Creeping ivy climbed along the back of Brunard’s large, ivory stone manor and surrounded the one door. The chatter of the city in the distance and the birds singing happily in the trees greeted them. Layala peeked out from behind a thick blackberry bush with plump berries ripe for the picking.
“Mmm,” Tif mumbled from the pack on Aunt Evalyn’s back. The gnome snagged a luscious berry to plop in her mouth. The loud munching in Layala’s ear made her turn and glare.
“Do you mind?” Layala hissed.
Tif grew a sheepish grin full of purple juices and seeds. “Thorry.”
“Eat berries later.”
Tif pulled out her little dagger and her chomping turned into a warrior’s grimace. “Ready for battle, my queen.”
“You’re staying.”
“Way to crush my dreams of being a warrior sidekick.”
Layala rolled her eyes. The gnome was scared of everything. A warrior sidekick was the last thing she would ever be.
A set of guards looped around the back of the manor, chatting happily, and completely oblivious to the threat merely feet away. Seeing their green and brown garb, and the pearl-colored chest armor brought memories back to the day she hacked, slashed, and killed only Maker knows how many. It was a flash of red, of chaos, and screaming.
Sweat dampened her temples. She could only imagine what feelings this place brought up for Thane. She never asked how long he’d been tortured in that cage. He told everyone they weren’t here for a battle but if she worried about anyone doing something rash, it was Thane.
A cool breath seemed to cascade down Layala’s neck and she had the unmistakable feeling someone stood close. Whipping her head around, she reached back for her sword but dropped her hand. Siegfried seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and lowered to one knee behind Thane and Layala. All elves were light-footed but Siegfried was a ghost.
“No sign of the dragon or Brunard on my perimeter sweep,” he said in a low voice. “The city appears to be doing business as usual.”
“Alright, we go in then,” Thane said.
The group waited in silence. Even their breaths could barely be heard. Layala’s own heart beat louder. She counted, one, two, three, four… thirty-one. Another set of guards came around the corner, different from the first. They waited again, counting the time between.
“We have about a thirty-second window to get through that door,” Thane said. And there were at least two sets of guards in rotation, possibly more given the size of the building. “I’ll go first to get it open.”
“You?” Fennan balked. “No, if anyone goes first, it’s one of us who are more disposable. I’ll go and kick in the door.”
“None of you are disposable,” Thane snapped.
“Kicking it in will be way too loud,” Piper hissed. “And the guards will notice a splintered door.”
“Thane is right. This is a job for him,” Leif said. “You broke the padlock on Layala’s prison cart easily.”
Thane sat quietly for a moment rubbing his scruffy chin. “Yes. There’s a chance I might break the door handle as well, but I’ll take it.”
Layala stared at the large keyhole below the round gold handle. She’d done this before to free Thane. “I’ll do it and there won’t be noticeable damage.”
“Your magic could alert pale ones if there are any close by,” Aunt Evalyn said, beside Layala.
“They would likely have followed our trail to the lakeside towns. If there are any pale ones near it won’t be many and the city guard will handle them. It would be a welcome distraction if anything.”
“It’s risky, Layala.” Aunt Evalyn put a gentle hand on her shoulder. Aunt Evalyn knew the consequences of her magic as much as anyone. She’d almost died because of it once.
“We take the risk, or we prepare for a big battle and the possibility that Brunard will be alerted and get away.”
The Ravens looked at each other. Another set of guards came into view. Everyone seemed to crouch lower at once. Thane twisted his mouth but nodded and once the guards were out of sight, he leaned closer. “I’ll be right behind you. There will likely be guards inside that we need to silence immediately. Evalyn, you’ll wait out here. If things get bloody, run back to the horses. You too, Tifapine.”
“I’ll whistle if anyone approaches,” Fennan said.
With a deep breath, Layala nodded. They waited in tense silence for the next set of patrol to move by and disappear. Then Layala dashed out, her shirt snagged on a thorn of the blackberry bush and sliced through her sleeve and into her arm. She winced at the sting but didn’t slow. At the door, she looked both ways to make sure it was still clear. Come on, hurry hurry. Heart hammering, she set her right palm against the lock and pushed out her magic. The breaking of metal quietly clicked and with her other hand she twisted the gold knob.
A whistle cut the air. Shit. Had it been thirty seconds already? Thane shoved the door open, grabbed her arm and dragged her into a dark corridor. Her eyes adjusted to the change in lighting quickly; they were alone. Thank the Maker.
Thane eased the door shut. They waited in silence for shouting, an alarm, for a guard to burst inside. One beat, two, three—nothing.
“They didn’t see us,” Thane murmured. Both Thane and Layala stepped away to give the others room to file inside once the guards passed. While waiting, she glanced around. At the very end of the long corridor a single torch burned. Quiet clanking of what sounded like pots and pans came from somewhere nearby. It was warm in here, the kind of heat an oven might produce. And once she got past the musty damp smell, she picked up hints of cakes, or something equally sweet, baking.
The door clicked open and the other four dashed inside until they filled up the small space. Piper nudged Layala with her elbow. “Anything?”
“No sign of anyone yet.”
“Do you know the layout of this place?” Fennan asked.
“What if he’s not here?” Leif interjected. “What if the dragon got here first?”
Layala lifted a shoulder. “Then we’ll find out soon enough, won’t we?”
Thane moved through the group to stop in front. “I’ve never been to this part of the manor. When I was here, I was taken from the entry to a large—entertaining room. Stairs led to an upper level. There were many doorways both up and on the main floor. He could be anywhere.”
“Why don’t we start by asking her,” Siegfried said with his bow in hand and an arrow leveled on a female standing at the end of the hallway. She stood stark still, fists clenched at her sides. A white apron tied around her front and her blonde hair rested in a disheveled bun on top of her head.
“Don’t scream or that arrow will find its mark,” Piper said, marching toward her with a dagger in hand.
Leif moved a sweeping hand in front of Layala, allowing her to go first. She and Thane walked side by side. The elf’s eyes were fixed on Thane despite Piper having her weapon out and Siegfried with an arrow ready to fly. Her chin trembled. Piper grabbed the maiden’s arm and dragged her against the wall that was out of sight of the kitchen on the other side.
Thane stopped before her. “We won’t hurt you if you stay quiet.”
“You’re—you’re,” her voice broke off.
“Thane Athayel, yes.”
“You’re here for L-Lord Brunard.”
“Very astute,” Thane said with a smirk. “Where is he?”
Her chest rose and fell faster, her breaths sharper. “He’s up-up,” she stuttered and swallowed, “Upstairs in his chambers.”
“And which are his chambers?”
She slammed her eyes shut, squishing her face. “The ent-tire right side of the t-top level.”
“Is there a servants’ entry?”
She shook her head.
“Are you lying to me?”
“I—I—nnno.” Layala wasn’t sure if the maiden always had a stutter or if it was from her fear. “There a-are only the s-sets of stairs in the foyer to the up-upper level.”
“How many kitchen staff are there right now?”
She held up her hand with four fingers. Thane nodded and turned to the Ravens. “Tie them up, gag them.” Piper grabbed the maiden’s arm and dragged her along with the tip of her dagger pressed against her side.
Silent as the dead, the others swept around the corner. Layala followed in the back and watched as they apprehended the three other cooks before a scream could be let out. One large wooden block dominated the center of the kitchen. On it were various bowls and platters, chopped vegetables, and an entire uncooked pig. The bright pink of its skin and wide-open black eyes were a little unnerving. She half expected it to jump up and start squealing. Other pots and pans hung from hooks above, flour was sprinkled on some parts of the squares of the brown stone floor and table.
A huge rack of wine stood against the far wall. Leif walked over and picked one up. “Don’t mind if I do.”
“Really?” Fennan drawled.
“To take with me, not to drink now, clearly.”
Layala smiled but slowly shook her head. As if that was even slightly important at the moment.
“I mean, they do have the best wine,” Thane said with a wink at Layala. “And Brunard’s personal stock? It must be good.”
Layala swiped a hand across her damp brow. The stone oven produced enough heat to cook them it seemed. Only one window about as tall as her upper half was open to let in a breeze… one small window. The guards might see them. She dashed across the room, practically diving for the white curtain tied off to the side. Voices drifted on the air. Gah—faces. She gasped and with a quick jerk, slid the curtain over.
“Hey,” one of the guards said.
She waved wildly for everyone to take cover. They dragged the kitchen staff to an open pantry door. Layala slid her sword out, setting it down on the table before she pushed the blade flush against the wall so it wouldn’t be seen. Then she snatched an apron on a nearby hook, threw it over her head, and just as she finished tying it behind her back, a hand grasped the curtain and moved it aside.
Layala picked up a bowl of flour and dunked her hand in, only to realize something wet and gooey was inside. A couple of eggs. “Hello,” she said with a big smile. Probably too big. She relaxed her face some. “How are you today?”
His curly light-brown hair was half tied back, and his smile wrinkled his eyes. “I’ve never seen you before. You new?”
His partner tapped his shoulder. “Come on, we can’t stop to chat with pretty maidens.” He started walking off.
Please, just go with him. Layala silently pleaded but kept her smile plastered on.
“Just started.” She mashed the eggs into the flour.
“You’re not from here, are you?” His eyes trailed over her face and down to her breasts. “And you haven’t met Lord Brunard either, I assume?”
Layala’s heart thundered. She laughed off her nervousness. “What makes you say that?”
He gestured toward her head. “As beautiful as you are, Lord Brunard wouldn’t have you in the kitchens. He’d have…” His mouth twisted into a slight frown. “Other uses for you.”
Other uses? By his tone and shift in demeanor it couldn’t be a good use. What did he do to beautiful females? “You’re right. I moved here not long ago from Quindar.” She said the only other Calladiran town she knew of.
“Ah, nice town.” His blue eyes darted around the room behind her. “Where is everyone else?”
That stopped the other guard. Maker, no. Just go away. She didn’t want to have to kill them, the other set of guards would notice, and they’d be discovered. “Um, seems like a bout of the runs is going through the others. They had to find a toilet. You might want to stay away.”
“Runs?”
The other guard turned on his heel and kept walking. He appeared to catch on quick.
Layala couldn’t help the blush creeping up her neck. Was that not how they referred to loose stool sickness? Why didn’t this elf get it?
Then the guard’s eyes widened. “Oh.” He took a step back. “Right. Well, I better be on my way. Just a warning to the new maiden, if Lord Brunard sees you, he’ll invite you to be a part of his harem. He rewards the females well but—I don’t know, you just seem too good for that.”
With a flour-covered hand, she waved. “Thanks for the warning. Bye.” And with that, he hurried to catch up with his partner. Layala’s tense shoulders dropped, and she set the bowl down, and pulled the curtain closed again.
The Ravens crept out of the walk-in pantry. Layala tossed the apron overhead and onto the counter. “His harem? He has a harem of females for sex?” Maker, she was disgusted by the idea, and thankful Thane was nothing like the typical male in power.
Thane lifted a shoulder.
“A shrug? You’re not appalled. That doesn’t bother you?”
Thane pulled her into a hug and ran his hands up and down her arms. “It’s not ideal but it’s also none of our business. I saw them last time I was here so I’m not as surprised as you.”
“Oh, and you still offered your sister to him as a wife?”
“It’s complicated. I’m not offering her now, am I?”
“You know what a great idea would be,” Leif said, tapping a finger against his chin. Layala didn’t like the mischievous look on his face. “You and Piper go in, dressed as part of his harem. It would be easy for you two to get past the guards.”
The harsh look on Piper’s face made Layala laugh. She clearly wasn’t enthused about the idea. “Why don’t we put you in a skirt and add some rouge to your cheeks?”
He grinned. “If it would work, I’d do it. But I don’t think Brunard wants someone with a tallywacker between his legs and hair on his face.”
Deep chuckles bounced around the room. Fennan tapped his boot on the floor. “Actually, it’s not a bad idea.”
“Absolutely not,” Thane said.
Leif threw up his hands. “There’s no servants’ entrance and only one way up and that’s the stairs in the foyer. So unless you want us to start a battle…”
“Oh, I’m fine going on a killing spree rather than putting the girls at risk like that,” Thane said with a growl. “I recognize some of these guards and I remember what they did to me.”
“Then Brunard might sneak away,” Layala said and nibbled on her bottom lip. If Brunard heard them coming, they could lose their chance at the stone. She couldn’t believe she was going to say it but, “I’ll do it.”
Piper’s mouth dropped. “Layala.”
“No, you will not.” Thane’s jaw tensed and he shook his head. “For one, he might recognize you. I doubt he would forget the face of the elf who ripped apart his city with her magic.”
“Then I’ll go,” Piper said. “He won’t know me. I’ll get him to tell me where the stone is.”
“You going to screw him for that information?” Fennan asked, a slight edge to his tone. “You can’t just ask him.”
“You’re a real prick sometimes,” Piper snapped, with flushed cheeks. “There are other ways to persuade someone.”
“You’re not going by yourself,” Layala said, folding her arms. “Even if Brunard thinks my face is familiar he will never suspect Layala Lightbringer, Thane’s betrothed, to come into his room as a harem maiden. And if he does, well, then Piper and I will knock him unconscious.”
“I’ll go with them,” Leif said. “Snag me a guard’s uniform.”
“First of all, you have tattoos all over your forehead,’’ Thane said. “No one in Calladira does that. And—” Thane’s face was all shadows and fury. With a sharp huff, he said, “I’ll be the one escorting you dressed as a guard. All we need to do is get to his room.”
Some of the others grumbled. Fennan stepped forward. “If anyone will be recognized, it’s you.”
“Then I’ll wear a hood. Some of them do.”
With a grunt, Fennan waved a hand and turned away. “Do what you want. You always do.”
After one of the cooks gave up the location of a changing room where the maiden’s risqué outfits waited as well as spare male uniforms, Piper, Layala and Thane stood in front of a large floor-length mirror. Layala’s lingerie could hardly be described as anything more than scraps of fabric. A sheet of white hung over her buttocks and front barely reaching the tops of her thighs, held up by a thin piece of string around her hips. The top wasn’t more fabric than her bralette with floral lace, and for show, she tied a gold chain with moon and star symbols dangling around her waist. Piper’s bodice was a deep purple, high cut over her hip bones and a plunging neckline that reached her navel. The straps over her shoulders were thinner than a finger and the back was left completely open except for a narrow crop of fabric over her behind.
Thane’s eyes traveled greedily over Layala’s form. “This should be—interesting. I think you might take that with you when we leave.”
Piper folded her arms over her chest. “When the other guards mention something about our looks, and they no doubt will, keep your temper neutral. I know you won’t like others touching or even looking at Layala.”
Keeping his eyes trained carefully on Piper’s face, he said, “I will stay perfectly calm.”
“Uh huh,” Piper murmured. “Remember, us finding the stone and not starting a massive battle depends on you staying in character.”
Thane held up his palms in surrender. “I’ll be a good boy.”
“And you,” Piper said, shooting a finger at Layala, “No throwing a tantrum if someone grabs your ass.”
“We understand our roles.” Layala put a hand on her chest. “Submissive harlot and,” she gripped Thane’s forearm, “Brunard’s prick of a guard.”
With a satisfactory half smile, Piper tugged open the door. On the other side waited a grand foyer, with gold trim around the doorways and floors, and ornate fixtures. Gaudy framed paintings and chandeliers gave the place an air of royalty. The crimson carpet running down the center of the room led to a set of stairs at the end.
Piper stepped out first and a guard immediately moved into her path. His gaze stuck to her like honey and then a smirk pulled up. “Well, hello there beautiful.” With a sharp intake of breath and a dry throat, Layala glided up beside her. She didn’t want Piper to feel alone while she was ogled. He shifted his attention, mostly to Layala’s breasts which were quite a bit larger than Piper’s. “Maker above, you two are as sweet and sultry as pixieberry pie. Mm, mm, mmm.”
Thane brushed against the left side of Layala. “Lord Brunard wanted the new maidens to be brought up.”
With raised eyebrows, the dark-brown-eyed guard made a kissing noise with puckered lips at Layala. “I’m sure he did.”
She gave Piper an annoyed sideways glance. This was going to be harder than she thought. She might very well kick someone else in the balls for that. Keeping in character, Piper kept her eyes low.
Another guard, this one with eyes blue as the sky, left his post from across the hall and sauntered over. “New recruits?” Blue Eyes asked.
“Looks that way,” Brown Eyes replied.
Layala bit her lower lip to keep from blurting anything out. She figured the maidens would be quiet.
“Yes,” Thane answered. “I’m sure he’s eager to meet them.”
“He is up with Lorabell, and we all know his number one girl doesn’t like to share her bed time.” Both guards laughed and Thane joined in as if he knew exactly why.
“Perhaps he’ll have a new number one girl, or two,” Piper said in such a seductive voice even Layala was surprised. “But we’ll never know if we’re kept down here waiting.”
Brown Eyes slid his arm around Piper’s rump and pulled her into him. “You know, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. We could take one of the rooms real quick.”
His following wink was particularly atrocious. Maker above, did he think he was charming?
Thane noticeably stiffened and let out a long but quiet breath. Keep it together, Thane, Layala thought.
With a giggle, Piper gently pushed his hand off her. “I came here for Lord Brunard but thank you for the offer.”
He grabbed a handful of her ass and said, “He lets us indulge from time to time. If you want to, that is.”
“But that decision is his, isn’t it? And hers,” Layala said, hoping to draw their attention away from Piper. “Not yours. So you shouldn’t touch her like that unless she asks.”
“We got a feisty one.” Brown Eyes released Piper. “Bet you’d be a wild ride.”
By some miracle Thane kept silent and only clamped his fists at his sides.
Blue Eyes tapped Brown Eyes’ shoulder with the back of his hand. “She’s right. I don’t want to lose house privileges. Best leave them alone. Remember when you grabbed Grinella’s tit in front of him and he almost cut your hand off?”
With a grumble, Brown Eyes backed off, opening a gap for them to pass. “How could I forget? Move along, ladies.” Stepping quickly, they started for the stairs at the end of the foyer. “Hey, who are you anyway? I haven’t seen you before.”
“Keep walking,” Thane whispered from behind them.
“Stop.”
“Go on ahead,” Thane said. “I’ll catch up.”
Layala felt the heat of his body from behind her disappear. She peeked over her shoulder to see Thane twist around to face them. Piper wrapped her hand around Layala’s wrist and kept up her steady pace. “Let him handle it.”
“They might recognize him,” Layala hissed.
“Then I guess he’ll get the fight he wanted.” They made it to the first step and slowly began their ascent. Layala gripped the gold railing, unable to look away from Thane below.
“I’m from Quindar, same as the girls. They needed someone to escort them here and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Layala waited in moments of heart-pounding silence. Thane sounded so confident she didn’t know how the guard would suspect anything else. The lie rolled off his tongue like the utmost truth. Believe him. Your life depends on it, you stupid prick.
The guard gave him a wary nod. “Right… well, put in a word with the redhead for me, will you?”
“I’d be happy to,” Thane said.
By the time Layala and Piper reached the top level and stood in front of the double doors with twin rearing black bears burned into the wood on either side, Thane already hustled up the steps. He took them two at a time and before she knew it, his hand rested on her shoulder. Thankfully there were no other guards on this level to deal with.
“Now for the really fun part,” Piper said. “Let me do the talking.”
