Page 43 of A City of Flames

I take a deep breath, utterly done with him already. “Maybe I was.”

He lowers his arms, moving closer with such eagerness. “Really? Who?”

“A prat named Rydan Alderis. I lured him in here on purpose, and now I have him right where I want him.”

His brows wriggle together, looking down at the spot he’s standing in, then all the bookshelves, and lastly, the ceiling. “I see no trap that will kill me.”

“I do wonder how you’ve managed to survive this long as a trainee,” I say, shaking my head slowly with such disbelief.

He shrugs, waving a lazy hand. “Dragons fear me, and Lorcy adores me too much, that’s why.”

“Clearly.” The constant avoidances from Lorcan prove that perfectly.

“You know Ambrose, there’s another reason I came here. I actually have a confession to make.”

I quirk a brow, hoping the sudden sigh and shake of his head doesn’t mean he will tell me a confession that’s relatively Rydan-ish.

Placing a hand to his chest he starts, “I feel that you and I have this deep level connection that not even Solaris and Crello could have. It’s like you are the cheese to my grape, the—” He slows his words down as his gaze wanders to someone waltzing past us, disappearing into the next set of shelves. “Pie to my—”

“Were you checking that man out while telling me how much of a connection we have?” I ask, quelling my smile.

“I did say I’m a great multitasker.” A proud smile drifts over his face. “Does it make you want me?”

“No, it makes me want to hit you.”

He purses his lips thoughtfully. “Everyone always says that to me.”

The urge to roll my eyes proves difficult to resist but one that I forget when whispers on the other side of us and the name Golden Thief brings me to shift on the spot.

“Have you ever thought what it’d be like to spend the night with him?” A woman’s voice says. “I heard he’s stunning. I mean have you seen the posters?”

My nose scrunches in disgust, much to Rydan’s confusion, before the friend gasps and I hear the patting of clothes as if she hit her. “He’s a criminal and a dragon shifter Lillian, how can you think of such things?”

“Oh, you can’t tell me you haven’t thought it before! I for one never cared for what he is. A wanted criminal makes it all the more thrilling, and besides I heard crystals allure him.” Lillian’s voice lowers enough to sound sultry. I pray I don’t gag at whatever else she has to say. “Perhaps I could tempt him with some on my brea—”

“Solaris, save you,” The other sighs, ironically saving me before both erupt into obnoxious giggles.

“Who are we eavesdropping on?” Rydan leans in, his eyes shining in excitement.

“No one,” I deadpan, pushing his face back as I place the book on top of the shelf.

Rydan rubs at his nose as Lillian and her friend don’t speak another word. Their footsteps hollow, drifting further away.

Hearing her swoon over the Golden Thief makes me wonder if some thought him different or harmless. Many might have tried to capture the Golden Thief, maybe even attempted with golds and all sorts of precious jewels for him.

But I’m still intent on delivering what Ivarron has tasked me to do. I just need to lure the Golden Thief into a trap myself; I’m known to be good at that.

“Why do you look like you are planning something?” Rydan inquires over my frown.

I smooth out my features and smile. “That’s because I’m still planning on ways to kill you.” And how it is time I use my skills in trapping on an insolent thief.

* * *

A week.

I had a week to think about it all, from traps involving ropes to nets and arrows. One might say I was a lunatic to do this on my own, defy the general and the duty I’ve taken upon myself to train as a venator.

Although, I’ve always been one to defy. And each night so far, I’d snuck out with all the equipment from the weaponry room, careful not to be spotted as I went into the most prestigious jeweler’s store.

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