Page 2 of Den of Thieves

“Yes. The locals have finally come around to her herbal remedies for colds and ailments.”

“So, business is booming?”

“You could say that,” Saba conceded.

Half of it was true. As annoyed as Saba was about the new foot traffic, she wouldn’t dampen Polina’s happiness or her need to help every sorry sap she met on the street.

Despite how she liked to portray otherwise, Saba only had one true ‘client.’ No one took private meetings with Saba. Ever. She decided who she would help and when.

She didn’t think Karina realized this. If she did, she said nothing. No, Saba went above and beyond to help Karina, not because she paid well, but even a spiritually blind ved’ma could see that The Cutthroat Queen was destined for greatness.

Karina walked beside her, humming quietly on their way to Saba’s office. Today, the shorter woman wore a beautiful yellow sundress. It flowed around her curves like the designer made it especially for her. It wouldn’t surprise her if he or she did.

Saba thought back to the last time she tried to wear yellow and shook her head in disgust. She could never pull off that color. That was more Polina’s forte. She wasn’t jealous; she preferred black and grays that gave her pale skin an eerie, undead quality.

Karina walked in before her and sat on the sofa facing the two chairs. “I’ve been wondering. What does Saba mean?”

Saba smiled. Karina was always curious. “It means many things, but my mother named me after the Saba River in Leningrad Oblast. It was where I was conceived.”

“You were conceived in a river?”

“During a full moon,” she nodded. “It was believed to be the most fertile time for a woman. Change and new birth. New beginnings.”

“Interesting.” Karina nodded, but she could tell that one question would lead to many more if she didn’t intervene.

“I am glad you stopped by. There are many things we must discuss.” Saba swiftly changed the subject.

“I don’t know if I like the sound of that.”

“Some of it is not pleasant, but your ancestors still look down on you with pride.”

“Will that change?” Karina sat up straighter.

“Again, not asking the right questions. The spirits are always on your side. You are one of us, after all.”

Karina squinted but said nothing. She still didn’t believe what Saba knew to be true.

“Will you go to your mother’s funeral?”

Karina sputtered, almost choking on the tea from her thermos. “Is she sick?! What—”

“Your mother is perfectly fine, health wise. I only ask because she often speaks to you with insults on her tongue.”

“That’s her favorite form of communication. Of course, I would go to her funeral.”

Saba nodded. “Your presence will go a long way towards helping Alexander.”

“Alexander? What does he have to do with this?”

“He has his own journey in due time, but he will need help.”

“From me?”

“I wish it were that simple.”

“Saba, you’re not making any sense.”

“Do not lose sleep over my visions. Many of them are far off. Speaking of, what have you been watching lately?”

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