Behind her, James inclined his head in greeting. “Good to see you again. Join me for a flagon?”

Three

T H R E E

Brendel’s song washed over Kyra as she scrambled to gather her wits. “Right now?” she asked.

He gave her a mocking smile. “Unless you’re eager to hear the ballad.”

Kyra jerked her head toward Lettie, who was so engrossed in Brendel’s performance she hadn’t yet noticed James. “I can’t leave her alone.”

“She’ll be fine. Keep her in view while we talk.”

Kyra scanned the room, hoping to see Flick in the crowd, but he wasn’t there. For a moment, Kyra considered telling James that she really did want to hear the rest of the ballad. But then, what was she afraid of? The only thing James had done so far was overpay her. Kyra schooled her features and nodded. Lettie barely acknowledged Kyra when she tapped her on the shoulder and told her where she was going.

James led her to a nearby table. As Kyra slid onto the bench across from him, he beckoned to a serving girl and ordered two mugs of ale.

“I trust you got some rest this morning?” he asked.

“Aye.”

The ensuing silence was interrupted by the serving girl returning with the ale. James pushed one mug toward Kyra. She wet her lips but didn’t drink.

“How long have you been in your current trade, Kyra?”

“About eight years.” Kyra wrapped both hands around the mug. The chill seeped into her palms and made her shiver.

“Is it a good living?”

She hesitated. “Why are you asking?”

“Of course, I apologize for my rudeness,” he said smoothly. “You’re right to be suspicious. I’m asking because we were impressed with your work last night.”

“Who’s ‘we’?”

“We’re looking for someone with your skills. Your agility, how you can move without being seen. You searched the compound for longer than you’d planned without getting caught, and you kept your head when you couldn’t find the loot. I see your skills have served you well in your current way of life.”

“I’m a thief,” she said curtly.

“A thief,” he echoed. “How much coin do you make, as a thief?”

“Enough.” She didn’t quite succeed in removing the defensiveness from her voice.

James scanned the dining room. “Enough to feed yourself and pay for decent lodging.” His tone made the sentence seem more a question than a statement. Kyra felt an uneasy stirring in her stomach. Did he know she was short on coin? She wasn’t in danger of being evicted, but recently it had become much harder to pay her lodging. The entire city was suffering from the attacks in the outskirts.

James continued. “Why does someone with your talents have to scramble for rent?”