Page 1 of The Protégé

PROLOGUE

ORION

My palms were sweatingas I stared at the group of people in the busy park. Nerves knotted my stomach as I scanned the crowds, making sure my father, the nanny, and the security guards assigned to monitor me weren’t around. I was supposed to be inside my fancy hotel room, eating caviar and studying like the disciplined and astute boy my father wanted me to be. Though it was summer, I had a full schedule of studying so I could take over the family business one day.

They’d be surprised to know what sustained me during these grueling days.

A fifteen-year-old boy didn’t need a nanny. That was embarrassing. Though I didn’t mind Molly watching over me, I preferred my solitude. My mom was meeting up with some of her astrology friends, and Dad was at a business meeting. Mom had asked me to join her, but I had told her I was busy studying, which wasn’t a lie. I was studying how to be the best thief.

“Ready for this, boy?” my mentor said into the earpiece. “It’s not too late to back out now.”

The Condor wasn’t with me in Providence, Rhode Island, but somewhere in Europe. But because today was my debut, I kept him informed to prove that I’d learned something from him.

I’d met The Condor in Paris during a vacation trip with my parents. He’d started a conversation after seeing my mom’s astrology book on my lap. We started a strange friendship discussing the constellations and weird shit. When he started telling me stories about a prominent thief, I was hooked. He was sharing his personal stories with me. Fascinated by his life, I hadbeggedhim to teach me, and my persistence paid off.

I didn’t want to fail The Condor. He had one other disciple called The Raven, but I’d never met him. I felt privileged that The Condor had chosen me to be his next disciple, and I wanted to make him proud.

“I’m ready.” I walked toward the playground, looking for the perfect victim. “Chat later.”

Fear crawled up my spine as I glanced at the people around the picnic tables, the couples cuddling on blankets sprawled on the grass, and groups of kids hanging out.

Wearing khaki shorts and a T-shirt, I shifted my backpack as I observed the surrounding people. No large groups. Too many eyes. Too much room for mistakes. It had to be someone isolated. I had accompanied The Condor a few times when he’d stolen precious items, and I’d watched plenty of videos he’d recorded of his adventures.

Three teens stood by a tree, but a dog wagged its tail by the tall kid’s feet. Not a good option. I swung my attention farther down the path. My eyes settled on two teens busy looking at a magazine. Excitement rushed through me as I took out a book and walked toward them, pretending to read.

I bumped into the girl, snatched the brooch from her shoulder bag, and said, “Shit. Sorry!”

She fell against her friend, probably her boyfriend.

“Yo, watch it,” said the boyfriend, looking annoyed.

“Sorry,” I apologized again and walked off, smiling like a fool.

The brooch warmed my hand as I made my way out of the park. My heart raced with excitement and fear. No one called after me. No one shouted for the police.

I’d succeeded.

When I’d gotten far enough, I glanced back and saw the two teens still engrossed in the magazine. Smiling to myself, I opened my palm and examined the gleaming brooch. I didn’t know if it was worth anything, but it had glistened from afar, calling me.

I snapped a picture and sent it to The Condor on a phone that my family didn’t know I had.

Orion:My first souvenir.

My first treasure.

The Condor:Not bad.

Orion:Thanks!

A thrill rushed through me.

The Condor:We’ll chat when you’re back in Sweden.

What would happen if my parents found out about my new hobby? Disown me? That would be my father’s reaction if I weren’t his only son. He needed me to carry on his lineage. Thinking of the responsibility bestowed upon me stressed me out, so I shoved it away.

Mom would ask me the reason for my choice. She’d always looked at things differently. I loved her for that. The world needed more people like my mom. Dad’s family thought she was weird, but Mom didn’t care. She had worked for NASA before she married into the Reimann family. Though she was a scientist, she also liked mystical things. My dad’s family was probably jealous of her intelligence. Especially my aunt, Madelyn, who had a lot of plastic surgery and wore too much makeup. I’d heard her talk about my mom behind her back.

I didn’t like being around Uncle Ray’s family. His sons Jonah and Jasper attended the same private school as me. Jonah was two years older, while Jasper was my age. I didn’t mind Jonah, but Jasper was a different story. My cousins wouldn’t dare steal like I just did.

---