Page 45 of The Duplicity of Thieves

The girl is analytical. Either she’s had this conversation dozens of times, or she spoke to Josie about this specific scenario.

“You’d be stupid to think that I’ve never had this conversation before.”

She can read minds, too. Great.

“I don’t…I…” I try to piece together my thoughts. “She’s one of the most interesting people I have ever met.”

“She is.” Vivian nods in agreement. “She’s complex and closed off. I’ve known her a long time, and I still haven’t figured her out. She’s kinda terrifying and recklessly impulsive. She probably plucks people’s eyeballs out for fun. Do you see what I’m getting at?”

“And that makes her not worth it?” My voice rises in anger even though I don’t mean for it to. Vivian’s mouth pops open in shock before she snaps it closed.

“Listen, Aedonaeus, I’m pulling for you. I really am. When she was with you it was the first time I’ve seen her enjoy herself in a long time and forget about things.”

“So she enjoyed herself the other night?” I grin.

It feels kind of pathetic to need validation that Josie likes me in some capacity. I’m not insecure, but then again maybe I am. Josie is the first girl I’ve ever had to chase.

“I’m not at liberty to say.” She gives me a sly smile. That would be a yes.

I chuckle. “Are you at liberty to say anything?”

Vivian’s tone turns serious. “Jo doesn’t appreciate people speaking for her. There was a time where she didn’t get much say.”

More half-explained statements. It’s more than I’ve gotten from Josie, but she only confuses me further.

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Enough about my sister. Unless you’re here to discuss how you want to be a healer, I’ve gotta go.” Vivian eats the last bit of her sandwich quickly, and tosses the rest of her uneaten lunch in the bag.

“That wasn’t a long lunch.”

“Did you see the waiting room in there? If I don’t go back we’ll be here late into the night, and my fiancé is cooking dinner for me. Don’t wanna keep her waiting. She’s a stickler for time.”

“You’re really not going to tell me how to find Josie?” I ask incredulously. I thought we were playing a game that would end in Vivian caving. She’s nice with the same edge that Josie has. I should have known better; she’s loyal.

“You found her once, who says you can’t find her again?”

“Say I do. How do I get her to agree? You said it yourself, she’ll probably try to get out of it.”

“I don’t know. I’m sure you’ll figure something out.” She gives me a soft smile. “It was good to see you, Aedonaeus. I’m glad you’re not actually a full-on jerk.” Vivian disappears around the corner, leaving me sitting there.

I will see Josie again. I know that much. It happened once, it could happen again. Still, I’m not patient, and knowing that I finally had a possibility of finding her through her sister kept me confident. I figured she might give Josie up to me with how awestruck she seemed at our interactions. I’m no closer than I was before I came here. Instead, I’m leaving with questions, and the understanding that I’ve been failing the very people I vowed to help.

Part II

One for our Inhibitions

Chapter ten

Josephine

The museum from Stafford’s note looms in front of me. It’s made of magnificent white marble, standing out against the historical background of the capital. It’s nothing like I expected, which was a shack in a swamp. It’s so white that it makes me think someone must have a job of just cleaning the outside of this place.

Clouds hang in the sky threatening to cry. People mill about. Children run up and down the stairs while their parents discuss architecture or something. That’s just what I assume people who bring their children to a museum do. There’s a gold banner hanging over the doors with ‘The Wonders of Tartarian Times’ printed across it.

I make my way inside, and I’m ambushed by someone with a pamphlet. The woman smiles wide, and I must look angry because she backs off immediately, not finishing her introduction. I flip through the pages while following the signs. Decorating the halls are paintings of the gods—Zeus and the like. Hades is surprisingly absent.

I pause to marvel over the ancient weapons. A plan starts to form in my mind. Staff never said I couldn’t take anything. These would display nicely in my chamber, and I bet the way they make someone bleed is magical. I shiver at the thought and my mouth waters. How many lives did each blade and spike take?

---