Aiden’s gaze went distant, thoughtful.
“Is that strange?” I asked. “Wouldn’t they alert the day guards and the harbor towers?” Unless Renwell was keeping it quiet because of me. But that only looked more suspicious.
“One can never be too sure with the High Enforcer,” Aiden said. “He’s always playing one game or another. It could be thathe thinks we’re dead. Or he can’t admit to anyone outside the Den that two prisoners escaped his legendary clutches.”
The hatred in Aiden’s tone sent a chill down my spine. Was it simply because of what Renwell had done to him in the Den?
“I say it’s a boon from Mynastra,” Maz announced. “Now, let’s talk about the gold.”
I almost smiled at his eagerness. He would be crestfallen when whatever plan they had failed. Renwell would never allow them to steal from Father. I just needed the plan to take long enough to discover what Aiden wasreallydoing in Aquinon and then escape before they found out who I was and what I’d done.
That thought brought me comfort as I spread my hands wide. “What do you want to know?”
Aiden’s eyes pierced me, his relaxed posture belying the intensity in his eyes. “You said you watched Asher show the vault to the prince and princesses. But did you see how exactly he opened it? How many guards were there?”
“Only one guard because Asher thinks the door is unbreachable. He keeps the key around his neck at all times. Never takes it off.” I paused. “And the vault door has several false locks that, if tripped, will require a key from the king to unlock.”
“Do you know which is the right keyhole?” Maz asked.
I swallowed hard and nodded, the door gleaming in my memory. “Yes... if I saw it again.”
“And how would you do that?” Aiden demanded.
“By helping you unlock it, of course.”
Maz grinned and eased back against the wall, licking his fingers, while Aiden leaned forward with a glare. “Absolutely not.”
“Why not? You need someone who can get close enough to Asher to steal the key without tipping him off. And you need someone who’s seen the vault door to unlock it. That’sme.” Itapped one of my sore cheeks. “What is it again you like to keep calling me? Oh, yes. Little thief. Well, Aiden, it appears you have need of one.”
Maz hooted with laughter, slapping his thigh. “Ah, fucking Four, I’ll take her on if you don’t, brother.”
The fury in Aiden’s eyes scorched the air between us, and I basked in the heat. I’d neatly played him, and he knew it.Looks like I win again.
But then his expression shifted, calmed. My skin prickled in warning.
“If you are telling the truth and if I allow you to join us, you will be working for me, obeying my orders.” He gave me a serpentine smile. “Is that something you can do?”
My stomach turned over. I hated the idea of being under his thumb. But it was the only way. “I will never harm anyone for you. Or allow harm to come to myself beyond what I deem necessary.”
Disgust hardened his face. “I wouldn’t command anything of the sort.”
“Then it shouldn’t?—”
“But,” he cut in, “I would require you to live with us and be under our watch at all times.”
I balked. How would I ever report to Renwell? “Why?”
“I don’t trust you.” He gestured to the door. “And if that’s a problem, then you can leave now on a ship bound for Eloren. You will be safer there.”
Safer for you.I knew things now that he didn’t want me to know. About Maz, about this hideout, abouthim.I could turn them all in. He was right not to trust me, but I had to convince him he could. Otherwise, I would never find out what he’d been doing in the Den or why he was so desperate for gold.
“I have no money,” I said carefully, “and the only skills I possess would land me in other unsavory jobs. All that in a foreign world. How is that safer?”
His jaw clenched. “A city where the High Enforcer and his Wolves will be hunting you is far more dangerous than the unknown. Especially when you plan to steal from another High Councilor.”
“If it’s so dangerous, then why don’t you leave?” I demanded, jabbing my finger at both Aiden and Maz. “Youstole from them and killed two Wolves.”
Maz threw up his hands as if to defend himself, but Aiden beat him to it. “Ican’tleave,” he snarled. “I’ve evaded them for years while you’ve never lived outside the palace. You won’t survive here.”
