CHAPTER 15
Kadin
“WHAT ARE YOU DOINGup so early?” I asked Arie, stepping out onto the roof. The morning sun still kissed the horizon and the light had a pure, shimmery quality to it, cool and refreshing before the heat of the day.
I tried to catch my breath as I approached. When I’d awoken, her door had been open—and though I wouldn’t admit it to her, I’d run through the entire house searching for her, terrified she’d left in the night with the talisman.
She sat curled up on the sofa surrounded by pillows, wearing the same dress she’d worn the last two days. It occurred to me, belatedly, that she didn’t have anything else. Didn’t have a single bag or coin to her name. And yet, besides a hint of dark circles under her eyes, she looked beautiful and perfect. A blush rose in her cheeks as I admired her.
“Were the men too loud last night?” I pulled a chair over to sit by her, turning it backwards so I could straddle it and drape my arms over the back. I faced the colorful sky as well. “They aren’t used to having a lady in the crew. Have we made you uncomfortable?”
“No.” She shook her head, but didn’t take her eyes off the sunrise. “They’re fine. You’re all fine. I just couldn’t sleep.”
“Are you worried about something?” I studied her out of the corner of my eye. “Something you want to share?” Ever since we’d told her our plans for the heist last night, she’d been quiet.
That got her attention. One perfect brow arched as she glanced over at me. “SomethingIwant to share? How about you go first? It’s not every day one meets six men preparing to steal treasure from a king. And not to keep, but to pay for a Jinni’s services? All of which, everyone immediately changes the subject when I ask...”
I laughed. “Fair point.” The men were just following orders. They had their secrets, and I had mine. The pink streaks in the sky were fading to a more normal blue. The men would be up soon if they weren’t already.
“You’re good at keeping secrets, you know that? You’re impossible to... read,” Arie faltered over the last word.
“Am I?” I smiled, liking the idea. When she frowned back at me, I chuckled. Oh, why not tell her a little? “You want to know about us? About how we started stealing from castles?”
She nodded. Swinging her legs off the sofa, she faced me fully, leaning forward.
“Where should I start?” I teased, tapping my chin. “Well, Illium, Ryo, and Daichi aren’t here for the Jinni. They only care about getting paid. I caught the cousins fleecing travelers along the road for small coin almost two years ago. They’re better at working together than they let on. Illium, we met even more recently; about nine months back. We’d heard rumors he was good with poisons, but he was selling sleeping tonics and other potions when we met. We went looking for him, since we needed someone with his talents for some jobs. He’s a bit spooked by the Jinni though. I’m not sure if he’ll stay with us.” The thought made me pause. The older man could be dangerous if he wanted to be. I’d have to handle him with care and a generous send off.
“What about the others?” Arie’s voice pierced the quiet. “And you?”
I held up a hand. “Settle down, I’m getting to that. The rest of us are here to find a Jinni. The heist is just a necessary part of our work.”
Arie pressed her lips together, raising a brow.
“Naveed and I grew up together. He’s been with me since we started. We want to find a Jinni for the same reason—and no,” I added when her mouth opened, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“But Gideon said it was revenge?” she said anyway. “How did he know that? Was he right?”
“You’re stubborn, you know that?” I rested my chin on my hand as I half-smiled at her. I didn’t want to think about it. “Does that normally work for you?”
