Cade winced as Bunny shifted on his shoulder, the tiny dragonling’s claws digging into his already sore skin. The early morning light filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the path ahead.

  Each step was a reminder of the chaos they’d narrowly escaped in Silfheim. The body turned to dust. The thief had hardly slept the past few nights as they rushed toward Elysia. It didn’t help that his core occasionally decided to unload massive quantities of raw magic into the world when it was least convenient.

  When he was a boy in Eldrin with his dad and Rayka, he’d gotten some strange fever that had lasted for weeks. Over that horrific nightmare, Cade remembered losing over thirty pounds. He barely slept, barely ate, and looked like a draugr’s ugly cousin.

  What he was currently experiencing with his rebellious core was...

  So much worse.

  And it made it all the harder to keep his troubles from the team. He didn’t need to be a burden to them. He knew he would get their pity—their support. But what he needed right then was their focus.

  They had a job to do.

  Cade raised his left arm to stroke under Bunny’s chin and caught a glimpse of the indigo tattoo there. He grimaced and promptly lowered his arm so that no one else would see.

  The six of them walked in silence, and the scent of pine mingled with the faint, lingering smells of smoke and mildew that clung to their clothes.

  Jer flipped effortlessly ahead, his voice a grating cheer against the tension. “So, Cade, remind me how we’re going to pull off another suicidal mission by stealing from some goddess?”

  Cade’s laugh was half-hearted, more a bark than anything else. “Correction, Jer: that last heist was not a death sentence. And if I hadn’t spoken up, Scorn was going to turn us into kebabs—ugly kebabs, save for me, of course. This little job is just our scenic route to survival.”

  Elena’s voice was sharp, a blade hidden up a sleeve. “A scenic route straight to an early grave. How poetic.”

  Cade turned and walked backward with a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Just think of it as an extended vacation… With the added bonus of a soul curse that’ll turn me into a human torch if we don’t get the Remnant before the Tournament ends. No pressure.”

  Orro adjusted the hilt of one of his hidden daggers that dug into his chest. “You’re way too calm about this, Cade.”

  “Humor is the best armor against existential dread, my dear friend.” Cade’s tone was light. “Trust me. I’ve been doing it for years with zero side effects.” One of his eyes twitched.

  “Keep telling yourself that,” Orro grunted back.

  Bunny leaped off Cade’s shoulder and bounded up the path ahead. As they approached the crest of the hill, Life’s city of trees spread out before them.

  The cluster of civilization was a mosaic of life and color, each element meticulously crafted to celebrate the essence of existence. Majestic oaken towers, entwined with vines of glowing flowers, stretched toward the heavens like nature’s hand reaching upward.

  The platinum filigree that adorned these structures caught the sunlight, making the city appear as if it were woven from threads of pure light.

  Waterfalls tumbled from artificial cliffs, their waters shimmering with a spectrum of colors as they cascaded into crystal-clear canals that crisscrossed the city. The winds shifted and replaced the musty scents of pine with the thick flavors of blooming flowers and the salty tang of the nearby sea.

  Past the city, the Sundering Sea stretched to the horizon, its blue surface hiding the horrors that lay within its depths.

  Cade whistled when he noticed the sheer brightness of the city, even in the day. Glowflakes—imported by the wagonload by his best estimate—were embedded in every surface. The enchanted crystals cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the streets. These gems, ranging from vibrant blues to soft pinks, glowed with an inner light that replaced traditional torches typical in a city this size.

  The overall effect was an otherworldly ambiance, as if the entire city were suspended in a perpetual twilight.

  “Too fucking bright,” Elena assessed, saying what Cade thought aloud.

  As Cade and his crew descended the hill, the scene below them shifted. Bunny returned and hopped onto his shoulders as he took it all in. The vibrant, welcoming atmosphere grew marred by an undercurrent of bustling chaos.

  Crowds of tourists, travelers, and mercenaries jostled for position, their excitement tinged with a predatory edge. Orro subtly shifted to the front of their group as he took in the eclectic mix of weapons and their overeager bearers. Shouts and cheers erupted sporadically as groups argued over bets and strategies. The air buzzed with thrill and menace, a volatile cocktail that could explode at any moment.

  Cade tucked this observation away to contemplate later.

  The young thief took in the nearly palpable bloodlust that poured out from the crowds as they entered the enormous city, and couldn’t help but smirk.

  “Anyone else find it funny how a tournament celebrating Life ends up causing so many deaths?” He pondered with an easy grin stretched across his face.

  A passerby, catching Cade’s comment, stopped in his tracks and turned with a wide-eyed, fanatical look. One glance at him pegged the middle-aged man as an Elysian. He wore ten shades of the most obnoxiously bright colors Cade knew of, all of which were relegated to the least amount of skin possible.

  Cade wished he needed his imagination for the rest.

  “Ah, but you misunderstand, my young guests,” the failed nudist said in a nasally and patronizing voice.

  Cade didn’t miss the unmistakable lilt of someone who was deeply indoctrinated.

  “Each trial symbolizes an aspect of Life.” the man breathed. “There’s the tournament of rebirth, metamorphosis, the meaning of life, perseverance, and fighting for life itself. It’s a noble celebration of the goddess Life’s teachings. And if you’re not strong enough to learn these lessons our motherly ruler has to offer, then who’s to say you deserve to live in the first place?” He gesticulated his argument with wild hand motions.

  “I do. I really like living,” Jer answered quietly while he rubbed the back of his neck.

  Cade raised an eyebrow at the inebriated stranger. “And the people who die? Do you just leave them for the carrion?”

  The local’s smile was serene, almost pitying. “Their deaths are not in vain but a part of the grand cycle,” he continued with a wagging finger raised to the heavens. “Those who perish will be given the greatest delights in the heaven Life has prepared just for them. Though, if that’s too terrifying, then you can just sign up for the normal competitions. Far fewer people die in those.”

  Elena’s eyes narrowed as the man sauntered away, his words lingering like a bad taste. “Brainwashed zealot,” she muttered.

  “I wonder if his clothes came that way, or if he simply bought them as a boy and never got rid of them?” Cade inquired as he stroked his invisible beard.

  Rayka jabbed him in the ribs.

  “Don’t even think about buying a pair of those loincloths for yourself. I’ve been scarred enough for one lifetime,” his sister demanded with too much seriousness in her tone for Cade to be sure whether she was joking or not.

  “It’s okay,” Jer answered while he balanced on one hand atop a nearby stone wall. “I’ll get us a matching pair. That way, we can—”

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  A muddy boot nailed him in the nose before he could finish, and he fell out of sight with a dramatic cry of pain. Cade turned to see Elena smile darkly, one shoe missing. She went to pick up the impromptu projectile without apology while Jer rubbed at the bruise forming on his face.

  They all laughed and descended the hill, the sounds of Elysia growing louder with each step.

  Merchants hawked their wares, travelers bartered and argued, and the scent of exotic spices mingled with the fresh aroma of flowers.

  Jer somersaulted ahead, drawing amused glances from passing children. “Think we’ll find any good street performers?”

  Cade chuckled. “With you around, who needs them?”

  Bunny purred contentedly, his claws kneading Cade’s shoulder as Orro scanned the crowd, always vigilant.

  Elena moved with feline grace, her fingers brushing the pockets of unsuspecting passersby, her eyes glittering with mischief. Rayka shadowed her, and their team spread out through the crowded street.

  They all moved through the wide market, careful to avoid the gazes of the various patrolling guards in their white and green filigreed armor. Cade scratched under Bunny’s chin and watched as his team expertly navigated the dense crowd of wagons and shouting pedestrians.

  When they all converged on Cade’s location on the opposite side of the market, he dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Anyone going to miss your fresh catches?”

  Elena’s smirk was wicked. “They’d have to notice their absence first.”

  Coins chinked together melodically in six different purses she held up. Then, they disappeared under her hip-length cloak in the blink of an eye.

  “Let’s head in and meet up in the city center. Elena and Jer, try and find out where we can register for the Tournament, and be sure it’s the real one. I know I would start scamming tourists if I was operating in this city. Oh, and take Ray with you.”

  Cade turned to his best friend.

  “Orro, find out where the local guild is. There might be more than one, so make sure you find the group most likely to work with outsiders. We might need their help with getting some equipment for this job, as well as any easy marks we can tap for some extra gold. I’ll be looking for some of our competition and any hints as to where our target is. Let’s call it an apricot while in public, alright?” At Cade’s dismissal, they all nodded and floated away.

  “Better than the last job,” Orro muttered as he lifted his mask farther up his nose. “I hated saying wobblewumps every time we were discussing the amulet,”

  “Agreed. Alright, take care of yourself, Cade.” Elena grabbed his elbow and held it a moment longer than necessary. His old friend waited until he met her gaze. “No heroics, alright?”

  Cade paused, briefly flabbergasted by her intensity. Her shoulders were set, and yet he didn’t miss the slight trembling in her fingers.

  “No heroics,” he repeated and smiled warmly.

  Satisfied, Elena let go of his arm and joined Cade’s sibling and her twin. As they merged back into the crowd, the city seemed to pulse with life around them, every sound, every scent, every sight an intricate part of the grand tapestry that was Elysia. Cade had to hand it to whomever designed this veritable nation-state: at least they had taste.

  He passed under the open arches of the gate and stopped as a sudden gust kicked up from somewhere deep in the city and rushed across his face. Other pedestrians clutched at their billowing robes or tucked their heads into the strange breeze, but the chill it caused forced Cade to halt in his steps.

  He resonated with that wind.

  Or, rather, whatever might’ve caused the small gale vibrated in sync with his magic.

  He looked for its source, but as quickly as the wind had picked up, it was gone. So immersed was he in his search that he completely missed the palanquin barreling in his direction.

  Bunny leapt to safety right as the large transport device slammed into his shoulder. The green and gold garmented wood elves that held it aloft stumbled and stopped. One of them, a young female no older than Cade, tripped and fell face-first into the street. The corner she had been holding bent and cracked against the stony ground, and a loud curse burst from inside the silk-lined box.

  “You okay?” Cade asked the girl, and he held out a hand to help her up.

  She looked up with tears brimming in her bright gold eyes and shook her head frantically. Cade’s brow furrowed as she scrambled away from his outstretched arm.

  “What in the hells?” He muttered to himself.

  The palanquin’s silk curtains parted violently and out stepped an old wood elf with the cleanest garments Cade had ever seen. His tall, scarred frame exuded authority, his dark skin contrasting sharply with his pristine white and green robes.

  No. Not merely pristine.

  Immaculate.

  Cade needed to know this man’s cleaner—for research purposes, of course.

  The infuriated geriatric had platinum-white hair pulled into a clean knot atop his head, which gave an unobscured sight of his intense gaze. Though he held his race’s inherent beauty and elegance, his glare was twisted with rage. His full attention shifted to Cade, and he bristled with anger.

  “How dare you touch one of my servants!” The elf’s voice was a thunderclap, and it drew the attention of passersby.

  The crowd began to gather, whispers and curious glances exchanged as they realized a confrontation was brewing.

  Cade stepped back, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Easy there, I was just trying to help.”

  “Help?” A vein throbbed along the elf’s temple. “You, a mere outsider, dare to defile a Lifekeeper’s procession?”

  Cade cocked his head, genuinely curious. “Sorry, but who are you, exactly? And why does your title make you think you can shout at strangers?”

  The man’s face reddened, and Cade could’ve sworn steam billowed out of his ears and nostrils like some flame demon in disguise. “I am Bazz, a high-ranking Lifekeeper, and you will show respect!”

  Cade grinned, unflinching. “Well, Bazz, I’d hate to break it to you, but respect is earned, not shouted into existence.”

  Bazz’s mouth opened wide in disbelief at Cade’s continued insolence. The young thief got the distinct impression the elf was used to people submitting once they heard his station. Cade shrugged and moved to leave.

  Before the thought had finished crossing his mind, Bazz’s hand shot out, and the ground beneath them erupted.

  Time slowed.

  Vines, thick and thorny, surged up, twisting and writhing like serpents. Cade felt a prickle at the back of his neck. The strange magic within him stirred and solidified again.

  The wind shifted, and he could almost feel where a vine would strike him. Trusting his gut, he dodged to the side, but not quickly enough to avoid a second vine that wrapped around his ankle, pulling him to the ground.

  Bazz’s voice dripped with disdain. “You are not of this city, not of our faith. You are nothing but a stain on the purity of Elysia.”

  Cade gritted his teeth, feeling the thorns bite into his skin. “Purity? Is that what you call attacking someone who was just trying to help?”

  The crowd around them murmured, their interest piqued by Cade’s defiance. The priest’s eyes narrowed, his control over the vines tightening. Cade’s mind raced, sensing the danger in every movement of the creeping plants.

  “Stop! Please, Master Bazz!” The young elf girl, now on her feet, pleaded with her master. Her voice was shaky, her fear palpable.

  He whirled and slapped her across the face. “You will learn respect.”

  Cade’s eyes darkened, and his fists clenched at his side. The crowd was growing, their whispers turning into a cacophony of judgment and curiosity. He would turn this tide, to use the attention to his advantage.

  He felt another prickle across the back of his spine but was too slow again as another vine slashed at his arm. Cade fought through a wince and forced his voice to remain steady.

  “A Lifekeeper should give life, not take it. Isn’t that your creed? Your duty?” He had no idea what in the hells their creed was, but it didn’t take a genius to infer what it was, even if he was one.

  The words hung in the air, a challenge that couldn’t be ignored. Bazz’s face twisted with fury, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. The crowd’s murmurs grew louder, and Cade pressed on. He could nearly feel his victory approaching.

  “You’re supposed to be an example, aren’t you? How does this—” he gestured with his head to the vines that cut into his flesh “—demonstrate the benevolence of your goddess?”

  Bazz’s expression darkened, but the vines stopped their advance. The crowd’s eyes were on him now, their judgment as heavy as any blade. Cade could see the internal struggle, the need to maintain his image warring with his desire to punish.

  Finally, the priest released a breath, and the vines slithered back into the ground. He tucked an errant platinum strand of his hair behind a pointed ear.

  “You speak boldly for someone so ignorant. This is not mercy, but a warning. Cross my path again, and I will show you the true wrath of a Lifekeeper,” Bazz sneered.

  Cade, still on the ground, nodded with a smirk. “Duly noted.”

  As Bazz turned to leave, the young elf girl muttered a quiet, “Thank you,” her eyes downcast.

  The young thief’s wry grin turned genuine as she fled to pick up her end of the palanquin. He stood, brushing off the dirt and wincing at the fresh cuts. Cade watched Bazz’s retreating transport and memorized the elderly wood elf’s face.

  That Lifekeeper would pay for what he’d done, for how he’d hurt that girl.

  Adding him to their objectives in this city, he strolled down the street with his hands in his pockets. The crowd dispersed, and a few of them grumbled in frustration at the lack of an execution, so he lodged that little tidbit for later use too. Public asphyxiation by plants aside, he’d learned something even more valuable:

  The Lifekeepers were excellent dressers but terrible hosts.

  He put the cruel wood-elf jackass near the top of his list of people to rob blind and then utterly destroy before they left this unsuspecting city.

  For a wolf with a sheep’s smile had just entered its overstuffed streets.

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