The Keeper Origins – FREE Trilogy for a Limited Time :D

The Keeper Origins Box Set by JA Andrews Free August 15-19, 2023Excerpt:

The upstairs hall of the Broken Mast Tavern crowded around Sable like guards drawn up too close. She forced her breathing to stay slow, partly to take the edge off the stench of old fish, partly to keep the edge of loathing off her face.

The huge form of Boone stood guard outside Kiva’s office, arms crossed over his massive chest, eyes devoid of emotion. Even though Sable was taller than the first time she’d been shoved down this hall ten years ago, her nose still barely came up to Boone’s elbow.

“Lovely day,” she murmured. Knowing better than to expect an answer, she ducked around him and into the room.

“It is a lovely day, Sable,” Kiva drawled, his voice smooth and almost charming.

“I’m sure it is somewhere,” Sable answered.

The gang boss of the Vayas leaned back comfortably behind a large desk, which filled most of his office. The two small windows were open, but the breeze did nothing more than stir the midday heat. Despite the warmth, he wore a brocade vest in such a rich blue it almost gave the impression she was speaking to a proper merchant. He motioned for her to sit in the cramped space across from him.

Pete, Kiva’s second bodyguard, stood in his usual corner, crowding the room even more. The thick dwarf scowled behind his black beard and wooly brow.

Sable pulled the chair out until it hit the wall. She sat and leaned back, straightening her legs in the small space between herself and the desk, as though spreading out might stretch the entire building and allow a little more freedom.

Kiva looked the way Sable always imagined a goblin might. He was barely taller than she was. His hair, an unremarkable walnut color, hung down to his shoulders, curling wildly. His narrow face was sharpened by the pointed beard that ran along his jawline and jutted out from his chin. His thin-lipped mouth was wide enough to look like it was continually spread in a humorless smile.

Sliding around his fingers were the bright green loops of his pet vayakadyn snake. The creature was no thicker than his thumb, but its bite held enough venom to kill a man Boone’s size in a few agonizing minutes.

But it wasn’t Kiva’s goblin-like qualities or the horrid little snake that made these meetings so unpleasant. It was the sharp coldness Sable knew was coming.

“Lord Renwen,” Kiva began in his placid drawl, “slimy little scab that he is, has increased the number of ships he’s docking in port and has not paid the additional fee.”

Instead of the icy chill of lies, Kiva’s truthful words added an uncomfortable warmth to the summer afternoon. Sable hid her surprise behind a look of faint interest.

“He’s increased the guards on his merchandise,” he continued, “so it’s too costly to confront him outright.” The words remained true. “He should know better than to cheat the Vayas.”

Sable studied him. He was telling the truth? Kiva never told the truth.

Pete stood next to her, oblivious to everything she felt.

Sable focused on what Kiva had said, instead of how it had felt. “Renwen?” That was a bigger fish than he usually sent her after.

Kiva nodded. “He’s wiggled his way into the graces of Lord Trelles himself.”

Sable didn’t bother to hide her surprise at that. If Renwen was close to the head of the Merchant Guild, he’d become a very big fish indeed.

“As well as into the graces of Trelles’ daughter,” Pete said, the smirk visible through his beard.

Kiva’s face remained unamused. “A rumor I cannot use unless it is confirmed.” He focused on Sable. “I sent Pete and Boone to locate Renwen’s business ledger. But they couldn’t find it.”

Pete’s smile faded. “It’s not in his office,” he said, a churlish edge to his voice.

Kiva ignored him. “I need that ledger if I’m to prove what he owes me.”

The change was stark. Kiva’s words slashed across the room, cold and sharp.

Sable tried to keep her face bland. There were the lies she’d been expecting, although it made her wonder why he really wanted the ledger.

“I should have sent you from the beginning, Sable.” Kiva fell back into his customary, mildly pleasant expression, and the room settled into the ordinary air of a conversation that carried neither deeply held truth, nor purposeful lies. “But you have a tendency to bend my rules. I need things done as I say this time.”

She stayed leaned back in her chair, and laced her fingers together across her stomach. “I always do what you say.”

“No. You always get what I want, so I overlook how often you don’t do what I say.”

She smiled at him. “I only alter your plans when they need improving.”

Pete gave an irritated grunt.

Kiva fixed the dwarf with a quelling look. “I sent you to find a simple ledger, Pete, yet you brought me nothing. I sent Sable to find me a silver horseshoe, and what did she bring me?”

Pete’s beard shifted as he clenched his jaw in irritation. “A horse,” he quipped.

“Yes. A silver horse. She’s earned some leeway over the years.” Kiva leaned toward Sable, his gaze intense. “But this time, I want nothing touched.” His words pushed against her again, warm with truth. He felt so strongly about the words that he grew slightly brighter. The afternoon light caught on the curls of his hair, bringing out amber strands.

It had been a long time since she’d seen someone who cared this deeply about something, and Sable tried not to react. Whatever Kiva wanted that ledger for, it was more important to him than any job he’d ever given her.

She held up her hand. “I vow to not even touch my feet to the floor.”

Pete snorted in annoyance, but Kiva let out a huff of amusement. “I can’t have this theft lead back to me. Your job is to merely find where the ledger is kept. I will do the rest.” The little green snake stretched its neck out toward Sable and fixed her with dead eyes. “Regardless of how many pretty things the man has, Sable, leave them be.”

She pulled her eyes away from the reptilian gaze. “Even small things?”

“You know Renwen’s brother is head constable, don’t you?” Pete grumbled.

She glanced at the dwarf. The head constable? That would complicate whatever plan Kiva made for the actual theft. “Of course. Everyone knows that.” Her own lie felt as cold as Kiva’s, but neither man noticed.

No one ever noticed.

Kiva spread his fingers. The green snake curled around his wrist. “So you see why it’s such a delicate situation.”

“Then why did you send these two?” Sable gestured to Pete in the corner and Boone outside the door.

Kiva shrugged. “Everyone makes mistakes.” He fixed her with a piercing look. “Except you, Sable.”

She forced a smile.

Every step of her life for the past ten years had been a mistake.

“Find me the ledger by tonight,” Kiva said. “I have an important meeting in the Sanctuary.” The seemingly innocuous words wrapped warmly around her with so much truth Sable clenched her hands together, and Kiva smiled at what must look to him like shock. “But I’ll be back by dusk. I expect your report when I return.”

Everything about him looked as rich and bright as if he stood in full sunlight. The deep blue fabric of his vest revealed threads of rich sapphire. The scales of his snake glittered a brilliant emerald green as it stretched toward her.

Sable stared at him. “The Sanctuary?” Whatever was going on there, it was as important to him as the ledger. Maybe more important. “I thought the priories had magical defenses to keep thieves out,” she said, hoping a wry smile covered her surprise.

Kiva shrugged. “Hopefully not for thieves invited by Prioress Eugessa herself.”

Sable’s eyebrows rose. “Congratulations.”

The Sanctuary was the seat of the three Grand Priories that governed the city. An invitation was unheard of for a man as disreputable as Kiva. His efforts to portray himself as a legitimate businessman must be gaining ground.

Kiva gave her his easy smile. “Thank you.” He leaned forward, and his charm cracked ever so slightly. An almost palpable threat shone through. “Go. Find me the ledger by tonight.”

Sable stood. “Tonight,” she agreed, keeping her tone easy.

He gave her his smooth, slippery smile. “Always a pleasure working with you, Sable.”

She gave him a slight nod and left before the disgust showed on her face. No one worked with Kiva. They worked for him, under him, or were crushed beneath him, but they never worked with him.

END OF EXCERPT

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