Page 46 of The Orc's Thief
“Aye.” He wraps a leather tie around his hair. “As long as I know the answer. If I don’t, you can ask another.”
His grooming seems to be done, but he doesn’t put the comb away. Instead, he leans over and offers it to me.
I shake my head at him. I don’t want his godsdamned comb, and I resent the implication that I need one. We’re traveling in the wilderness, and I don’t want him thinking I’m trying to make a good impression. If he doesn’t like my messy hair, maybe he’ll leave me alone.
“I wantthreequestions,” I declare.
He dips his chin in a quick nod. “Deal.”
Damn it, I should have asked for more. I expected him to bargain.
“Fine. You said the Ravens were moving caravans out of the city. That you were working with the city watch to figure out what scheme they were running. Was there anything else you learned that you haven’t told me?”
It’s a broad question, but I might as well milk him for all the information I can.
Arlon draws in a slow breath, eyes trained on the road ahead. “I was in Ultrup for several years, and we never managed to pin anything definitive on the Ravens. Their operations were either completely legal or so well concealed that we couldn’t find anything to charge them with.” He casts a quick glance at me. “But they’ve never done anything on this scale before, at least not openly. We always suspected they were shaking people down for protection money and collecting dues from businesses operating out of their properties, but kidnapping? That’s altogether different.”
I snort. “You must not have been looking in the right places. They don’t just own properties—theyownpeople. Favors, information, that’s what they deal in. They’ve infiltrated the Duke’s court, and Damen is one of the most powerful men in Ultrup.”
I bite down on the words too late, cursing myself. I shouldn’t be volunteering this.
But Arlon only nods, expression serious. “Aye, that makes sense. No trail to follow if you’re only trading gossip. Smart. But you said you don’t belong to them, so they don’t own you.”
It’s not a question—clever of him. I’d hoped he’d waste his turn on something pointless. I’ll need to be more careful before I blurt out anything else.
“Based on what you’ve learned, do you think they’re really kidnapping people?”
It’s a weak question, but I need to ask because the thought of Lindie suffering somewhere makes my stomach clench.
“I think Damen is smarter than that,” Arlon admits. “He’s been dealing directly with the Duke. Why would he risk his entire operation by doing something so reckless?”
He has a point. It’s a relief, in a way. Lindie might not be in danger. But it also leaves me with no answers.
“Ask your third question, Tessa,” he prompts, voice low. “One more, and it’s my turn.”
A shiver crawls down my spine at his words, though it’s not fear, not exactly. It’s the uncertainty that gets to me. I don’t know what Arlon wants from me, and that’s…unsettling.
“Why were you staying at the Heron if your clan has a house in town?” I demand.
If I hadn’t been watching him closely, I would’ve missed the slight tick of his jaw. His teeth clench, then loosen a beat later.
“There wasn’t enough room at the house,” he says finally. “A trading caravan arrived from Bellhaven—five or six wagon drivers. That’s plenty for the house, but my friend’s family came with them, and they took up a lot of space with their twins, as is their right. I occupied those rooms long enough. I didn’t fancy sharing with the others, so I moved to the Heron instead.”
I study him, catching the faint flush that spreads across his cheeks.
“I thought the game was to tell the truth,” I murmur, hating how much the answer disappoints me.
Because somehow, I know it’s not the whole truth. I don’t know how, exactly, but I’d bet every gold mark I stole from him that he’s holding something back.
He looks at me sharply, then inclines his head. “Aye, that’s right. And I didn’t lie.”
“But you didn’t tell me everything,” I protest. “What you told me isn’t the real reason.”
To my surprise, Arlon smiles, one of his true, earnest grins that send my belly tumbling. I have no clue why he’s so happy—I just accused him of lying.
“You can tell that already?” He nudges his horse closer to me and takes a deep inhale, then retreats to his side of the road.“You’re already attuned to me, even after a day. That’s a very good sign.”
I squint at him, unimpressed. “I’m attuned toliars, not you specifically. Now, are you going to—?” I stop myself just in time and reformulate the question as an order, just in case he’s counting. “Tell me the truth, or the game stops now.”
