Read Thieves at Heart for Free Online

one in front of herself and Derk, pouring what was probably the local thinny into his glass.
    “It’s alright, I’ll let her have the last bit of mine when I’m done,” he offered, watching as she filled the mug. He picked it up as soon as she pulled the jug away, taking a big swig. “Ah, refreshing. You get this from Three Fingers?”
    “Two Fingers, now. Dar got him for a digit three phases ago.”
    “Who cares? His wife says he’s better with his tongue anyway. And his beer’s still the best in Ports-mouth.”
    “I’d rather have all my fingers,” Tavera finally said, frowning slightly. Old Gam and Derk both looked at her and for a moment she thought she had said something wrong but they both started laughing. Tavi shoved a bit of food in her mouth while they laughed, wondering what was so funny.
    “By Her hems, Derk, what do you think you’re doing with her?” Old Gam finally asked, rubbing her brow with her hand. Tavera took another mouthful, wondering who Old Gam was talking about it and she swallowed, realizing it was her.
    “Everything you’ve heard I’ve been doing with her,” Derk said, and it was almost a hiss. He tore another piece of bread off and gestured at Tavera with it. “Come on, Celeel. It’s not a bad idea.”
    “It’s a terrible idea. Firstly, she’s a child. Secondly, she looks nothing like you. You can’t even lie and say she’s your kin. Plus she’s part Forester. What could be more memorable than a blond loudmouth and a half Forester girl that looks nothing like him gallivanting through Her creation?”
    “A child is easier to train than an adult and she’d already shown ability before I took her.”
    “Oh, so you were watching her before you made her your little chick. How very sweet, stalking children.”
    “I was NOT stalking her. I noticed her.”
    “Did you happen to notice her coloring? Does she remind you of anyone?” Gam’s voice lilted when she asked and Derk stared into his cup, sitting low in his chair when she did. “Dark hair, that pretty skin. Eyes are off, but anyone that knew-”
    “Shut up,” Derk said. He was gripping his cup so hard that his knuckles were white and red, his voice as icy as his eyes. He looked to Old Gam and any other person would have been frightened by the look he was giving her. Old Gam just looked…sad. Derk cleared his throat and took a sip of his beer, still staring into it. “Tavi doesn’t look like…her. At all. I would know, of all people.” He set his eyes on Tavera now, as if to make sure what he said was true and she stared back, not sure who she was supposed to not look like. He leaned over the table and offered the cup to Tavi and a smile managed to poke at the corners of his mouth, trying to chase away the seriousness in the room. “Besides that…what else did you say? Ah, yes.” Derk turned his attention to his plate and set the rest of his fish on his bread, piling the onions on top. “There are plenty of mixed families in The Valley. We wouldn’t be the first mismatched family
members to trample the Crescents. And the ears…well, only one is a giveaway. Easily covered by her hair once it’s longer, or a cloak. The skin, working in the sun too long. Some Valleymen are given to a darker coloring.” He took a bite of his food, several of the onions sliding off and onto his chin, making her pa set his food down to clean his face.
    “Fine, so you have a little girl to teach, to tell all your stories to, to get your breakfast for you,” Old Gam said. She squinted at Tavera and the little girl could feel her eyes set on her ear, the one that had been cut and her fingers went up instinctively, covering it with her dark hair. “To what end, Derk? Why?”
    “I thought that was the most obvious,” Derk said, eating the last of his food. He chewed and swallowed, wiping his hands on his pants before he burped quietly into a fist. “She’s to be my apprentice.”
    “Did you start making hats behind my