“It’s not that easy. Some of the jobs are worth it. I feel like I’m making things better.” She wanted to say more—how good it felt to live without money worries, how nice it was to be taking care of people rather than leaning on Bella and Flick, but she couldn’t find the right words. And were those her only reasons? An image of James flashed through her mind, and she ignored the sudden tightness in her stomach.

“And I don’t know anything for sure,” she finished lamely.

Flick sighed. “I in’t really the one to go to for moral dilemmas, Kyra. Bella’s better at that.”

“Bella didn’t even like it when I was just stealing.”

“Bella’s a good woman, and surprisingly understanding.”

Kyra twisted the cap onto the flask, closing it tight. “I’ll figure it out.”

Flick looked up. “You’re not reporting to the Guild this week, are you?”

“No, James told me to rest.”

“Me and the lads are raiding a house in the northeast quadrant tonight. We could use a good cracker.”

“One of the big houses?” She perked up despite herself. It had been a long time since she’d run anything with Flick, and she missed those trips.

“You in?”

Kyra straightened, an enthusiastic reply on her tongue, when her motion pulled at the scabs on her back. “Oh,” she said, “my shoulder.”

“That’s all right, you won’t have to climb. It’s an easy job. It’d just be fun to have you in the crew.”

True, if she didn’t climb, her shoulder would probably be fine. “But if something happened, and I reopen the wound…”

“Nothing will happen. It’s an easy crack. One guard, no dogs.”

He was probably right. But on the off chance that he was wrong…James had delayed the raid once already because of her shoulder. She bit her lip.

A muscle tightened on Flick’s jaw, and his smile disappeared. “Forget I asked.”

Kyra jumped, startled at how his tone had changed. “No, it’s all right. I can—”

“It’s fine, Kyra. Really,” Flick’s voice was tight, his words clipped. “We have enough men. No need to risk your shoulder.” He stood up. “I should go check my ropes.” He left the room before Kyra could say anything more.

When Kyra returned to her room that night, she heard whimpering from Lettie and Idalee’s quarters. She knocked lightly on the door, then peeked inside when the whimpering didn’t stop. Through the darkness, Kyra could see Lettie turning and kicking on the bed.

“Lettie?” Kyra whispered, and moved closer. The girl continued to flail about, but was obviously sound asleep.