Page 70 of The Thief's Mark

“All true.” Kelsith took another unhurried gulp of ale. “It was nothing personal. Just business. I couldn’t have an apprentice who’d begun to constantly question and defy me. Especially one with such an impressive gift as Cal’s.”

Griff hadn’t allowed himself to focus much on Kelsith’s aura so far, not wanting to risk the distraction. But now, the threads of darkness seeping through Kelsith’s tattered patchwork of an aura were impossible to miss. A chill settled deep into his bones as he read between the lines.

“It was a trap,” he whispered. “It wasn’t carelessness or bad luck that made the heist go south, like Cal thinks. You set him up to be caught!”

Kelsith merely shrugged. “Who can say how the protectors detected him?” His eyes flashed, a slight scowl twisting his lips. “Though, they must’ve been as incompetent as ever since they let him escape.”

Staring at the man Cal had called a mentor, who that poor, abandoned boy had placed so much undeserved trust in, Griff felt a surge of loathing. He wanted nothing more than to knock him out with a well-placed bullet and be done with this distasteful conversation.

But the case had to come first. This man, detestable as he was, might have valuable information they needed.

“Now’s your chance to make it up to Cal,” Griff said, straining to keep his voice calm. “You owe him. So, tell me about the void orb. Why does your client want it?”

To his surprise, Kelsith chuckled. He relaxed back in his seat, lowering his raised arms and taking another sip of his ale. “Let’s just say that my client considers it a sound investment to get this nation back on course. When the Brotherhood failed to deliver, my client hired me to ensure that the matter was properly handled. I’d hoped for a time that I might be able to convince Cal to come around. But with the deadline for my contract approaching, I had to make my move, Cal or not.”

“I thought you said you wanted him out of the way. Why did you care if he was on board or not?”

Kelsith hesitated. He played with his mug, swishing the amber liquid within. “Despite what you may believe, Inspector, I am not a heartless monster. When I realized he was involved and saw him again after so many years, I allowed my sentimentality to get the better of my judgment. I thought perhaps I’d been too hasty all those years ago—that I might be able to make use of his unique gift after all.” He shrugged and took another deep gulp of ale. “I was wrong.”

Griff let that go, resisting the urge to argue. After all, Kelsith was right—Calhadoutgrown him. And his inability to see Cal’s proper worth was proof of it.

“What does the void orb do?”

“Void if I know.” Kelsith smirked at his own pun. He finished the last of his ale and set the mug aside, swiping at his mouth. “I’ve already told you all I know, and I grow weary of this conversation. Perhaps it’s time we go our separate ways.”

Griff narrowed his eyes on the thief. “It’s in your best interest to cooperate. We already know that High Commander Pern is your client. Cal is at his office right now to confront him. If you help us, I’ll ensure you receive the maximum leniency for your part in all this.”

Kelsith chuckled. “How magnanimous of you. But I think I’ll take my chances.”

Griff barely heard the thief’s words, so focused was he on his aura. The instant he’d mentioned Cal and the High Commander, the aura had shifted, a wavering pulse of blue billowing through it.Was that…concern?

“Something’s wrong,” Griff said. “What aren’t you telling me about Cal? What do you know?”

Kelsith appeared torn for a moment. Then, he sighed and closed his eyes, tipping back his head. “You asked what the relic does? Let’s just say that both Cal and the High Commander are about to get their first taste of the Void.”

Griff’s eyes widened, his entire body tensing as he realized what Kelsith was implying. They’d gotten it all wrong! High Commander Pern wasn’t the suspect—he was thetarget!Kelsith hadn’t been there tonight to deliver the void orb to his patron. He’d been setting a trap: one Cal had walked right into.

Merciful Light! “Thanks for the intel,” he said. Aiming at Kelsith beneath the table, he prepared to fire a stunning shot.

Kelsith must’ve anticipated the move, however. Before Griff could fire, his chair jerked to the side, throwing off his aim. His bullet went wide. Panicked shouts rang out around them at the loud gunshot. Griff’s chair teetered precariously, then toppled over, spilling him to the dirty floor.

By the time he’d recovered enough to raise his revolver for another shot, Kelsith was already dashing past. The rope Griff had almost tripped on earlier uncoiled itself from his chair leg and wound up Kelsith’s leg to perch on his arm like a loyal serpent.

“Ta-ta, Inspector,” Kelsith called behind him as he dashed through the crowd of startled patrons. “Perhaps we’ll meet again someday. Pleasure seeing you!”

Anger flared in Griff. He shoved himself to his feet and ran after the thief. There was no sign of him outside, save the faint trace of his aura vanishing down the nearest alleyway. He stared after Kelsith’s trail, indecision tearing at him. Though it was becoming harder to track him the more time passed since he’d held the void orb, Griff might still be able to catch him if he went now.

Gritting his teeth, he turned his back on the alleyway and sprinted the other way toward Headquarters. The Void take Kelsith! He had to reach Cal and the High Commander before it was too late.

Thankfully, he hadn’t wandered far. He made it back to the building in record time. Abandoning any pretense of stealth, he barreled through the main office complex and into the hall leading to the High Commander’s office. Sasha stood alone at the far end, guarding the door.

When Sasha spotted him, his mouth fell open. He looked like he’d seen a ghost. “What…how did you…?” His gaze darted from Griff to the closed door behind him.

Griff didn’t bother trying to figure out what Sasha meant. The man might’ve once been his friend, but that was before Griff learned he was involved in this mess. There’d be time enough to process Sasha’s betrayal when this was all over.

He aimed his revolver at the protector and shouted, “Put your hands behind your head and get down on the ground.Now!”

Sasha plastered on a confused smile. “What is this? Is this some kind of joke?”