Page 71 of A Thief to Die For

A figure steps out from the disarming room, blocking my path. I jerk to a stop.

Soren’s nostrils flare, taking me in.

My heart beats like it’s been clubbed with a bat. Was he waiting for me? I knew we’d meet again, but it’s only been hours since he attacked me. ‘What do you want?’

He glances behind me at the people clearing dishes in the dining hall, then leans in. ‘Going to the High Command?’

‘That’s where I work.’ I force my chin higher and fight the urge to back up. ‘Are you afraid of what I’ll say to the Commander, Soren?’

‘No. Not really.’

His tone betrays him. Something sad and perhaps repentant even flickers in his eyes.

Good. I hope he feels awful. I hope he never sleeps again.

He studies my resolve, then invades my space further. ‘I’m not the one who should be afraid,’ he whispers.

His words shove me under a tide of dread. ‘So, you came to threaten me?’

‘I came to say I’m looking forward to that promotion.’ Then he slides past me.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him where to shove his promotion. Instead, I speed off and push through the doors of the High Command, ignoring the guard there to announce me.

Only once I’m alone and hidden in the hallway do I stop, shoulders collapsing. This is my life now, isn’t it? Threats from Soren? Intimidation around any corner? My legs wobble under me, my exhaustion and pain nothing but heavy anchors, their chains wound too tightly around my throat.

‘They have everything that you could ever want, from what I can tell.’

My head lifts. Who is Atlas meeting with?

‘All from the old world.’

I recognise the voice. Rufus, Ryland’s father. Alarm buzzes over my skin. Ryland feared he would sell him out to Atlas. Is that what’s happening here?

I strain to listen, but the speaking is muffled.

‘Of course they do,’ Rufus says. ‘Although I’ve only ever seen it from outside their electric fence.’

‘They have an electric fence?’ Atlas’s voice is much louder now.

Shut up, Rufus. I lurch forward, wincing as I rush to interrupt them. Although, how I’ll distract Atlas now, I don’t know.

‘They have more than that,’ Rufus says. ‘They have magic – the real kind.’

A curse slips past my lips.

‘You get your daughter married to my son, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.’

A few steps before the exit of the hallway, my feet stop.

‘What kind of magic?’ Atlas asks.

‘The healing kind. The seeing-into-each-other’s-head kind. Of course, he can only use it on the woman he marries, but it works both ways. Unfortunately, that’s all I know, but this is the easiest way to get any information you want from Ryland. Not to mention, he’s in love with your daughter. He’s already talked to me about getting a ring.’

A dumbfounded laugh bursts from Atlas. Coatl joins in. I bite my lip, torn. Rufus is saying too much. But I also wonder if this is perfect.

They go back and forth, discussing how Ryland could have real magic and where it came from. I only let it continue because Rufus admits he doesn’t know. But in every response from Atlas, I hear the unquenchable thirst to investigate whether it’s true.

God’s breath. This just might work. Thanks to Rufus, Atlas is going to think a wedding is his idea. Of course, he’ll expect me to commit more espionage and information gathering, but it’ll be like every time I’m tasked with spying for him – I’ll give him nothing. He may even grant me his blessing to leave with Ryland.