Page 34 of The War Queen's Daughter

“Raltair, kill all the lights.” The young man nods. “Kell and I will liberate the prize. Fast and silent. Let’s go.”

He hasn’t given me orders, so I stay with him, do as he does. The twins make short work of the window, one cracking the lock,the second easing it open from above before examining it from the hanging position.

A thumbs up, and Raltair is inside, the lights doused immediately, Apple waiting for Kell and me to enter before she settles just above the windowsill, Zenthris the last to touch down.

The interior of the house’s top level is quiet, though the sound of some kind of party going on below reaches us, the floor vibrating with it. I touch Zenthris’s shoulder with a soft touch to let him know I’m on his heels, and he’s off as the twins retreat to join Apple, lights winking out ahead of us as Raltair does his work quickly and without notice.

Not that there’s anyone up here to notice. I don’t sense anyone ahead or behind, the heartbeat of the house in the lower levels.

I have no idea what we’re after, and it isn’t until Zenthris stops outside a doorway, fingers brushing across it, that he whispers to Kell.

“This one.”

The drakonkin hesitates. “I don’t feel it.”

“I do. Just trust me.” I have no idea what they’re talking about and keep my questions for after the fact as Zenthris tests the handle.

It doesn’t open, at least not at first. Kell grunts something I miss, but Zenthris is frowning, staring at the knob in his hand. I’m about to suggest we break it when it suddenly gives way, and the door is open.

He unlocked it somehow. But how?

Another question, piling up with others now, as they hurry inside. I wait by the door as Raltair joins me, nodding to him as he grins back with a little salute. And then he’s gone, back the way we came, and I see him disappear out the window.

Their jobs done, the others have exited. Should I do the same? I’ve been superfluous in this entire endeavor thus far. Why did Zenthris bring me? Annoyed all over again, I follow the two rogues inside the room in time to see Kell remove a painting from the wall. This is about art?

No, not even close. There’s a large steel door on the other side. A safe. And from the clink of metal on metal, I now know what the key is for.

The key from the library.

What is going on?

The safe door creaks when Kell pulls it open. I’m too slow despite my speed to see what it is that Zenthris helps himself to from inside it. The drakonkin closes the safe again, locking it, settling the painting back in place.

Zenthris winks at me on the way by, and he’s gone out the door, Kell following, leaving me to fume and glare at the painting one more moment before I’m on their heels.

Out into the night air and onto the rooftop while the twins swing down to close the window and lock it.

“What about the lights?” I’m sullen and not trying to hide it.

“The lamps ran out of oil,” Raltair says with a shrug, showing me a small skin that he tucks away inside his shirt. “A shame that the servants were lax. They might get flogged for it.”

I’m not fond of his suggestion, but the crew is slipping away, and I don’t have a say in the matter. Mission complete, the group separates without having to be told, dissolving into the night with the silent efficiency of seasoned rogues. I’m still with Zenthris when Kell pauses and stares at me from the lip of a roof before he disappears with a leap.

Leaving me alone with Zenthris.

He’s not still, racing away. It gives me time to pull back from the anger I’m fighting. I hate the feeling of being left out. I’ve been living that far too much lately. And though I came on thisadventure willingly, eagerly, the fact that I have been less than useless to him despite his invitation rankles.

I finally pull him to a halt at the cusp of the market square. “I’ll go no further,” I say. “Until I have answers.”

“Then you’ll go no further,” he says.

We face off, Zenthris smirking and me glaring back at him. A punch would wipe that grin from his face. So would a kiss. Despite my annoyance, I’m inclined to the latter.

“You didn’t need me here,” I say. That’s what irks me the most.

“No,” he agrees somewhat happily. “I’m more than capable and able to get along without you, princess, and have been for a very long time.”

“Then why?” I’ll slap that smirk from his face, I swear it. “Why lure me out here if not to be of service?”

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