Slippers and Thieves Special Edition

by Christina Bauer

  Fred, the guy I daydream about to this day. Mister Cutie McGamester. Honestly, I don’t fire up Magicorum Killers without imagining Fred beside me, trying to kick my ass at level twenty-eight. In my fantasy, Fred never wins, by the way. But it would be great to have someone try. And now there’s no avoiding the truth.

  Fred is Alec Le Charme.

  This is a problem.

  As in, I can’t keep stealing stuff from him. It’s asking for trouble. Bry is Magicorum, but she’s a pretty low profile girl. But Alec is super famous and a gem caster to boot. Those guys are the top of the wizard food chain. They can do pretty much every potion master or enchanter spell … plus a lot more.

  Long story short, there is no way I can go anywhere near Alec Le Charme ever again. Sure, I’ve just been un-stealing stuff from his office and leaving piles of ash on the desk, but that is now off limits.

  Forbidden.

  Taboo.

  Done.

  And I keep that vow for all of two minutes before coming to a another, far more momentous decision: I’m still a girl with bills to pay. And I’m stealthy chick, too. Just look at all my ninja animations from Bry.

  What’s the problem? I can totally sneak into Alec Le Charme’s office again. My bank account will thank me.

  And that’s it. The only reason I’m going near Alec Le Charme is cold hard cash.

  If I keep thinking that enough, I might even start to believe it.

  2

  Elle

  Now that I’ve decided to un-steal that wedding ring, it’s time to check some things. Namely, supplies.

  Next stop: my super secret thievery supply area.

  Basically, that’s a fancy name for a lock-box I keep under the sink. I open the thing and unfortunately, I am all out of key cards and other goodies. That means I must visit my Doc Eight. And as a side consequence, I’ll see Doc’s assistant, Jacoby.

  Mysterious fact: ever since I learned that Fred is actually Alec, my stomach has been doing flip flops. Yet visiting Doc Eight means seeing Jacoby. Somehow, that reality doesn’t make my stomach flip, let alone flop. I could mean something.

  But I decide it means nothing.

  With that important revelation behind me, I take off for Doc Eight’s place. Soon, I stand before a super-skinny storefront in the Village. Basically, it’s nothing but a small building squashed between two tall apartment complexes. The place has a red door and with the words Henry’s Emporium written above in loopy script. I pull on the handle and step inside.

  As I march across the threshold, I’m surrounded by red mist. My ears pop from the change in air pressure as magic transports me to somewhere that is most definitely not a closet-shaped space in the Village.

  A second later, I stand inside a large chamber made of charcoal-colored stone. Large wooden chests line the floor. A variety of medieval-style weapons hang on the walls. The scent of cut grass hangs in the air. I’m pretty sure this is somewhere upstate, but Doc is always cagey about his actual location.

  Speaking of Doc, an enchanted suit of armor stomps toward me. As always, the helm is drawn down. “Elle!”

  I wave. “Hey, Doc!”

  A pouf of air rolls across the room. That’s all the warning I get before Jacoby materializes beside me. He’s all silver eyes and sneaky intent. Over the years, he’s certainly built out into a grown guy. Most elves are more willowy. Jacoby’s relatively ripped.

  “Good morning, Elle.” Jacoby winks. “What can I do for you?”

  At this moment, I realize something important. Jacoby may not inspire my stomach to flip-flop. But he does generate zings of attraction. Dude is dangerous.

  I turn to Doc. “I need supplies for a new gig.”

  “As you wish, Milady.” Like always, Doc’s voice sounds like he’s talking inside a massive tin can. Which—let’s face it—he totally is. Doc stomps over to one of the wooden chests and rummages around inside. “The usual supplies?”

  “Yes, please.” That means enchanted key cards, lock picks and the like.

  Jacoby folds his arms over his chest. He wears a black-T-shirt and jeans today. Why can’t he dress like Legolas? It’s really hard to ignore him this way.

  “You’re purposely not looking at me,” says Jacoby.

  “No, I’m just very interested in what Doc is doing.”

  “He’s bending over a wooden chest. That’s interesting to you?”

  I set my fist on my hip. “Infinitely.”

  Jacoby moves so quickly, he’s a blur. One second, the dark elf is beside me. The next moment, we’re nose to nose.

  “Infinitely,” repeats Jacoby. His voice is low and growly. That zing of attraction moves through me again.

  This is all very confusing.

  Taking a pointed step away from Jacoby, I focus on Doc instead. “Doc, I’ve started going to these Denarii league meetings and made a friend. I’m worried about her. Her eighteenth birthday is coming up and you know what that means.”

  Doc nods. “If anything goes wrong on a fairy tale life template, it takes place at eighteen.”

  “So, do you have any new weapons? You know, just in case?”

  “Do I ever!”

  Jacoby gives me a sideways look. “I know what you’re trying to do,” he whispers.

  Good one of us does.

  Doc goes through a bunch of the new weapons on the walls. There’s an enchanted gun that’s particularly cool. Eventually, we stop talking about the Doc’s new stuff and get back to my key cards and stuff. In short order, my purse is crammed with fresh supplies for tonight’s visit to Alec Le Charme’s office.

  “How much do I owe you?” I ask.

  “Nothing.”

  “You can’t mean that.”

  “I was rusting in a basement, left to rot. Your parents found me, cleaned me up, and gave me a purpose.” Behind Doc Eight, Jacoby mouths the words to this speech in tandem because Doc says this all the time.

  And yes, it’s a little funny to see Jacoby pantomime it.

  “But you need to let me pay you,” I counter.

  “No.” And this time, the word has an extra-long and metallic echo to it.

  “What about the other animates? Maybe I can pay them instead.” I haven’t kept in touch with them because Marchesa and her spawn still live in the Cynder building. But I could find a way to get them some gold if they needed it.

  Clang!

  Doc slams his fist onto his open palm. “I won’t have this conversation any longer. All the other Cynder animates are fine.”

  Jacoby steps into my line of vision again. “Fascinating as this conversation is, you two have it every time. Perhaps a change of subject is in order?” He taps his chin. “Hmm.” His eyes widen. “I have it. You mentioned a group before?”

  “The Denarii league.”

  “Perhaps I could join you at these meetings. I may be able to help protect your friend.”

  I consider that offer for a hot second, then dismiss it. “Look, you’re way too much of a prankster.”

  “You really think I’d try to cause mischief if some battle were at hand?” asks Jacoby.

  “No, You’d totally fight.”

  “Exactly.”

  “It’s just all the rest of the time that you’d be a pain. I’ve finally made a friend and you are NOT screwing it up.”

  “Then where are you attending school?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  Jacoby shrugs. “No reason.”

  “You’re not trailing me to school. I still take classes online.”

  “Then I’ll protect you at home.”

  I roll my eyes. “Jacoby.”

  He gives me one of his dazzling and elfy grins. “Can’t blame me for trying.”

  “Goodbye, Jacoby.” I turn to Doc. “Thank you, kind Doctor.”

  With that, I high tail it out the door and back to my heist. Mostly because Jacoby’s many offers of protection were starting to become tempting.

  And that’s trouble.

&nbs
p; 3

  Alec

  Age Eighteen

  Mmm-psh … Mmm-psh … Mmm-psh!

  The beat of this techno music is so loud, I can hardly hear myself think.

  I’d turn it down, but this is my party.

  And to be honest? Most days, I’d rather not think anyway.

  I saunter about Knox’s apartment and work the room. There are kids here from West Lake Prep, which is my Magicorum high school. Some up-and-coming stars and starlets hang by the back wall. And a new heavy metal band from Korea has camped out by the front door. All of them seem at home in what amounts to a concrete room with a great view of Manhattan.

  From the corner of my eye, I catch a flash of blonde hair. A band of excitement tightens about my chest.

  Is that Elle?

  I make my way over to the girl in question. Her back is facing me, but I’m able to slip through the crowd so I can get a good look at her face. My heart sinks.

  Not Elle.

  Knox stalks up to my side. “Looking for someone?” he asks.

  Werewolves and their damned sense of smell. With one whiff, Knox can tell what I’m thinking. “Always.”

  “You’ve got half of Manhattan in your apartment,” says Knox.

  “It’s your apartment,” I correct.

  “Legend and Diamond pay the bills and ignore the parties, so let’s call it a draw.”

  “They have their reasons.” Mostly, my parents are still pushing for the whole Le Charme curse situation. They believe that giving me nice cars and a free apartment will smooth over my eventual disappointment when I get engaged. They’re wrong, of course. The warden curse is still out there, so there are no plans to set up my Glass Slipper Ball. And I like it that way, thank you very much.

  A stocky figure catches my eye. “Is that?”

  “Yeah,” says Knox. “It’s Wilhelm.”

  The rest of the crowd doesn’t notice the dwarf, but that’s because shadowcoe carry extreme magic for just such purposes. You won’t see Wilhelm unless he wants you to.

  Speaking of Wilhelm, the lead dwarf winks at Knox.

  “Back at you,” says Knox. My best friend shoots Wilhelm a thumbs-up.

  Here’s what that’s all about. Knox and his werewolves have been supplying the dwarves with fresh meat for years. My parents can’t complain since it’s a gift from a warden. The whole thing is one of my better ideas, if I do say so myself. I’m still tracking down why Le Charme can’t afford to feed its own people, but that’s turning out to be tricky. Let’s just say that my parents are very good at hiding things.

  All that aside, it’s super unusual for Wilhelm to visit the Earth’s surface. I look to Knox. “I’ll talk to Wilhelm in the library.”

  “Sure thing,” says Knox.

  I take off through the crowd. The library has been magically soundproofed and warded about a dozen times over, so it’s a good spot to chat. Within a few minutes, I stand in a snug room that sports lots of exposed wood, leather chairs and books. This is officially Knox’s place but I do keep my own bedroom and library. After all, I need a place to crash. Plus, no self-respecting wizard sleeps too far away from his spell book collection.

  Wilhelm slips into the room and closes the door. He looks as dwarfy as ever with his leather cap and long tunic. I can’t imagine what would be important enough to lure him away from his dig.

  “What’s up?” I ask.

  Wilhelm raises his arm. On his outstretched palm, there sits a thumb drive. I do a double take.

  Wait, a thumb drive?

  “Is that…” I gesture toward Wilhelm’s hand.

  “It is.”

  “I thought you were, you know…” I don’t even know where to begin.

  “Only interested in jewels?” asks Wilhelm.

  “That.”

  “We hit an internet backbone years ago. If it’s underground, it’s dwarf business.”

  I slowly nod. “Okay, that makes sense.”

  “So we tapped into the web and, eventually, the Le Charme network. Turns out, data is interesting to dig through too.” He wiggles his hand in a way that says, take it.

  I scoop the drive from Wilhelm. “What’s on this?”

  “Video from the Le Charme security cameras. Diamond has been deleting it.”

  Interesting. If Diamond has been deleting footage, there’s one likely reason why. Legend brings some of his lady friends to the building. Maybe there are some things Diamond wants to keep private. I shake my head. “I don’t need to see footage of Legend getting it on in his office.”

  “It’s not that,” says Wilhelm. “Do you have a laptop in here?”

  Now, I thought the fact that Wilhelm brought me a thumb drive was a shocker. Now hearing him use the word laptop in a sentence? For some reason, that stuns me even more. I think of Wilhelm holding a pickaxe and talking up the finer points of gemstone quality.

  “This is all very strange.”

  “There’s a reason we’re called shadowcoe,” says Wilhelm. “We hide things you simply can’t imagine.”

  All of which brings this to an even greater level of odd. Shadowcoe conceal things from humans, but they’re hiding stuff from Magicorum as well? My head gets a little woozy at the thought.

  Focus, Alec. Thumb drive first.

  I scan the room. My laptop sits in its regular spot on a nearby shelf. After firing up the machine, I look through the files on the drive. As Wilhelm said, they’re all videos.

  I click on the first one. My world turns upside down. It’s Elle. My Elle. And she’s in my office at Le Charme. I magnify the image just to be sure.

  Yes, it’s Elle all right.

  “This girl.” Wilhelm taps the screen. “She’s been breaking in to take jewels from your office.”

  “I’m never there,” I explain. “The office is more to keep up appearances than anything else.”

  “Appearances of what?”

  “Interest in Le Charme, mostly. I’m never there, so folks toss boxes in there all the time. My place is warded and locked, so it’s a good spot to stash stuff. I don’t care.”

  “We looked into the items she’s been taking. Most recently, it was a lost wedding ring.”

  I loop up from the laptop. “Lost?”

  “Meaning stolen. Does that happen often?”

  I bob my head and think this through. “We have a desk of heirloom jewelry in the store. It’s supposed to be old pieces that are bought at auction or whatever. Sometimes stolen stuff gets in there, but we’re supposed to call the authorities.”

  “Looks like this girl might be taking matters into her own hands.”

  My gaze locks on the laptop screen. This time, the video shows Elle and a friend breaking into my office. And are they…

  I lean in for a closer look, just to be sure what I’m seeing.

  Yup. I’m not hallucinating. Elle and her buddy are definitely jumping on my couch. I can’t help but grin.

  Elle. It’s really Elle.

  Wilhelm folds his arms over his chest. “Any idea why Diamond would want to hide this?”

  “What does your data dig tell you?”

  “Nothing.” Wilhelm’s gaze turns intense. “It’s like this. My people are loyal, but when it comes to stealing jewels? That’s something we can’t abide.”

  “You want to go after this girl?”

  “No, she’s not a thief. She’s clearly taking already stolen jewels. We figure she’s after the reward.” Wilhelm steps closer. “What we’re worried about is Diamond.”

  My eyes widen. Suddenly, Wilhelm’s visit makes a ton of sense. Dwarves value jewels above all else. It would never occur to them that Diamond wouldn’t be involved in stealing something so precious.

  “You don’t have to worry,” I explain. “Diamond isn’t involved in stealing jewels. It’s this girl.” I tap the screen. “Diamond doesn’t want me to have anything to do with her.”

  Wilhelm’s brows pull together. “But the girl rescues stolen stones.”

&nb
sp; “Diamond doesn’t see it that way. I don’t know why she hates Elle. She just does.”

  Wilhelm makes a harrumphing noise. It’s a single sound, there’s a ton of meaning inside it. Essentially, Wilhelm thinks I’m being super naive. “If there’s nothing else,” says Wilhelm. “I’ll be off.”

  “Thanks, Wilhelm.”

  “Keep a weather eye out on those stones.”

  “I promise.”

  With that, Wilhelm vanishes. One second, he’s there. The next? No sign.

  With Wilhelm gone, I bring back the image of Elle on screen. Reaching into the pocket of my sports jacket, I pull out a handful of gems. While focusing the picture of Elle, I pull no the power inside the stones and ask a question in my mind.

  When will she return?

  These jewels speak to me in a low rumble. Their voices are so deep, my ribs seem to vibrate from the tone.

  Your office. Two weeks from today.

  Jolts of happy zing through my heart. I reset the stones in my pocket and head out to find Knox. My best friend hangs in the kitchen. I find him leaning against a wall, his arms crossed over his chest. Knox stares out at the crowd with a predatory glare. Every so often, a partygoer steps by him, careful to keep a safe distance.

  I walk up and grin. “Making new friends?”

  “I’d rather be out hunting Jules and you know it.” He inhales. “You’re happy. What’s up?”

  Now, I could confess here. For instance, I might admit how I cast dozens of spells to find Elle over the years. None of them worked. Or I could share how every girl I meet gets judged against Elle’s memory. Which is true. I might state how even at this moment, invisible bonds pull me back to her. And all about girl I met for two minutes three years ago.

  It’s like this. There are some things that belong in my heart. Elle’s one of them. Even Knox doesn’t know the full extent of my feelings. Call it intuition, but something tells me she needs protecting … even from me.

  On second thought, especially from me. What if the media got word I’d been obsessing about someone? Elle’s life would be turned upside down. I won’t let that happen.