Page 15 of Dishonor Among Thieves
“My brother is intent on sending her away in the morning.” The voice, much softer and gentler than Neo’s, echoed through the closed door.
Antonia said something, but I couldn’t make it out over the sounds of their retreating footsteps. I was nearly certain before the voices faded completely away that I heard something turn, a lock perhaps, containing me within this beautiful cell for the night.
There were windows and I had everything I needed in reach. I’d escape if it came to that. No doubt Neo wanted to contain the rooms I might raid to just this one. He didn’t want me to stay, so my containment was by no means imprisonment. It was little more than an act of damage control. A way of showing exactly how little trust he put in me—an unarmed, homeless, useless girl.
I turned onto my side and burrowed my face into the soft pillow. I’d probably take it with me in the morning. Out of spite. After all, I was a criminal. Not to be trusted in this house. With Neo’s job. With anything. I might as well live up to the expectations of me, low as they were. I drifted off into a fitful sleep, my fingers wrapped around my sister’s touchstone.
Help me, Gini,I prayed.Help me so I can help you.
It was probably better that I moved on from this place. I hadn’t told Neo the whole truth about the foundling home. Yes, I’d been bound to stay there, working under lock and key, maintaining the secrets of the children who passed through those rooms year after year after year. But when I finally left, I’d fled. Escaped. I’d not been cast out. Not been accused of thievery. I’d stolen nothing, taking nothing from that place. Except the secrets that would forever bind me to it.
I couldn’t tell Neo why I’d been unable to leave. Why I only left once my sister disappeared. Whether I’d been forced out or left of my own will didn’t matter any longer. What he needed to know—where I was from, how little I had, why I was so insistent in my pursuit of his job—none of that would matter come morning.
As I drifted off to sleep, I dreamed of golden eyes, a barren manor, and visions of hills drenched in blood.
ChapterFive
“Hmmm, which one…You…or you?” I fought waking the next morning, running my fingers along the perfect seams of the pillows beneath my head as the tiniest hint of sunrise pressed against the window glass. Despite how emotional I’d been, I did fall asleep, and oh, by the gods, I’d slept soundly. Haunted by unusual dreams, yes, but still… It would have been impossible to deny that soft pillows, a warm blanket, and the comfort of a full belly led to an incredible night’s sleep. Too bad it wasn’t going to last.
I traced the stitches on the pillows with my fingernails, wondering over the talented craftsperson whose hands had once so perfectly guided the needle to make such a luxurious item. Perfect flowers were embroidered in wreaths along one of the pillow’s edges. Another was trimmed in a short, soft fringe.
Maybe I’d find someone willing to teach me tailoring. Embroidery, even. I’d mended plenty of clothes over the years and was not terrible with a needle and thread. I was no artisan, but who was until they’d been gifted time to practice and reliable guidance? If I needed to create a new life for myself, I’d need to find work that was meaningful, fulfilling. Honest. But until then…
“It’s decided, then,” I said.
I grabbed the flowered pillow and rolled it tight between my hands, crushing the downy feathers inside. I had a momentary twinge of conscience as I slipped the pillow beneath my cloak, tying it tightly into a small bundle with the leather strap from my pouch. I’d never promised Neo that I wouldn’t steal from him again. Well, maybe I had made such a promise back in Fish Head End, back when I thought the wealthy lord would be my future employer. But now? He was nothing to me. Nothing except a man who had more pillows than heart.
The pillow was mine now. His rotten heart would remain his problem.
I gathered my things quietly and checked the handle on the door. It was not, as I’d expected, locked, so I was able to slip into the hallway with my full purse. I heard the soft echoes of sounds carrying through the hallway. The voices of Antonia and Dale, no doubt readying the household for morning. Cooking, cleaning, laughing. I shouldn’t have been surprised they were awake at this hour, but I hastened to the front door, unwilling to engage the members of the Oderisi household. Especially not the heartbreakingly kind old couple. I had a pillow to smuggle out and a horse waiting for me. The day ahead promised hardship and heartbreak. The sooner I set out on the road, the sooner I might find some kinder path.
I tread softly across the expansive property, peering down at the sedum that covered the land like a lush blanket. I wondered about the red glow I’d seen on the plants last night and knelt to inspect the perfectly coiled blooms. In the early morning light, I could see there was something growing on the petals of the sedum, something that might have been algae or perhaps a type of moss. It was dark red now, the color of dried blood, not the vibrant, nearly glowing red I’d seen last night. The plant life, like the man who owned this manor, would remain a mystery, though. I was not meant to stay here, and I tread cautiously through the sedum until I reached an expansive field of grass.
When I reached the stable, I shoved the door open and wandered through the stalls looking for Sara. I realized as I peeked at the bays and other breeds the family kept that I would not be able to repay the farrier who had treated Sara with such kindness. The reality of that brought a pang of sickness to my heart.
Maybe I would stay in Omrora. Maybe I’d find other work here, or, I thought sadly, other petty thefts that would allow me to make good on my debt to the farrier before making my way onto the next village. I sighed but brightened when I noticed the distinctive dark mane of my sweet mare Sara peeking up from behind a low wooden stall. Her white muzzle looked far brighter than it had yesterday, the gouges on her face almost impossible to perceive.
“My girl,” I whispered as I approached, mindful that a stablehand might be about. “What’s happened to your lovely face? That must have been some ointment—”
As I approached the stall, I realized Sara wasn’t alone. There was someone with her. I approached quietly, my breath stalling in my chest as I recognized the sand-colored curls of the younger Oderisi brother.
I reached for my necklace for comfort, immediately regretting the stolen pillow. What was he doing here with my horse? Hoping to stop me before I left with my contraband? How could he have known? How could he have discovered I’d taken it already? My mind raced to find an excuse.
“Lord Oderisi,” I said. “Good morning. I…I—”
At the sound of my voice, the man’s back stiffened and he froze, his hands splayed on Sara’s neck. For a moment, neither of us moved, and I couldn’t quite make sense of why. I had the pillow I’d stolen tucked deep within my belongings. Why didn’t he turn to me? Accuse me or dismiss me?
“Sir? Is everything all right?” I echoed his name and stepped closer, but one of his hands flew into the air.
“Don’t!” he shouted, his words oddly slurred. “Stay back!”
“What are you… Are you quite all right?” I reached out to touch his shoulder just as he whirled away from Sara. He covered his face in his hands, seeming at odds with himself. But finally, he dropped them, revealing a sight I would not soon forget.
Rain’s gray eyes glowed blood red, an unnatural, unholy color. The whites of his eyes were streaked with dark veins that cast a sickly, horrific glow to even the parts that were not red. Instead of his perfect, handsome smile, a pair of elongated teeth—like the fangs of a snake—peeked between his lips. A trickle of vibrant crimson stained his lips.
The fluid was blood. My horse’s blood. My eyes flew to her neck, where two puncture marks, the same distance apart as Rain’s fangs, were scarcely visible through her white coat.
I swallowed hard, speechless but not shocked. Rain seemed stuck in the same reaction, his eyes slowly resuming their normal appearance as he stared at me.
