Jack of Thieves by Ben Hale

Author:Ben Hale
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23: Reckoning

His words caused a stir among the dark elves and Val'Trisian's eyes narrowed. Nemeth snapped to look at Jack and struggled to keep his features controlled. Jack ignored him and strode forward with a smile.

“This man is the very thief who stole the Eye of the Deep ten years past,” he said, coming to a halt by Nemeth's side. “And he stands ready to pay for his crimes.”

Nemeth growled in rage but his denial died on his lips when Jack turned on him. The man recoiled from the sheer hatred emanating from Jack.

“He's gone mad,” Nemeth stuttered.

“Your voice betrays you, human.”

Val'Trisian spoke quietly, but the menace to her tone caused Nemeth to recoil further. Struggling to contain his panic, Nemeth's eyes flicked between the dark elves and Jack, and finally came to rest on Beauty, who merely folded her arms. The former thief swallowed in fear and fumbled with a pouch.

Beauty darted forward and placed the tip of her dagger against his spine. Nemeth wisely released the pouch but could not stop the trembling of his fingers. His eyes darted between them, searching for refuge or ally.

“Why?” Val'Trisian asked, turning to Jack. “Why turn on your friend?”

Jack spit on the earth at the suggestion of friendship. “He killed a woman named Morissa, and I came to repay the debt.”

Again caught off guard, Nemeth began to protest. “Thieves do not kill—”

Jack closed the gap in an instant, his dagger touching the man's throat. “Six years ago you and nine men went to the druid woods to kill a woman. Three survived, Kuraltus, Shelt, and you.”

Confusion flitted across his features, and then sudden recognition. “She had a boy, one with a panther as a companion.”

The tip of his dagger dug into Nemeth's throat and he imagined sliding it home. His hand trembled with the desire to kill him, to watch the blood seep from his body. But it felt too kind a fate for such a man. Nemeth deserved to suffer, and slitting his throat would end his suffering too quickly.

“Why come after her?”Jack demanded.

Nemeth winced as Jack's dagger pierced deeper. “She went on assignment and never came back. Kuraltus was given the same assignment but the item had vanished. It took him years to learn that Morissa had taken the item for herself.”

“Did the Guildmaster order her death?” Jack asked.

“He wanted her unharmed,” Nemeth said, “When we tried to take her she fought back.” He recoiled under Jack’s expression. “I swear there was nothing we could do. She was always one of the best of us.”

Beauty stepped into view. “And the Guildmaster didn’t punish you?”

He shook his head, making the fat of his jowls wobble. “We told him the husband went mad and killed her. If we’d told the truth we would have been gutted and tossed to the alligators.”

Beauty leaned in. “You know who he is,” she said. “Don’t you.”

“I can't,” he pleaded. “This truth is one that cannot be known.” He shuddered, his expression turning haunted.

Confused, Jack withdrew his dagger.

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