Guild of Thieves (Book 1) ✓

Ch.22 ~ 𝓐 𝓑𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓜𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽

Caine suggested a contest between Jezamine and Kaleb to see who could pickpocket the most loot in a day. Kaleb accepted with a confident smile and Jezamine never said no, accepting her father's challenge as well.

She would not come second to the orphan boy, especially since he became a part of the family and was now Caine's favourite. Jezamine knew her father always wanted a son but didn't think the man would actually try to replace her with somebody else. She disliked Kaleb, and he knew it. He also disliked her as far as she could tell.

Kaleb always wanted to make Caine proud, but so did she but unlike her, Kaleb was praised for his work and efforts. Jezamine was told she wouldn't be the best if she didn't push herself and train everyday. Meanwhile Kal got to roam around the mill factory doing whatever he pleased. He didn't have to train as hard as her, or fight as hard as her for her own father's attention.

Jez controlled the anger growing within her like a beast, wanting to use her emotions to fuel her for today's challenge. Following the Leader of Thieves and the other Prodigy into the kingdom, she glared at Kaleb's back the entire trek to the Market Square. She would beat Kaleb and make Caine proud of her, he couldn't deny her of that if she won his stupid pickpocket challenge.

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Walking through the crowded streets of Arondale, Caine scanned the place with the least amount of Guards. Spotting a group of Royal Healers heading back to the castle, he swore one of the women looked just like Arianna...

His heart panged in pain as images of his wife flashed before him, she was suddenly all around him, there was no escaping her face. Caine was frozen in place as the crowd of people moved by him, unaware he was seeing Arianna on everyone's faces around him. The woman haunted him everywhere he went. From his daughter's resemblance to Arianna, to his nightmares each night. There was never a time when Arianna wasn't with Caine. She haunted him everywhere he went.

"Here will do." Caine announced to the children. "Whoever has the most loot will get a special reward. Now go!"

Jezamine and Kaleb ran into the crowd laughing, acting as if they were playing tag in the Market Square. While he waited for them to finish, Caine headed to the tavern, needing a drink to drown Arianna's face out of his mind.

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Jezamine filled her pouch quickly, not wanting to let her father down. She couldn't see Kaleb anywhere, finally spotting him as he stole a watch from a wealthy man. The boy's pouch was half full like her own and Jezamine growled, not wanting to disappoint her father. She was the Prodigy after all.

She made her way to a group of Lords and Ladies gathered around a stall which sold fine clothing. From the amount of gold jewellery on their bodies, she knew she hit the jackpot. Without any of them noticing, she stole as much golden jewellery as she could before darting off into a nearby alleyway and out of sight. Her pouch was now full.

Jezamine made her way back to the last place she saw the Leader of Thieves, only he was no longer there. She looked around but there was no sight of the man anywhere.

"Guess we both win the contest." Kaleb said with a smirk, revealing the full pouch in his pocket.

She ignored the boy, not wanting to be friendly towards him but Kaleb had other plans.

"Since we are brother and sister, I thought we should get to know each other." Kal said, no longer smiling. "I have never had a sister before!"