Page 107 of Fear the Flames
“Nobody knows Cayden’s full backstory, but he had his scar when we met, so I know he was just a boy when he got it. Sometimes he lets bits and pieces of his past drop, but the way he looked…” She shivers and takes a sip of tea before continuing. “He denied us at first. He knew we had nothing to offer him and didn’t want to be bothered. When Ryder told him he was there because he needed a way to save me, his sister, Cayden agreed. Not graciously, but he agreed. After that, we slowly became a team, and then we became a family. Cayden may have protected us that night, but we’ve protected each other countless times throughout our lives. I love Cayden like a brother, and I always tell people I have two.”
My mind is reeling from all the information she just laid on me. I sip my tea, giving myself a few seconds to prepare a proper sentence in response. “Your father was a believer in the old ways, I presume?”
The old ways of the continent dictate women belong in the home—not on the battlefield, in politics, in forges, in businesses, or anywhere else. I’ve always believed that weak men fear powerful women. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with keeping a home, but everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue whatever they wish. Most people have moved on from the old ways, but there’s always those few idiots that can’t take their heads out of their dead ancestors’ asses long enough to look at the world in front of them.
“Big time,” Saskia scoffs. Her eyes drop to her hands, and I can tell she hates talking about her past. My heart drops in tandem with her lips turning down.
“Saskia, your mind is unlike any other I’ve ever encountered. None of us would have made it this far into the heist without you.” Her troubled eyes flash toward me. The mindset is disgusting, deplorable, and disgraceful. I’d like to challenge each and every man that deems me lesser than them and prove just how well I can best them. I’d also like to watch Saskia go head-to-head in a battle of intellect because I firmly believe nobody can beat her. “Every corner of the world will know your name when we pull this heist off. Your father won’t be able to escape how powerful your mind is because everyone will know how you used it to best King Garrick Atarah and his impenetrable castle. People might even write songs about you and your boundless brain.”
A corner of her lips twists upward. “Your father won’t be able to escape you either.”
“What a pity for him.” A sinister smile spreads across my face. “Let’s show them what kind of claws we grow when they pinch our wings.”
She brings her teacup forward, hovering it in the space between us, “To getting what we deserve and retaliating against those that have wronged us.”
Our teacups clink together, and we drain them before placing them back on the table. She shoots me an infectious smile and reaches over to squeeze my hand. It feels good to talk like this with someone else, to know that more than one person wants to know me, and I want to know someone. Throughout this entire endeavor, I’ve come to the unquestionable conclusion that I’m very grateful I met Saskia Neredras.
“Speaking of my mind and my scheming, the owner left through the back door about five minutes ago.” She drops some money on the table while getting to her feet. The street is close to deserted, save for a few workers cleaning outdoor tables and putting out fires. The sky is a deep orange color, which means it’ll be dark soon.
“Cover me,” I mutter.
We round the corner and enter the alleyway that leads to the back entrance. My two smallest knives find their way into my hands and make quick work picking the lock. I have far too much practice doing this. I slip them back into my holsters and whistle to Saskia while slowly pushing the door open. My gaze peers inside to make sure all the lanterns are out, and detect no signs of movement. When I know we’re safe, we slip into the shop and lock the door behind us.
“Let’s make this as quick as possible,” Saskia says while heading over to a rack in the back. “These sizes should fit you with your leathers underneath.”
“I’ll be fine over here. Try to find a mask, makeup, and something to do with my hair.”
She nods and leaves me by the dress rack. “What color?” she calls over her shoulder, filtering through a display of masks.
I run my fingers along a maroon velvet corset with a gem between the breasts. It has a sweetheart neckline with two off-the-shoulder satin straps. The bottom is a sea of deep maroon tulle; it’ll be perfect for hiding my boots beneath. “I’ll pack this one into a box. It’s maroon.”
“Perfect!” Saskia exclaims while grabbing a mask from the table and tossing it over to me. I don’t waste time looking at it since I trust Saskia’s judgment and place it in the box while folding the dress on top of it. The sun has fully disappeared from the sky, and I want to get out of here before guards go on night patrol. Saskia shoves some red jeweled hairpins into her pockets, and I rush over toward the makeup section. I’ll be wearing a mask, so I don’t bother grabbing too much, just the basics, mascara, lipstick, and tinted powder. I shove them in my pockets while walking over to the large dress box and hoist it in my arms.
“We’ll stick to the alleyways for as long as we can. We should be clear by the time we get back to the dock,” Saskia whispers as presses her ear against the door and listens for any signs of someone in the alleyway.
We slip into the night and take off at a quick pace. Our steps are feather light against the stone streets. We pause before crossing intersections, making sure no sounds are coming our way. A few people loiter along the sides of the roads, but none of them are wearing guard uniforms nor pay us any mind.
We slow our pace once we’re far enough from the dress shop and the line of boutiques. Taking on a leisurely stroll while catching our breath. The dock that leads to the inn we’re staying at looms in front of us.
“I haven’t stolen anything in years,” she says as we step onto the creaking dock. “You’re a bad influence.”
“You say bad influence, I say adventurous influence,” I muse. She glances over at me, and the pair of us break out into a fit of laughter that floats up to the moon.
ChapterForty-Four
Adark figure with their hood pulled up is sitting on the steps of the inn when we make it back. They’re twirling a silver knife that catches moonlight along the edge. I know it’s Cayden, and my suspicions are confirmed when he looks up to meet my gaze over the dress box. I would know his eyes in my sleep, even in darkness. He stands from the steps but stays at the base of them, not coming any closer. I don’t realize I’ve stopped on the small bridge until Saskia reaches around to take the dress box from my arms.
“He’s not here for me,” she whispers before walking toward the inn. Cayden reaches behind him and opens the door for her, never taking his eyes off me.
It’s not long before he closes the distance between us and stands in front of me. I hold the wooden railing in an iron grip. The harshness I had seen in his eyes a few hours ago is gone, but the remorse remains.
“Did you find everything you need?” he asks in a low voice while pulling his hood down.
I nod my head, swallowing through the tight feeling in my throat. “Did you?”
“Yes,” he confirms, darting his eyes away from me quickly.
“I’m sorry,” I blurt out, looking at his boots. His gaze focuses on me, and I force myself to look up again. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It wasn’t my intention.”
