Lightborn

by L J Andrews

  Isa rose from the window seat and turned away from the calm night. “I don’t know, but there are two pieces.”

  “You don’t know, what? I assure you I can be trusted, Lady Aba.”

  “My name is Isa,” she said softly. “I am no Lady.”

  Angelet swallowed loud enough Isa could hear without turning. “Let me help you, Isa.”

  “I trust you,” Isa said, turning quickly. “I can judge character well, and I see you have no loyalty to Kawal. When I say I don’t know, it is because I still have yet to be told what I am to steal.”

  “That makes little sense.”

  “My master assured me he would find a way to tell me.”

  Angelet braided the end of her hair as she took up a nervous pace. After a moment she snapped her fingers and smiled. “Then we must return. Perhaps, staying in my chamber is keeping you from knowing. I will help you, Isa of Tyv. I shall tell my husband I wish you to be my tutor, and when you know what you are meant to steal—I shall help.”

  “It could mean you are caught, and you shall be executed if Kawal believes you to be a traitor.”

  “I died the moment I was dragged into this manse, Isa.”

  Isa swallowed to wet her throat, but nodded. “Then I shall follow after you, my lady.”

  Angelet waved a palm over a barren candle until the flame burst to life. The woman giggled as if she did the trick simply for Isa’s reaction. Isa stared at the flame as she covered the exposed spot of lighter skin and followed the girl out into the corridor once more. The flame flickered and died as she passed, casting the room once more in shadows.

  “The guests have finished their meal,” Angelet said, peeking into the dining hall. “We should meet him in the throne hall.”

  Isa’s stomach gurgled in response. With a sigh she leaned against one of the thick marble pillars supporting the arched corridor. Darkness was a source of comfort for Isa, but when she caught a glimpse of his eyes her heart skipped three beats. Kish had his head covered in a black hood, but the bloody light of the moon cast his typically handsome features in terrible shadows. The Ladroa master stared at her, his eyes startling her soul, until he offered a curt nod. Speaking to Kish alone, no matter how comforting darkness was, turned her blood to ice.

  “Angelet, perhaps it would suit if you spoke to Kawal without me at first and then have him summon me. It is the way of things, and it wouldn’t draw suspicions.”

  She seemed disappointed, but eventually relented. “As you wish. I shall send for you shortly.”

  Angelet rushed around the dining hall to a side corridor that would lead to the loud great hall. Isa closed her eyes and offered a silent prayer to whatever powers of the Mount remained. Kish didn’t move, and waited for her to approach. She made certain to pull out the dagger tethered to her inner thigh so he would notice.

  Kish chuckled darkly when she inched closer, the dagger’s point aimed at the stone floor, but ready to slash the master’s heart should she need.

  “How fierce you look,” he said. The darkness in his voice stirred a warning inside yet captivated her senses in one sweep. “Your blade isn’t necessary.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.”

  Kish grinned, and the terrible shadows abandoned his features, so he was once again the beautiful man of death. “You think I am here to kill you?”

  “Why else would you be here?”

  “You do not know why you are here, so how would you even have the ability to guess my reasons?”

  Isa’s voice caught and her eyes widened. “How did you—”

  “How did I know? Because, lovely, this task is of such importance for a time the Ladroa and Tyv have joined forces. I am here to see you through.”

  “Why…why wouldn’t Master Hadeon come instead?”

  Kish scoffed. “Because your master does not have the stomach to do what is necessary if needed.” Isa glared at the Ladroa, but Kish was hardly intimidated. “You can curse me for my insult later. There is little time before the blood moon.”

  “You know what I’m meant to take?”

  Kish tapped her forehead and the spot burned on her skin as if her body were desperate to defend against his spell. “Very sharp. You understand there are two items Kawal values more than anything. One because it offers a road to power, the other because he has power over it. But without both he has no hope for the rule he desires.

  “You’re speaking in riddles,” Isa said with a huff.

  Kish seemed pleased with himself. “Kawal doesn’t fully understand what he has in his hands. We’re here to make sure he never does.”

  “The guilds want to take control instead.”

  Isa froze when Kish sneered and dragged his fingertips across her cheek. “You are such wasted talent with the Tyv Guild. The Ladroa would honor you more.” Isa shook his hand away and he chuckled darkly. “Of course, the guilds want the power. Why should our only intent be to survive? Why would we not wish to rule?”

  “I haven’t seen a Phantom at all.”

  Kish leaned forward, and Isa hated the way she was drawn to the rugged scent on his skin. The Ladroa were predators with something unique, like a moth to a flame, they could deprive even the most brilliant minds of common sense. “Survival of the fittest, love.”

  Isa’s throat was rough through her swallow. Kish made little sense, but she could deduce Abalon wasn’t party to this plan. Holding her breath, she straightened her shoulders. “So, what are the items

  The grin curling on Kish’s lips chilled even the hottest pool of blood in her veins. He leaned closer until Isa could look nowhere but his eyes. “You are to bring Hadeon the amulet around Kawal’s neck and…the Fireshaper.”

  Chapter 21

  Death to a Thief

  Sweat soaked through the leather guarders around Joshua’s palm. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Master Hadeon, the hair on his arms stood on end. The edge of the Guld ravine plummeted sixty feet to the dark jungles below. One folly and a man would land in pieces for the beasts of the jungle to devour. Joshua swallowed, knowing for the first time in all his years his master was capable of killing their own. He took a subtle step back from the edge.

  “You understand this, Joshua?” Hadeon asked without peeling his eyes off the dark dawn in the distance. The day of the blood moon would be shadowed, bringing out the people of night and sin within hours.

  No. Joshua understood nothing, but he would never speak the truth. “For the good of the guild, I understand Master.”

  Hadeon’s lips pinched tight and his gaze drifted toward the edge of the ravine. Joshua only gripped his blade tighter.

  “Sacrifices are never easy, but such is the life of a thief. As you say, the betterment of our guild will depend on this success.”

  Joshua closed his eyes tight. “Master, why must it be this way?”

  “I’m surprised you care.”

  Joshua dragged his dirty fingernails through his thick hair. “The guild is one. We are all part of one another.”

  There was a grimace buried in Hadeon’s haggard face, and it seemed the master had reservations. “There are things I cannot tell you, Joshua.”

  “You can trust me.”

  Hadeon nodded. “That I can. You are one of few whom I can trust. Now, you must trust me in return. Her life is required to save the lives of many. I burden you with this because you will always value the guild above all else.”

  “How can the sacrifice of one life save us all?”

  Joshua’s head was spinning. This was Isabelle, not an enemy. He wanted to believe Hadeon couldn’t be capable of such a thing, but when his master delivered the truth from his own mouth, Joshua hadn’t been free from turmoil in the pit of his stomach since.

  Hadeon faced Joshua, his eyes dark and distant. “There are truths in her past that will come back and haunt us all. If I’d known, I would have ended her the moment we found her huddled in the wet forest all those years ago.”

  “Why do you ask this o
f me?” Joshua’s tone carried a touch of bitterness, but he was beyond caring.

  Hadeon sighed and faced Joshua in the gray light. “You are unique, Joshua. I see gifts inside you that others dream of possessing. You have become my most trusted, most valued thief. Why do you suppose I summon you to all councils?”

  Joshua glanced at the ground and bit the inside of his cheek. “As was Isabelle.”

  “Yes, but as I said, new knowledge has come to light. Now, can I count on you to see this through? I must return to Thieves Waste.”

  The weight in his insides sunk lower, but Joshua nodded. Each word scraped off his tongue until the sides of his mouth burned. “Yes, Master. I will not let you down.”

  With a curt nod, Hadeon turned toward the path that would lead safely down the ravine. “Then we shall meet again at Thieves Waste after the blood moon fades. Oh, and Joshua…”

  “Yes, Master?”

  “Remember, the trust you freely possess, can easily be taken away. It would be the last thing you did should you betray me.”

  Joshua said nothing, likely because throat was too tight to speak. Hadeon disappeared into the brambles of the jungle, and without regret Joshua thought his master a coward. That was truth of it, the burden had been given to Joshua because the master of the guild couldn’t stomach the idea of slaughtering one of his own. Joshua crumbled to his knees as his stomach clenched and spilled the meager night meal he’d had the night before.

  Chapter 22

  Betrayed

  Isa wrung her hands outside the great hall waiting for any sign of Lady Angelet. The Fireshaper. How did Hadeon know about Angelet being Lightborn? The question ringing in Isa’s head was: what did the guilds plan to do with the woman? Angelet trusted her, and trust was no small thing to Isa.

  Her insides were like winding serpents. Focus was key to success as a thief, but Kish had seen to it all her clarity was muddled by his darkness. Closing her eyes, Isa calmed her pulse and brought her attention to the task of freeing Angelet from Kawal’s cage and possibly sending her to another while uncovering the second item that gave Kawal power. She could turn off emotion for loyalty to the guild came before all else.

  Isa jumped back when the massive doors groaned, and two officers stood at attention. Angelet was standing at Kawal’s side where he sat in an iron throne as though he were already emperor. The room was filled with guests drinking and dancing and no one seemed to give a thought to the general and his charge. Isa caught sight of Jakai standing ten paces away. He nodded with a small grin, but she kept her eyes schooled ahead.

  “Lady Aba,” Kawal said gruffly. “My wife says she finds you tolerable. She seems convinced out of all the tutors I’ve presented that you are the one who stands a chance at succeeding. I’m curious, you are the only tutor to request a private audience, and it is no secret my bride holds little affection for me. I urge you to tell me exactly what you spoke of, and I warn you, detecting deception is a skill I possess.”

  His voice boiled her blood, but Isa had trained for moments such as this for months. With a flat expression, she lowered to her knees. “General Kawal, your bride does not hold favor for you, because she fears you. On the journey to Jershon, the trappers repeatedly warned her if she did not please you her life would end. No one has tried to explain any details in her own tongue, you can imagine how frightening this must be for the girl.

  “In Zahara womanly needs are private and discussed only on a daughter’s wedding day by a woman’s mother. Your wife was never learned on such things and feared since there is no heir you would kill her.”

  “Am I viewed as such a monster?”

  Isa bit the inside of her cheek to keep her true thoughts from bursting from her lips. “No, my lord. She is an ignorant girl, taught to please her husband, but the husband she has, she was also taught to fear. I spoke to her privately as her mother might. She has more understanding on signs to watch for. She is not barren, General Kawal. As I said, she is ignorant.”

  Kawal furrowed his brow and glanced at Angelet, whose eyes were locked on the marble floor. Slowly, the general reached his hand for hers. She shuddered but Isa was expecting such a reaction; she doubted Kawal even noticed. “Will she understand me completely?”

  “She speaks broken Jershon. I can help translate if she cannot follow.”

  He cleared his throat and urged Angelet to meet his eye. “You need not fear for your life. As general and your husband, I command respect. But I shall not end your life for your own ignorance. This is a new beginning. Perhaps, you shall come to trust our ways eventually.”

  The man was brisk and a traitor, but Isa could almost hear a sliver of softness in his tone.

  Angelet played her part well. With a weak smile she bowed her head and pressed an honored kiss to his fingertips. “It is well.”

  “Lady Aba,” Kawal muttered, with a glance over his shoulder. “I am impressed. The position is yours. What do you ask as payment?”

  Angelet tugged on Kawal’s hand and spoke slowly. “May I discuss with the Lady?”

  Kawal scoffed. “You wish to negotiate her terms?”

  “I learn ways, yes?”

  Kawal laughed so the sound echoed around the hall. “A woman negotiating. This I must see.” He ushered Angelet forward.

  With a gleam of mischief in her eye, Angelet spoke softly in her language. “It is amazing what a man might fall for when a woman smiles.”

  Isa didn’t laugh, though it was difficult. She kept her role intact. “Angelet, that amulet he wears, what do you know of it?”

  Angelet glanced at Kawal who sat watching them with a high level of suspicion. “That odious stone around his neck. He never takes it off.”

  Isa glanced to the silver chain with a stone that seemed as though flames were trapped inside. “You say he never removes it?”

  Angelet shook her head.

  “Enough Zaharan, speak our tongue,” Kawal demanded.

  Angelet cleared her throat and thickened her accent. “Such a small item.”

  “What?” Kawal said, leaning forward on his throne. “What has she asked for?”

  Angelet glanced at Isa for conformation. With a low bow to her head, Isa urged her to make the deal for the stone. If she could retrieve the charm on his neck, take Angelet and escape she could be back in Thieves Waste by midday.

  Angelet took a step closer to the throne. “The simplest request. She asks for the…the…” Isa could see she was pretending to stumble on her words. Angelet would make a fine thief. “That. On your neck.”

  Kawal glanced at the stone and Isa’s heart stalled. For a moment the gleeful drunkenness of his guests faded, and the room was left with burning pressure. Kawal’s eyes were dangerous when he glanced up. Jakai took a step back in the corner of her eye. If there had been any doubt about the charm, they were lost.

  “Do you know?” he snarled.

  Isa tilted her head forcing a grin against the adrenaline burning her blood. “I don’t understand, General. I find it fascinating and beautiful.”

  Kawal rose from his seat, the purple cape around his shoulders gathered at his boots. “It is a fascinating piece. I find I can hardly part with it, I am so taken with its essence. You wish to take this as payment, you speak perfect Zaharan, suddenly I find myself curious about you, Lady Aba.”

  “My language skill comes from study, General Kawal,” Isa said. The room was crumbling, and she could feel the cracks splitting her story apart.

  “Of course.” Kawal stomped down the steps. “What I find most interesting is out of all my wealth, my resources, you ask for this.”

  “I am a woman of simple tastes.”

  “Or cunning,” he said, stepping against her. Kawal towered over her and studied her gaze without blinking. “I’m almost offended.”

  “I didn’t mean any offense,” she said softly. “I will take a different payment if my request offends you so.”

  Kawal grinned viciously. “No.” He snapped his fingers an
d two guards rushed to Isa’s sides. “No, there will be no payment. Trust is not easily given, Lady Aba. The more I get to know you, the more my instincts tell me not to trust you. See them both out.” Kawal motioned toward Jakai who stiffened, but allowed the guards to lead him toward the outer halls.

  Isa caught Angelet’s eyes. There were tears brimming in the fireshaper’s glassy gaze. Isa clamped her jaw tight and pointed her attention ahead. The night was not over yet.

  Jakai paced outside the cabin. Lilian’s chin quivered as Isa reapplied the powder on her skin and freshened her gown. “I don’t understand what you plan to do. It’s over, Isabelle.”

  “I plan to get the necklace.”

  “You are mad. And why is she calling you Isabelle?” Jakai snapped. “What is so important that you would risk your own life for such a thing? I thought you were seeking a position as a tutor.”

  Isa glanced at Lilian who trembled in the hazy dawn. The sun was setting. The blood moon was coming. Isa ignored Jakai and wrapped a sheer veil around her chin.

  “Isa, you can’t do this.”

  “I must.”

  “It would take an enormous amount to even tempt someone like Kawal. How do you expect to get back into his home?”

  Isa grinned and nodded. “Exactly how I was trained, Lilian. I promised you that I would pay your debt, and if you help me clear the outer gates of Kawal’s guards then you shall have the coin.”

  “Where are you going to get such wealth?”

  Isa gripped Lilian’s shoulders. “When I ran from Jershon, I took my inheritance from father, and buried it before the siege could steal it away. I have only added to it through my years in Tyv.”

  Lilian’s eyes widened.

  Jakai shoved forward. “Father? Tyv, as in the thieves? What is she talking about Lilian?”

  “I’ll explain later. Isabelle, are you telling me that all this time you’ve had your own fortune?”

  Isa’s cheeks burned but she nodded. “If I’d known, Lily, I would have paid your debt, I promise. In Tyv we are taught to prepare for anything. I wanted to have the means to start again if needed. A female thief was not always accepted. I needed a plan in case I was forced out. After so many years, it has only grown from my deposits from purse sharing in the guild. I only wish I would have eased your suffering sooner.”