Page 27 of Songs of Vice

“He’s one of Shaan’s closest friends.”

I raised my chin as understanding dawned. “You want the Prince to hear of his vindication?”

“I do.”

“You could tell him.”

Sai shook his head. “Not about this… not about something so personal.”

I released a breath and bobbed my head. I had nothing but respect for the royal family. The Prasanna territory had become my home, and I loved it there. It might add a layer of complication to keep up with someone inexperienced, but if it comforted the Prince, so be it. We’d make it work. Sai’s jaw tensed as if he chewed on issues. I didn’t wish to add one more, but I couldn’t let my concerns go. “There’s another thing.”

“That is?”

“Lira. I don’t like her being on this job.”

His expression transformed, walls coming up as his spine straightened and his eyes grew sharp. “Why?”

“Because she’s distracting you.”

“You just asked after the value of Ishir’s magic. Her powers are actually useful.”

“She just bungled using them.” I waved to the crisscrossed slashes of ebony trees in the town's direction. “What if we give her a role and she messes up during it?”

“We’ll have her paired with someone who can cover for her if need be.”

“You mean you?”

He shrugged. “It makes sense.”

Something scuttled by my feet, snapping over the forest’s mulch. Sai had his stubborn face on. This was important, though. “Do you know why I messed up on that grab last night that I should have been able to complete alone and in my sleep?”

“It was a mistake, Nei. It happens.”

“But do you know why it happenedthis time.”

“Why?”

“Because Elisa distracted me. I let my pride get in the way, too. We shouldn’t have done that grab together because I love her, and when she’s around, she takes my focus. It’s why we never pair up on jobs. It causes issues. That’s why I’m worried about Lira being in on this.”

Sai’s gaze shifted to the distance, and he scratched his thumb over his jaw. “All right. You know I respect what you say. I’ll make sure we’re split during the job.”

“Good.” He turned to move, but I grabbed his arm. “I’m not saying don’t pursue whatever this is. Make yourself happy. Make your mother happy, even.” Sai’s eyes tightened, but he chuckled. “Just don’t let whatever is between you two take the focus during this grab.”

“What is between us?”

He asked like I might actually possess the answers. “I don’t know, Sai. But if there is something, I’m happy for you. We have to stay focused to pull this off. That’s all I’m saying.”

He nodded and clapped my hand. “I hear you.”

We broke apart and walked back towards the group which quieted as we stepped into the clearing. Sai pressed the tips of his fingers together and rested his chin on them. “This is the most difficult heist I’ve ever asked of our group.”

Luz jumped up from where they crouched on a low limb, making it tremble as it scraped the forest floor. Lira curled farther into herself, and Elisa patted her shoulder. Sai turned to Orman and Ishir. “I’m going to explain the plan, but if anyone wishes not to take part, there are no hard feelings. It will be dangerous and difficult. I’ll pull the memories from anyone who wants out and you can join us for our next job.”

Sai waited for the group to respond, and they all bobbed their heads except for Elisa—who had already committed—and Lira who stared at him like she’d stepped into a snake pit but wasn’t sure if turning to run would cause them to strike faster.

Sai pulled his zevar from beneath his jacket and it gleamed as he tapped into his powers. “Prince Lennox of the Seelie court has stolen Prince Shaan’s zevar.”

Luz frowned. “How did he pull that off?”

---