She shook her head as she turned the corner onto the same street that was growing all too familiar.
Sitting on the corner, Ashra’s house was silent as the grave. No lights warmed the interior that she could see through the windows. Did anyone even live in the house?
Narra shook her head. She climbed the stone fence quickly before flinging herself over the other side. Her boots hit the grass with a soft thump, and she froze to suck in a quick breath.
She listened for Patrolmen, but only the wind disturbed the night.
Narra stood and made her way over to the cellar. The doors were closed as usual, but never locked. She opened them wide, setting the doors down gently as not to create a racket. The last thing she needed was to draw a neighbor’s attention.
Utter blackness greeted her at the base of the short staircase. She took a deep breath and descended.
Darkness reigned in the cellar, just as it always did. Somehow it wasn’t quite as unnerving as her previous visits. Maybe it was because she was so desperate for help this time. If Ashra couldn’t help her, no one could.
“Ashra,” Narra said calmly.
Wind howled in the basement, swirling around her body in a tight embrace. It locked her limbs to her sides and squeezed her throat. Panic bubbled inside of her, and then the pressure left suddenly.
A laugh tinkled in the darkness. “Good evening, Daughter.”
Violet light glowed from the back of the cellar, and a gaslamp flickered on atop the desk in the corner.
Narra took a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart. Why did Ashra have to insist on scaring her every time she entered this place? It was all theatrics, just as Srah had said. “Good evening,” Narra said.
Ashra chuckled darkly. “You don’t like my games?”
From the darkness pooled on the floor, Ashra appeared like a demon, black ichor dripping from her entire body as it formed from whatever inky substance lie on the floor.
“No,” Narra said. There was no point in lying to Lady Death when the god could read her mind.
“A pity,” Ashra said dryly. The black ooze, thick like blood, slipped off of Ashra’s face, hair, and limbs until it returned to the black of the floor. Without it, Ashra was still intimidating with snake-like hair, and cold, calculating eyes. Lady Death flicked her fingers at the ground, and a black throne sprouted from the earth, with curled arms curving out on either side, and the back twisted in several spindles that stopped short of piercing the ceiling. “Why have you come?”
Narra raised an eyebrow. As if Ashra didn’t already know.
Ashra smiled deviously. “You’re catching on. That’s good.”
Narra shrugged.
“You’re here for more than one reason.” Ashra tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at Narra.
Instinctively, Narra thought hard about her plan for tomorrow. She wasn’t ready to bring up her mother yet, and she didn’t need Lady Death pulling thoughts from her head again .
Ashra raised her chin and gave Narra a knowing look. “That’s fine. We can start with that first. You seek my help yet again?”
“Yes,” Narra said. “Is there any way you can disguise me so I can get into the coronation?”
“Mmm, illusion magic is what you seek?” Ashra raised an eyebrow.
Narra worked her jaw and clenched her fists. She hated the feeling of being played with. If Ashra could read her mind, then she already knew what Narra wanted. Yet, she insisted on playing dumb and toying with the thief.
“You’re very sensitive, dear,” Ashra sniffed. She leaned her cheek on her hand. “Gods need to have a little fun too, you know?”
“I’m not interested in your kind of fun,” Narra said.
Ashra sighed and looked at the ceiling as if calling to gods of her own. “My enjoyment is in your best interest, Narra. Entertain me, and I’ll be much more likely to aid in your constant string of quests.”
Narra’s heart skipped. Was Ashra threatening her?
Boots slapped the cellar stairs, and Narra spun around to find Ria descending into the cellar. The assassin froze on the bottom step.
“Oh.” Ria’s lips parted in surprise. “Hello.”
Narra wiped her sweaty palms on her thighs. She was far too wound up for this tonight. But she had no other choice.
“Good evening, Ria,” Ashra said warmly.
Ria bowed slightly. “Mother.”
“That’s a good idea,” Ashra said.
Narra turned, her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at Ashra. Then it dawned on her, Ashra was also reading Ria’s mind.
“Thank you,” Ria said. “Narra, since you’re already here, I should give you your first lesson.”
Narra barely restrained an aggravated sigh. “I don’t have the time right now.” Ria opened her mouth to argue, her eyes already a blaze with righteous indignation, but Narra interrupted her. “I will soon. When all of this is over, I’ll do whatever you want.”
She looked between Ria and Lady Death. She meant it. Once she had her revenge, and her mother was safe, she’d do what the Daughters wanted. But right now, she had to do this.
Ashra smiled. “All right, Daughter. I understand.”
A relieved sigh passed Narra’s lips. “Thank you.”
Ria twisted her lips in annoyance, her brow raised low over her dark eyes, but she did not argue with Lady Death.
“We will help you, of course. But I think my sister might be able to aid you more than I,” Ashra said, a sly smile curving her lips.
“Oh?” Narra raised an eyebrow.
Ashra stood, the black smoke of her dress shifting around her like waves. “It’ll take a few moments, but I can open a looking glass portal to speak with her.”
Narra’s eyebrows shot up. “A what?”
Ashra chuckled. “Just wait and see.”
Lady Death stepped further into the room before she turned towards the wall on her right. Narra stepped back to give her room as Ashra raised her arms. Her fingers twisted through the air, and her eyes glowed like blue fire.
The air shifted before the goddess, twisting smoke and darkness into a visible oval like a mirror. Narra watched with fascination as what appeared to be blue fire danced across Lady Death’s hands and up to her elbows. Sparks flew from her fingers, and the air grew chill.
The sparks hit the mirror like a drop of water, rippling outward until they hit the edge of the mirror. A blue glow ringed it, and an image began to take shape as the rippling slowed like a lake on a windless day.
“Srah,” Ashra said. Her hands stopped midair, her fingers still positioned strangely. The glow of her hands and arms receded until it only occupied her fingertips.
A beautiful woman with golden curls and large, curious blue eyes appeared in the mirror. She raised an eyebrow and her cheek puffed with annoyance as she glared at her sister.
“Ashra,” Srah huffed. “Why are you calling me now? This isn’t the time.”
Narra peered beyond Srah’s beautiful face to the background. A fire roared in the fireplace set into a smooth stone wall with ornate marble figurines atop the mantle. Narra recognized the architecture anywhere. Srah was in the Imperial Palace.
“Come now, Sister. You know I wouldn’t call if it wasn’t important.” Ashra smirked, obviously delighted by Srah’s distress.
Srah sighed. “Fine, what is it?”
Ashra looked over her shoulder at Narra and motioned for her to approach.
Narra’s heart raced as she carefully stepped across the room to stand beside Lady Death, only a foot and a half away from a glowing magic mirror she’d never have believed existed.
“Oh.” Srah’s eyebrows shot up. “You have guests.”
“This is Narra, one of my Daughters,” Ashra said.
Srah snorted. “I remember, Sister. It was only a few days ago that we met.”
Ashra stepped back and looked pointedly at Narra. “I’ll let you handle this from here.”
Narra blinked in surprise as
the deity walked back over to her throne and took a seat to observe. The thief turned back to face the mirror and gulped the lump that had formed in her throat.
“Hello again,” Srah said politely. “What can I do for you?”
Narra couldn’t help inspecting the magic mirror instead of looking at Srah. She knew she was being rude, but she was intrigued by the use of magic.
“I need your help,” Narra began. It took her a moment to drag her eyes from the glowing edge of the mirror and look Srah in the eye.
“With what exactly?” Srah asked, sounding curious instead of defensive like Narra would have been.
“I need to disguise myself to get into the princess’ coronation tomorrow.”
Srah smiled. “Ah, I see. I’m assuming it was Ashra’s idea to call me.”
Narra nodded.
“Smart girl.” Srah chuckled. “I’ll be attending the coronation tomorrow alongside my Duchess and her other handmaidens. I could bring you clothing to blend in with us, and we can use some magic to hide that pretty face of yours.”
Narra’s eyes widened. Wait. Magic to hide her face?
“Won’t the Duchess wonder about a new addition?” Narra asked.
Srah shrugged. “She would. She’s a very observant young woman. But I’ve known her since she was born, and she knows exactly who and what I am. I can ask this small favor of her.”
Narra worked her jaw. It all seemed too easy. “And what do you want in return?”
Srah looked confused. “What do you mean?”
“In return for your help. You want something don’t you?”
Ashra laughed. Narra glanced back at Lady Death, unsure what was so funny.
Srah sighed and smiled pityingly. “You’ve been around my sister for too long. I don’t need anything from you, Narra.”
Narra bit her lip. She wasn’t sure she liked that answer.
“I’ll meet you at Ashra’s cellar tomorrow afternoon,” Srah said. “Please be on time. I don’t want to keep my Duchess waiting.”
A noise sounded in the background of the mirror image, and Srah turned to look over her shoulder.
“All right,” Narra said. “I’ll be here.”
“I must go. See you tomorrow, Narra.” Srah flashed a smile, and then the mirror disappeared with a pop .
Narra’s eyes widened as she stared at the space the mirror had once been. Where magic had once burned, not a thing remained, leaving her to stare at the stone wall instead.
“Well then, that worked out rather nicely,” Ashra said. She inspected her nails with a bored look on her face.
“It did,” Narra said.
“Now, are you going to tell me the second reason you’re here? Or do I have to go digging?”
Cold poured through Narra’s body as she remembered the last time Ashra had taken her memories. Pain had speared her skull like knives digging into the bones. She didn’t want to go through that again .
“I’ll tell you,” Narra said quickly. “I would ask for the Daughters protection for… my mother.”
Ashra looked at her sharply. “Your mother? She’s alive?”
Images of seeing her mother for the first time in the courtyard of the new Guild headquarters flashed before her eyes. “Yes,” Narra said.
“I see.” Ashra’s brows rose high. “You’re pleased she isn’t dead.” Narra nodded. “And you want protection for her because there are people trying to kill her. That’s why she abandoned you?”
Again, Narra nodded. “Yes.”
Ashra sat in silence for several long, tense minutes. She stared into Narra’s eyes as if waiting for something to happen, or maybe she was reading Narra’s mind. She couldn’t really tell anymore.
“All right,” Ashra said at last. “Bring Khlara to meet me, and I’ll consider making her one of my Daughters… if she is worthy.”
Narra took a step back. “I didn’t want to make her one of you.”
“Us ,” Ria reminded her coldly.
Narra gulped. “Us.”
Ashra smiled and rose. She stepped closer, even as Narra froze with terror for what might happen next. Lady Death brushed the tips of her cold fingers under Narra’s chin, lifting her face so that their eyes met.
“I am not my sister, Narra,” Ashra purred.
Narra understood her meaning. Ashra didn’t do anything for free.
“Good,” Ashra said. “I’m glad we understand one another.”
Ashra removed her hand and returned to her throne. She flicked her fingers at the cellar door. “You may go. Bring your mother to me for judgement when you’re ready. If she’s worthy, my Daughters will guard her with their lives.”
Narra’s heart raced. Lady Death would protect her mother, but only if Khlara was worthy. And if she was, Khlara would be bound to the assassins just like Narra.
Her hands fisted at her sides. She gave Ashra a stiff nod before turning on her heels. Ria met her gaze as Narra passed her by. The assassin inspected her with cold calculation .
Narra climbed the cellar stairs out into the night. Cool night air pushed into her lungs, and Narra took several deep, calming breaths before she closed the cellar doors and turned to head back home.
Narra flung the locks to her apartment before pushing the door open. Wind brushed her face as the seal broke. She squinted into it before stepping inside and closing the door behind her. With a quick twist of the handle, the door sealed and the locks closed.
She sighed and turned back to face the living room. Khlara stepped out of the kitchen into the hallway. She had a bag over her shoulder and another in hand.
Narra looked between them and her mother’s guilty expression. “What’s going on?”
Khlara smiled ruefully. “It’s time I go, darling. I can’t endanger you all any longer.”
Narra’s eyebrows furrowed and she took a step closer, but stopped before she did something embarrassing. “You don’t need to.”
Alden and Erik appeared in the kitchen doorway next. Alden looked uneasy, and Erik looked relieved to have her home.
“I can’t stay,” Khlara continued.
Narra closed the space between them and took her mother’s free hand. “You don’t need to leave. I spoke to the Daughters, and they’ll protect you as long as you go to meet them.”
Khlara gasped. “What?”
Alden and Erik exchanged a look, but Narra ignored them. She held her mother’s gaze and squeezed her hand. “If they find you worthy, they want you to join the Daughters. It isn’t so bad. We can make it work, and they’ll help you. We can make a plan to kill the assassins after you, and then you’ll be free.”
Khlara’s eyes couldn’t be wider if they tried. She looked between Narra’s desperate gaze, and Alden’s worried blue eyes. “You’re certain?”
Narra nodded. “Yes. I’ll take you after the coronation. ”
Tears welled in the corners of Khlara’s eyes. She bit down on her thick lower lip and nodded vigorously. Her body began to tremble. “I can’t believe it. I’m going to be free.”
Narra’s heart squeezed, and the next thing she knew she was wrapping her mother in her arms. They’d just met, and Narra still had a hundred questions, but she’d never get her answers if Khlara left. She had to keep her mother here at all costs. Even if it meant they were both bound to the Goddess of Death.
A hand squeezed Narra’s shoulder, and Narra looked up to find Erik’s lop-sided half-smile. He was worried. She could see it in his eyes. He didn’t like the Daughters, and he didn’t want Narra to be any more involved with them than necessary. But the Daughters were her only trump card—the only way she could keep her mother here.
Narra reached up and squeezed Erik’s hand. It would be okay. She’d make sure of it.
After a few moments of silence, Khlara stepped out of Narra’s arms and wiped her eyes. Her cheeks were puffy and her eyes bloodshot, but she laughed and smiled.
“How embarrassing,” Khlara said.
“What else is f
amily for?” Erik grinned.
Narra smiled until her gaze landed on Alden. His brows were still furrowed, and his eyes were still dark. He was anxious about something.
“What is it?” Narra asked. Her family was going to stay together, no matter the cost. Did Alden not want that?
Alden looked at her like he was trying to figure something out.
“I told him,” Erik said. “Both of them. About the Daughters… and you know… Ashra.”
Narra shot him a sharp look. She should have been the one to reveal the truth, though if she was being honest with herself, she wasn’t sure she was going to ever tell them. Seeing Erik’s expression when she told him had been enough. She didn’t want her entire family to ever look at her like that.
“Don’t blame the kid,” Alden sighed. “We badgered it out of him.”
Narra worried her lip between her teeth. She wanted to know what they thought, but at the same time she wasn’t sure she could take it.
“Don’t look at me like that.” Alden chuckled humorlessly. “I’m not going to abandon you like a lost puppy.” Alden stepped closer and squeezed Narra’s shoulder. “I’m not happy about it, but you know I’ve always supported you no matter what, and this isn’t going to change that.”
Her shoulders fell. So much pent up tension she hadn’t realized was there just slipped off of her shoulders. “Thank you,” she said.
Alden smiled. “Don’t thank me, Niece. We’re family.”
Her uncle gave her one of his patented, ‘emotions make me awkward’ one-armed hugs before releasing her and stepping away. Narra couldn’t help but grin as he walked back into the kitchen, scratching the back of his head while he avoided all eye contact.
“How about some dinner, eh Erik?” Alden called.
Erik snorted. “Why am I the only one who ever cooks around here?”
“Because you’re the only one that can !” Alden barked.
Narra shook her head, and followed her small family into the kitchen. She could get used to more nights like this.
C old winter air forced its way into Narra’s cloak as she passed through the shadows of East Gardens. She glared up at the clouded sky and cursed the seasons for changing so quickly.
Clockwork Thief Box Set Page 62
