Chapter One
Colette smiled at themassive blood red ruby that lay before her on a black velvet cushion. All was quiet around her as she took a moment to admire her latest target. It twinkled in the moonlight, its depths dark and alluring. She reveled in its beauty, and found herself wishing, if only for a moment, that it was not just a means to an end.
Her poison of choice had done its work incapacitating the guards; one deep breath was all it took, and they would sleep for a day. Still, she preferred to be quick once she acquired her targets, just in case that frustratingly competent Captain of the Guard happened to be on her tail.
Colette took the gem in her gloved hands, slipping it into a nondescript black pouch and tucking it into a deep pocket she’d sewn inside her shirt. As she turned to make her way back down to the kitchen to slip out the same window she had entered through, she noticed a small writing desk on the far wall. The room was a study, she could tell; the walls were lined with books and prized possessions displayed in cases like the ruby’s.
She walked over to the desk, laid with fresh cream-colored parchment and elegant feather quills. A pot of ink soaked up the ambient glow of the desert moon that snaked in through the windows.
Colette wasn’t sure what came over her, but she found herself reaching for a quill. She scrawled a note on the top piece of parchment.
Captain,
You certainly are determined to catch me. Perhaps you should find a better use for that intense focus?
Kindest regards,
Your Jewel Thief
Colette nearly let out a laugh. She was certain the Captain of the Guard would be absolutely livid at her flippant attitude as she eluded capture once again. She hesitated a moment, wondering if it was wise to goad someone with the Captain’s ruthless reputation, but what was life without a bit of levity?
She left the note on the desk and glided back through the halls of yet another mansion she could add to her running list of successful jobs. The weight of the ruby tucked into her shirt pocket had Colette feeling a mix of relief and triumph. Slipping out into the night, she let the ambient sounds of Zhava City fill her mind.
Chapter Two
Mav focused on thecold bite of the marble under her knees as she knelt in front of Sartya’s king. Another theft, another of the mighty Lords of Sartya made a fool. She had been on this jewel thief’s trail for months to no avail. Her failure was a stain on her perfect track record, and it was driving her mad.
“Commander Azimi, I cannot overstate the importance of identifying and apprehending this thief. They have taken some of the most precious heirlooms of our great houses. It cannot continue.” The king paused before he continued more quietly, his exasperation with his own ridiculous court showing. “Mav, they truly will not let it drop. We both know there are more important things to spend our efforts on, but this is an opportunity for me to make them feel heard. Let’s resolve this so we can get on with our lives. Use whatever tools you have at your disposal to bring the culprit to justice. See it done.”
“Yes, your majesty. I will see it done.” Mav knew their king was a good man, and she understood the powerful nobles often tried his patience.
Mav rose but kept her head bowed in deference. She stepped to the side of the great hall, assuming her usual position to keep watch over the day’s remaining official business. Whoever the thief was, they were soundly ruining Mav’s career. As the only manticore in a city of humans, Mav had fought for years to establish her reputation as loyal, competent, dependable, and fierce.
She had, of course, faced some prejudice—there was a reason her people weren’t integrated into human society—but she had overcome it and had risen in the ranks based on her merit. Now, as the Captain of the Guard of Sartya’s capital, Zhava City, she was responsible for the safety of this sprawling desert metropolis.
Normally, something as trivial as a string of robberies would not have been important enough to warrant her attention, but this particular thief was targeting the noble families, and they were complainingloudlyto the king about it. It had become her problem three months ago, and four more break-ins had occurred since she took over the investigation. The king was not happy.
Mav took a deep breath and tried to ground herself in the snug fit of her familiar leather armor, the comfort of her sword pommel in her hand where it rested in a sheath at her side. She would find answers. She could tackle any problem before her.
As she stood watch over the proceedings, stewing in her frustration, one of her lieutenants stepped up beside her and handed her a tiny roll of parchment. Her eyes quickly scanned the message within, and her shoulders tensed. The thief had struck again last night—but this time, they had left a clue.
Chapter Three
Colette sank down witha contented sigh into her favorite plush chair by the fireplace. Her grandmother, Talisa, sat opposite her on a small matching sofa. Talisa often stayed up late to wait for Colette to return after a job. The two women rested in a comfortable silence, enjoying the dancing light of the flames brightening the small main room of the home they shared.
Ever since Colette had arrived in Zhava City three years ago, she had stayed close to her grandmother, Talisa. Colette’s mother had been an only child. When her mother met her father and moved away to Ichorna all those years ago, her grandmother had refused to leave along with them. She had written Colette letters every month for as long as Colette could remember, though they only met a few times when the family had returned to Zhava City to visit.
Colette’s thoughts wandered, and she let herself miss her parents for a rare moment. The fire gradually slowed its dance, settling down into glowing embers as Colette thought of the lifeshe had left behind in Ichorna. She had been a palace guard in the capital, Lucinne. She had loved the long hours of training and exertion her role required; she wanted to be able to take care of herself.
Colette and her grandmother had grown close from years of thoughtful and regular correspondence, so when Talisa fell ill and could no longer live alone, Colette decided to move her life to Zhava City. Growing up in Ichorna had been wonderful, but she craved a new adventure.
Finding a job as a guard in the city had not proven as easy as Colette had hoped, however. Sartyans could be a suspicious lot, and the fact that she had served another realm, despite her Sartyan heritage, had kept her shut out of every opportunity. So, she had found other ways to put her skills to use—more fulfilling ways.
Pulling herself from her thoughts, Colette turned to her grandmother.
“I am happy to be here with you. I hope you know that,” she said.
“For someone in your line of work, you are rather sentimental—but I am grateful for your company and for your honesty. You are the light of my life, Coco.” Talisa smiled at her. “Will you help me to bed? I’ve stared at the fire long enough for tonight.”
