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Chapter

Four

ARLON

“Do you think the incidents are connected?” Major Strahl paces from one side of his office to the other, his cane clicking with every other step. “Did the thieves target you because you’re part of the investigation, or were you simply unlucky?”

I lean back in the chair, and the backrest prods me between the shoulderblades.

I’m not sure whether he chose this chair on purpose to keep whoever visits him uncomfortable, or if the damn thing is just too small for me.

“I can’t say for certain. But they took my personal letters along with some gold. ”

The major pauses and squints at me. “Not all of it?”

I shake my head. “Two purses out of seven, total.”

“Hmm.” He resumes pacing and tugs on his beard with his free hand. “Were you extravagant with your spending recently? Did you boast about your gold or spend a lot of it where others might take notice?”

At the insinuation that I made myself a victim, I lift an eyebrow and regard him coolly. “No. Unless you count staying at the Heron extravagant. But then why wasn’t another guest targeted? There are wealthier clients staying there, just a floor below me.”

“Sorry, I had to ask. And you make a good point.” The major finally ambles behind his desk, sits in his leather chair with a groan, and rubs his thigh. “Damn weather.”

I’ve known him long enough now not to comment.

From another member of our unit, I learned the major got the wound in his thigh fighting on the border with the fae kingdom.

Since they were so far from a decent healer, the wound hadn’t healed properly.

He earned a promotion for his trouble but refused to retire, and I’m glad he didn’t.

He’s led the men under his command fairly and never once looked at me sideways for coming to Ultrup from Bellhaven.

“If we assume the thieves targeted you, did they steal anything that could compromise our investigation?” He spears me with a look, his brown eyes serious. “Did you mention any details in the letters to your family?”

“No, sir.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I wouldn’t jeopardize us like that.”

“Good, that’s good.” Then his expression sours. “But also not. It means you’ve been singled out as a target. If this is the Ravens’ doing, they’re sending a message.”

“What message is that, exactly?” I shift forward to avoid the uncomfortable wooden ridge at the back of the chair digging into my spine.

“That they can get to you,” he mutters darkly. “They could have killed you, Arlon.”

I purse my lips, biting back the impulse to argue.

If I’d been in the room, they wouldn’t have surprised me.

I suspect only one of them actually climbed down into my room while the others stayed hidden above.

But the major’s been dealing with gangs in Ultrup for more than a decade, and it would be foolish to dismiss his opinion.

“I’ll set up a watch rotation for your inn,” he decides. “I doubt they’ll return, but you never know. I have a bunch of new soldiers who need the practice. They’ll keep watch overnight, but I suggest you find yourself a different place to sleep.”

The thought of returning to the clan’s house sours my stomach. “I don’t want to bring trouble to my people. But I can take the night watch at the Ravens’ residence again tonight. The others will be happy to spend a night in their own bed for once.”

Why am I doing this?

The major clearly wants me to lie low, and I could find another inn, maybe catch up on sleep. But I’ve been thinking of the rooftop-haunting thieves all day. I want to find out how they found me. How they knew where to strike.

I’ve only been to three places in the last couple of days. The first is this office in the city watch’s quarter. No sane thief would ever step in here voluntarily. The second is the inn. The third is the general vicinity of the Ravens’ mansion, where I’ve spied on the gang’s comings and goings.

I don’t think the thieves would be brazen enough to return to the scene of their crime so soon. My best bet is to take another watch at the Ravens’ home and stay vigilant. If the thieves’ interest overlaps with mine, I might get a glimpse of them. And I’ll be ready.

“Absolutely not,” the major barks. “I’m sending someone else.”

I straighten, glowering at the man. “Sir, I’ve been a part of this mission for months?—”

“And you’re leaving us soon, aren’t you?

” He stares down his nose, as stern as our training mistress at the Hill.

“I’m not risking your hide. You’ve been a great help to us, but you’re a civilian for all intents and purposes, my good man.

You are not employed by this city. If something happens to you, the duke will have my head.

The last thing he wants is to start a war with your king.

How would he react if you were brought home in a pine box, hmm? ”

I open my mouth to speak, then close it again.

There’s no point in arguing. He’s right, of course.

Not about me being a civilian, but I know exactly what would happen if I were killed here.

King Gorvor might not march to Ultrup with the entire orc army, but he might send warriors to search for the culprit, and that person wouldn’t be alive much longer.

Fuck. There’s no way Major Strahl will allow me to participate any longer.

He’s no fool, and if he says my life might be in danger, I have to take that into consideration.

Especially since it’s likely a whole crew of thieves I’m up against. I’d take my chances against any human street thug, but lowlifes who prefer stealth and hiding in the shadows won’t fight honorably.

They’ll set an ambush, jump me from above, and I’ll end up dying in a pool of my own blood.

I want to argue and say that I came to Ultrup to help the city, but that would be a lie. The only reason I left Bellhaven and traveled south was to find my mate, and I can’t very well do that if I’m dead.

“Fine.” I extend my hand across the major’s desk. “It’s been an honor, sir.”

The man hesitates for a moment, then clasps it firmly. “I know you don’t believe me, but I’m trying to save your life. If you ever decide to settle here…well, we always need more people like you.”

That’s unexpected. I don’t think I’d ever want to live in this city permanently. It’s too noisy, too crowded, and too smelly for me. But I don’t want to insult the major, so I simply nod and make my goodbyes.

When I walk into the street, however, it hits me—I’m free again. Not that I was working here under duress, but the obligation to report for duty every day was still strong. But now, no one is expecting me tomorrow. I could leave the city, and no one would think it strange.

I could return home and spend the winter in our cozy Hill, warm and surrounded by my friends and family. I could take up my old post as a warrior of the clan, go on patrols, or join hunting parties to help replenish the larders.

So why the fuck am I still standing here?

I turn my face to the sky, letting the drizzling rain mist my skin.

The noise of the busy afternoon ebbs and flows around me.

I scrunch my eyes shut and tally what must be done before I leave.

My horse and belongings are still at the Heron.

That’ll be the first stop. After that, I’ll need to stop by our clan’s townhouse.

If the trading caravan hasn’t left for home yet, I could join them on the road.

Spare myself the trouble of passing alone through human territories that are sometimes hostile to lonely travelers.

Violet and Marut would be happy to see me, I know that. And I’d promised Sarrai to stop by for dinner soon.

But to return without completing my mission would be an admission of defeat. I can’t do that. Not yet.

There’s something more I have to do here.

I turn away from the watch’s gray-stoned headquarters and walk deeper into the city, back toward the Heron.

When I round a corner, a young man sits slouched in front of a shop, holding a yeasted bun, but not eating it.

His gaze is fixed on a pair of gentlemen passing on the other side of the street. I have to smother a grin.

I saunter into the bakery, the warm air fragrant with sugar and spice. I buy a paper bag of shortbread biscuits and step back outside.

The soldier jerks his gaze downward. Then he takes a large bite of his bun and chews, pretending that he hadn’t been watching me at all.

Major Strahl works fast. But this lad will need to hone his disguise if he wants to stay in this business.

“Tell the major I don’t need a guard,” I murmur to the soldier, “but I appreciate the thought.”

He stares up at me with big gray eyes, mouth still full of fresh bread. “Yes, sir,” he mumbles finally. “But, uh, do you think I could trail you to the inn anyway? He’ll be cross with me if he learns you noticed me so soon.”

I smirk. “All right. But don’t look at me if I’m your target.

If you’re certain I’m walking in one direction, you can even pass me, then wait for me somewhere off to the side so I won’t see you when I glance behind me.

When people think they’re being followed, they almost always look behind them to see their tail. ”

“Um.” The young guard stuffs the bread roll into the pocket of his jacket and scrambles to his feet. “All right.”

I nod and march away, then remember something and swivel on my feet, startling him. “And don’t forget to look up.”

He goggles at me. “Up, sir?”

I squint at the roof above the bakery. “Aye. You never know who’s watching.”