Page 5 of The Sorcerer's Thief
A tall,prettyman with long dark hair framing a sharp, elegant face. Dressed from head to toe in black with a wool cloak draped around his broad shoulders. A shark’s smile reveals pearly white teeth. He tips his hat, his gaze moving slowly from my face, down my body, and back up, stopping at my chest. His smile widens.
Wait a minute. Does he know? Why would he askwhatI’m talking to instead ofwhoI’m talking to?
But he can’t know.
Can he?
Chapter 2
Cricket
Maybe I should ask the coin.
Its magic is pulsing as though it understands more of the situation than I do, a warm sensation against the rhythmic beating of my heart.
The stranger meets my gaze, green eyes glowing in the dim light, and cocks his head. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”
His voice is a smooth, seductive baritone. Clear and precise. He offers his hand, skin sparkling. Fae, then, though he’s on the tall side to be full-blooded, but no wings.
Where are his wings?
His proffered hand has only the thumb and three digits. A nub is what’s left of his littlest finger. I try to hide the surprise before he notices.
He clears his throat. “I’m Julian.”
I ignore his hand and give him the same obvious once-over he gave me from his thin pink lips to the pointed toes of his polished black leather boots and back up to the smirk now plastered across his stupidly attractive face.
This man is trouble.
And I’ve always had a knack for trouble.
Instead of allowing him to touch me, I step back and assess my getaway routes.
I could return the way I came and follow the main road out of the city. Or go through to the run-down wooden door on my right. I could probably shove it open and take my chances escaping through the back room of a closed shop. But with enough of a head start, climbing one of the stone buildings and taking to the rooftops is my best option. I doubt he could follow.
“Ah, ah, ah.” Julian arches his brows. “Before you go, I’ll be relieving you of the coin that’s in your vest pocket. Ineedit.”
Wait, how does he know that?
His expression turns ravenous. A starved coyote with the scent of blood in its nostrils and just enough energy left for one last hunt.
But I didn’t escape dozens of Ralossi’s finest to be undone by this smooth talker in a dirty alley. “Not a chance, Jules. This one’s mine. Get your own.”
“Only one exists.” If the pet name bothers him, he doesn’t show it.
“Not my problem.”
“Tell me. How have you come to be in possession of such an artifact?” His mouth wraps around the words like an embrace.
“Stole it. Fair and square.” I shoot him a glare and cross my arms over my chest, daring him to judge me.
“One could argue that isn’t fair at all.”
“Is that what you’re going to argue?”
“No. It wouldn’t be fitting, seeing as I’m going to steal it from you.”
“You can try.” If an entire palace full of guards couldn’t catch me, I’m willing to bet neither can this one man. The trick to thievery is to be faster than those in pursuit. And I’m alwaysfaster. Erm, except for just now in the palace, but that was a fluke. And I had the coin to help me.
