Thieves of the Forsaken by L.M.A. Z.S (icecream ebook reader txt) 📕

“You don't know a thing about me.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Have you ever looked for information on me? About things I did some time ago?” When there was no reply Tamire said: “That`s what I thought. Seriously, next time do better job.”

“So tell me, queen of the unknown. What did you do in the past?”

“No, no, no. It`s not how it works.”

“What?”

“What, what.. Next time just check before take hostages, okay?” Tamire smiled enjoying their conversation.

Neelah silently cursed at herself for doing this, but… “Well, then how about we play a game?”

“What game?”

“I ask you a question, and in return, you ask one me.”

Tamire stayed silent for a moment. As much as she hated to admit it, she was curious about the kidnapper too - the thief seemed like someone who was not like the rest, different from the common criminal.

“Alright,” she said and Neelah smirked, “you first, thief.”

“What exactly so fucked up you have done in the past?”

“This is the second time in two days.. Damn. Everyone is so curious about me. I think I`m famous.”

“Get to the part where you answer my question.”

“Okay, okay. So.. Once I peeled skin from a guy. To different guy stabbed a knife in eye, then there was a time when someone tried to rape me but I just shot him in the crotch, took of his pants and rolled him in the sand, just for fun. Let him cry in pain a bit. Then one shot between eyes. How`s that?”

“Tough.”

“So.. It`s time for my question. Hmm.. Why are you so pale?”

Neelah raised one eyebrow: “Honestly?”

“Well, pff, of course!”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Yes. I have been this grayish colour all my life. I never knew my real parents, so I didn’t have anyone to ask and I still don’t,” thief replied and then gave a chuckle, “I remember hearing a story that elders used to scare childrens with. About an undead warlock with gray skin and a fire which - they used to eat babies and kill kings, and if you don’t go to sleep when your parents tell you, they are going to get you. I remember pretending that I’m the warlock, because of my skin colour, so I would just roam the city in the night.”

“Don’t tell me you actually tried to eat babies...”

Neelah laughed, but then became serious: “No, but I think I actually killed a few people. I don’t remember.”

“Looks like you had interesting childhood.”

“That’s not the word I would use, but enough about me, it’s my turn. How did you end up in that club?”

“Well.. When I turned sixteen I ran from my parents house. I was a rebel at the time. I even joined some gang called “Wulfs” with u, because I had a crush on the leader boy Jack or something. Don`t remember much but there was a guy who knew a guy who teached me how to use knives, crossbows and all sorts of weapons. Then one mafia dude hired me, it was the time when I mostly did crimes and shit. Killed for him, kidnapped for him.. Even tortured people.” Tamire stopped talking, Neelah grow impatient and asked.

“So? What happened then?”

“I got into drugs, smoked a lot, drank a lot. One time Elzebess, the owner of “The Heat” found me on the street. Took to her place. Washed me, fed me. Then she saw potential in me and hired. It`s the short version of all that happened.”

“Didn't the mafia guy send someone after you?”

“I think he did. But.. I got a hunch that Elzebess took care of that. I never asked.”

“Now, that's what I call interesting.”

“Yeah, yeah. So.. How did you get into this “thief” business?”

“Well, it comes pretty natural if the your caretaker is an old crazy man and doesn’t really care about you. He always complained about how I was always in the way and I never helped him, and he should have left me where he found me, so I just spent almost all of my time on the streets. He constantly forgot to give me food, so it all started off with stealing apples at the market. Then came gold pouches of drunk people, I started breaking into stores at night, robbed people’s homes, met a gang of thieves, they taught me a lot of things, I got connections... Then me and the leader had a pretty heated argument, I sliced his throat, then all of the gang attacked me, I killed everyone and went rogue.”

“A happy ending, how nice.”

“Yes and speaking of theft,” Neelah tilted her head and squinted eyes, staring at the distant rise of smoke. “That right there should be a farm. I`ll find a place to leave you and will go look what I can find.”

“No way!”

“No?” asked Neelah, stopping the horse, “You don’t need food and clothes?”

“What? No, I do, I mean.. Fuck! I meant that I’m going with you!”

“With that clothes?” Neelah looked at Tamire`s body.

“Well.. I thought that my outfit could avoid unnecessary attention while you are stealing. Just a thought.”

“And how do I know you won’t run off?”

“Run off? And go where?!” Tamire started to get pissed again, “We are in the middle of nowhere, I have no idea in what direction is what, and who knows what is there? For all I know, I could just walk that way,” Tamire nodded in a random direction, “until my legs can’t take it, fall down and die from thirst, hunger and exhaustion! Big thank you! Seriously!”

Neelah thought for a moment.

“Fine, you are coming with me. Just remember to keep close and quiet.”

“Okay. Just let me use my body to gain all goods that this place has to offer. Just don't kill anyone and we will be fine. Okay?”

“Since when you are the boss?”

“Always has been, always will be. Now - untie me and let`s go!”

The farm was not big, but it looked pretty rich. Fruits, flowers and vegetables were flourishing in the garden, fields were full of corn and the farmstead itself was clean and looked after.

On the field was working about fifteen men, all without their shirts and their sweaty muscles glistening in the sun.

“Okay. Let`s do this my way! I`m gonna go, talk to these sexy men right there and try to arrange something. If my plan won't succeed, I will give you sign and you will start stealing everything that you think will be necessary on our “journey”.”

Neelah growled in displeasure, but agreed to the idea.

Tamire went straight to the workers. When she was close enough all of them raised their heads and started to look in amazement at Tamire. Like always. Where was Tamire, there was men adoring her.

“Excuse me? Guys?”

“Well, well.. Who do we have here? An angel...” one of the guys said.

“Believe me, I'm far from being an angel.” All men came closer. “So.. I wanted to ask you a favour. I ran out of food some two days ago, last time I drank water was yesterday and I`m getting uncomfortable and cold wearing these clothes. Can you, please, help me?”

“Anything for you sugar. But..” a man from behind made his way through crowd. “We are just work people.”

“Oh..” Tamire showed her sad face.

“But.. We could share some of our stuff. Or.. You can steal from the owner. What do you think?”

“Steal? Wha.. No!” Tamire gave her best shot at sounding disgusted and creeped out.

“Hah, relax, beautiful!” he gave a light-hearted laugh and continued, “I'm just teasing you. I'm the owner. Name is Nycolas. You can call me Cole, Nick or whatever you like, sweetheart. What brings you here?” he asked and took Tamire under elbow and led her to his house.

Meanwhile Neelah watched them, hidden in the tall grass. She believed in Tamire’s ability to charm anyone she wanted, but somehow doubted they will be willing to give much. Besides, thief had already noticed two beautiful, strong horses and her fingers itched to steal them. She also doubted the man will give Tamire any sweets, and oh, Neelah wanted those so bad!

She quietly crept through the green field and scouted the area. The house was pretty average - two stories, two wings, built mainly of stone with wooden elements. Additionally the farm had buildings for cattle and horses, a bath house, a well and few beehives could be seen from around the corner. There were only a few people working in the garden, as majority was in the corn fields.

Neelah looked around. Tamire and the owner went inside and the rest of men resumed working. Thief quickly sneaked closer to the house and hid in bushes that grew along the building. She heard a door open and turned her head in the direction, where an old  woman exited a small door, that most probably led to a basement. Neelah made sure to remember it - it most probably contained a lot of food, useful things and, hopefully, some wine or other liquor.

The girl looked around. She continued to creep around the building and searched for Tamire, until she heard her voice through one of the opened windows on the second floor. Neelah made sure no one was around and climbed a tree, growing near the window. From there, in the rich foliage, she could observe all that happened inside.

“You never answered my question, sugar. What exactly brings you here?” Nycolas asked pointing with hand towards couch silently offering a seat.

“At first I was kidnapped from my work by some guys.” she said while sitting down on couch.

“Seriously?”

“Don't interrupt me please.” Tamire smiled warm smile towards Nycolas.

“Oh.. Fiecy one. I like that kind of women.”

“You make me blush.” Tamire laughed and continued. “So.. I was kidnapped. When they weren't looking I got free and ran as fast as I could. I`m wondering around since then. No food, no water. Didn't think of taking that from attackers at the moment. Yesterday I found a little streamlet in the woods but I haven't ate in a while.”

“Oh, you poor thing. What`s up with these clothes?” He looked at Tamire`s body hungrily.

“As I said before… They caught me when I was at work. At club.”

“Okay, then...”

“Honey?” they heard a voice in the hallway behind the door.

“It`s my wife.” His eyes glittered and smile widened in love. “Wait here. Be right back.”

“Don`t worry. I`m so tired that I think I won`t move from this comfortable sofa anytime soon.” Tamire chuckled.

“Maybe I can get you something? Tea? Coffee? Water? Juice?”

“Anything would be good. Thank you.”

The man quickly ran out of the door to greet his wife. Tamire sighed and stood up. She was actually a little bit worried, now that she knew that this won’t be as quick as she thought. The thief won`t be patient. That woman will start to kill everyone and steal all she can. Tamire started pacing around the room thinking about her possibilities on how to make this plan work a lot quicker. “Maybe I could just tell him truth and he will protect me from that girl.” It's not a possibility. She will kill everyone either way.  

A chestnut hit the floor and startled her.

She looked around and finally glanced out of the window.