Queen of the Night Guild, page 5
part #3 of Queen of Thieves Series
“Are you done?” Her words held more ice than the Frozen Sea. “I’ve almost got what I want. I’m this close to identifying the one who paid him.” She wanted to see Bryden’s face when she told the Guild Council he was responsible for the fire.
“I’m done.” Allon’s face grew hard as the stone floor. “If you’re not willing to listen to me, I can’t help you.”
She wanted to scream at him. I don’t need your help!
Errik appeared from the door. “He’s unconscious.” He wiped blood from his knuckles. “You got a moment?”
Ilanna nodded.
“Want me to keep an eye on him?” Allon asked. “Make sure he doesn’t wake up and run off?”
Ilanna sighed. “Fine.” Anything to get him away from her. He kept turning up. Why didn’t he understand that she didn’t want him around? She’d have to have that talk with him as soon as she came from the Guild Council.
Once Allon disappeared through the door, Ilanna turned to Errik. “What is it?”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Ilanna hesitated. “I only know one person with a limp.”
“Anyone can fake a limp, Ilanna.” The Serpent’s face was serious. “You can’t go accusing Bryden without proof.”
“I know.” Ilanna ground her teeth. “That’s why Toll’s still breathing. If he can give me any more details about the man who hired him, it may give me what I need to prove that Bryden is the—”
A cry of pain echoed from the room. As one, Ilanna and Errik rushed through the door.
Allon was on the ground, a dagger buried a hand’s breadth into the meat of his thigh. Beside him, Toll lay on his back, sightless eyes staring up at the sky. The handle of Allon’s dagger protruded from under Toll’s chin.
No!
Ilanna pressed a finger to Toll’s neck. No pulse.
She slammed a fist against his chest. “Damn it!” She whirled on Allon and screamed, “What in the fiery hell did you do?”
Allon’s face screwed up in pain. “He woke up and attacked me!” Clenching his teeth, he pulled the dagger from his leg. “He grabbed my knife and—”
“And you killed him!” Ilanna snarled at him. She kicked Toll’s corpse once, twice, three times.
“I-I’m sorry, Ilanna! It was self-defense. He was going to kill me.”
Fury stormed in Ilanna’s gut. Damn you, Allon! She didn’t know if Toll could identify Bryden as the man who had set the fires, but now she never would. By defending himself, the Hound had eliminated her only hope of getting justice for her son and Ria.
Allon tried to stand, but groaned and sagged.
Ilanna sighed. “It’s fine.” She couldn’t blame Allon for defending himself. “Is it bad?”
Allon shook his head. “He hit muscle, not arteries, thank the Watcher. Hurts like a donkey kick to the teeth, but I’ll walk.”
Errik slung one of Allon’s arms over his shoulder. Allon hissed as the Serpent pulled him to his feet, pressing a hand to his ribs. “Little bastard could throw a punch.”
Errik helped Allon limp over to a nearby couch. “Go. Don’t keep the Guild Council waiting. I’ll bandage him up and meet you in the Aerie when you’re done.”
Nodding, Ilanna hurried from the warehouse. Frustration churned in her stomach as she rushed through the muddy streets, back toward the Night Guild. She had lost her only lead. Now, she would have to stand before the Guild Council with no proof of Bryden’s guilt.
She wanted to scream, to shout, to lash out in anger. She had come away with nothing. Bryden would evade justice for what he’d done.
Not if I can help it, she determined. She might not be able to do anything now, but she would get the proof. You will suffer, Bryden. By all the gods of Einan, I swear you will feel the pain you have caused me.
The oath rang hollow. Beneath the temporary anger, she felt like she would drown in an ocean of sorrow at her loss. Vengeance wouldn’t bring back her son.
Chapter 6
Sixteen curious faces stared at Ilanna from across the Guild Council table. Ilanna had eyes for only one.
Look at Bryden sitting there with that smug expression. She wanted to leap over the table and hurl herself at him. She couldn’t prove it, but he had to be the man responsible for burning down Old Town Market—and her house. The “why” of it all still eluded her. But staring at Bryden now, Ilanna didn’t need to understand. Every shred of willpower went into keeping her fists clenched at her side.
“Ilanna of House Hawk, you have been summoned to the Council to give answer for yourself.” Master Gold, Master of the Night Guild, leaned on his elbows and fixed her with a somber stare. “It has come to our attention that there is a grievance against you.”
“Who?” Ilanna’s eyes narrowed and her lip curled into a sneer as she met Bryden’s eyes. She wanted to hear how he would complain for her killing the arsonists.
But Bryden had nothing to say. He met her furious glare with unruffled calm.
Master Hound rose to his feet. “It is House Hound who brings the grievance.”
This caught Ilanna off-guard. “What?”
Master Hound stroked his pinched mouth. “Is it true that you utilized the sewer tunnels beneath Praamis for the purpose of transporting the prize stolen from Lord Auslan’s vault?”
Ilanna nodded. “It is.”
“And is it true that you were pursued through the tunnels by the Arbitors in service to Duke Elodon Phonnis?”
Ilanna hesitated before nodding. What’s this about?
Master Hound’s expression hardened. “Then she is the one to blame.”
“For what?” Ilanna snarled. Her fist tightened around the scorched hawk figurine in her hand, sending pain through her burned hands.
“For the damned Arbitors crawling through the sewer system!” Master Hound’s voice rose to a thunderous shout. He stabbed a finger at her. “Because of you, Journeyman Ilanna, the Duke’s blue-coated bastards have covered every exit and entrance to the sewer tunnels. You led the Duke’s men into those passages, which, until now, have been ignored by the Praamian Guard and the Arbitors alike. Thanks to you, three Journeymen and nearly a dozen apprentices were captured. Your actions have hindered my House’s ability to fulfill its contracts and obligations.”
Master Fox stood. “House Fox has also been similarly affected.” He tweaked his walrus moustache and adjusted the belt around his heavy waist. “My Foxes also use the sewer system from time to time. The presence of the Duke’s Arbitors in the tunnels has placed my Journeymen and apprentices in danger. No longer do they have a safe getaway from pursuit.”
Master Gold frowned. “A serious problem, indeed.”
Master Hound nodded. “House Hound and House Fox wish to seek compensation for the inconvenience. More than a few contracts have gone unfulfilled, and the disruption has led to a steep decline in the Houses’ finances.”
Ilanna’s jaw dropped. “Money? This is about a few bloody coins?” Her knuckles whitened around the wooden figurine.
“Not a few coins.” Master Fox shook his head. “It is more than—”
“You fools want money? Have it! Bryden,” she snarled his name, “see to it that the doddering imbeciles have their coin. Meanwhile, some of us have more important things to worry about. Such as why the Bloody Hand chose to burn down Old Town Market.”
The outrage on the House Masters’ faces evaporated at mention of the Bloody Hand. More than a few faces, Master Gold’s among them, went pale.
“What nonsense is this?” Master Hound slapped a palm on the table. “You expect us to believe that the Voramians have burned down Old Town Market? For what purpose? Why would they do something so reckless?”
Anger burned in Ilanna’s chest. “To send a message, you cretin!” Her shout echoed off the hard-packed earthen walls of the Guild Council Chamber. “They sent us a bloody hand, then the mutilated corpse of my friend. Do you really think those animals would hesitate to burn down all of Praamis if it suited their purpose?”
Master Hound’s face turned ashen, and Master Fox fell to his seat. The silence hung thick in the stale air of the underground chamber.
After a long moment, Master Gold stood. “What proof have you to substantiate this claim?”
“Do you really need proof?” Ilanna turned her glare on the Guild Master. “You know what they are capable of. Who else would set fire to such an important part of the Praamian economy?” She turned her glare on Bryden. “Can you think of anyone who would dare burn down an entire area of the city out of spite?”
Bryden actually flinched in the face of her vitriol. He shook his head. “I cannot.”
“Any of you?” She turned her glare on the assorted House Masters and their seconds-in-command.
None could answer.
“Come now,” Master Hound protested. “We all know of your feelings toward the Bloody Hand and their offer. Just as it is no secret where I stand on the matter. In all my dealings with the Voramians, they have been nothing but courteous. Insistent, perhaps, but never violent.”
“To you, the one they perceive as their ally.” Ilanna’s temper flared. “But you saw what they did to Prynn. Even you, their toady, have to see sense.”
“Journeyman Ilanna!” Master Gold’s roar set the walls rattling. “You will address the House Masters with the respect they are due. Despite your personal feelings on the matter, you must restrain yourself.”
Ilanna bit back a furious retort. She didn’t care what Master Hound thought of her, but she would gain nothing by antagonizing Master Gold.
“Do you have any proof of your accusations?” The Guild Master narrowed his eyes. “Anything to substantiate your claims?”
“I have the word of the men who set the fire,” Ilanna replied.
Gasps echoed in the Guild Council Chamber. Master Hawk’s brow furrowed, and Master Gold’s eyebrows danced toward the ceiling.
“Bring them forward.” The Guild Master spread his arms wide. “Let us hear their accounts.”
Ilanna sneered. “They are dead.”
Stunned silence filled the room. Bryden’s lip curled upward. “Dead, you say?”
Ilanna nodded. “No less than they deserved.”
“And you didn’t think of keeping them alive long enough for us to hear what they had to say?”
Bryden’s patronizing tone set her hands trembling. In her fury, Ilanna hadn’t hesitated to carry out her vengeance on Melinn. She would have done the same once Toll had told her everything. It hadn’t crossed her mind that she’d need proof.
Incredulous, she stared at the men and women behind the table. How can they be so blind? She fixed Master Hawk with a pleading look. He answered with a minute shrug.
Bryden gave a harsh laugh. “You expect us to simply take you at your word? With no proof?”
“It is not just my word!” Ilanna glared. “Journeyman Errik of House Serpent was also present when I…spoke with the arsonists. He will corroborate my evidence.”
Master Gold raised an eyebrow. “Indeed?” He snapped his fingers, and Entar rushed out of the room.
“He is on his way here with a wounded Hound. Journeyman Allon.”
Fury pulled Master Hound’s pinched face even tighter. “Allon? What did you do to him?” Tension showed around Master Hawk’s face as well.
Ilanna shook her head. “Your nephew is fine, Master Hawk.” She ignored the Master of House Hound. “He was attacked by the second arsonist. He killed the man in self-defense, but sustained an injury to his leg. Nothing serious.”
Master Hawk relaxed. “If Journeyman Errik can corroborate your story—”
Ilanna cut him off. “He will back me up.”
“As you say.” Master Gold inclined his head. “With that proof, we will have to consider what steps to take.”
“I won’t believe it.” Master Hound slammed his fist onto the table. “The Bloody Hand isn’t stupid enough to do something like that. It would only turn us against them.”
“They never expected I’d find out they were behind it,” Ilanna snarled. “I’ve no doubt they intended to track down the arsonists and dispose of them before we uncovered their duplicity.”
Master Hawk and Master Gold exchanged frowns, and Master Serpent’s brow furrowed in concentration. The other House Masters, however, seemed less concerned by her statement than she’d expected.
Anger and impatience surged within Ilanna. She’d had enough of these foolish old men who were more inclined to sit and talk than take action. The House Masters had grown fat and lazy while their Journeymen did the hard work. Only Masters Hawk and Serpent looked like they spent more time outside than in the comfort of their Houses.
These are the ones who will protect Praamis from the Bloody Hand? She snorted. Not a Keeper-damned chance.
Her eyes darted to Bryden, who sat beside Master Hawk. And you, you worm. She poured all her hatred and anger into her glare. You want proof? Wait until I put a dagger in your throat. That will be all the proof you need.
Master Serpent spoke for the first time. “Masters, I propose that we adjourn the meeting for now. I will seek out Journeyman Errik and obtain his statement. If what Ilanna says is true, we must take swift steps to deal with this threat before it becomes a full-on incursion. We should all return to our Houses and prepare for war with the Bloody Hand.”
“And if we discover the Journeyman’s claims to be perfidy?” Master Hound raised an eyebrow.
“Then we have nothing to fear.” Master Serpent’s tone held a dangerous edge. “But years as a Serpent have taught me to never disregard a threat, no matter how impossible it may seem. I, at least, care enough for my Journeymen and apprentices to consider Ilanna’s words.” With a stiff bow to his fellow House Masters and their lieutenants, Master Serpent and his second-in-command strode from the room.
Master Hawk stood and left without a word, Master Scorpion a few steps behind.
Master Hound opened his mouth to protest, but Master Gold laid a hand on his shoulder. “You lose nothing by being prepared, Bernard.”
The Master of House Hound shrugged off the Guild Master’s hand and turned to Ilanna. “If I find out you are deceiving us…”
Ilanna met his gaze without hesitation. “I’d rather you consider how you will thank me for saving your life.”
Master Hound swept past her with an imperious sniff. The Masters of Houses Fox and Grubber filed out in silence.
Master Bloodbear actually growled at her. “You’d better not be lying, bitch.”
Only Master Gold’s hand on Ilanna’s shoulder stopped her from launching herself at the man. It didn’t matter that Master Bloodbear stood close to twice her height, or that his arms were thicker than her legs. In her fury, she would have attacked him without hesitation.
The sound of Bryden’s shuffling feet only added to her rage. She drew in a deep breath and fixed the Hawk with a glare. Bryden rolled his eyes and limped out of the room.
“What’s the matter with you, Ilanna?” Master Gold hissed into her ear.
Ilanna rounded on him. “Do you even care?”
“Of course, I care!” Master Gold’s eyes flashed. “You may think me as cold as I am practical, but I am not heartless. I can see through your anger, see the hurt. I know your house burned when the Bloody Hand torched the marketplace.”
Ilanna’s eyebrows shot up. “How—?”
“Master Hawk told me it was the house where you grew up. He warned me because he knew you were going to do something like this. He wanted me to be ready.” Master Gold placed a hand on her shoulder. “I understand the pain you are feeling. But if you keep going down this path, you will go too far. You will lash out at the wrong person, and there will be nothing I can do to protect you.”
Relief trickled through Ilanna’s anger. Master Hawk hadn’t told the Guild Master about Kodyn. At least that secret was safe.
“Turn that anger against the ones who are behind it all. Use it to help me figure out how we can drive the Bloody Hand out of Praamis.” His eyes glazed over as the wheels in his head started clicking. A sly smile spread on his face. “Even if they weren’t responsible for the fire, we can use that to our advantage.”
Ilanna gave a dismissive wave. “I’ll leave the scheming to you. I have more important things to deal with.”
She turned toward the door. Bryden couldn’t have gotten far. She would track him down and confront him. If he was the one to pay Toll and Melinn, he would have a record of withdrawing the funds from his House account. He wouldn’t keep a secret stash of gold like her. He was too sanctimonious for that. She would see his ledger—take it from him by force, if necessary. His own meticulous nature and rigorous adherence to Guild rules would be his downfall.
But before she’d taken two steps, the door burst open and a Journeyman wearing the grey-trimmed robes of House Serpent staggered into the Guild Council Chamber. Blood trickled from a wound in his pale forehead, and he clutched at a crimson stain in his side.
“We’re under…attack!” With a gasp, he slumped to the carpeted floor and lay still.
Chapter 7
Ilanna’s hand darted to her sword. The pain of her scorched flesh didn’t stop her from drawing the blade.
“Wait!” Master Gold’s voice cracked like a whip. “Follow me.”
He scurried from the Guild Council Chamber. Ilanna fell in step behind him, her eyes wary. Chaos reigned in the Night Guild. From all around, cries, shouts, and the clash of steel echoed off the earthen walls of the tunnels. Men hurried to and fro, directionless, uncertain where the threat came from.
Yet Master Gold led them away from the tumult.
“Where are we going?” Ilanna demanded. “We need to fight.”
“No.” Master Gold shook his head. “We need to hide.”
Ilanna jerked to a stop. “What?” Fury burned in her chest. “We’re under attack, and your first thought is for your own skin?”
