Page 8 of Quarter Labyrinth

Dryke’s Isle.

StormHolt.

Vermillion.

And the Quarter Labyrinth could be on any one of them. Or it might be on one of the hundred others.

I shifted my weight from one knee to the next, then crouched lower. The grand front doors rested ten paces away. As soon as the note appeared, I’d be ready.

In the quietest hours of the night, the sound of waves tumbling against the cliffs below could be heard reverberating through the stone walls, almost as if the manor itself was alive, watching the thief crouch in the dark.

Inside the foggy windows, shadows and light danced like ripples of waves. Voices came every so often, hushed and urgent, as the final preparations were made for Aksel’s trip. I heard his wife begging him not to chase a fool’s dream again, and I heard his response.

“It’s not a fool’s dream. It’s my destiny.”

Him and me both.

I checked the clock tower behind me.Five more minutes.

My muscles groaned at the uncomfortable curled position. I clamped my mouth tight against the pain and held fast.

The small island began to slumber behind me. The excitement of midnight wore off from those who weren’t going, and now they reached their beds. Gossip would be ablaze tomorrow as we tallied all those who set off—and watched for their defeated returns.

Deep silence fell. I waited, not allowing my mind to shift to anything other than getting that clue.

Then the clock chimed.

Ding.

I braced myself, ready to run.

A shimmering cloud materialized before the doors. That was all the prompting I needed to break into a full sprint. Bare feet slapped against soft grass, then against stone as I climbed the three steps.

The cloud of golden light fizzled away. In its place, a tiny note rested. I grabbed hold, tugged the ribbon free, and—

“What do you think you’re doing?” The voice came as the door opened, and I dropped the note to the ground. Aksel stared down his hooked nose at me, dark eyes flashing with anger.

He began as a sailor before a shark took most of his leg. Now, he managed other sailors while keeping them in line by reminding them how the shark suffered for his crime. I believed every story about him. Now, his jaws trapped me.

I struggled to speak. “I—I only wanted to look.”

He scooped up the note in one hand and stashed it in the pocket of his long coat. His boots were already laced, and a duffel bag sat by the door. “You only wanted to steal, you mean.” His presence seemed to fill the night. I backed away from it.

His thick brows lowered. “I know you.”

On this island, everyone knew everyone. I prayed this wouldn’t connect back to Clark.

“You’re one of the seaweeds, aren’t you?”

Seaweed. The title for the poor class among the islands. Among Haven specifically, my mother and I were one of the poorest.

I straightened my spine. “I shouldn’t have come. I apologize.”

“I should have you whipped for trying to steal such a valuable item,” he said. Before I could think to run, he continued. “But I won’t. I pity you, and I pity your mother. Leave, before my mercy runs dry.”

Heat flamed my cheeks. I turned on my heel and crossed the steps.

Aksel called after me as I stormed back into the thick of the island. “Someday, when I am captain, you can tell everyone about my grace.”

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