“You’re very popular today, Jax,” Dae says when he brings a small bottle with a tiny glass for me.
“Well, yes, I have this quality about me,” I say with a smile. “I can’t help but make peoplewantme, you know.”
Dae laughs, pouring the thick red wine into a glass. He shakes his head. “I have a feeling today you’re going to wish you didn’t have this quality.”
Immediately, every muscle in my body tenses. But I don’t let the smile on my face waver even for a second.Gods damn it.
“And whatexactlydo you mean by that, my friend?”
Dae jerks his chin at something or someone behind my shoulder. “Kugi is here for you. Has been waiting for forty minutes. And there are three more guests waiting.”
I put a few coins on the bar for the wine and turn around. Kugi sits at one of the tables next to the only window in the whole place. I wave at him. When he notices me, he rises to his feet and makes his way to the bar.
Dae brings another glass for Kugi and swipes the coins from the bar into the pocket of his apron.
The first thing Kugi says to me is: “You’re late.”
I pour him a glass of wine and push it towards him.
“Yes, I know, Kugi, dear. But it’s not due to ill intentions, you must know. I just got tangled in some business with Vexx on my way here. I had to stop and help a friend out. I’m sure you can understand.”
Kugi grunts, looking at me with his good eye. The other one is covered with a leather patch. I’m not sure whether it’s because he truly doesn’t have one eye, or he’s only wearing a patch to look more intimidating. I don’t bother asking. It’s none of my business, after all.
“Did you get it?” Kugi asks once his glass is empty.
I smile and nod. From the inner pocket of my jacket, I fish out a small box made of solid gold and hand it to him. “Of course. It was as easy as slicing a pie.”
Kugi takes the box and opens it. For a long moment, he marvels at the huge solid gold coin inside. He is paying me a generous amount of frade to steal this little treasure from one of the local noble families.
“Did you touch it?” Kugi asks, finally peeling his gaze away from the box.
I shake my head while I refill our empty glasses.
“I followed your instructions. Take the box, don’t touch what’s inside, bring it to you as soon as possible.”
“Good.” Finally, Kugi smiles and pats me on the shoulder. “You wouldn’t want the curse transferring to your blood line.”
“Awhatnow?”
Kugi barks a laugh.
I’m not laughing, though.
“I’m just messing with you, kid,” he says, brushing a tear from his eye. “It’s an old trick to keep thieves from stealing from rich families. They create a story about the curse for family heirlooms like this one. It used to work in the old times, but what those lazy Dzuni don’t know is that street rats have gotten smarter and we don’t believe in curses anymore. That’s why it was so easy to steal—they still think that century-old stories will protect their riches.”
With a grunt, Kugi drains his glass and smacks his lips together.
“So why didn’t you take it yourself if it’s so easy?”
“Because I’m already walking a thin line,” he says, and pushes one of his sleeves up. Two thin black lines mark his bicep. “I get one more mark and my head is going to be off my shoulders. I would prefer it to stay on.”
“Fair enough.” I nod and then wave to Dae to bring us another bottle of sweet wine.
Sometimes, I still make the mistake of forgetting where I am. Back in Emera, I never had to worry about getting caught. Father has half the damn country in his pocket—all the right politicians, bankers, and soldiers. But here, in Ekios, I have to be more careful. I don’t have anyone watching my back.
I’m on my own.
“Jax!”
