14. Cal #2
Cal wasn’t fooled by Kelsith’s seeming nonchalance.
Kelsith had taught him everything he knew…
including how to hide his true intentions behind a smile.
For Kelsith to have found him while disguised like this meant the thief had been tracking him for some time.
Likely, he’d been staking out Griff’s apartment, waiting for a chance to approach.
Still, no matter how suspicious Cal was of Kelsith, he had to admit the prospect of a job right then was Void-cursed appealing. It might be just the thing he needed to take his mind off of Griff.
He opened his mouth to reply, then hesitated, picturing Griff’s reaction if he found out. It seemed like a betrayal of his trust to return to thieving. Then again, Griff had known all along who he was, and Cal had never made him any promises. He didn’t owe the investigator anything.
Turning to Kelsith, he met his eyes and gave a firm nod. “All right. I’m in. What’s the mark?”
Kelsith grinned. “Follow me.”
With a faint trickle of trepidation, Cal did just that.
The master thief led him down the shadowed streets, moving so swiftly and quietly, even Cal struggled to keep up.
They didn’t travel long before they reached a modest estate surrounded by a walled yard.
Cal didn’t recognize the name—likely one of the countless merchants who’d struck it rich here exploiting others.
Kelsith held up his arm. The enchanted rope there uncoiled itself and slithered up the wall until it reached the top, anchoring itself in place.
Kelsith started up without a hint of hesitation.
After an experimental tug to make sure it was actually secured, Cal shifted his disguise to a black, skin-tight tunic with a matching mask and followed.
The job Kelsith had chosen proved to be a simple, run-of-the-mill break-in.
They scaled the wall with little effort, dropping to the lawn beyond and easily evading the handful of patrolling guards.
There was nothing protecting the house itself save a basic ward, which Cal swiftly disabled via his thief’s tools.
He hesitated inside, taking in the dark halls, but Kelsith seemed to already know where to go.
He led the way up a flight of stairs toward a master bedroom nestled in the back.
Cal tensed when Kelsith eased open the door, but the inside appeared empty, the bed unused despite the late hour.
Its owner must be away—probably why Kelsith had chosen it for this impromptu heist.
Cal was surprised at how easy it was to fall back into old habits.
He and Kelsith had done enough jobs back in the day that they could practically anticipate what the other would do.
Working in tandem without needing to speak a word, they split the room in half to search for valuables.
Kelsith proffered a small sack for them to dump in anything they found.
There were a few odds and ends that might be worth something, and a small reserve of gallants and sestas kept in a drawer beside the bed.
But the real jackpot was a collection of jewels.
Kelsith held up a ruby necklace and flashed Cal a triumphant grin under his mask, which Cal returned.
Shadow and shade, how careless could the owner be?
She hadn’t even tried to conceal her jewelry, leaving her collection out in a case on the dresser where anyone could walk in and find it.
They were just finishing up when soft footsteps sounded from the hall. Kelsith’s eyes widened behind his mask. He fell into a crouch, drawing a dagger with one hand while raising his other arm with the enchanted coil of rope. He looked more than ready to hurt whoever interrupted them.
The sight conjured a tremor of unease in Cal. Stepping forward, he hurriedly gestured Kelsith back to hide in the corner. Then, he called on his duskflame, letting the shadowy energy surge over him and alter his appearance.
He’d just finished transforming into a butler’s crisp suit when the door opened. A maid stepped inside. When she saw Cal, she let out a quiet yelp and stumbled back.
Cal raised his hand, flashing her an apologetic smile. “Excuse me, miss. I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you all right?”
The maid took a moment to recover, clutching at her chest. “By the Goddess! I didn’t think anyone was supposed to be up here.”
“The mistress didn’t want to make a fuss,” Cal said, thinking quickly. “If you don’t mind returning in a few minutes, I should be finished by then.”
“Finished?” A hint of suspicion crept into the maid’s voice. She shifted a step back toward the door leading into the hall. “What exactly are you doing in here?”
“I’m afraid I’m really not supposed to say,” Cal said.
The maid puffed out her chest. “Fine. If you won’t tell me, you can explain yourself to Mrs. Gremmel. I’m sure she’ll love to know what a man was doing in the mistress’s private quarters so late at night.”
She turned toward the door. Feigning panic, Cal said, “All right, all right! I’ll tell you. Just…please, keep it between us. The mistress didn’t want word getting out.”
As he’d hoped, the prospect of such juicy gossip clearly appealed to the maid. No doubt the entire staff would know about whatever he said by morning. But that wouldn’t matter to him and Kelsith—they’d be long gone by then.
“I’ll keep it secret,” she said eagerly. “I swear.”
“Well…” he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, prompting her to shuffle closer to hear.
“Before she left, the mistress noticed that one of her skirts had been thoroughly chewed on. She suspects a rodent infestation. She tasked me with searching her room for any signs and setting out traps before she returned.”
The maid’s eyes widened. Her gaze darted nervously around the room. “Rodents?” Each step carried her back toward the door. “In that case, perhaps changing the sheets can wait until morning once you’re done.”
Cal barely had a chance to bid her good night before she was out the door, her steps hurriedly retreating down the hall. He puffed out a breath, unable to hold back his grin.
A low chuckle came from behind him, and he turned right in time for Kelsith to clap him on the back.
“Well done, Faces! There’s the quick-talking rogue I know and love! We’d best get out of here quick before she has a gaggle of servants up here hurling poison.”
Despite his best efforts to remind himself that he no longer cared what Kelsith thought, the compliment sent a warm feeling fizzling through his chest.