Clockwork Thief Box Set

by Katherine Bogle

  Raeleen gulped audibly while Elena continued to regard Kaja as if the tiger might eat her.

  “Have a seat, won’t you?” Avalon motioned at the dining table on the left side of the room.

  The princesses carefully made their way around the edge of the room until they sat side by side on the bench, their backs to the window. Narra hid her smile with her hand. If she wasn’t so sure that Kaja wouldn’t harm her, she’d have done the same the first time she’d met the giant cat.

  “I’ll get them settled,” Avalon said. “But I’d like to speak to you before you go, Rheka.”

  Narra nodded, and they followed the pirate captain back into the corridor. Erik gave her a meaningful look before he walked back out to the pirate deck. All she needed to do was holler and he’d be there in moments.

  Once he was gone back into the clouded daylight, Narra turned to face Avalon. “Yes?”

  Avalon narrowed her eyes and worked her jaw. “I just want to make sure we have this straight. This is only temporary. If the princesses cause any trouble, and I mean any … they’re out. I won’t have troublemakers on my ship.”

  Narra’s jaw hardened. She didn’t like being commanded any more than she liked being threatened. If Avalon wasn’t doing her a huge favor by housing the two fugitives, she might pick a fight with her. Instead, she took a deep breath to calm the embers seeking to burn their way into her chest.

  “All right,” she said.

  Avalon’s gaze softened with relief and she nodded. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll be back soon to check on… things,” Narra said. She glanced over Avalon’s shoulder at the door to her chambers.

  Avalon sighed. “Don’t be long.”

  Narra nodded, and tried to hide her amusement with her hood. “I won’t.”

  The door creaked behind her as she made her way back to the deck of the pirate ship, and Avalon disappeared back into her quarters.

  Erik glanced at her the moment she was above deck. He raised his brows. “Everything okay?”

  She nodded. “For now.”

  Erik didn’t say anything more as Derrick, Avalon’s right hand man and thorn in Narra’s side, appeared above deck, holding a cutlass over his shoulder. He glared at Narra all the way to the edge of the deck and down the plank. It wasn’t until they were back on the City Docks that she felt his gaze leave her.

  “We should head home and get some rest,” Erik said. “It’s been a long day.”

  “Agreed.” Narra pulled her grappling hook from her belt, and together they headed home to the Criminal District.

  N arra sat at her kitchen table, the red beads of the Daughters of Ashra wrapped around her fingers. She stared at the solid orbs, wondering what they were made out of that made them glow before. She had no idea how it had happened, but something in her anger at Claudia had made the beads glow and the silver moon turn black.

  She studied the pendant. It was a crescent moon etched from a piece of silver. The carvings on the back and front were intricate. She had no idea what they meant, or what they were for, but every time she held them she felt a tug inside of her. Though she had yet to determine where that tugging feeling came from, she guessed it was her soul. After all, Ashra had bound Narra’s soul to her.

  She heaved a sigh and tightened her grip on the beads. They were cold, not warm as they’d been when glowing. Maybe it was because she left them in the pouch on her thigh, instead of keeping them around her neck like she assumed they should be worn.

  “What are you doing?”

  Narra started and nearly flew to her feet. Her heart raced and her eyes widened as she looked up at Erik. He stood in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe with an amused look on his face .

  “Nothing,” Narra said. She looked back down at the beads and quickly returned them to her pouch.

  Erik’s eyebrows furrowed. He walked around the side of the table to take a seat across from her. “Were those the same beads you had in Alden’s bar the other day?”

  She worked her jaw back and forth. How much should she say? She still hadn’t told him that Lady Death was real, though she’d sort of implied it. Would he even believe her? “Yes.”

  “What do they do?” He glanced down at her pouch as she zipped it up.

  “I don’t know yet.”

  Erik sighed. “You’re going to see them, aren’t you?”

  Narra stiffened. She couldn’t lie to him. “Yes. You know what Ria said.”

  “You need to find a way out, Narra. They’re assassins. They’re dangerous,” he said.

  “I know, Erik, but I’ve already tried.”

  “Then try again. There has to be a way.” His fists clenched and trembled on the tabletop.

  Narra swallowed the lump building in her throat. She had to tell him. “I’ve tried everything, Erik. I even asked Lady Death herself.”

  Erik froze, and his eyes went wide. “What?”

  She stayed silent and let Erik stare and work through it himself. Without actually meeting the Goddess of Death, it was difficult to explain, let alone believe. Avalon had believed her after only minutes, though it was only because she herself was magical.

  Erik might know about Avalon’s powers, and he might have witnessed them for himself, but seeing and believing were two very different things—especially when it came to the gods.

  “You’re saying you’ve met Ashra?” His voice was small, barely above a whisper.

  Narra nodded stiffly.

  Erik shook his head. His entire body started to tremble. He let out a shaky laugh, one that sent a shiver down her spine. “This can’t be happening. Gods aren’t real. ”

  He was terrified, Narra realized. Her eyes widened as she took in the rounding of his eyes and the twisted smile on his face. He’d only be afraid if he believed her.

  “Erik,” Narra said gently. “It’s okay.”

  Erik squeezed his eyes shut. His knuckles went white. “How can that be true? My best friend is bound to the damned Goddess of Death.”

  Narra opened and shut her mouth. She didn’t know how to respond to that.

  “I can’t protect you from a god, or a guild of assassins. This is way beyond anything we’ve faced before,” Erik said.

  “You don’t need to protect me,” Narra said. She tried not to be annoyed by the notion. She knew he only wanted to protect her because he cared about her.

  Erik chuckled. “I know. If anyone doesn’t need protecting, it’s you. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to. You’re all I have.”

  Narra’s cheeks heated. They never talked like this.

  “We can run,” he said.

  “Run?” Her eyebrows furrowed.

  Erik reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “Yes. We’ll go south, or we can leave Rova altogether. We can travel the world; see Rupa, and the Wells. There’s tons of uncharted territory out there to discover. We’ll find somewhere that Lady Death can’t reach.”

  Narra smiled. It was a nice thought, just picking up and leaving everything behind. No longer would she have to worry about the Guild, or punishment, or a bunch of assassins. They could be free somewhere far away.

  But the Guild was her family, and Alden was still missing. Could she really give up all she’d ever held dear, even if her best friend would come with her?

  In the end, it didn’t really matter. She was bound to Ashra, and she had no idea if distance would do anything to lessen their bond. If she tried, she could end up dead. Or worse, she might get Erik killed.

  She couldn’t say any of that to Erik though. He’d worry himself into the grave if she let him. “Maybe,” she said finally. “I’ll try and find another way out.”

  Erik sighed in relief. He squeezed her fingers before releasing her and sitting back in his chair. “Good. We’ll figure this out.”

  Narra nodded. “I’ve got to go.” She stood, the legs of her chair scraping the floor.

  “Wait, where?” Erik still looked rattled. She shouldn’t put an
ything more on him, but she didn’t want to lie either.

  “You remember what Ria said. I have to go meet her or she’ll come for me,” Narra said.

  “I’ll go with you then.”

  Narra shook her head. “You can’t.”

  Erik ground his teeth. “Why not?”

  Narra gave him a look . “You can’t be serious. I’m going to meet with a group of assassins. A group you’re not apart of. They might kill me and you.”

  Erik blanched. “That’s a good point.”

  She shook her head. “I won’t be long. We meet in a cellar in East Gardens, a few blocks south of Grayson Manor. If I’m not back by morning, that’s where I’ll be.”

  Erik stiffened. He looked like he was ready to fight to the death over her going, but eventually he nodded and sighed in defeat. “All right. Be careful.”

  She smiled. “I will.”

  Narra descended the now familiar cellar steps into the Daughters lair. Her skin crawled beneath the cold of the earth, and a shiver went down her spine. She ground her teeth and tried to keep a level head. She was just meeting with Lady Death. There was no ceremony, no killing, and no sealing her in blood. Just a conversation.

  Or so she hoped.

  She reached the cellar floor and her eyes widened. Lady Death sat upon the same black throne she remembered from last time. She was far less menacing at normal height, even with her hair and skirts writhing like snakes.

  “Narra,” Ashra greeted her with a warm smile. “You’ve made it.”

  “Hello.” Ria smirked. “I’m glad I didn’t have to fetch you.”

  Narra’s eyebrows furrowed. It was the first time she’d seen one of the Daughters in the presence of Lady Death, aside from the whole blood ritual thing.

  “Hello,” Narra said.

  Ria stood a few feet to the left of Ashra, her arms crossed over her chest, and her typical assassin gear on full display. Her daggers glinted in the low light of a gaslamp sitting on a desk across the room. That was new.

  “Ria is here to see to your training,” Ashra answered Narra’s unasked question. “But first we need to have a discussion about rules, and of course your obligations as one of my Daughters.”

  Narra frowned. She didn’t like the sound of that.

  “Why don’t you have a seat?” Ashra flicked her fingers towards Narra, and a black chair materialized from the smoke on the floor.

  Narra’s eyes widened. She tentatively reached out, wrapping her fingers around the back of it. It was as solid as anything else in the room. She carefully took a seat. At any moment she thought it might fall out from under her and disappear into ash.

  “You don’t have to worry,” Ashra said. “My magic isn’t so mundane.”

  Her cheeks heated. She hated that Ashra could read her thoughts.

  Ashra smiled knowingly and glanced from Narra to Ria, who continued to lean against the wall. Ashra offered her no seat, and Narra wondered why that was.

  “First of all,” Ashra began, “let’s go over the rules. There are very few. Those you agreed to as part of your initiation ceremony being the most important.”

  Narra stilled. She knew where this was going.

  “But Ria tells me that you’ve told your friend about us.” Ashra’s voice lowered to a more menacing pitch.

  “Yes,” Narra said. “I have. ”

  Nerves twisted her stomach, making her nauseous. She tried not to remember, but a sharp pain pierced her skull and suddenly memories were flashing before her eyes of all the people she’d told that she was a Daughter of Ashra. Dark spots encroached on her vision and she blinked rapidly to remove them. Her fingers tightened on the arms of her chair. She tried not to think of their names, but the pain increased and the information flew forward without her consent. Erik and Avalon. They both knew of Ashra’s existence.

  “Hmm.” Ashra frowned. “Interesting.”

  Narra inhaled sharply as the pain disappeared. Ashra had just assaulted her mind to pull the information out. So she couldn’t read everything Narra thought, not without pulling it forward with whatever that just was.

  “No, Narra, my powers are not limitless,” Ashra said.

  “She’s told others hasn’t she?” Ria snapped. She narrowed her eyes accusingly at Narra.

  “Yes,” Ashra said. “A woman too.”

  Ria’s harsh gaze softened at that. “At least it wasn’t another man.”

  Narra stayed silent. She didn’t appreciate the way Ria was speaking about her best friend, but she didn’t dare say anything.

  Ashra smiled and tapped her finger against her cheek. “Your Guild knows you’re a Daughter, but they don’t know the extent of my reach, nor do they know I exist.” She hummed softly. “That’s good. I’ll forgive you for telling your friends, but don’t let it happen again.”

  Narra nodded. She didn’t need Ashra to say it—the or else was implied.

  Ria’s stiff posture relaxed, and Narra assumed she’d accepted Ashra’s judgment. Hopefully Narra wouldn’t have to hear about it again from the assassin.

  “Now for your obligations.” Ashra tilted her chin toward Ria.

  Ria stepped away from the wall. “I know what you’re thinking, because it’s what I thought too when I first heard of the Daughters. All we do is kill, right?” She raised her eyebrows until Narra shrugged. “Well, that’s only a part of it. A lot of the time it isn’t even a large part. We assist Lady Death in many ways. Delivering messages, gathering information, and spying on her behalf.”

  “Spying?” Narra asked, surprised.

  Ashra nodded. “Yes. Many of my children spy on certain people around Rova, and in foreign countries. Many forge new identities and insert themselves into courts around the world.”

  Narra looked between them with wide eyes. She really hadn’t expected that. From what she’d heard, the Daughters were a group of assassins, similar to those trained in the barren wastes of Talcotta. Why were they telling her this? Did they want her to take off to another country and learn their secrets?

  “No, my Daughter. I wouldn’t ask that of you yet. You aren’t properly trained.” Ashra shook her head and smiled as if Narra was being a silly child.

  “What does this training consist of?” Narra asked carefully.

  “I’ll teach you a few prayers and spells to start. They’ll help you communicate with the Daughters, and of course Lady Death,” Ria said. “This way I don’t need to go after you all the time.”

  “Ria will begin your training soon, Narra,” Ashra continued. She rose to her feet, and Narra couldn’t help following suit. She’d rather be prepared to run than stuck in a chair, even if she doubted she’d get very far. “So I need you to clear your schedule.”

  Flames of irritation licked her insides before she could clamp down on them. Her fists tightened and she bit her tongue to keep from saying something she’d regret. The Daughters wanted to take up more of her time? Even after all they’d taken already?

  “Remember your oath, my Daughter.” Ashra frowned. She snaked across the floor and took Narra’s face in her hands. A dangerous smile crossed Lady Death’s lips. “And remember all the little favors I’ve done for you.”

  Narra’s breath fled her lungs. Ashra’s hands were like frost, stealing every bit of warmth from inside of her until she was a sheet of ice. Her breath fogged the air and Ashra laughed as she released Narra’s face.

  The thief took a quick step back. Ashra returned to her throne, and crossed one leg over the other. She tilted her chin up as if daring Narra to question her again.

  Narra worked her jaw and nodded. “Yes, Mother .”

  Ashra chuckled at the emphasis Narra put on mother . She didn’t use it nicely.

  “I’ll come for your training soon,” Ria said. “Be ready.”

  Narra nodded and looked at Ashra one last time before she turned away from the Death God and the assassin. She made her way back up the cellar steps and out into the cool night air. It took half the flight h
ome before heat returned to her body, and her shivering stopped.

  T he door to her bedroom slammed open and heavy footfalls rushed inside. “Narra! You’re alive!” Erik gasped. He took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. His relief was palpable.

  Narra groaned and blinked the sleep from her eyes. She twisted to face the door, staring at Erik’s wild eyes with confusion.

  “Of course I’m alive,” she croaked, her voice thick from sleep. “What are you going on about?”

  “I didn’t hear you come in last night,” Erik said. He held a hand to his chest as he got his breathing under control. “I thought the assassins had taken you for good.”

  Narra rolled her eyes and buried her face in her pillow. The sun was peeking between her curtains, casting harsh morning light through her bedroom. Her entire body felt sluggish, still exhausted from the past few days. Again, she groaned, but her pillow muffled the sound. Her best friend could be so irritating sometimes.

  “I’m fine,” she mumbled.

  “Well how was I supposed to know that when you snuck in? When did you come home last night?”

  Narra glanced from beneath her sea of orange hair. She narrowed her eyes at Erik. She’d stayed out until she was sure Erik was asleep. He needed the rest, and she needed time to think. But even hours of flying over Rova City couldn’t help her come up with a plan to release herself from the Daughters. At least the night air had exhausted her into passing out the moment she’d arrived home.

  “Late,” she said. She squeezed her pillow tight to her chest. She wanted to roll over and block everything out, but she doubted sleep would come so easy this time.

  Erik huffed a sigh. “You couldn’t have woken me up?”

  “No.”

  Erik placed a hand on his hip and glowered. “What happened anyway?”

  Narra glared. “What are you, my mother?”

  “No,” Erik said dryly.