Page 15 of Glass Hearts
After what seems to be about an hour, her target leaves the gambling den. He is a large gentleman, dressed in finery and walking gleefully, tossing his winning spoils into the air. Good night for him, it seems. His confidence damns him as he heads down a dark alley, most likely towards the brothel where he will spend the night.
My little duchess sneaks up behind him and snatches his coin pouch mid-air.
“What is the meaning of this?!” the man curses, spinning around. But before I can step in, the little wet dream has that golden dagger already pulled up to his throat, pinning him against the grimy alley wall.
“Dr. Jefferson, good night cheating the house?”
“Girl, get that knife off my throat before you regret it. And give me my winnings back, you little bitch.”
She cocks her head. “Or what? I have you pinned, Doctor. By my knife, but also by your consequences. I have a colleague ready to inform the clinic of your misdeeds if anything were tohappen to me, so don’t get any bold ideas. I am sure the clinic owner wouldn’t be happy to also hear you have been skimming off his generosity to fund your gambling addiction. Or perhaps he would love to know about all the drugs you pocket to sell for profit? Hmm?”
Fuck, her voice is the sweetest thing, especially when it’s threatening. She is a violent woman, perfectly made for me.
“You cunt. What do you want?” He spits at my duchess. Dr. Jefferson. I try to remember the dead man-to-be’s name for future reference.
“Well, that isn’t necessary, Doctor. How about you give me the rest of the money in your pockets, your shiny rings, and that pocket watch? I also expect you to make a hefty donation to the clinic and put in your resignation. I know where to find you. And I will ruin you if you do not proceed to follow my clear-as-mud directions. Capiche?”
“I will give you my damned valuables, but I am not leaving my job, you hussy!”
She shrugs, removing her dagger while he goes about emptying his pockets and handing her all his remaining valuables.
“So be it. It will be fun to ruin your life even more, Doctor.” With that, she throws something at him as she slinks back into the shadows. Before I go to follow her, I notice the doctor holding up a similar shadowed glass orb to mine that now hangs from my heart. I fashioned a pendant that is even more important than my affinity glass heart she stole.
I hear him curse her even more as she unhurriedly walks away.So confident, it’s so hot. I want to bruise up his face for spitting at my girl, but I also don’t want to lose sight of her. So the fucker will have to get a pass…for now.
I walk a few paces behind her until she reaches The Lucky Barn. She goes straight to the bar. The ogre looks just about toconfront her, probably about me. But I catch his eye and make a shushing motion with a dark wink, and make my way to a side booth.
“Valak, thank you for your tip. The doctor won’t be a problem from now on. Hopefully, Valak Jr. will finally be able to get his proper medicine without that vile man reselling it at an absurd markup.”
The Ogre, Valak, is a family man. I wonder if I will be able to use his family to blackmail him to tell me more about my little duchess. His eyes darken, knowing I overhear.
“You should stop for a while, Shadow.”
“Are you serious, Valak? I am not going to stop. Why would you even suggest that? I think I am finally hitting my stride. I stole from the damn crown, for heaven’s sake. I think I can handle minor jobs like these. Also, since when do you call me by my secret identity?”
“You never know what lurks within the shadows, little one,” is all he says as he hands her a drink with a straw, turning to get back to his work.
Ah, so he did lie. The fucker knows her name. I will definitely pay my new friend another visit.
I was also hoping she would remove the bandana, but she hasn’t. Instead, she awkwardly tries to maneuver the straw to meet her mouth under the black piece of fabric. She is so cute.
A mouse pops out of her pocket and takes the offered nuts she grabbed from the bar. That is very curious, as he looks to have a little miniature tactical uniform as well. A pet, perhaps?
She finishes her drink and plops a few gold coins onto the bar. “I will see you tomorrow, Valak. Say hi to Carleigh and all the kiddos for me!”
He exhales strongly, his shoulders sinking. My little shadow is spilling all his secrets. Got you, buddy. But for now, I am not ready to part with my woman.
We walk the streets again. Nobody seems to mind the masked sexpot, decorated with weapons, strolling down the street. Instead, they are all smiling at her. She greets a few with hugs and handshakes.
How my brothers don’t see her as a potential Queen, I can never understand. She naturally commanded the people in the ballroom, and here she is commanding the people on the street. They all seem to love her.
We head out of Harsekeep and into an area that hosts a bevy of middle-class folk. Her posture stiffens as we get deeper into the well-manicured houses. She turns and enters the backyard of one of the relatively larger townhouses on the block. They all look the same, mostly. But this is the only one that appears not to have even one blade of grass out of place. The house on the outside is spotless, devoid of the natural wear that indicates a loving home.
I continue stalking her to the backyard, trying to remain hidden. She enters a large shed, and I creep up to the window. It’s… her room? She lives in a shed? Well, this is not fit for my Duchess. I will have to remedy this.
I continue to be a huge creep. Hoping my gal would just remove that dang bandana once and for all. But the lights cut out before I could see anything. Though I didn’t get the pleasure of looking upon her face, I at least now know where my little shadow lays her head.
“Sweet dreams, my queen,” I whisper to her before taking my leave. With a new skip in my step, I hurry back to inform my brothers of my findings. It’s time to bring her to her rightful home: the castle.
