Page 9

CHAPTER NINE

L ucius sat at the bar hoping no one would take notice to a fae sitting in a tavern in the human quarter.

He was the only fae here—a truth hidden by the heavy cloak he wore.

Of course, if someone looked carefully, they would see his silver hair and sharp features and certainly know he was something more.

It was early, and patrons were just coming in. He sipped the stale ale, thankful that he was able to hunt after Tavia had fallen asleep.

He kept thinking about how startled she was by a nightmare and wondered if there was any truth to her fears. While he had offered to check out her home, he truly was thankful when she said no.

He had left her a note promising to return later .

If what he had learned was true, the ball was happening earlier than he was originally told, and there was much he needed to find out before then. He had been searching the Golden City, hoping to find something more about the Brotherhood, and that was how he ended up at the tavern.

It was midday, and hopefully, someone would come in.

As he sat and waited, a group of guards walked in. Carefully observing them from the bar, he watched the trio sit. The serving wench waved at them as if they were recurring customers.

He needed more information about the Brotherhood and if his trickster fae was anywhere in the city—if she was alive at all. But he couldn't walk up to anyone and inquire about her.

He needed someone in the Brotherhood.

He caught bits and pieces of their conversation, nothing substantial, but he did catch them discussing the upcoming ball.

As the tavern filled with more patrons, the place livened, and it became more difficult to hear.

Lucius stayed in his seat, ordering another ale, trying to stay inconspicuous .

The serving wench had gone to another table, and those patrons appeared to have been drinking since the night before, slurring their words. One of them grabbed her side.

Shifting in his seat to get a better view, he watched as one of the guards from the table he had been eavesdropping on stood up.

“Hands off,” the guard said, and he immediately went to the woman’s defense.

“It's all right, Travis,” the woman said, putting her hand on him, but the guard stared down at the drunken patron, placing himself in front of her and the table.

The drunkard mumbled an apology, and before Travis stepped aside, the serving wench nodded and smiled, mouthing a thank-you to him as the guard returned to his table.

So , Lucius thought to himself, a guard clearly from the Brotherhood—and one who likes to defend females.

An idea formulated in his head.

His plan was risky, and he had yet to share any of it with Tavia.

As he watched this human guard keep his gaze on the serving wench and the surrounding patrons, ensuring her safety, Lucius knew if this guard, clearly from the Brotherhood, was attending the ball, then he might be the perfect target.

Lucius left a few coins on the table and scurried out, hiding behind the shadows, keeping to the tiny alleyways between the shops.

He waited until the trio left, then followed them, keeping himself unseen and blending with the crowd.

During his captivity, he heard the guards and the Brotherhood brag about all the mystical items they had collected over the years. He knew that the vault was here in the Golden City—and that his precious item was most likely hidden within that stash.

But this was a large city, and he had no idea where the Brotherhood hideout was located. Even if his plan seemed to work, he wanted to be sure of the place they would be breaking into.

And if all went well, he wouldn’t be the one breaking in.

The trio weaved through the city, away from the main square that connected the different quarters. There was a quarter for fae, for humans, and the temple quarter.

They headed toward the outskirts as they left the busier section of the human quarter. Not too long after, the trio stopped at a building.

It was just by a river that weaved around the city. The large stone structure held one symbol etched in the front.

The trio walked in, and Lucius knew that had to be the place.

He wanted to get closer, but suddenly, a familiar sound drifted on the breeze.

He slunk back into the shadows, his hands beginning to shake.

The door opened, and Hacinda walked out.

She was exactly as Lucius remembered.

Her inky black, wavy hair was down, framing her pointy ears. She walked with the guard, chatting, dressed in a tight-fitting red dress.

He wanted to run out, chase her, and demand answers for what she had done to him.

He wanted to know why.

Why did she betray him, and what for ?

Had their friendship meant nothing to her?

Though Hacinda had been coy with him, Lucius hoped at one point she would want more than friendly chats and nights playing cards.

When she parted with the guard and began walking on her own, he followed.

He tried hiding in the shadows and alleyways behind other humans. As they walked, she stopped once and turned around, almost as if she sensed him.

Her steps hurried, and he might have lost her in the crowd if it wasn’t for her bright red dress.

She stopped at a quaint house. Before opening the door, she looked around, and the laughter she had shared earlier at the Brotherhood building had disappeared. She went inside, and Lucius snuck around the back of the neighbor’s house.

The house only had one entrance but had two floors. Lucius looked around to see if there was a way he could get up and possibly look in through one of the upstairs windows.

If he could get her alone and demand answers, then Tavia and he wouldn’t need to do anything. There would be no reason for a heist .

He would still pay Tavia the coin, and then she could return home.

He circled to the back of the house.

Though the houses in the quarter were tightly next to each other, they each had small yards, little space to grow.

The house next to the one Hacinda had walked into had ivy crawling up the side and a lattice he could climb. He climbed up, hoping nobody would see him from back there, but since they were behind the street, he was somewhat protected.

There was an open window on the second floor, and he could hear Hacinda’s voice calling to someone.

He shimmied around the side.

There was only a little bit more lattice.

He could barely see inside; what he could see wasn’t much—a simple room with a bed.

Hacinda walked in, carrying a tray.

“Where have you been?” a hoarse male voice asked.

“I’m sorry. With the masquerade coming, the Brotherhood has been more demanding. Here, I’ve brought more medicine,” she said .

“We don’t have to do this anymore,” the voice replied.

Hacinda placed the tray on a table. The view blocked most of her. Lucius was desperate to know who she was speaking to.

Was this someone she had met after him? If he was gone so long it would not seem so odd.

“It’s fine,” she said. “Take your medicine.”

“They will always want more.”

A pale hand came into view, taking the cup from her.

Hacinda sat on the bed, her expression strained.

“One last drop,” she said. “And then I don’t owe them anything anymore.”

“You keep saying that,” the voice responded, “and year after year goes by. It’s time for you to just—”

“Enough,” Hacinda said, her voice cracking.

Lucius felt he was watching something intimate.

Who was this male? How long had she been working for the Brotherhood?

“What do they have you doing this time?” the male asked, his words pained.

“Nothing I can’t handle,” she replied low. “Now, get some rest.”

She leaned over, dipping out of view, and Lucius heard the faint sound of a kiss.

“I love you,” the male voice said.

“And I will always love you,” Hacinda responded.

She left the room, closing the door.

Lucius stood there, gripping the lattice, feeling utterly confused.

All this time, he had assumed Hacinda had betrayed him for monetary reasons.

But what if there was something more?

He climbed down the lattice and stood there, unsure of what to do.

If Hacinda was being forced to work for the Brotherhood and she had no choice but to turn him in . . .

Lucius’s mind played over the different scenarios as he tried to recall every conversation he had shared with her when they had whispered secrets late at night.

He couldn’t remember her ever talking about her family or loved ones .

Was this someone who had always been in her life?

Knowing he wouldn’t get any more answers today, he decided to stop at the chocolatier and get Tavia more chocolate. The sun was close to setting, and he had been gone most of the day.

He was sure his restless thief would not be happy.

But Lucius hadn’t expected to find Hacinda during his travels today, and now that he had, he was completely unsure of what to do next.