The Grave Thief by Dee Hahn

Author:Dee Hahn [Hahn, Dee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tundra Book Group
Published: 2022-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

They ate until bursting, the queen, Spade, and Ash, though Ember mostly picked at her food. When they were done, Spade and Ash performed a few magic tricks. The queen laughed, the sound surprising and light, as Spade pulled a coin from Ash’s beak and then later from behind the queen’s ear. Even Ember smiled once or twice, before looking away.

Servants bustled in and out of the room more slowly than usual, their curious gazes riveted on Spade and Ash, then on the queen, whose face was bright. They muttered, prodding each other, and even the guards standing at the door chuckled a bit. Spinniker spoke to Ember at the far end of the table, instructing her on something that must have been boring, because she stifled a yawn. Spade glanced at the older man, remembering his earlier, mysterious whisper in the queen’s ear—it remains untouched.

What had he meant, he wondered. He was eating his third bread bun, still thinking about it, when a prickle crept over his neck. Spade turned and caught himself under Henchcliff’s steady scrutiny. Then the kitchen doors opened, diverting Henchcliff’s gaze, and Spade sighed in relief. A rounded cook pushed a trolley into the room, burdened with a chocolate pie the size of three dinner plates.

Spade’s mouth opened at the sight of whipped cream piled high at its center, decadent chocolate glaze dripping over its sides.

He’d never seen anything like it—Benji would have fainted at the sight.

A sharp pang hit him in the chest as he thought of his brother. Servants scurried across the room, delivering slices. A giant slice arrived in front of Spade, but all he could do was stare at it.

“What’s wrong?”

He looked up to find Ember standing beside him. The queen was busy laughing at Ash’s charms as he snuck a crumb from a saucer she held, while Spinniker watched the bird’s antics with disapproval.

“Nothing,” Spade said, forcing himself to take a bite.

Ember pursed her lips. “You were thinking of your brother, weren’t you?”

Spade hesitated, then nodded.

She leaned in, lowering her voice. “I wish we could get him out somehow, but Henchcliff…” She glanced over at the guard, whose steel gaze was fixed on them. “He’s always watching,” she whispered, frustrated. “Like a shadow.”

Her voice held a tone of despair, and Spade was reminded that he wasn’t the only one with troubles.

“Listen, Ember,” he said. “I’m sorry about tonight.”

“You’ve got nothing to be sorry about,” she said stubbornly. “You kept my secret. That’s all I can ask for.” She glanced down at her own untouched pie.

Spade tried to think of something that would cheer her up. “One day you’ll get yer chance, Ember. They’ll see that yer clever, an’ brave. They’ll see the truth.”

She looked surprised. Spade was a little surprised too—he’d actually meant all that.

“Thanks,” she said, flushing. “But I’m not so sure.”

He shrugged. “I am. Truth is yer middle name. An’ besides, adventure seems to find you, like fleas to a dog.”

A crooked grin pulled at her mouth.

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