Page 32 of Gold & Shadow

“Go,” she mouthed, pushing us ahead of her while she held his wrist. “I’m right behind you.”

We passed my sister, who must be keeping the male’s memories empty while we snuck past. As soon as Orson was out of the way, Mora let go, leaping back to the protection of Sera’s illusion.

“What am I…” the guard trailed off, looking confused, and I gave Mora an appreciative nod. He turned back to us, seeing through us to the back wall as Sera kept the illusion up, sweat beading on her brow.

Magic wasn’t infinite by any means, and there was a certain strain on both the body and the mind from using too much too fast. We needed to get to the stairs so Sera could drop the illusion.

“How odd,” muttered the guard, moving toward the door to shut it.

I pulled up shadows as we hit the back room, sneaking through the door and pausing to catch our breaths.

“Why are we sneaking when we could just be gutting?” Orson growled, clearly impatient without progress.

“Because most of Victor’s guards can wield magic,” I hissed, frowning at him. “And I’d rather we all survive this experience.”

I turned to my sisters. “I need you two to search the second floor for Orson’s amulet. It’s a round gold pendant with a bear paw inscribed in the center, runes all around. Look for any records or purchases or sales in the last decade while you’re there, too. We’ll go up to the third floor and confront Victor.”

“Are you sure you can handle Victor alone?” Mora asked, her face paler than usual after her use of magic. I probably didn’t look much better.

“Yes,” I hissed. “When you find the amulet, come find us. Hopefully we will have Victor subdued by then and we can figure out an escape.”

“I have an idea for that,” Orson rumbled enigmatically.

“Are you planning to tell us what it is?” Sera hissed, a brow raised at my bear.

“Later,” I whispered. “Go now. Look for the amulet. Victor may have several.”

Mora and Sera shared a glance, speaking without words in the way of twins, then disappeared, Sera already spinning illusions around them.

“You will tell me this plan at some point, right?” I whispered to Orson, pulling shadows to hide us as we ascended to the top floor. The stairs were narrow, and if anyone ventured down them they would certainly crash into us.

“All in good time, Little Thief,” Orson rumbled, his growl laced with amusement. “When we get to the top of the stairs, you will have to let me go.”

I started, barely registering my hand still on Orson’s neck. “Are you going to eviscerate people?”

“Probably,” he growled, rumbling a quiet laugh when I shuddered in disgust. “Do you mean to tell me that a hardened criminal mastermind like yourself has no stomach for violence?”

“I generally avoid disemboweling people if I can,” I hissed, still feeling a bit queasy at the thought. “It’s messy and hard to cover up.”

“I am a bear,” Orson pointed out. “We are expected to make a mess.”

“Gods,” I sighed, stopping at the door at the top of the stairs. “Let’stryit my way first?”

“Fine,” Orson grumbled, clearly irritated that violence would be the back up plan. “You have a soft heart. It’s why I love you, Kjære.”

“You—what?” I asked, my eyes widening at the bear.

He tilted his head, giving me an impatient sort of look. “You heard me, Little Thief.”

“Okay, well,” I said, fumbling over myself a bit. He loved me. Helovedme. Did I love him too? “Crime now, confessions of love later.”

“Fine,” he rumbled, his eyes flashing with heat. “I truly can’t wait to have my other body back. I have plans for what it will do with yours.”

“You’re a menace,” I hissed. “Stop flirting. It’s unprofessional.”

I didn’t give him time to respond, pushing open the door softly and hoping my shadows would disguise the movement.

It was a false hope.