Clockwork Thief Box Set

by Katherine Bogle

  Asher sighed. “Give me a minute.”

  He gestured for them to go into the study, which they did. A few moments later, she heard quiet whispering in the next room. Then shuffling, and then the stairs creaked. Seconds later, the front door opened and shut, and the house was left in silence.

  Narra paced the room once all was quiet. Heat swirled within her, clenching around her heart. It made her uncomfortable—all of this did. But why? Asher wasn’t anything to her. He certainly wasn’t her friend, let alone her lover. So why did she care that he was sleeping with someone? As a man, he had needs. Though she’d never explored her own, she was sure the same went for women.

  She stopped pacing and stared at the shuttered window, trying to tame the wild feeling in her chest and breathe normally.

  The door creaked open and Asher stepped inside. “What do you want?”

  Narra closed her eyes for a second, taking a deep breath to regain her composure. She turned to face everyone. “We need your help to stop Marina’s coronation.”

  Asher raised an eyebrow. “What about the birth certificate you claimed to have?”

  Narra ground her teeth. She wanted to throttle him. “Gone.”

  “Your only proof is gone ?” Asher sighed. “Then how to you expect me to help?”

  Narra stalked forward until she stood face to face with him. She left a foot between them. It’d give her enough time and space if he made a move to reach for her, or attack her. Though she’d once trusted him not to do such a thing, she wasn’t sure if she could trust the general anymore.

  “There have been several cases in the past where the crown wasn’t directly passed to an emperor’s child,” Narra said.

  “Of course.” Asher’s eyebrows furrowed with confusion. “It happened a few times when there weren’t any heirs, or the children were illegitimate, or there was a coup.”

  “Like with Willa the Wilted?” Erik asked, surprising her. She’d nearly forgotten he and Avalon were present.

  Asher looked over at the thief, surprised as well. “Sort of. Willa was assassinated, so the crown went to her brother, who was next in line since Willa had no heirs.”

  “But a coup could work?” Avalon asked.

  Asher tilted his head as he thought. “Maybe. But if Marina doesn’t take the throne, there will be no direct line without proof of my legitimacy.”

  An image of Marina tossing Asher’s real birth certificate into the fireplace flashed before her eyes. Her fists clenched, and she wanted so badly to hit something. “It all comes back to that damn certificate.”

  “But even if there is no direct line of succession, we could still find a way to prove Marina isn’t fit to rule?” Avalon clarified.

  Asher nodded. “Technically, yes, but that could throw the empire into chaos. Anyone with an ounce of royal blood would be vying for the throne. ”

  Narra twisted her jaw. “But you have the most direct relation, even if the empire does think you’re a bastard.”

  “True,” Asher said.

  “Plus, you’d have the military on your side, right?” Erik said.

  Narra hadn’t even thought of that. She had caused as much unrest within the military as she could. Most of Marina’s army might already see her as unfit, and with Asher as their General of Armies, they should have enough respect to back him.

  “Maybe,” Asher said. “But I’ve been away for a week now. I’d have to investigate.”

  Narra nodded. “Then do that in the morning.” Everything was coming together in her mind, like pieces of a puzzle fitting into place. “All we need to do is prove Marina is an unfit ruler in the eyes of the people. We cause a revolt before she can be crowned.”

  “That shouldn’t be too hard with the tax hikes she’s already implemented,” Asher grumbled. “What a stupid idea that was.”

  “If all else fails, we might be able to fuel the revolution Marina abandoned,” Narra added. “That, along with the military discontent already stirred, and we should be able to do it.”

  “I’ll go to the Barracks tomorrow to gauge where everyone is at,” Asher said. “I’ll get back to you when I have more information.”

  “All right,” Narra said. “We’ll wait on visiting the Revolution until we hear from you.”

  “We meet tomorrow then,” Asher said.

  “Tomorrow,” she agreed.

  N arra kept to the shadows beneath the trees lining the sidewalk as she left East Gardens. Erik and Avalon were close behind, their steps nearly silent on the cobblestone.

  Once they were out of the rich suburb, her breathing came easier and her back straightened. It always set her on edge knowing that Patrolmen could round the corner at any moment. Now that she knew the Daughters hideout was in East Gardens only worsened her nerves.

  “I suppose this is where we part ways,” Erik said.

  They stopped at the corner of the street by a trolley stop. The southern end of the street led down to the City Docks. It’d be the quickest way home for Avalon.

  “I suppose it is,” Avalon said. Her voice sounded strained.

  Narra’s eyebrows furrowed as she observed the pirate. Avalon looked at her, her lips parting and then closing as if she wanted to say something. When Avalon didn’t speak for a long minute, Narra looked awkwardly at Erik, who was looking between the two women as if they were tossing a ball back and forth and he was intent on seeing who dropped it first .

  “Until tomorrow.” Avalon turned on her heels and began the trek down the hill to the waterfront.

  Narra watched her go. Avalon’s dark cloak swirled around her in the wind, and her dark curls danced and writhed almost like Ashra’s.

  When she was out of earshot, Erik turned to Narra. “You really think we can trust them?”

  Them. Avalon and Asher.

  Narra shook her head. “Avalon, I think so. Asher, I’m not so sure.”

  Erik regarded her with a serious look. She wasn’t used to seeing him so intense, and the darkness clouding his eyes startled her. “Do you have feelings for them? Is that why you want to trust them?”

  Narra took a step back. Her heart raced and her eyes went wide. “What? You can’t be serious.”

  He sighed. “I saw how you reacted when you found the general bedding someone else.”

  “Someone else?” Narra scoffed. “As if I wished it were me ?”

  Erik shrugged. “Well, do you?”

  “Of course not!” Her cheeks heated and she spun away from her friend. “What a ridiculous thought.”

  “There’s no judgement, Narra,” Erik said. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

  His voice was edged with something unfamiliar. Narra clenched her fists at her sides and refused to turn until her racing heart slowed.

  “I don’t care for him, Erik,” she lied.

  Erik smiled ruefully. “You’ve always been a terrible liar.”

  “I’m not lying,” Narra argued. “I don’t know what I feel, not for anyone. The only people I care for are you and Alden. There is no one else.”

  “But we’re your family,” Erik said. “You can be interested in other people.”

  Narra looked up at the clouded sky. She hated this conversation. It was unfamiliar and embarrassing. She didn’t talk about feelings with people. Not even Erik. The last time they’d spoken like this was when Erik had fallen in love for the first time. They’d been sixteen and Erik fancied one of their fellow initiates. Narra had been jealous for his attention, until Erik made sure Narra knew that he might love a woman, but Narra was his family, and she would always come first.

  “I know,” she said after a long pause. “But I don’t have time for such foolishness.”

  Erik chuckled. “You’re right. There will be time for lovers when we’ve dethroned a princess.”

  Narra’s face reddened and she groaned. “Why must you say it like that?”

  “What? Lovers?” Erik prodded her side, and grinned teasingly.

  “Yes!” Narra stepp
ed out of each.

  “Would you prefer paramour or consort?”

  “No!” Narra glared at him, only making Erik laugh.

  “Then lovers it is.”

  “You’re impossible.”

  “But you love me.” Erik grinned, flashing his teeth.

  “As one must love family,” Narra countered.

  Erik gasped and held a hand over his heart. “You wound me!”

  Narra rolled her eyes and pulled her grappling hook from her belt. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go home.”

  Erik wielded his hook as well and bowed before motioning to the rooftops. “After you, Milady.”

  Narra simply shook her head and aimed her hook at a steeple. As soon as she was off the ground and her face out of Erik’s sight, a smile tugged at her lips and warmth spread through her entire body. She’d missed her best friend so much.

  Narra unlocked the front door to her apartment before stepping inside. A dim light came from the kitchen, flooding into the living room. She could barely make out the edge of the couch and pile of wood in the corner. She really needed to get rid of the remains of the coffee table one of these days.

  Erik stepped in behind her, and locked the door as if he’d lived there his entire life .

  She unclipped her cloak from her shoulders and tossed it over the back of the couch before the creak of a floorboard met her ears.

  The thieves froze in unison. Narra’s pulse raced and her heart pounded in her ears. She strained to hear another sound over their breathing.

  “Good evening,” a voice said.

  Erik leapt across the living room in two bounds, a dagger in hand and a growl on his lips.

  Narra lurched after him, only to find Ria emerging from the shadows. “Wait!”

  Erik sliced at the assassins face, but Ria leaned back out of the way. Before he could launch another attack, Ria had his wrist in hand, twisting it sharply until Erik cried out and his dagger clattered across the wood floor.

  “Ria, stop!” Narra snapped. “Do not hurt him!”

  Ria froze, his wrist still in hand and a dagger of her own pointed at the base of his neck. “Aw, you’re not fun, Narra.”

  Erik’s eyebrows furrowed with confusion. He breathed heavily, but made no move to escape, not with Ria’s blade against his neck.

  “Release him,” Narra commanded.

  “My, oh my,” Ria purred. “Is there actually someone the great Commander Rheka fears losing?” Her voice was entirely mocking, and sent a burst of heat through Narra’s entire body.

  “Release him ,” Narra repeated, her voice much lower this time. If Ria dared to harm Erik, she would pray for death by Narra’s hand.

  Ria rolled her eyes. “You’re no fun.”

  The assassin released Erik. He stumbled away, taking a quick few steps back before spinning to face his assailant. He shot a questioning look at Narra. “Who in Srah’s name is this?”

  Narra sighed. “Ria. One of the Daughters of Ashra.”

  Erik looked at Ria with wide eyes, while the assassin glowered at them both.

  “You’ve told him of us?” Ria asked.

  “Yes,” Narra said. “I was never told to keep the Daughters a secret. ”

  Ria snarled. “I’m fairly certain it was implied .”

  Narra stepped forward to put herself between Erik and Ria. She narrowed her eyes on the assassin, daring Ria to try something.

  Ria looked between them both, her dagger never leaving her hand, though at least she’d lowered it. “I’m here to deliver a message.”

  Narra stiffened. What did she want this time? “Yes?”

  “You are to meet with Ashra soon to discuss the rest of your obligations,” Ria said.

  Narra’s hands fisted. “What obligations?”

  Ria glanced at Erik. Obviously she distrusted him. “You’ll learn all you need to know when you visit Ashra. You have three days before I come to fetch you myself.”

  “Fine,” Narra ground out between her teeth.

  “Do not make Lady Death wait long. If I have to come for you, she will not be pleased.”

  Narra took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger flaring inside of her. It was always something with these assassins. She’d thought she’d have more time before they called on her for another mission, or whatever it was Ashra wanted. “I’ll go myself, don’t worry.”

  Ria nodded curtly. She gave Erik one last glare before she stepped back into the shadows of Quinn’s room, and then she was gone once more.

  “What was that, Narra?” Erik grabbed the lamp from the kitchen and stepped into Quinn’s room. Once he was sure Ria was gone, he returned to the hall, a look of fear in his eyes.

  “That, was Ria,” Narra said. “One of the Daughters of Ashra.”

  Erik worked his jaw. “You said that already.”

  “Then I don’t understand your question,” Narra said dryly.

  Erik looked away from her, seeming to mull something over. “They’re real then?”

  “The Daughters?”

  “Yes.”

  Narra nodded. “Yes, they’re real.”

  Erik shook his head. “I can’t believe it.”

  “I couldn’t either, at first. ”

  “So everything the legends say about Lady Death’s handmaidens is true?” Erik asked.

  “I’m not sure if everything is true, but they exist, and so does Ashra.”

  “Emperor’s ancestors,” Erik cursed. “What the hell is happening to this empire?”

  Narra shook her head. “I don’t know Erik, I really don’t.”

  T he lid to the tunnel from Rova City to the Thieves’ new headquarters was open when Narra and Erik arrived the next day. Clouds darkened the sky, and thieves flew in and out, carrying bundles of weapons, ammunition, rations, and various other supplies.

  Erik grabbed the arm of one of last year’s initiates as he tried to run past with a wild look in his eyes. “What’s going on?” Erik asked.

  The boy yelped, startled by the sudden grab. “We’re bringing everything from the Den to the manor,” he explained. He wheezed for breath, and his cheeks were smudged with dirt.

  Another young thief crawled out of the sewer then, dashing past them and disappearing through the trees.

  “So the commanders must be happy with our new location,” Narra realized aloud. She had hoped it would be a good temporary spot, but if the Thieves were bringing all of the supplies left by the Patrolmen in the Den, then the commanders must be more content than she thought.

  The boy nodded. “Yes. The commanders have had us running back and forth all night. ”

  No wonder he looked so exhausted.

  “Get some rest, will you?” Erik mussed the boy’s hair and then pushed him gently back in the direction he was headed.

  “Yes, sir!” the boy squeaked before taking off.

  “Sir,” Erik scoffed. “What am I? My father?”

  Narra hid her smile behind her hand. Erik hated to be called sir. He thought it made him sound old. “Do I spy a gray hair?” She pretended to pluck a hair from his head until he slapped her hand away.

  “Ha, ha. Very funny.”

  Narra grinned and shook her head as they climbed down into the sewer. Nearly an hour later, after dodging dozens of running Thieves, they finally arrived at the manor.

  They climbed up the ladder into the cellar, which was teaming with piles of supplies from the Den. She recognized the thief flags sticking from a box, and a package of cleaning oil and rags beside a bundle of throwing knives.

  Two of the older Thieves, both from Graves’ Boomers, were cataloguing their supplies on clipboards. They were so deep in thought they didn’t even glance up as Narra and Erik passed to the stairs.

  “Graves has really put them to work,” Erik said.

  “It seems he has,” she agreed.

  They reached the top of the stairs, and Narra led the way outside. Every thief in their ranks seemed to be running through the house, the sewers, or acro
ss the courtyard.

  The front door was wide open, allowing Thieves to run in and out. Some wore masks, and wielded rags, brooms, or mops, while others had a wild look in their eyes like they’d just seen Claudia’s wrath. Narra remembered the look well. A widening of the eyes, coupled with a pale face, like they’d just seen death flash before their eyes.

  Claudia must have been spearheading some part of the clean up or transport.

  Narra spotted Graves standing next to the dry fountain at the center of the courtyard. He barked orders at a group clearing vines from the garage doors, using the military voice she remembered well.

  They descended the front steps and made their way over to Graves. Narra wanted to know more about what was going on and how their progress was going. It seemed to be faring well. If things kept up like this, the entire Guild could move in by the end of the day.

  “Graves,” Narra greeted.

  Graves jumped, and spun to face her. “Rheka! You startled me.”

  “Apologies.” It wasn’t the first time she’d accidentally snuck up on someone. “How is everything going?”

  “Well,” he said gruffly. “Most of the first floor, including the kitchen, has been serviced, so we’re nearly up and running. We’ve all got members running back and forth between here and the Den to get what we can before Patrolmen descend about our hallowed halls.” His eyebrows lowered, making Narra think he might be sad to leave the old thief hall behind.

  She couldn’t blame him. Having been raised in those halls, it made her a little sad to see it go.

  “That’s good,” she said. “What about the rest of the manor?”

  “Some of the second floor has been cleaned, and we should have enough rooms to house everyone by the end of the day. It’ll be a little cramped for a few days until we finish the rest of the house, but we’ll manage.”

  Narra nodded her approval as she surveyed the yard. The vines were nearly clear from one of the three garage doors. She wondered who had lived here before the Daughters took over the property. They had to be rich to afford such an incredible home.

  “Your old military training is coming in handy, huh?” Erik teased Graves.

  Graves huffed. “I don’t know what you mean.”