Turning down another alley, this one wider, I saw a flash of movement and stopped. Three sets of eyes turned in my direction. The men were young but rugged, their features rough from living on the streets. The group moved as one, slithering around me. Wicked smiles curled their lips as they advanced.
“Hey there, pretty lady. Do you have more treasures in your pockets? It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper meal.” The thief rifled through my satchel and held up the blue crystal to show the others. “This should fetch a nice price, but I bet you have more.”
I edged backward, studying each of them one at a time.Three against one. Not ideal, but not impossible either.My hand slipped through the folds of my cloak, wrapping around my concealed dagger.
“Please, I don’t want any trouble. Just give me back my things.” My voice wavered.
The leader laughed, the sound bouncing off the dirty stone. “Too bad you already found it.” He stepped forward, wrapping his hand around my arm, digging his fingers deep into my skin. I winced. His hot breath assaulted my neck as he slid close and whispered, “Let me see what else you got on you.”
His meaty paw plunged into my cloak pocket, pulling out a handful of coins. As he went for the other side, I unsheathed the dagger and raised it to the thief’s throat.
The man smirked in direct defiance at the razor-sharp steel pressed against his skin. “Aren’t you just full of surprises?”
Behind him, the other two brandished blades of their own, their gazes darting between me and their leader, waiting for a sign.
“Give me back my things, and I’ll let you leave in one piece,” I said, holding the dagger steady.
The man’s smug grin widened. “I don’t think so. I like my chances. It’s three against one, and those are good odds.”
“For who?”
Laughing softly, the man flexed his fingers. “The girl’s daft! She can’t do simple math.” He winked. “For me, sweetheart. The odds favor me.” He backed up, tossing the crystal in the air and catching it as his cronies moved in. “Get her, boys, and don’t worry about messing up her pretty face—she won’t be needing it when we’re through.”
Chapter 13
Bowen
Climbing up the rocky path toward the manor, I stretched the muscles in my neck to ease the tension in my shoulders and adjusted the sketch pad beneath my arm. After overseeing the latest delivery of items for my new and improved workshop, I’d decided to spend the rest of the morning walking the grounds.
I’d taken my charcoal and sketch pad with me out of habit, with no intention of actually using it. What was the point? The spark was gone. The urge to create had withered along with the other facets of my life. Yet for the first time in years, I stood facing the ocean, wondering if the outcome of that night had been my downfall or if my downfall was a thing happening still, in real-time, simply because I let it continue.
Sharing my story with Liana had somehow made me see things in a different light, and getting to know her had ignited questions I never thought I’d have to answer.
Can I start over?
I didn’t know yet, but I passed half the day seated on a rocky ledge sketching the shoreline.
Now, as I approached the manor feeling the familiar aches in my muscles from sitting in one place for too long, I also felt rejuvenated. Maybe I’d sketch a little more in my office. To say my skill was rusty was an understatement, but it was coming back to me, and soon, I’d have a completed piece.
Something to share.
A grin broke out on my face as I bounded up the stone steps of the manor. She said she liked my drawings. Would she like this one too?
“Where have you been?” Gavin pounced on me the moment I set foot inside the door. He paced the foyer, boots scuffing over the marble. His hair stood on end as if he’d been pulling it out of frustration, and not from the usual unkempt look he maintained. “This morning, you said you were going out for a little while. That was hours ago!”
I shrugged out of my coat and thrust it into Gavin’s wildly gesturing hands. “I didn’t realize you were paying such close attention to my activities.” Charging past him, I took the stairs two at a time, eager to get back to my work before inspiration faded.
He followed on my heels, my coat still hanging from his grip. “Well, it’s never been an issue before—you hardly go anywhere. But now that all hell has broken loose, you’re nowhere to be found.”
I paused mid-step and looked at him. He seemed more haggard than usual, yet there was a panicked energy about him he rarely displayed.
“What did you do? Wait—never mind what you did. How did Liana retaliate? Did she impale you with something? Set fire to your liquor-infused clothing?” I stifled a grin. Anything that had sent Gavin into such a wild state must have been amusing. I was sorry I’d missed it.
When he didn’t answer, my amusement faltered, and his words sent it away altogether.
“She’s missing, Bowen.”
I blinked, certain I didn’t hear him correctly. “Missing? Inside the manor? Have you searched all the rooms? The gallery?”
