Thieves by Lyn South

Author:Lyn South
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Creative Force Publishing, LLC
Published: 2020-07-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

The party in the great hall fades into faint echoes as I stride through the long gallery. The corridor is empty except for a stray pair of lovers, their silhouettes visible in the shadows of an alcove. I doubt they’re paying attention to me as I make my way to the rendezvous point with Nico. Still, I’m careful to survey my surroundings as I head to the stairs leading up to the king’s privy chambers.

A figure in black clothing—the ubiquitous Tudor men’s gown and hose—emerges from the circular tower that houses the privy stair. I slow my steps, waiting for the newcomer to reveal themselves.

“It’s me,” Nico says, waving me forward. “No guards on the staircase. There are two men playing cards in the page’s chambers next to the king’s apartments.”

“Got the hypos?” I ask, quickly closing the gap between us.

He extends his arm and hands me a small silver-colored cylinder. It has a sleek, ergonomic shape, designed to fit the contours of a human hand, and it snaps into a square head. A phial of light blue liquid is inserted into the hollow of its base. A control button within thumb’s reach initiates a blast of high-pressure air that penetrates skin, delivering the drug into subcutaneous tissues, arteries, and muscles.

“What’s in this cocktail?” I ask.

“Diazepam with a midazolam chaser. Knocks the subject out fast with a bit of amnesia on the side to boot. They won’t remember the truck that’s about to hit them.”

I nod. “How many doses do we have?”

“Couple dozen per hypo unit. Unless we have to knock out every courtier in the building, we’re good to go.”

“Let’s get to it.” I step ahead of him, but he pulls me back to his side.

“Hang on. There are no surveillance cameras in the king’s private chambers. Once we dispose of the guards, we’ll have to clear the rooms the old-fashioned way. Stay behind me, follow my directions, and once we know there’s no one else inside, I’ll be out of your way fast as I can.”

I touch the tips of two fingers to the corner of my eyebrow in salute. “Aye, sir.”

His mouth twists into an amused smirk. “Even salutes look sarcastic on you.”

“Just my natural charm and appeal, I guess. Lead on.”

Nico is smooth as silk ascending the staircase; I can’t hear his footfalls and I’m right behind him. On the final turn at the top of the staircase is a small landing. The door to the page’s chamber is open, allowing a narrow glimpse into the room. Firelight flickers against the part of the wall I can see, bathing the entryway in an orange glow.

I can’t see the occupants, but there’s laughter and the heavy thunk of pewter tankards against the card table.

Nico makes a small circle with his right hand before pointing to the side of the arched door frame where he wants me to move; it mirrors his position on the other side of the doorway. When I’m in place, he holds up a fist.

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