice as wide as Ilanna, his strength immense.

  His grip on her throat cut off her air and she gasped. “What…do…you…want?”

  “You know what I want, Seven. I want revenge. I want you.” She shuddered in revulsion at his hot breath on her ear. He pressed against her back, his arm crushing her to him. “Oh, yes. I’ve waited all these years and now I’m finally going to get what I want.”

  “Damn…you!”

  She fought to break free, but he only squeezed harder. His harsh laughter filled her world. Ilanna choked out a cry of pain and terror. Can’t breathe! Her vision swam and her legs sagged.

  His grip on her throat loosened. Air rushed into her lungs. She slumped to the floor with a gasp. Sabat tangled his fingers in her hair and hauled her roughly to her feet. “Look at him! Look at your little friend.” He twisted her face toward Ethen’s unmoving body. “He died for you. He died because of you!”

  “No!” Fear twisted like a knife in her gut.

  “Yes. He was foolish enough to attack me, all because of you. He died because you were stupid enough to stand up to me.”

  “Someone…had…to.” She lashed out with her elbow, striking empty air.

  His fingers wrapped around her throat again and squeezed. “It’s your fault!” He dropped his voice to a cruel whisper. “He’d still be alive if it weren’t for you.”

  She wanted to deny it, but couldn’t. Ethen had gone after Sabat out of revenge for hurting her. If not for her, Ethen would be alive. Acid daggers twisted in her gut. It is my fault.

  “And now,” Sabat snarled, “isn’t it fitting that he watch what I’m about to do to you.”

  His grip on her throat loosened and he hurled her forward. She crashed into Ethen’s bed and collapsed to the floor with a cry. Agony radiated from her injured hip. She struggled to climb to her feet, but her legs refused to cooperate.

  Sabat lifted her bodily and slammed her face-first into the stone wall of the room. “This is what you get for denying me my place in the Night Guild!” Again and again, he pounded her against the wall. “This is what happens when you stand in my way.”

  Ilanna’s world spun; her vision blurred. She felt his grip on her arms loosen. She slumped, striking the ground hard. Blood filled her mouth and streamed down her face. Everything spun around her; she couldn’t see, couldn’t think.

  Sabat’s leering face filled her vision. “I should have taught you a lesson long ago.” His fetid, alcohol-soaked breath added to the terrified churning of her stomach. “You don’t belong in the Night Guild! You’re a woman, not a thief. You’re good for nothing but being a whore!”

  Ilanna spat blood between broken lips.

  Sabat struck her hard across the face, once, twice, three times. “Do you know what happens to whores, little Hawk? I do. My father showed me many times what a real man does. And now, I’m going to show you.”

  Blood running cold, she fumbled for the knife Master Hawk had given her.

  Sabat’s hand closed around hers. “Oh no you don’t!” He twisted and pain raced up her forearm. She screamed. Seizing her throat, he lifted her from the floor and slammed her into the wall. Her head struck hard and everything spun.

  He ground her face into the stone. “Can’t have the Hawk using her talon!” With one hand, he jerked her arms around behind her back and ripped her shoulders from their sockets with a sickening pop. A shriek of agony burst from her lips. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

  Sabat laughed. “Yes, scream for me, little Hawk! Scream all you want. No one can hear you. Everyone is enjoying themselves at the celebration—your celebration. But while they’re drinking and feasting, we’ll be in here.” He bit down hard on her ear and she cried out in pain. “Just the two of us.”

  He threw her face-first to the floor. Blood streamed down her face and filled her mouth. Her head ached from the pounding and the agony in her shoulders threatened to steal her consciousness. Terror coursed through her, setting her heart racing. Have…to get…away! Can’t let him…kill me!

  Sabat’s foot crunched down on her neck. “You won’t get away that easily, girl.” Something slammed into the back of her head, smashing her face into the floor. Dust mixed with the blood in her mouth, muffling her cries and cutting off her air.

  Sabat seized her ankles and jerked her legs apart. Ilanna screamed anew at the agony in her injured hip. Her cries echoed in the room.

  Sabat added his harsh laughter to her symphony of horror and pain. “Wonderful, isn’t it? Mother always screamed like that. Father said that’s how he knew she enjoyed it. Are you enjoying it, little Hawk?” His hardness pressed against her thighs and his breath came fast. His voice dropped to a throaty whisper. “Remember this, little Hawk: you’re only getting what you deserve!”

  * * *

  “Ilanna, can you hear me?” Denber hovered over her bedside. “Please
, Ilanna, talk to me.”

  She shut her eyes. She didn’t want to see him, much less speak to him. She knew he meant well, but she just wanted him to leave her alone. She lay as unmoving as Ethen the last time she’d seen him.

  “Come on, Ilanna. We’re all here.”

  A hand squeezed hers. Shivering, she recoiled from the contact. Even the slightest touch reminded her of him. Can’t they understand I don’t want them here? Why can’t they leave me alone? She couldn’t bring herself to tell them to go. Not a word had passed her lips in a week, not since…

  A shadow fell across her. “It’s Willem, Ilanna. Lem. Remember us?”

  “Please, Ilanna.” Werrin added his voice to the chorus. “Talk to us. Let us know you’re still there. Let us know you’re all right.”

  She wasn’t. She wouldn’t be ever again. Not after what Sabat had done to her.

  “Come on, lads. Let’s let her rest.”

  “But Denber, she’s been like this for days. Tyman says—”

  “Shut up, Lem! She needs her rest.”

  She was glad she couldn’t see their faces. Bandages covered her swollen, battered eyes, hiding her from their pitying expressions. The pity in their voices made her sick enough.

  Denber patted her arm. “We’ll be back a bit later, Ilanna. Get some rest.”

  The gentle touch sent revulsion coursing through her, making her skin crawl. Even the slightest movement brought on the waves of pain. She could only lie still and wish the world would leave her in peace. Peace. What a cruel joke!

  The footsteps retreated and the door swung closed. With the return of silence came the images. The moment flashed before her eyes a hundred times, a thousand. She relived the excruciating agony of her shoulders being torn from their sockets, her hip twisted out of place. Panic followed terror for her life. But it was as nothing compared to the pain that came next.

  She burned with humiliation and shame. She refused to ask who’d found her or in what state—she would never be able to meet their eyes. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she wouldn’t wipe them away. Perhaps if she lay still enough, she would slip into the Long Keeper’s embrace. She would be with Ethen and would never have to face her fellows of the Night Guild. Better die than live with the images etched forever into her memory.