Page 15 of Realm of Thieves

“Aye,” Toombs says with a gruff chuckle as he wipes away the drool from his face. “They say it’s bad luck for a woman and a hound to be onboard.” His expression then turns dark. “Maybe next time I don’t stop the ship.”

Despite being an old sea captain who’s worked for my father for many years, Toombs is probably the most moral member of the Kolbeck crew. So when he’s ready to toss someone overboard, I have to wonder if I’ve made some sort of mistake by rescuing the girl.

She hasn’t said anything. She’s sitting with her back against the railing, still catching her breath while her dog lies down beside her, his giant head in her lap. She avoids my eyes and I’m not about to crouch down again. My dick still aches, and not in a good way.

I nod at Toombs. “Get underway again. We’re going straight home.”

“Aye,” Toombs says, heading back to the helm while the rest disperse to help with the sails.

I glance back down at Brynla, watching her for a moment, herchest rising, her focus on her dog. It’s curious that she’s still struggling to catch her breath. I know suen gives the user a wide variety of magic and powers and it’s hard to predict what magic will come through for each person, but one thing that seems common in all who consume it is an increase in strength and fitness. Why is she so weak?

Maybe Steiner’s raven, Moon, or my informant got their information wrong. She’s a good fighter, I’ll give her that, and she seems adept at stealing eggs, at least with Lemi’s help. But I’m starting to wonder what her actual magic is, because I’m not seeing it.

That doesn’t mean I should underestimate her again, though.

I reach into my boot and pull out a foot-long knife. Both Brynla’s and Lemi’s eyes automatically focus on it. The hilt is carved from bonewood, dotted with various gems, with a silver sword emblem to signify the Kolbecks. The blade itself is made from semitranslucent water crystal, which, when dry, can cut through anything, even stone. It doesn’t appear dangerous with its iridescent ridges. Looks like it’s carved from ice more than anything. I shake the water off, then blow on it while undoing the rope around my waist.

“What is that?” Brynla asks quietly, and I can see her curiosity overpowering her. So she likes weapons—duly noted.

“This is Dagger,” I tell her, flipping the blade over and over in my hand now.

She coughs. “You named your dagger Dagger?” she asks, deadpan.

“A knife can be your best friend,” I tell her. “Doesn’t your best friend deserve a name?”

Satisfied it’s dry, I bring the dagger down across the rope, cutting it in two like a hot knife slicing through butter, and then before Brynla can ask what’s happening and fight back, I grab her wrists and tie the rope around them tight.

I step back just as Lemi starts to growl at me, showing large, sharp canines.

Shit. I didn’t want the dog to turn on me but I suppose tying up its owner will do that.

I quickly bring out a small vial of tranquilizer I had tucked inside my armor and hold it out for Brynla to see.

“This brought down a dragon; it can bring down your dog. I don’t want to hurt him—and I won’t—but I have no problems putting him to sleep.”

I could add a few more threats in there, but frankly I’d be lying. The only animal I’d ever hurt is a dragon and even then it would be in self-defense, like what happened last night.

Lemi continues to growl, even getting up and stepping toward me. I quickly calculate if I can get the serum in his mouth without losing an arm.

“Lemi,” Brynla warns him with a sigh. “Sit.”

Lemi’s growls disappear and he sits back on his haunches, his tongue hanging out the side, going from a monstrous killer to a giant puppy in seconds.

Then Brynla lifts her hands. “Was it really necessary to tie me up?”

“I’m afraid you’ve taken me by surprise one too many times,” I tell her.

A satisfied smile flashes across her face.

“All right.” She clears her throat and leans back against the railing. “So now what?”

“You’re just going to gloss over the fact that I saved your life a third time?”

“I never asked you to,” she replies. “Not my fault you aren’t able to lose gracefully.”

I blink at her. “Lose gracefully?”

She shrugs. “You weren’t saving me because you wanted to. You saved me because if I died it would have meant you lost.”

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