Page 34 of Their Reckless Thief (The Below #1)

CELESTE

Two weeks had passed, and things had settled—at least on the surface. I’d gotten back into my routine, falling into the rhythm of my life like a well-worn record, but it was different now. Everything felt... heavier. More complicated. And I couldn’t shake it.

Dorian had come by a few times, slipping through my window like he always did.

His presence had become a constant, a strange comfort I hadn’t even realized I needed.

He was close, physically and emotionally, always there, always.

.. him . I hated how much I’d come to rely on that closeness.

It was like he was a part of me now, something I couldn’t ignore, even if I wanted to.

And truth be told, I didn’t know what the fuck that meant. I didn’t know how to feel about it.

Things between Vivian and me were still tense.

We weren’t fighting, exactly, but there was a wall between us that I couldn’t break through.

I knew she didn’t approve of anything I was doing.

Of Dorian. Of me spiraling deeper into my Phantomine habit.

Hell, maybe she was right, but I wasn’t ready to face that yet.

I had bigger shit to deal with, like my current heist.

The job today had my nerves buzzing like live wires. I was heading back to The Below, and my stomach was in knots. I hadn’t been back since... well, since Vincenzo had stopped me from drowning myself and then kicked me out of his life like I was nothing.

The thought of going back into his territory, of being so close to him again, filled me with a weird mixture of anxiety and longing, though I hated to admit it to myself. I didn’t want to think about that. No, I couldn’t think about it.

I took another hit of Phantomine, the familiar warmth spreading through me and dulling the sharp edges of my nerves. My mind settled, but the unease didn’t fully go away. It never did. Not anymore.

“Viv, you there?” I tapped the mic in my ear as I approached the tear in the Veil, my pulse quickening as the shimmering distortion came into view.

“Loud and clear,” Vivian said through the earpiece. “You ready?”

I slid through the opening, the familiar buzz of magic pulsing lightly against my skin. I took a deep breath and blew Carl a kiss, who gave me a half-smirk as I slipped past him.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I muttered, passing the various creatures in line to enter into the human realm.

The shift was instant. The heavy air, thick with magic, clung to my skin, and the low hum of energy filled the space around me.

It was like stepping into another universe, and in another way, it was like coming home.

I made my way to the underground garage where Roberto kept a car for heists that were farther away. I unlocked the door and slipped into the dimly lit, industrial space, heading straight for the black SUV.

I wasn’t used to driving magic-powered vehicles. They were similar to cars in the human world except they didn’t need gas. The magic that pulsed through The Below powered the vehicles as they drove.

As I drove, my mind raced. I cranked up the music, trying to drown out the thoughts swirling in my head, but it wasn’t enough. The second I passed the street that led to Vincenzo’s mansion, every muscle in my body tensed, my heart rate spiking like I was in freefall.

I had to fight not to turn down his street. My hands tightened around the steering wheel, knuckles white as I forced myself to keep going straight.

What the fuck was wrong with me?

I hated how much he haunted my thoughts.

Even now, weeks later, I couldn’t shake the way he’d looked at me that night.

His hands had been so tender, so careful when he’d dried my hair.

His voice had sounded so godsdamned broken when he told me to leave.

It didn’t make sense. None of it did. He was a controlling asshole, a dangerous vampire who probably had bodies buried in every corner of The Below.

I swallowed hard, trying to push the memories out of my mind. I couldn’t afford distractions right now. I had a job to do.

Focus, Celeste .

I pressed harder on the accelerator, the car roaring as I sped through the streets. I wasn’t turning down that road. I wasn’t going to let myself get pulled back into his orbit. Not again.

I had work to do. And I had to keep moving forward, no matter what.

But the tightness in my chest didn’t ease, and the knot in my stomach grew tighter.

Fuck.

The heist had gone off without a hitch, almost too perfectly.

I had the package—small but heavy with importance—tucked safely under my arm.

My heart was still racing, but not from fear or adrenaline.

No, this was something else. I was on a fucking high and feeling cocky as hell.

I couldn’t believe I’d pulled off a job on the edge of The Shadow’s territory, and now I was strolling out of the building like I owned the place.

“Got it,” I whispered into my mic. My breath came out in quick, excited bursts as I hustled down the narrow hallways and slipped through the back exit.

Vivian’s voice crackled in my ear, steady as always. “You’re clear. No alarms tripped. Good work, Celeste.”

I grinned, feeling the rush course through me. I was damn good at what I did. “I know,” I said, teasing, “I’m a fucking goddess.”

Vivian snorted, but I could hear the smile in her voice. “Let’s not get too cocky. You’re still in The Shadow’s territory. Get the hell out of there before you start celebrating.”

She was right, of course. The Shadow’s turf was nothing like the rest of The Below. It was darker, creepier. The kind of dark where the shadows seemed to breathe and pulse. The streets felt narrower and suffocating, like they were closing in on me. I hated it here.

I quickened my pace, making a beeline for the car I’d parked a block away.

The sooner I got out of there, the better.

This place crawled with cold, oppressive energy that made my skin prickle.

The buildings were tall, looming structures that seemed to warp under the dim, flickering streetlights.

The air was thick with magic, choking the space around me.

Everything about The Shadow’s territory screamed danger .

This was only my second time in his territory, but I had no desire to sightsee.

Luckily, both heists had been just over the border, not requiring me to travel deep into his territory.

Based on the look of everything around the perimeter, I wasn’t sure I could make it out alive if I had to pull off a heist in the belly of The Shadow’s fucking den.

I unlocked the car door and slid behind the wheel, tossing the package onto the passenger seat as I started the engine.

Suddenly, a cold shiver ran down my spine, and my instincts screamed at me.

“Viv, I think I tripped something,” I muttered, gripping the steering wheel a little too tight.

“What? You didn’t trip any alarms inside the building.”

“I know, but something’s wrong.” I checked my mirrors. My stomach flipped when I spotted movement in the shadows behind me.

“Shit,” I muttered, jamming the car into gear. I peeled out of the parking spot, tires screeching against the asphalt. Behind me, headlights flared to life. Someone was on my tail.

“Viv, I’ve got company,” I hissed, keeping my voice steady even though my pulse was racing.

“I see it. Hold tight. I’m flipping the traffic lights green for you.”

I grinned. “You’re the best.”

I floored the accelerator, racing through the narrow streets.

The car behind me was relentless, swerving side to side, trying to ram into me, but I wasn’t an amateur.

I was born for this shit. The car fishtailed behind me, gaining speed, but I swerved hard, cutting tight corners and dodging debris like it was second nature.

“Celeste, they’re gaining on you. I’m trying to slow them down.” Vivian’s voice was tense now. “I’ve got control of the lights, but you need to lose them. Now.”

I took a sharp turn and floored it down a straight stretch of road. The streetlights ahead turned green, thanks to Vivian, but the car was still on my ass, closing in fast.

Fuck.

I yanked the wheel to the right, cutting through an alleyway, but the car behind me followed, swerving wildly and clipping the side of a dumpster. I heard the crunch of metal, but it did nothing to slow them down. They kept coming.

I spun the wheel hard, sending my car sliding sideways as I made a sharp turn onto the main road.

The car behind me wasn’t as lucky. It slammed into a fire hydrant, the force sending water shooting into the air.

I watched in amazement as the water floated, suspended in the air and no longer contained. “Fucking magical water.”

I let out a breath, thinking I was in the clear. “Viv, I think?—”

Another set of headlights appeared in my rearview mirror.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I groaned.

Another car. Shit.

I floored it again, speeding through the streets with precision, but the distant roar of a motorcycle engine caught my attention. I glanced in the rearview mirror again, and my heart dropped.

Just as the sedan edged closer, nearly kissing my bumper, a sleek motorcycle shot out of a side street, darting between me and the car.

“What the fuck?” I muttered.

The rider was all shadows, dressed in black from head to toe, the dark visor of the helmet hiding their face.

I barely had time to react before the rider accelerated, pulling ahead with a burst of speed.

The roar of the bike’s engine echoed off the buildings, a low, guttural growl that sent a shiver down my spine.

And then, just as suddenly, the rider spun the bike around in the middle of the road—a move so fluid, it looked almost like a dance.

The bike skidded to a stop, now facing the oncoming car.

I watched, my heart lodged in my throat, unable to process what the hell they were doing.