An Aimless War (Greatest Thief 2)

Chapter Nineteen

"It is him, then?" Kalvahi asked.

I blinked, struggling to wrap my head around what I was seeing. Kassia was dressed in a sweeping red dress instead of a simple tunic and pants. Her ears glinted with jewels, her neck sparkled with gold, bracelets dangled on each wrist. She had lived with us for months. She had tended to my injuries. She had kissed me. I never had any idea who she was. I still didn't.

I tried to speak up. "What are you—"

Kassia waved her hand and two guards moved forward to grab my arms. I didn't struggle.

"Of course it's him," Kassia said to Kalvahi, ignoring me. "How many thieves named Finn do you think Lord West Draulin knows?"

"That isn't the name he gave me," Kalvahi said.

"Well," Kassia switched languages suddenly.

They went on for some time before my patience ran out. "Kassia! Talk to me!" One of the guards moved to hit me, but Kassia said something to him curtly.

"I'm glad you're not dead, Finn," she said, elegantly sidestepping Kalvahi to approach me. She reached up to touch my cheek and I forced myself not to flinch away from her. "When I chained you to that wall, I thought you'd be killed. It really was nothing personal. You were convenient." Her bracelets swayed and clinked together as she slid her hand up to run her fingers through my hair. Her voice wasn't like it had been in Zianna, where she had fooled me with a good accent and a sad story about a dead mother. "And it really was such a shame. You have incredible potential. You've changed, you know. Matured. You would never have yelled at a lady a year ago. You've grown, too. Tandrix is feeding you well, isn't he? And you're holding yourself differently."

I narrowed my eyes. "You're still a lying murderer."

Kassia smiled. "I didn't murder King Zianna, Finagale. You stopped me."

"But then you went back and finished the job."

"Oh, I like this ferociousness. No, that wasn't me. Your stunt actually lost me quite a bit of respect. Nobody could understand how a thief from the streets managed to stop me. So I was given a less important task. I was in West Draulin. And how could I possibly be in two places at once?"

I understood, but I didn't know what to say. I just stared at her in shock. I didn't even think to pull away from her hand. The hand that had probably—

"I was hoping he could be useful," Kalvahi interrupted my thoughts. "He seems to understand what we're fighting for."

Kassia's earrings caught the light as she shook her head. "He didn't even tell you his real name. He's much more clever than he lets on." She finally dropped her hand, and her piercing gaze shifted to land on Kalvahi. "He's been playing you."

"No," I protested. It was easier to think when she wasn't touching me. I needed Kalvahi to like me. "Your highness, please don't believe her. I do understand what you're fighting for. Old Zianna. My people, back in power, where we belong. I serve you now."

Kalvahi was frowning. He spoke in Deoran. Kassia replied. I heard Tannix's name again.

As if on cue, new guards joined us, leading Tannix between them. His wrists were cuffed together in front of him, but that didn't make him look any less noble. He managed to make being led around in chains look dignified. My guards tightened their holds on my arms.

"Kassia," Tannix said steadily, his voice betraying no surprise. "Pleasure to see you again."

"And you, Lord West Draulin," she said. "But surely you know to address a lady properly."