Page 10 of Secrets of Graves and Gold

“It’s a long story,” I say. “And not really relevant. The king has closed all the city gates. I need a way to get past the walls, along with a few companions.”

Garom’s eyebrows leap up even higher than before. “Don’t tell me the sudden commotion is because of you? I heard there was some kind of brawl at the blasted palace itself.”

Of course one of his lackeys would already have caught wind and informed him. I should be grateful there was no one alive other than my men and the royal family to gossip about my confrontation with the king.

I have to choose my next words carefully. It’s well-known that while all key members of the Black Talons sacrifice parts of their scalp by tradition, most make other, more discreet sacrifices so they can request a gift of sizeable power.

No one’s sure what exactly Garom offered up alongside some skin and hair, but he’s got a significant talent for separating truth from falsehood. And if he catches me lying to him, any sense of obligation he feels to fulfill his promised favor may evaporate.

I roll my eyes as if the suggestion is ridiculous. “I didn’t attack the king. But having the gates closed is inconvenient for various other reasons. My associates and I are at risk of getting swept up in the search.”

“And you want me to get you and—how many others?”

I would say three, because I barely know Rheave. He’s barely even human.

But he did warn us when no one else could. He begged me to protect him from the scourge sorcerers.

If I leave him behind, will they get control over him again?

“Four,” I say firmly.

“You want me to get five people out of the city while the Crown’s Watch has Florian under a full royal lockdown.” Garom’s tone has taken on an incredulous note. “What kind of sorcery do you think my people can pull off?”

I manage not to wince at the s-word. “I think you’re one of the leaders of the most powerful organization in Silana outside of the royal court, and if you wanted to be outside those walls right now, there’d be some way you could make it happen. So make it happen for me.”

Garom leans back in his chair with a sigh. “I know I’m in your debt, Ivy. But you know that we’re trying to keep the Crown’s Watch off our backs. If you’ve gotten yourself mixed up in trouble as big as it sounds… that’s a bigger ask than I was prepared for. I have to think about the security of everyone who works under me.”

I fold my arms over my chest and fix him with my best defiant stare. “Really? Your daughter’s life isn’t worth that much? I believe your exact words at the time were, ‘Anything you need, no questions asked.’”

Garom’s jaw ticks at the mention of the job I did for him that earned me his favor. A few years ago, an upstart rival gang kidnapped his then-preteen daughter and threatened him with all the things they’d do to her if the Black Talons didn’t kowtow to them.

I stole her back for him before he even had to tell the rest of the organization about his precarious position. Since he had the rival gang slaughtered, nobody much knows what went down other than me and him.

Unfortunately, that means my position is now precarious. If Garom refuses me, I can’t turn to anyone else to enforce our deal. His colleagues aren’t aware it exists.

But it’s no secret that you don’t become one of the realm’s top crooks by playing by the rules. I came prepared.

He’s still hemming and hawing. “Ivy, I’m going to see that you get everything you deserve for your help to my family. If it were in another week or two?—”

I step forward and smack my palm against the edge of the desk. “I might not have a week. We need to go today. So let me make this easy for you. If I don’t return to my companions with a plan for getting out of here before nightfall and see that plan through, I’ve arranged that the Crown’s Watch will be informed of how to access Crow’s Close, along with a list of who’s responsible for all sorts of past crimes.”

Garom stiffens, his face going sallow. He can tell I’m telling the truth. “You wouldn’t— If they break into this place, they’ll ruin everything. You’d side with those pompous assholes over your people?”

“Of course not.” I smile tightly at him. “I don’t want to tell them anything. I knew you’d be good to your word and I’d be able to stop the message before it’s triggered. I just figured you might need a little reminder of just how much you do owe me first.”

Garom studies me with warier eyes. I’m sure right now he’d like to slit my throat and toss me wherever bodies disappear in the Close, but then he’d be screwing himself over.

If I don’t return, Rheave will deliver the sealed message I really did write to the palace. It’ll be trickier to ensure my failsafe works if Garom’s people turn on us in the middle of our escape, but he doesn’t know that.

And if we make it out of the city safely, I’ll burn the missive without anyone setting eyes on it.

A scowl darkens Garom’s face. He can tell I was being honest about the rest of what I said too—that I don’t want to do it, that I believe he’ll come through with the proper motivation.

Sometimes I think perceiving truth and lies might be more of a curse than a gift. It’d make it a lot harder to lie to yourself when you’d like to.

The gang boss drums his fingers on the table and lets out another, rougher sigh. “I think I might be able to set something up. We made a recent acquisition—I had other plans for it—but you’re right. I wouldn’t trade Luzia’s life for a business opportunity.”

“I’m sure she’d be glad to know that,” I say dryly, and prop myself against the edge of his desk. “Tell me all about this ‘acquisition.’”

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