Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne Page A

ever seen evidence of where they’re settled. I’ll send out search parties, but I expect it could be a while before they find anything.”
    Tristam’s next thought rushed into his head, accompanied by a quickening of his pulse and a fierce determination to see the idea through. “Sir, I have another request.”
    “Yes?”
    He wiped his palms on his tunic, steeling himself. “I would like to submit my request to work under you, for the Ministry of Defense.”
    For the first time in their conversation, Malikel looked surprised. “I was under the impression that you are not yet a knight.”
    “I will be in a month, sir.”
    “Your commander informed me you were planning on joining the road patrols. Why make this request of me now?”
    The question gave him pause. If he went through with this, he would stay in the city. He felt a tightening in his chest at the thought of abandoning his plans. But then, could he really join the road patrols with a clear conscience? Ride off into the forest and let others deal with Jack’s murderers? “My commanders will testify to my character and performance. I’m at the top of my cohort in combat and in strategy—”
    “I am perfectly capable of assessing your qualifications myself, Tristam,” said Malikel. “That wasn’t my question. What I want to know from you is why you’re requesting this.”
    Malikel’s response startled him, and Tristam suddenly found himself tongue-tied. “Jack was a good friend of mine,” he said, stumbling over the words. “I can’t sit idle while those who attacked him are still attacking our city. Sir, I’ve seen these cats up close. I’ve fought them. I would be useful to the search.”
    “True,” conceded Malikel. He fell silent, again studying Tristam. “Your commanders do speak highly of you.”
    “I promise you I will work hard, sir.”
    Malikel nodded. “It’s an unusual request, but I will consider it.”

S E V E N
    T he walls of the inner compound were three stories high, constructed of smooth granite and topped with a walkway wide enough for three men to walk abreast. The sides of the wall were vertical except for the very bottom, when they bent outward to form a wider base. Kyra found that if she sat where the sides angled off, she could lay a parchment across her bent knees as she sketched.
    Unlike the outer portion of the Palace, the Fastkeep was older and built for security. The buildings here were squat granite structures with thick walls. Occasionally, Kyra saw a courtyard, but these grassy spaces lacked the trees and fountains that graced the outer Palace.
    She shivered. Although the top of the wall shielded her from the wind, the granite’s chill seeped through her trousers and the back of her tunic. It would have been warmer inside the buildings, but she had strict orders not to go indoors. She’d found the nights difficult at first without the benefit of movement to keep warm, but weeks of sitting out at night had acclimated her to the cold.
    Kyra put the finishing touches on her map and tucked away her charcoal. Carefully, she rolled up the parchment and slid it down the back of her tunic before turning around to grip the wall. She listened for footsteps. Satisfied that no one was nearby, Kyra threw her grappling hook over. The clink of its landing rang through the darkness.
    The sound was too loud for comfort, and she wasted no time in pulling herself up. Once away from the wall, Kyra allowed herself a quick stop by the kennels. As she came close, several noses pushed between the slats of the fence. A few dogs whined loudly, and Kyra shushed them with a whisper. She’d always been a good dog talker. Even the fiercest guard dogs whimpered and rolled over, baring their bellies to her in fear. Flick teased her about it, saying that dogs were the best judge of character, but he couldn’t deny that her gift was useful in that line of work.
    Once safely out in the city, Kyra jogged to the Guild. Two shadows