Page 78 of Heart of Thieves

“Enzo?” Jade doesn’t look Lola’s way either.

I frown.

Ignoring the obvious tension, Lola looks toward the grand staircase, a massive granite masterpiece leading past a stained-glass window the size of the entire front facade of the Liar’s Den. Though the barrier outside has cast all the windows in shadow, the interior lights buzz with electricity, illuminating the scene depicted in the glass from within. It’s a vibrant representation of some kind of battle between the Gods Above—whose goodness is represented by glowing starburst shards of glass around their heads—and the Gods of the Deep—whose eyes glitter blue-gray and whose bodies feature scales and fins, gills, and razor-sharp teeth.

Dozens of people mill about just beyond the lobby, some of them lounging on desks, others searching the library shelves.

“How many players do you think made it inside?” I ask.

Arden follows my gaze and frowns. “I bet there are even more on the other floors.”

“All right,” I say. “I agree with Lola. Let’s split up and search for clues. Meet me back here by five. Unless you find something earlier, in which case . . . come find me.”

Lola nods, as though relieved, and darts down the hall. Arden climbs the stairs.

I turn and grasp Jade’s elbow. “What’s going on?”

She pulls out of my grasp, shrugging. “Nothing.”

“You’re acting weird.”

“No, I’m not.”

I cross my arms. “We’ve worked together far too long for this kind of thing. What aren’t you telling me?”

She sighs, nodding at Isla.

“Isla . . . ?” I prompt.

Isla faces me. “The lumenoring equipment is missing.”

I blink. “What?”

“The equipment we’ve been stealing over the past several weeks. The lumenoscopes, the mirrors, the diffuser, all of it. Gone.”

My mind whirls, stomach churning. This is not possible. “Where is it?”

“I don’t know. But there were illusions left behind that looked like them. Probably to make us think they were still there.” She pauses. “And when Lola and I staked out Salazar’s office this morning, she went to investigate some gunshots and disappeared for a full twenty minutes. I nearly got caught looking for her.”

“Where did she go?”

Isla shakes her head. “I don’t know.”

“Wait, what?” Soren says, stalking closer. “She disappears, and then our treasury is mysteriously robbed?”

“Also . . .” Jade chews on her lip, glancing from Soren to Isla to me, freckled cheeks pinking. “She came up with an idea for us to split up sometimes when we go out. I thought she was being nice to give me opportunities to visit my gran, but this last time, she seemed a little . . . I don’t know. Off. Like she was in a rush to get somewhere.”

Unease rises in my stomach like bile. Could Lola have been deceitful? Could she have stolen from me? But as soon as those thoughts surface, something settles, cool and calming in my blood. Her words after the tournament echo in my head. I trust you. She has always had my back, always been on my side . . . even when I was being less than honest. And she has never lied to me. If she trusts me, then I trust her.

“It must have been my brother who stole the equipment,” I say.

Isla frowns. “How would the Liar get into the Brig?”

“What if the magazines’ reports about Lola and the Liar’s affair were true?” Soren asks, brows rising. “What if she helped him get in? What if they’re working together?”

“She’s not involved,” I say. “It had to have been my brother. Alone.”

“Are . . . are you serious?” Soren gives a sharp, incredulous laugh.