Narra’s cheeks heated. She didn’t like being under anyone’s scrutiny, let alone that of a gorgeous woman. She shifted uncomfortably the longer Avalon didn’t speak. Her stomach slipped with nerves. What if Avalon refused? Part of Narra’s plan was dependant on Avalon being part of it. But as Avalon had already said above deck, Avalon had repaid her debt to Narra. She didn’t need to help the Thieves anymore.
Avalon sighed. “All right.”
Narra released a loud, relieved exhale. “Thank you.”
The pirate nodded and stood. She grabbed a cloak from the back of her chair and clipped it at her collarbone. “Let’s go.”
Narra nodded and turned.
Erik had a hard time hiding his smile as he moved to open the door for them. She knew exactly what he was thinking. He’d heard what Avalon said above deck too. Avalon didn’t need to help them anymore. Now she was helping because she wanted to.
Narra bit the inside of her cheek, hoping the pain would distract the blush from rushing to her face. She didn’t like what Erik was implying with his smile.
Erik motioned both women out first before following suit back to the ship’s deck and off onto the City Docks.
The trio arrived in East Gardens just after dinnertime. This late in the year, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the ground as the last remnants of its glow disappeared over the horizon.
Narra flung herself over the railing and onto the small deck atop the sunroom on the first floor of Asher’s home. Erik kept an eye out. Though dusk was upon them, and light was low, it was still bright enough out that someone might see them.
Avalon waited in the shadows of the tree next to the stone wall surrounding the property, while Erik waited on the other side, darting a nervous look at her every other minute .
Narra landed on the deck and pressed close to the wall. She took a quick look around the neighborhood, full of nearly identical two-story homes, partially constructed from stone, and partially from wood, with clay tiled rooftops and lush gardens surrounding each house.
The area was clear. Many would still be at work at this time of day, or inside with family. Though she hadn’t seen any lights on inside Asher’s home yet, she assumed he was as well.
Slipping her lock picks from the pocket on her thigh, Narra made quick work of the door’s antiquated locking mechanism. Once it clicked open, she pinned herself to the floor, and whistled for the others to make their way up.
Erik wasted no time, appearing atop the stone fence as if from thin air. He jumped down, deftly avoiding the dying rose bushes. Avalon was already halfway up the trellis, getting far better at climbing the side of the building after so many repeat visits.
A few minutes later they were all inside Asher’s empty house.
“Is he not here?” Avalon asked. She peeked into his bedroom, but the room was dark and musty.
Narra continued down the second floor hall, peeking into Asher’s study. Again, it was empty save for the usual furniture. “I’m not sure.”
She’d been fairly certain the man would be home, but then again, he was most likely back to work now. And with the country so close to war with Kiznaiver once again, he’d be busy too.
Narra checked the bathing chamber and two guest rooms before she made her way downstairs. She stopped to listen, but heard nothing but the tick of a grandfather clock, and her own breathing along with the creak of Erik and Avalon descending behind her.
They checked the foyer, the kitchen, the living room, the den, and the dining room before all coming to the same conclusion. General Grayson wasn’t home.
“Well that puts a damper on things,” Erik called from the kitchen.
“Should we wait?” Avalon asked. She poked her head through the doorway to the dining room where Narra stood .
“I suppose so,” Narra said. “I’m sure he’ll be home soon.”
Avalon nodded and leaned back into the kitchen. She heard the clap of cupboards and soft creak of Erik and Avalon as they snooped.
Narra looked around the dining room before she went back to the living room. It was strangely the most personal room in the house. Though she’d been in the room once before, she’d been focused on the task at hand, giving her no time to take in the décor.
Two floor-to-ceiling bookshelves occupied the walls surrounding a large brick fireplace with copper edgings. A tall grandfather clock with gear work surrounding the clock’s face stood next to the exit to the foyer. It ticked away with a strangely soothing beat.
She ran her fingertips over the embossed spines of the books, and took in the plush burgundy furniture and gold gilded frames surrounding the paintings of gorgeous Rovan landscapes. She was so used to seeing the scowling expressions of emperors and generals that she’d assumed every general’s home must be decorated the same. But the paintings of the mountain range between Rova and Kiznaiver told another story. They were expertly done with a range of colors showing a blue sky clouded with puffs of white. The snowy mountain peaks shined in the light of a high afternoon sun, making the snow appear almost wet. She wasn’t sure how the artist did it, but it was beautiful to behold and strangely lifelike.
The front door to the house squealed open, and Narra turned to face the entrance to the foyer.
Asher stepped inside before turning his back to her. He shut the squealing front door. The lock thudded and the general let out a heavy sigh before shrugging off his coat and hanging it on a bronze coat rack next to the door. He turned to face the living room and froze when he saw her.
His eyes flew wide, and his hand wrapped around the hilt of his rapier. “Rheka?”
“Hello,” she said.
Asher took a deep breath before his shoulders relaxed and his hand dropped from his weapon. “Would you stop breaking into my home?” he snapped. He’d asked her the same thing last time she’d been there.
Narra bit her cheek to hold back her smile. “Apologies.”
Asher sighed. The creak of floorboards made them both turn back to face the door to the dining room. Avalon appeared, and so did Erik. Her best friend blinked in surprise, a biscuit half stuffed into his mouth.
“Oh,” Erik mumbled. “You’re home.”
Asher narrowed his eyes. “And I see you’ve helped yourself to my pantry.”
Erik swallowed and grinned. Crumbs clung to his five-o’clock shadow. “Yep.”
Narra smiled and shook her head. Her friend was utterly ridiculous.
Asher turned back to face her, a serious look suddenly on his face. “Have you found my son yet?”
Narra’s heart skipped. Emperor’s ancestors . She’d completely forgotten.
Erik stepped forward, holding a hand up to get their attention. “I’ve already discussed it with the Thieves in charge of disposal. They’re drawing up a map for me as we speak. We’ll have his body back in the next couple of days.”
Narra tried to hide her surprise from Asher, but she wasn’t quite sure she succeeded from the look Erik gave her. When had he had the time to do that? Or was he lying for her?
“Thank Srah,” Asher exhaled the prayer.
Asher might be looking forward to having his son’s body back, but Narra wasn’t quite so relieved. Having Ezriel’s body back meant that Asher would see what had really happened. She’d told him that Ezriel’s throat had been slashed, but his body would tell another story—one where the entire Thieves Guild took turns cutting and stabbing the murderous boy until he was very near death.
Narra nodded stiffly. “That’s not why we’re here. I have a plan to keep Marina off of the throne. ”
Asher motioned for her to continue before taking a seat in one of the cushioned chairs closest to the exit.
While the others sat, Narra wasn’t quite sure she could relax with her pulse racing. She was a ball of nervous energy and sitting would only make her fidget.
“I want to steal the imperial crown before Marina’s coronation,” Narra said.
Asher�
��s eyebrows rose. He looked surprised, not like it was a bad idea, but like it was something he hadn’t considered. Avalon gaped at her like she was insane, while Erik looked a bit uneasy.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Asher said. “Marina can’t be crowned without it.”
“That’s what I thought,” Narra said.
“There was actually one other time it happened in history,” Asher continued. He stared off at nothing, lost in thought. “After Empress Willa was killed, the crown went missing. Though Barrett tried relentlessly to be instated as emperor, he couldn’t until they found the crown almost a year later.”
Narra’s mouth dropped open. She hadn’t known that.
Asher looked back at her and she swore she saw his lips twitch, but the smile never formed. “Most people don’t know. Barrett tried to have the information struck from the record, but it was still preserved in some history textbooks.”
“Oh,” was all she could say.
“So the princess really can’t be made empress without the physical crown?” Avalon asked. Asher nodded. “You people have very bizarre customs in your country.”
Erik laughed. “Don’t I know it.” He gave Avalon one of his most dazzling smiles, but Avalon only rolled her eyes and scooted further away from him on the sofa.
“It won’t be easy though,” Asher said. His jaw hardened. “Security will be higher than it has ever been at the palace. Plus, your face is well known Rheka. After your rescue of the princesses, your wanted poster returned to Patrol Stations and was handed out to the city guard. ”
Narra paled. Ancestors .
“Shit,” Erik breathed. “That’s not good. What about me?”
Asher shook his head. “They have a vague description of you, but the drawing of your face is way off.”
Erik sighed in relief. “Good.”
Narra thought back to the incident in Varek Square. They’d both been cloaked, and had their hoods up. It must have been enough to hide Erik’s face, but then Narra had stayed on the stage a second or two longer—enough time to meet Marina’s gaze, and probably give the Patrolmen time to see her face as well.
Damn . She should have been more careful.
Still, she’d gotten in and out of the Imperial Palace many times before without notice. She was sure she could do it again. “I’ll figure something out.”
For her plan to work, she didn’t need to be within the sight of the actual coronation event, rather she would be behind the scenes. Perhaps she could disguise herself with makeup like Mrs. Vena had before she and Asher went to the Dollhouse so long ago.
“I think I can get both of you in, though.” Asher looked pointedly at Avalon and Erik. “You would be easily disguised as a Rupan ambassador. We’ll just have to delay the princess from attending.” He looked at Erik. “You could pass as a waiter.”
Erik scoffed. “Seriously?”
Narra smirked. “You’ll survive a little hard work.”
Erik grumbled under his breath, but didn’t argue the fact. Though Erik was all for thieving, and was very good at it, he wasn’t without his flaws. One of his biggest being his laziness when it came to actual work. He might enjoy cooking breakfast, but he wasn’t going to stick around to clean up the kitchen after.
Avalon nodded. “All right. If you think that’ll work.” She sounded and looked wary. Narra couldn’t blame the pirate. She was walking right into enemy territory.
“I’ll find my own way in,” Narra said. If a disguise wouldn’t work, maybe she could speak to Ria and Ashra about their magic. They might have a way to disguise her .
“So once we’re all in, what do we do exactly?” Avalon asked, her voice edged with suspicion.
“I will remain hidden as long as I can while Erik pickpockets the keys to the vault from the High Priest. Asher—” Narra looked at the general. “—you will create a distraction. I assume the priest will be the one in charge of bringing in the crown.”
Asher nodded stiffly. “He will.”
“Once I have the crown, Avalon can sneak it out under her skirts,” Narra said.
Avalon’s eyes went wide and her cheeks reddened. “You want me to put that thing up my skirt ?”
“Yes. We can attach some sort of hook to the inside of your hooped skirts. Aren’t those still in fashion?” Narra raised an eyebrow at Asher.
The general nodded. “For an occasion like this, yes. Large skirts with a thin wooden structure. I can get something made by Mrs. Vena.”
“All right,” Avalon said, seeming relieved. Narra wasn’t quite sure why.
“While Avalon escapes, I’ll lead the guards on a wild goose chase and escape out a window,” Narra said. She knew Erik would be familiar with the passageway in the basement of the castle, but she didn’t want to reveal the Thieves secret entrance to anyone else. She’d already caused enough trouble.
“That could work.” Asher paused. “As long as you get away.”
Narra narrowed her eyes. Did he doubt her abilities after all they’d been through? “I’ll get away.”
Asher sighed. “All right. I can tell you more about how the ritual and party will go so we can get our timing down for the distraction and hand off.”
Narra nodded for him to continue. The more they knew, the better.
“Before the ceremony there will be a party in the ballroom, and the reception will take place there after as well. The party is mostly for the foreign diplomats. It gives us a chance to strengthen our bonds with them, and maybe even secure some new trade routes. Marina won’t be in attendance. There will be food and wine, and conversation, maybe some dancing. I’ve been told it’s quite festive.”
That was good. The more distracted everyone was, the better.
“When the coronation begins, everyone will be ushered to the throne room. Marina will enter down the middle aisle and stand before the throne where the High Priest will go over some prayers, and a form of pledge of allegiance. Once that’s over, Marina will be crowned, and everyone will proceed back to the ballroom.”
“So how long of a window do we have?” Narra asked. Her heart pounded against her ribs.
“Hm. Maybe thirty to forty minutes or so. The party will last for about an hour before the coronation, but we’d want to wait at least thirty minutes for everyone to arrive and get embroiled in conversation. Then the crown will be taken from the vault maybe five minutes before the actual coronation to ensure the crown’s safety,” Asher explained.
“That’s not a lot of time,” Erik said. “Can we pull that off?”
Narra nodded. “Of course.”
Because they didn’t have another option. If this didn’t work, her revenge was lost and Marina had won. What was worse, the empire would be subjected to the rule of that evil succubus, and Narra might never live to see the day that Asher sat upon the Rovan throne.
“As long as you can get it,” Asher said. “Then it can be done. But you’ll have to be careful.”
Narra barely resisted rolling her eyes. “I know.”
Asher sighed. “And try not to kill too many people.”
Narra froze. She couldn’t promise that. “I’ll try.”
Asher narrowed his eyes. When they’d first met, Narra was sure Asher’s moral compass always pointed as far north as possible, but now she wasn’t so sure. He knew men were going to die in order for him to one day sit on the throne. When had he accepted that his own citizens would have to die for it to happen?
He held her gaze for a long moment before nodding stiffly. “That’s all I ask. ”
“Then we’ll meet tomorrow,” Narra said.
Marina’s coronation was far too soon. They didn’t have a lot of time to prepare, but they’d have to make due with what little they had. Narra sighed and her fingers tightened into fists. Finally, the princess would get what was coming to her. And it wouldn’t be an empire, but the best slap in the face Narra could think of.
“Until tomorrow,” Asher said.
A valon’s dark cu
rls bounced along her back and whipped in the wind as she descended the hill toward the City Docks.
Narra and Erik watched the pirate go until she was out of sight, lost to the shadows of East Gardens. They stood near the edge of the lavish suburb, having just bid goodbye to their pirate friend. And though Narra was ready to go home as well, she still had things to do before she could.
“I’m going to meet Ashra,” Narra said.
Erik swung to face her, a startled look in his eyes. “Now?”
Narra nodded.
“Are you sure it’s safe?”
Narra’s lips twitched. “I’m not sure meeting the Goddess of Death can be considered safe in any circumstance.”
Erik sighed. “You know what I mean.”
“I do,” she said. “I’ll be back home soon.”
“Be careful, okay?” Erik’s eyebrows furrowed and he held her gaze. His blue eyes burned with intensity.
“I will.”
Erik dipped his chin, and waved goodbye before he too disappeared into the darkness down the street .
While Erik was headed back to the apartment Narra was currently sharing with her entire family, it was time for Narra to see Ashra once more.
Taking a deep breath, Narra spun on her heels and returned to East Gardens. Her boots clacked slightly on the cobblestone, making her wary as she strained her ears for signs of Patrolmen.
She had several things to ask Lady Death tonight. First, and foremost being if she could help Narra disguise herself for the coronation. If she could slip into the actual party and ceremony without drawing attention to herself, it’d make her job far easier. Lastly, she needed to ask Ashra for yet another favor.
Narra sighed, her warm breath fogging the chill night air. She was racking up a debt she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to repay. And what if Ashra refused? What if she wouldn’t help Narra get into the coronation, or worse, what if she wouldn’t help her mother?
A chill ran down her spine and Narra shivered. She shouldn’t think like that, but she couldn’t help it. Everything had a habit of going wrong for her. Would this be any different?
Clockwork Thief Box Set Page 61
