Page 46 of A City of Flames

“Sorry, Miss!” That same creature—a Tibithian—I’d chased the night of the rümen attack, says with its canines peeking through. “But my friend here told me to disarm all the traps; otherwise, it could hurt him! And I don’t want my friend getting hurt.”

This can’t be real.

I’m hallucinating.

He knew. He was one step ahead... Again.

My head snaps back and forth between the creature bouncing on its feet and the Golden Thief, my crossbow at the far end of the Tibithian.

Fury hones my spirit, and unsheathing my dagger, I raise it high enough that I lurch towards the Golden Thief, aiming for the face.

He doesn’t react any differently. It’s like he expected this from me as he twists me, causing the knife to fly out of my grip. My back is to his front as he brings my hand behind me and the other gets trapped when his arm comes around my middle. I jerk my head in an effort to hit his chin. Instead, I find that I’m looking up at the coolness of his smile.

“You really love the idea of cutting my face, don’t you?”

“Oh, I dream of it,” I answer dryly, fidgeting against him.

“That’s quite obsessive of you, venator.” He breathes a laugh. “Have you thought about getting help with that?”

My lips thin with a flash of irritation as I lift my boot and stamp down on his. He grunts, but there’s still an undertone of laughter as he releases me, and I spin to face him just as my gaze cuts to my blade.

I make a move for it, but the Golden Thief stops me as he raises a finger, shaking it twice.

“You know.” He strolls behind the counter. “It’s impressive how committed you are to capturing me. I mean, trying to lure me in with a crystal? Setting up traps for a week?” Amusement flares up in his eyes. “It was fascinating to watch from the roofs, wasn’t it, Tibith?”

“Very!” The creature nods one too many times, and my brows rise at the name.

“Tibith?” I practically scoff back at the Golden Thief. “A Tibithian named... Tibith? How original.”

“Are you insulting my naming skills, venator?”

Tibith gasps, his voice a child’s squeak. “That is very rude of her, Dar—I mean Gold—Gold—den Thief.”

The Golden Thief briefly nods towards Tibith before looking at me. “So, seeing as I have the upper hand.” He lifts a few necklaces, lacing them through his fingers. “It’s time I asked a question. What is the real reason you want to capture me?”

“Doesn’t everyone want to?” Some for the wrong reasons, Lillian springs to mind.

“True, but you’re alone, I don’t see you’ve brought reinforcements, and while I must admit your bravery intrigues me, it’s also bold of you to want to do it on your own. Therefore, there must be a reason of some sort.”

I let my stare linger on him, deciding what to say or how to phrase it when his contemptuous smile is one I’d like to wipe off his lips.

“Shall I return another day when you have the answer?” He mocks.

My glare hardens without saying a word, and when he clicks his tongue towards Tibith, he grabs the jade crystal, walking over to the door.

It’s then I blurt out, “Your blood.” My eyes snap closed with a grimace. “I need your blood.”

“My blood?” He asks, his voice causing me to look again. “Well, that’s new.”

He leans against the entrance as Tibith hums in agreement. “Why do you want my blood, venator?”

Because I owe a debt because I want to protect my brothers, because... In some way, I have the need to prove myself. “I made a promise to someone I’d get it,” I reply softly, lowering my head.

Though in reality it was short-lived, heavy silence feels like it’s going on for hours until he says, “Then I guess you’ll have to break it.”

My head shoots up just as he’s grabbing the doorknob. The Golden Thief didn’t sound harsh nor any hint of his usual mockery, but it doesn’t stop my vexation flooding me.

“I hope you rot in the cells one day,” I say, no hint of cowardice in my voice. His hand stills, as does Tibith.

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