Realm of Thieves (Thieves of Dragemor #1) Read Online Karina Halle

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Dragons, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal Tags Authors: Series: Thieves of Dragemor Series by Karina Halle
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Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 137226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
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“I wouldn’t do it,” Andor says, eyeing the knife. “There’s nowhere for you to go.”

“Even if there were, you’d only lie about it to keep me here,” I point out, backing up slowly toward the railing with Lemi inching along with me, his ears perked up, wondering what’s happening.

“Are you questioning Andor’s honesty?” the boatswain asks, leaning casually against the wheel, the wind whipping back his patchy hair. “You won’t find a more honest man out there. He tells the truth like it’s an affliction, until you wish he was lying,” he adds with a chuckle.

“I’ll take my chances,” I tell him, looking back to Andor. “I would rather face death on the high seas than be forced to help you or your house.”

“Such a pity,” he muses as I peer over the edge of the boat. The sea is rough and looks terribly cold.

“What is?” I say, quickly looking back at him. No one has moved toward me.

“That you are so obstinate you would rather die than save your aunt’s life.”

I freeze. “What are you talking about?”

“I told you earlier,” he says calmly, splaying his hands. “You work for us, we get your aunt out of the Banished Land. She’ll be free to go to wherever she likes in the world, and we’ll give her the means to do so. And when you’re done working for us, you can do the same.”

I stare at him for a moment, then shake my head. He’s lying. He’s a rotten member of a syndikat, no different from Dalgaard or anyone else in this world. I want a better life but I know a devil’s bargain when I hear it. Everything comes with a catch.

“What do you mean when I’m done?” I ask. “Since when is there a time limit to this favor?”

Andor shrugs, a strand of dark hair blowing across his eyes. “It’s not a favor. It’s an opportunity. A favor implies that you would be helping me from the goodness of your heart and getting nothing in return. An opportunity means you get something too. Bigger than your wildest dreams.” He pauses, meeting my eyes and holding them there. “We haven’t yet discussed our terms because you keep trying to kill me. But it’s possible that you only work for us for a year, enough for us to get a leg up on Dalgaard. All you’ll be doing is stealing eggs, same as before.” He pauses and smiles with white teeth. “It’s all negotiable, darling.”

I hate that for a moment I’m intrigued enough to ask more questions. But I quell that feeling and bristle instead. “My aunt is a survivor. She’ll be just fine without any rescue. She’s built for the Banished Land, a place that would eat you alive.”

His gaze remains steady. “Are you sure about that? Willing to bet her life on it?”

“More than I’m willing to bet my life on you,” I tell him.

And then before he can say anything, I lean back against the railing and fall overboard, flipping backward into the sea.

Chapter 5

Andor

I honestly didn’t think she’d do it, but that’s the second time I underestimated Brynla Aihr, daughter of rebels, before she did something rash. I suppose she’s more like her lineage than I thought.

I watch as she flips over the railing, her dog Lemi leaping clear over it in a frantic pursuit after her, and then I’m running across the deck to look over the side. “Slow the ship, bring her around!” I yell at Toombs, our boatswain.

Down in the surf Brynla and her dog try to swim away from the ship but are pummeled by the waves and smashed against the hull. She can barely keep her head above the water, perhaps not fully recovered from when I made her unconscious. I know how to do it so that it disables the person and doesn’t hurt them, even if they’re buzzing with suen magic, but she should still be resting, not swimming in the frigid White Sea.

I sigh heavily, weighing my options as she struggles in the water below. I know what my father would do. He would let her swim, let her drown, it would make no difference to him. And part of me wants to let her go. After all, she’s made some fairly stupid decisions so far and is turning out to be more trouble than she’s worth.

But that’s my fault really. I assumed that whatever I offered her would be better than the life she had in the Banished Land. I’ve never been there myself but from the stories I’ve heard, it’s a cruel and rough life without any mercy. I thought she would be begging me to leave.

I didn’t account for her tenacity, spite, and pride, or that she would react without thinking, like she’s doing now. The more I push and corner her, the more she tries to run, even if it hurts her. Even if it kills her.


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