Clockwork Thief Box Set

by Katherine Bogle

  A half hour passed before she found what she was looking for. On the northwest edge of the city, passed the train station was a new development of homes, two stories high with stone basements. They had exterior exits to the cellars, and most had small yards, giving some distance from any foot traffic.

  She smiled, victory singing in her veins.

  Narra memorized the map before quickly shoving it back into its slot. Minutes later, she was sailing through the air again, clear of the old library and hopefully on her way to meet the Daughters.

  Wind tore her hood from her head and sent her hair flying. Even in the darkness of night, it looked like burning flames, searching for oxygen to make its blaze glow brighter.

  Narra’s boots touched down on the clay-tiled roof of a two story home just passed North Station. Her heart raced and her breaths came quickly as her grappling hook retracted into her fist with a thunk .

  The cold air and adrenaline of flying through the city was enough to wake her up, making her feel renewed, alive, and ready to find the Daughters and bend them to her will. She bit the inside of her cheeks to calm herself. She had to remember that she was already in debt to these assassins. If she wasn’t careful, she might find herself on the wrong end of their blades.

  Narra took a deep breath as she assessed the street. It was quiet, save for the howling wind. Her cloak flew sideways, drawn by the breeze. This late at night she wasn’t worried about being seen. No one would be able to discern her face with the moon shadowed by clouds. She was safe up there amongst the breeze.

  Glancing between homes, Narra tried to recall anything that would tell her which cellar she’d been taken to. The first floor of each house was made of smooth stone blocks, while the second floor was constructed from the dark oak trees north of the city. The fine wood was typically used as furniture for the wealthy, not building materials. Upon closer inspection, she realized it wasn’t dark oak, but some other kind, stained to look like the expensive material.

  She shook her head as she descended from the roof’s steeple. She flung herself over the lip and landed on a balcony with a soft thud. She repeated her leap again, this time landing soundlessly on the trimmed grass in the backyard.

  Narra spent some time circling homes, inspecting each for signs. She even picked a few cellar locks and stuck her head in, but none had the exact look or feel of the cellar she’d awoken in. And with no magic smoke writhing on the ground, or unnatural shadows in the corners, she wasn’t sure she’d ever find what she was looking for.

  Her fists balled as she slid down from the stone wall around another compound. She hit the sidewalk, and quickly stepped back into the shadows. She hadn’t seen or heard anyone nearby, but a few Patrolmen were sure to be scouting an area this affluent.

  Once she was sure the coast was clear, she crossed the street to her next mark. Only as soon as she rounded the hedge to the back, a shadow appeared next to a freshly pruned tree jutting from the sidewalk.

  Narra froze, her heart racing. Who the hell was that?

  Cloaked by the darkness of the tree’s shadow, the figure didn’t move. After a few long seconds, Narra slipped her hands inside her cloak, reaching for a weapon.

  A soft laugh broke through the quiet lying over the street.

  Ancestors . Narra knew that voice.

  “Good evening, Narra,” Ria said. She stepped from the shadows, a smile tugging at her full lips. “What are you doing here so late?”

  Narra ground her teeth as she approached the woman. Ria had nearly scared her half to death. She thought an assassin had returned for her, and though Ria might be a killer, she wasn’t the kind of assassin Narra had expected.

  “Good evening,” Narra said through her teeth. She stopped a few feet from Ria. Though she hadn’t been looking for Ria specifically, she had been looking for the Daughters. “I was looking for you.”

  Ria inclined an eyebrow. “Oh?”

  “I need a favor.”

  Her grin stretched so wide that she flashed her teeth. “Is that so?”

  “Yes.” Irritation sent heat through Narra. She didn’t like the taunting look in Ria’s eyes. “I need you or one of the other Daughters to find something for me in West Port.”

  Ria tilted her head. “I’m intrigued. What do you need in West Port?”

  “A birth certificate.” Narra paused, unsure how much to reveal. “For Asher Grayson. The real one at the Kolarova family estate.”

  “My, my…” Ria chuckled darkly. “That is quite the tall order. Why would you ask us to retrieve this for you?”

  Narra bit back a growl. She didn’t like whatever game Ria was playing. “Because I know you have connections. The killings have spread all across Rova, and I’m sure someone is still in West Port. I just need the birth certificate.”

  “Why not go yourself?” Ria asked.

  “It would take several days to travel there even by train,” Narra said. “By the time I returned, my Guild might all be dead.”

  Ria nodded. “All right. I’ll do this for you.”

  Narra’s heart leapt. “You will?”

  “Yes. On one condition.”

  Just as fast as her elation had risen, it descended hard into her stomach. She didn’t trust Ria, not one bit. What would she ask of her? Instead of responding, Narra narrowed her eyes, waiting for whatever Ria might say.

  Ria’s lips twisted in a devious smile. “Don’t look so annoyed, sister. I’d only ask that you complete your first task for Ashra, so that we can complete the ceremony to seal you in blood to our Mother.”

  Narra’s eyebrows pulled tight together. She’d been expecting something like this from the Daughters, but not so soon. What kind of task would it be? An assassination, most likely. But what was this nonsense about sealing her in blood to Ashra? She didn’t like the sound of that at all.

  When Narra didn’t agree immediately, Ria’s expression darkened and her smile dropped. “Remember, sister… agree or die.”

  Narra’s fists clenched so tightly her nails bit into her palms. She ground her teeth, and her whole body shook with anger. She hated being pinned down and forced to submit to the will of another, but Ria and the Daughters had her back up against a wall. If she didn’t do what Lady Death commanded, then she would be killed.

  She couldn’t let that happen. Not until her Thieves were free at least.

  Working her jaw back and forth, Narra fought for her sense of calm. “Fine ,” Narra snapped.

  Ria’s smile returned. “Good. I’ll return with your orders soon. Be ready, Narra.”

  Narra nodded stiffly, and then Ria turned, melting into the shadows. She was gone before Narra could blink. All she could do was stare at the space the assassin had once been and wonder; what had she gotten herself into?

  A ssuming Ria would return with a mission soon, Narra didn’t have much time. While she wasn’t concerned about what Ria might ask of her, she was worried that if anything bad happened to her, no one would know where she’d gone. So Narra did the only thing she could, and flew across the rooftops to the City Docks.

  Avalon was her partner in this venture, and the only person she could trust with this information. Though once she might have considered telling Asher, the cold look in his eyes flashed across her mind, and she shook her head. She couldn’t trust Asher, not anymore.

  Wind coursed through her hair until she landed on the roof of the warehouse across from the City Docks. The building was becoming all too familiar.

  Narra descended into the alley, wiping her cold hands on her trousers when she landed. The iron bars of the escape ladder were like ice this time of year. In a few weeks, the night’s frost would take hold, dusting the city in a pale sheen.

  Once she was clear of the alley, she descended the slope to the Docks. The wood creaked beneath her boots, and Narra muttered obscenities as she made her way to the plank leaning against Avalon’s ship. It looked the same as it always did, an imposing vessel surrounded by small fishing boats. She wa
s surprised they hadn’t moved the ship yet. Dockworkers had to be curious about the lavish vessel.

  “Halt!” a man barked.

  Narra sighed. Every time.

  The familiar pirate stood with his cutlass drawn, pointed toward her from the deck of the pirate ship. Derrick scowled, recognition flashing in his eyes as Narra pushed back her hood.

  “The captain has gone to bed,” he snapped. “Come back tomorrow.”

  Narra resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “No. Fetch her now. This is important.”

  The pirate growled, his fists shaking. He didn’t like being commanded by her, but Narra simply lifted her chin in challenge. He had to know if he didn’t obey, Avalon would hear of it. The two women had met many times now, and the crew must be familiar with her at this point.

  After a long, angry pause, Derrick slammed his cutlass back into his belt and spun on his heels, storming across the deck before disappearing down a few steps toward Avalon’s quarters.

  Narra stepped down off the plank onto the ship’s deck. Two pirates eyed her from their seats next to the mast, but neither jumped up to guard her, or fight her like they had previously. At least these two were smart enough to recognize her relationship with their captain.

  A few minutes passed before the click of Avalon’s boots sounded down the hall.

  “Rheka,” Avalon said, her tone high with surprise. “What are you doing here? Has something happened?”

  Narra shook her head. “We should speak in private.”

  Though she didn’t mind informing Avalon of her relationship with the Daughters, she didn’t need her entire crew knowing .

  “Of course.” Avalon motioned her to follow before leading the way back to her quarters.

  Once Narra entered, Avalon closed the door with a click before crossing the space to her desk. She organized a few papers, her fingers clumsy as if she were embarrassed of the mess.

  Narra took a few steps into the room, glancing at the shadows that weren’t lit by the warm light of the lamp on Avalon’s desk. She wasn’t afraid of pirates leaping out at her, but she was concerned where Avalon’s tiger lurked.

  A rumbling purr came from the mound of pillows at the back, and green eyes flashed in the darkness.

  “Hush, Kaja. It’s just Rheka,” Avalon said. “Please, come take a seat.”

  The pirate motioned to the chair in front of her desk before taking a seat in the other one behind it. Narra hesitated a moment before she complied. Kaja chuffed from the bed, and the pillows rustled as the great beast rolled over before settling again.

  “So, why are you here so late?” Avalon asked. She was right to be confused. They’d only parted a few hours ago after leaving Asher’s, and now here she was showing up on her ship.

  Narra glanced up from the papers littering Avalon’s desk. There were tons of maps and letters, plus pages that seemed to be torn from books. She wondered what exactly Avalon had been researching.

  “I need to confess something to you, in case you don’t hear from me for some time,” Narra began.

  Avalon stiffened, and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Go on.”

  “Have you heard of the Daughters of Ashra?”

  The captain shook her head.

  “Well, they’re a group of assassins led by the Death God, Ashra. They’re all female, and I believe they do other things for Lady Death besides killing, but general lore calls them assassins,” Narra explained.

  “And?” Avalon didn’t seem at all skeptical, which surprised Narra. If she hadn’t been the one to meet Ashra herself, she’d be looking at Avalon as if she were mad.

  “Well, the Daughters contacted me after I began killing soldiers in order to start a rebellion against the crown.” Narra paused as Avalon’s eyes widened. “They gave me an ultimatum: join or die. In exchange for my compliance, they’ve been helping spread my killings across Rova.”

  “You’re the one they speak of in the papers. They call you Death’s Hand.”

  Narra’s lips twisted in a rueful smile. “They aren’t wrong.”

  “So, you’re being forced to join this group of assassins? Why?”

  “They didn’t like that papers were comparing me to them, and speculating that the death of the emperor had somehow enraged Ashra.”

  “You speak as if you’ve met her,” Avalon said. She smiled, clearly amused, until Narra didn’t return the look and her smile dropped. “Have you?”

  Narra worked her jaw. She knew it was crazy. Impossible. But her encounter with Ashra had been so real. “I believe I have.”

  Avalon leaned back in her chair, eyes wide with shock. Narra was surprised she didn’t jump to rebut her claim. Instead, she seemed to be mulling it over, thinking about the possibilities.

  When Avalon didn’t say anything for some time, Narra shifted awkwardly in her chair. “Do you believe me?”

  The pirate looked up. “Stranger things have happened.”

  Narra’s eyebrows rose. “Stranger than meeting the Goddess of Death?”

  Avalon shrugged, a small grin ghosting her lips. “It’s hard to claim someone is lying when you yourself are magical.”

  “What?” Narra gasped.

  Avalon’s cheeky grin widened. “How much do you know about Rupan witches?”

  Her brows furrowed. “Not much.”

  “Well. There are four different kinds; fire, earth, blood, and sea.” Avalon paused. “I’m a Sea Witch. ”

  Narra’s heart raced with her mind. Suddenly it all made sense. She was right all along. Every time Avalon got upset, the sea rocked, and the sky darkened. Thunder cracked and lighting split the sky. It was as if she commanded both the sea and the weather.

  “I don’t mean to shock you, but I figured you should know,” Avalon continued.

  Her fingers tightened around the armrests of her chair. A Sea Witch. So it was true. Magic was real, and it wasn’t just old and angry like Ashra. It was also beautiful and came in the form of a pirate. If this was true, Narra might be able to use it to their advantage.

  “What can you do? Can we use your power to dethrone Marina, or rescue your sister and the Thieves?” Narra said quickly. Her mind flew in all directions, counting the possibilities. “Can you use it to fight?”

  Avalon smiled sadly. “I’m sorry, Rheka, but there’s not much I can do off the sea. I can control the weather, sea water, and some sea creatures, but none of that really comes in handy on land.”

  Narra’s stomach dropped. “That’s too bad.”

  Avalon sighed. “I know. If I were a Fire Witch or a Blood Witch, I’d be far more useful.”

  Narra stared down at the desk, not really seeing the words on the pages strewn across it. Her excitement had come and gone so quickly, it almost gave her emotional whiplash. “It could still come in handy.”

  “Maybe.” Avalon sounded doubtful, but Narra had to hold onto hope. “So you came to tell me about your relation with the Daughters, and I believe we got a little side tracked.”

  Narra started. She’d almost forgotten. “Yes, of course. The Daughters.”

  When she didn’t continue right away, Avalon shifted to get comfortable, crossing her arms over her chest, and giving Narra an encouraging smile.

  “So you’ve met Ashra?” Avalon prompted.

  “Yes.” Narra briefly detailed her encounter. “Now I’ve asked Ria, the Daughter I’ve been in contact with, to find Asher’s real birth certificate. ”

  “So you didn’t have it in the first place?”

  She shook her head. “No. But Princess Marina showed her copy to me. I believe it’d be easier to find another one than go after Marina’s.”

  Avalon nodded. “That’s smart.”

  Narra was surprised she didn’t sound, or look, angry. She hadn’t exactly lied to the pirate about the evidence, but she hadn’t told the full truth until now either. “Ria is sending someone to search for it at the Kolarova family estate in West Port, but she wanted something in exchange.”
/>   “Oh?” Avalon’s eyes darkened.

  “She wants me to finish the ritual to ‘seal’ myself to Ashra,” Narra explained.

  “What does that involve?” Avalon paused, her eyes like storm clouds as she thought. “You know, when this is all over, you could escape with me across the sea to Rupa. Flee all this madness.”

  Narra raised her eyebrows, surprised by the offer. She didn’t think she could ever take it. She’d miss the Thieves far too much. But it was a generous offer all the same.

  “Thank you, I’ll consider it.” Then she remembered that Avalon had asked her a question. “I don’t know what the ritual entails, but Ria will deliver my mission soon. I wanted to tell you in case I disappear, so at least someone knows who killed me.”

  Avalon sat forward, a growl on her lips. “You can’t let them kill you. I need you to get my sister back.”

  “I know.”

  “You’ve got to be careful. You don’t know what kind of magic they might have, Rheka.”

  Narra sighed. “I know.”

  Avalon shook her head, her fists trembling. “Please, don’t leave me alone in this.”

  Her heart constricted painfully. “I will try my best not to.”

  “Are you sure there isn’t any other way to get this birth certificate?”

  “Not in a timely manner. ”

  Avalon worked her jaw. “How much time is left until the execution?”

  “Not long.” Narra’s heart leapt. The execution was only a couple days away. She couldn’t waste any more time. It was now or never, and if she failed, the entire Thieves Guild, including Erik, would die.

  Full of frustration, Narra ground her teeth. “I won’t let this happen. No one is going to die. Including me.”

  She met Avalon’s eyes, and steeled herself. The pirate inspected her face, not saying anything for a long moment. Then she nodded.

  “All right. Do. Not. Die,” Avalon commanded, holding up a finger like she was about to discipline a child.