“I’m going for a walk,” I told him. “I need some fresh air.”
“Enjoy.” He looked at the cupboard where the pixie dust was stored. “I’m taking the night watch.”
I left the house as quickly as I could manage with my injury. Brent had said Ambrose would be briefing everyone about the new bounty tonight. Whatever it was, I wanted to know.
My side protested with each step, the partially healed wound sending a hot pulse through my ribs, but I still had that strange surge of energy flowing through me that made enduring the pain bearable. I pressed a hand against the bandage and blew out a low stream of air so the pain dulled to a manageable ache before stepping onto the trail.
Moonlight pushed its way through the forest’s branches in thin, silvery streaks, catching on patches of damp earth and the pale stones half buried in the ground. The air was cool and still, carrying the faint scent of moss and wet leaves, and I inhaled gratefully. This smelled of freedom and unlimited possibilities, so much better than being contained within those four walls and waiting to heal with agonizing slowness while Lochlan constantly hovered over me. From somewhere deeper in the woods, an owl called, its low hoot echoing softly through the trees. The path stretched ahead into shadow, disappearing where the branches grew thick enough to swallow the moon’s light.
By the time I reached town, it was well past midnight. All the respectable citizens were already home, warmly snuggled in their beds, while the less reputable people began emerging to skulk around in the shadows. I kept my pace steady as I wound through the familiar maze of lanes leading toward the Syndicate’s safehouse, avoiding common Nightsworn lookout spots and patrol routes as I did so.
My side gave another nasty throb as I turned down the last street. I clenched my teeth and paused, drawing in calm, deliberate breaths. The last thing I needed was for my wound to break open again. Dripping a trail would allow any bloodhound to track me, no matter how old the dog was. I leaned against a wall, focusing on inhaling and exhaling so that my heart rate slowed, then kept going.
I’d been fretting that I’d be too late, but I found the safehouse’s windows illuminated while shadowy figures moved around inside. After triple-checking the street for any lookouts, I gave the correct volley of short knocks intermingled by longer knocks.
Elvin slid open the panel to look out, rolled his eyes, then slid back the lock to let me inside.
“Couldn’t resist coming for more information about the new bounty, could you?” he grumbled. “You always come sniffing around when it comes to money.”
“Good to see you too, Elvin,” I said. “You always know how to make a fellow feel welcome. I heard you broke into the Employer’s office.”
“Why does everyone think that? I told Ambrose it wasn’t me.” He continued to gripe as we walked into the main sitting room, where several bounty hunters were all clustered together, sitting on the couches and murmuring together. Ambrose was at the center, seemingly answering questions, and just as Elvin and I walked in, Ambrose clapped his hands together.
“Well, I think that’s everything,” he said. “If there aren’t any more questions?—”
“Wait,” I called. “Is this about the new bounty?”
Ambrose curled his lip. “Where’ve you been, Gil? No word on the bounty for Tavrek Holloway you set; it’s too early. I barely sent a message to the Employer to get it approved.”
“I’m not here for that. I just want to know about the new bounty.”
Brent turned from where he was seated on one of the low sofas. “There’s a shipment of pixie blood coming in sometime this next week. Information was leaked that there’s a crate full of jars of it. When kept cool, they can heal any injury.”
Ambrose frowned at being spoken for but nodded confirmation. “A large crate with an unknown number of jars, all full of a golden blood that has healing properties.”
Healing properties. That was just like what Peter had said an hour ago. But blood? The thought was rather repulsive.
“Are you sure it wasn’t pixie dust?” I asked carefully. “I’ve heard of that having medicinal properties as well when kept warm.”
“No, no, I’m certain,” Ambrose said confidently. “Pixie blood and it must be fresh or cooled to be useful. If the entire crate is recovered, it’s worth a one-hundred-thousand-gold-shilling bounty.”
Brent gave a low whistle. “I wouldn’t say no to that.”
There were several other growls of agreement, but unease settled over me.
“There’s no information on this shipment,” Ambrose told everyone. “We don’t know anything in terms of who is receiving the delivery, who paid for it, or anything like that.”
Elvin squinted his eyes. “Then how do we know pixie blood is due to arrive or where to start looking?”
Ambrose began pacing around the room. “A shipment was stolen, and the crew who escaped said their attackers mentioned a buyer in Berkway. The Nightsworn are aware of the theft as well and have set several more watches. The Employer’s orders are to steer clear of them and blend in with the crowd while we search.”
My heart was thudding so loudly against my chest that it was a miracle no one around me turned to look for the noise. Roderick, Peter, and Lochlan were waiting for a shipment of pixie blood. All those secret messages passed through the yarn…this was what it was about. They were dealing with pixie blood. An image of Tinkerbell, bound and gagged while people pressed vials to her arms, formed in my mind.
“How is the blood collected?” I asked, trying to sound casual, but my lip curled slightly.
Ambrose shrugged. “From pixies, I suppose.” He went on to echo the same monologue he always gave about avoiding the Nightsworn and that they weren’t to be trusted, but I stopped paying attention. I didn’t need a repeat of a speech I could recite.
This was it. I had information that the rest of the Syndicate didn’t, and if I could intercept the delivery, I would be able to cash in on the biggest bounty of my life. None of them knew where Roderick’s hideout was. I was perfectly positioned to take out the competition. With that kind of money, I could buy my family back a dozen times over. I’d be able to hire private boats to take me wherever I wanted. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…
