Page 21 of The Thief’s Lord (Catkin Trilogy #3)

“What will I find, Meryn?” My heart swelled with hope, and I drew a deep steadying breath even as tears pricked at the edges of my eyes.

Hope… and love…

“They need help,” I muttered to her under my breath, realizing that I was drawing some inquisitive looks.

Scurrying onward, I made my way down narrower streets and alleys, seeking the half-decrepit shack with its hidden cellar.

Here, I found two daggers and a set of lock-picking tools.

I simply had to hunker down and wait for night to fall.

It wasn’t as easy as I would have liked.

In the freezing cellar, I huddled beneath a thin blanket and tried not to think about the dinner I was missing and the warm blankets on Gareth’s bed.

I’ve gotten soft , I grunted in annoyance at myself. Instead, I tried my best to ignore my hunger pangs and focus on the task at hand, planning the route to Lord Morne’s house.

Gareth and the others need proof. I should be able to find documents given time and opportunity.

Anything written, I will carry out with me, just like the mission I’d been given for Baywaters.

If Lord Morne and his family are away, I will definitely find what I seek.

On the other hand, if he is there… I fingered my dagger.

I have never taken the life of another tom, but…

There is a first time for everything , I mused.

If it would keep Landis’s dream alive… if it would help the Lower Rime, I would do it.

I would do it and damn the consequences.

Gareth’s brown eyes swam into view. This time, they were looking at me with disappointment. Not angry. Just disappointed. Would he be sad? Regretful? Glad to be rid of me? I had a feeling I knew the answer, but regardless of the outcome, I knew what I had to do.

When the bells tolled eleven, I crept out and made my way to Lord Morne’s estate.

I knew all of the best ways in thanks to the various visits I had made with Mourn.

There was a route through the garden that I was particularly familiar with—a hidden door at the northwest corner of the massive hedge.

Through there, past the well-tended garden now bearing spring’s blossoms and dotted with marbled sculptures.

It was easy to see that the mansion was occupied after all.

There was the usual litter of garbage by the kitchen door which had been set open.

The warm golden light of a hearth beckoned.

Further up, I could see that various rooms were lit with candles.

The family was in and getting ready for bed.

There was no party going on, which was both a relief and a concern.

Dinners and other large gatherings often provided distraction and cover for thieves like me.

Finding the far corner of the house, I quickly scampered up the tree, hopped onto an empty balcony, picked the lock of the balcony’s door, and eased myself into an empty guest room.

For a few minutes, I waited. Then, when the bustling up and down the hallway quieted down, I began to make my way down the servant’s stairwell and into the shadows of a wider, longer hallway.

I was close to Lord Morne’s offices. They were just there—

“Don’t. Move.” A familiar voice growled.

The tip of a blade resting at my throat froze me in my spot instantly. My mind raced. Who? What? How? I had been so careful! What was—?

“Rolf,” another voice said.

Rolf. Damn it. Munni. More specifically, the King’s Munni guards. I raised my hands instantly, trying to show that I wasn’t about to fight. Another shadow appeared in front of me and began to pat me down. I inhaled and exhaled, trying to keep calm even as words hovered on my lips.

Please. Let me go. I can handle this. I can save us.

Nothing emerged even as a gag was stuffed into my mouth, and my arms were bound behind me.

Dragging me away, the two toms brought me to the great hall.

Lord Morne stood by the hearth warming his hands, and talking at the other tomcat who waited with him.

At the sight of a familiar head of wavy red-brown hair and golden-brown eyes, my heart rose in my throat.

Ser Hugh, but without his usual winning smile.

Damn it.

“Ah. So there you are,” he said smoothly. His usually warm golden-brown eyes were now cool and hard as jewels. “Lord Gareth has been looking all over for you.”

“And what do we have here?” Lord Morne pounced on the daggers that Rolf held out. “Weapons! An assassin! Ser Hugh!”

“It seems so.”

No. No.

“After what happened with our dear king, I am not surprised,” huffed Lord Morne.

“Pardoning your good selves, of course, but there are others who are less than reputable in the employ of the king. That or others…” He shuddered.

“Rogues such as this cannot be allowed to freely roam about. I said as much before in the meeting when we discussed this rogue’s incarceration. How did he come to be out and about?”

“We’ll find out.”

“I will, of course, demand a fair trial. The truth must out,” blustered the pompous tomcat.

“He will,” Ser Hugh said mildly. “We’ll have the truth out of him one way or another.”

My heart turned to stone as the realization hit me.

By going to Lord Morne, I had jeopardized Gareth’s investigation.

Lord Morne was about to make an example of me…

and he would remove one of the only witnesses against him.

Panic scrabbled at my senses as I fought to maintain my composure.

Gareth would solve this , I hoped. Surely.

I flashed Hugh a mute pleading look, but he ignored me.

“I have a perfectly secure tower in mind,” Hugh said. “He will be alive and well for the trial. On that day, I pray that the worst of these conspiracies will be brought to light.”

Lord Morne blanched a little, but he forced a laugh and slapped Hugh on the shoulder.

“Of course, yes, Ser Hugh, yes indeed.”

“Get him out of here, Rolf,” Ser Hugh said. “To the carriage.”

Gareth , I thought as I was dragged away. I’m so sorry.