Chapter One
RAELYN
The ancient grandfather clock’s jarring chimes announce the late hour, though considering I live my life in the dark, the night is still full of possibility.
Stretching from my curled-up position on the chair, I stifle a yawn. Perhaps not so full. Father told us at dinner that he had an important announcement for us in the morning, which piqued my curiosity, but I’m prepared to be disappointed. Regardless, I’m going to regret staying up—skipping breakfast is not an option.
After returning my books to their shelves, I fold my blanket over the chair and open the door to the hallway. Most of the lamps are out, with the exception of one or two turned extremely low, and the house is silent but for the subtle tick of the clock. I’m the only person awake as far as I can tell. Tiptoeing down the hallway, I try to avoid the creaky floorboards. I’ve spent enough nights staying up later than Father likes to know how to be quiet.
Just as I’m about to step onto the staircase, the floorboards creak. I whip my head around. Who else is awake at this ungodly hour? My eyes try to pierce through the dim light, but I seenothing. Did I imagine it? Another creak. Should I call out?No.I bite my lip. The smart move would be to run up to my bed.
I take a deep breath and blow it out slowly. Damn me for being the responsible and nosy eldest sibling.
Could it be Chessa snooping where she doesn’t belong? I can admit the thought of catching her and having something to hold over her is very appealing.
The creak sounded like it came from the hall near Father’s study, so that’s where I go. I’m fairly certain I’m the only one who knows how to avoid the noisy spots. She’ll never hear me coming.
I creep down the hall toward the study, and sure enough, his door is cracked. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when I catch her.
Without pausing to think, I push the door open and dart across the threshold. “Chess?—”
Her name fizzles out on my tongue as I look around the room and find it empty. What in the gods’ names?
I walk around, looking for something out of place in Father’s usually immaculate study, but as far as I can tell, nothing is. A sigh leaves me as I turn to go, until the kiss of a draft followed by the whisper of a breath turns my blood to ice.
I freeze.
“Who’s there?” I speak and whirl back around. “Show yourself,” I command.
A figure drops from the ceiling, and before a scream can leave my lips, I’m pulled into a rock-solid chest and a gloved hand covers my mouth, blocking my cry.
“Uh-uh-uh. Do not make a sound.”
I squirm as a chill snakes through me at the vibrations of my captor’s low dulcet tone.
“I will let go of your pretty mouth as soon as you stop moving,” he purrs.
The hint of amusement in his voice gives me pause. I reposition my feet and still my body, curious to let this play out. When my breathing slows, he relaxes his hold and his hand drops away from my mouth.
“Who are you? What do you think you’re doing here?” I ask.
He murmurs against the back of my head, “Nothing that concerns you, my lady.”
“Let me go. Please.”
His arm tightens around me. “I don’t know. Perhaps I enjoy having a beautiful woman captive in my arms.”
That’s it. I’ve had enough of him. Who does he think he is, coming into my home to steal from my father?
With a quick, practiced move, I grab his arms, tuck a foot behind his leg, and use my weight to knock him off balance, flipping him onto the floor.
A surprised grunt comes out of his mouth, and before he can move, I straddle his torso, pinning his arms with my knees.
My hand darts down to pull one of the blades from his thigh, and I hold it to his throat. “Who’s captive now?”
A delighted chuckle escapes him, and his full lips twist into a grin. The dim light doesn’t reveal much and an onyx mask covers most of this face, but I can see a chiseled jaw covered in a light dusting of stubble.
The thief relaxes under me. It’s almost insulting. As if he thinks I couldn’t possibly be a threat.
