Midnight Jewel (The Glittering Court #2)(67)

“Nothing to thank me for. I thought Abernathy was better than this, but even I’m wrong sometimes. I’ll make sure there’s no repeat. Let me take you home.”

“Oh, no. I can’t trouble you anymore. It’s just over there. Thank you again. The blessings of the Six upon you.”

The woman scurried away, and the man didn’t take his eyes off of her until she entered a building down the street. Then he turned to me.

He wore a mask, but it wasn’t meant for the elements, like mine. It was one of the ornamental ones, much as I’d seen among the earlier revelers. “And now, my guardian angel, I need to thank you.” He sheathed his sword and bowed before me, sweeping his cloak away with a great flourish. “Tom Shortsleeves, at your service.”

“It . . . it’s nice to meet you, Mister Shortsleeves,” I replied, using the Belsian accent again. Even with his sword away, I kept my distance.

He straightened up and tilted his head inquisitively. “You haven’t heard of me?”

“No.” Sensing this disappointed him, I added, “But I’ve only just arrived in the city.”

“Ah. Then you are forgiven, Miss . . . ?” He shrugged when I didn’t answer. “No matter. Angels don’t need names to do their deeds. Only brave hearts.”

The mask. The sword. The theatrics. “Are you . . .” I paused, grappling with a polite way to phrase my next question. “Are you one of the men trying to be a pirate?”

He threw his head back and laughed. “My dear, I am the one they are all trying to be.”

“Well, like I said, I just got here. There’s a lot I don’t know.”

And one thing I didn’t know was if I was in danger. Grant had explained the pirates’ bizarre role as law enforcement, but I hadn’t really believed it. Yet . . . this pirate—or whatever he was—had just saved a mother and child before my eyes.

“You’re pretty skilled with a plank,” Tom said. He gestured toward the board I had dropped.

I held out my knife. “It seemed more effective than this.”

He leaned closer, but it was only to look. “A pillow would be more effective than that. At least then you could suffocate someone. A proper guardian angel needs a proper sword. But first things first. Let’s get in out of the cold and find a drink.”

Leave with him? Absolutely not. There was only so much benefit of the doubt I was willing to give. “I’m sorry, I can’t. There’s somewhere I’m supposed to be.”

“Right here, apparently.” Tom waved around. “You help saved innocents. Sounds like fate to me.”

“Why were those men attacking her?”

“Her husband is one of my associates, and that lot thinks they’ve been wronged. It was pure and simple revenge.”

“So you were the one in the right?”

“Always,” he said, chuckling again. “Always.”

I didn’t know if I believed him, but his smile was infectious. “I’m just glad they’re okay. And you. But really, I can’t stay.” I kept my tone light . . . and my hold on the knife strong.

Tom didn’t push any further. “Suit yourself, but I’ll feel terrible for the rest of the night, you know. I hate unpaid debts. Here.” He made a big show of producing a coin from his pocket and handed it to me. It looked like a standard Osfridian copper, but the side with the king’s face had been heated and re-engraved with a feather. On the other side, the seal of Osfrid had been crossed over with “TS.”

“Defacement of the king’s coin is illegal,” I said.

“The king’s coin? I don’t see his initials on it.” Tom closed my fingers around the coin and held my hand in his. “This is my personal token, given out to only a few when I owe a debt. So if you need a favor, come cash this in at the tavern of the Dancing Bull.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said, wondering what favor I could possibly need from him.

“Do.” He stepped away and bowed, again making a big show of throwing back his cape, before disappearing into the darkness. “Until next time, angel.”




Just when I didn’t think my night could get any weirder, I crossed paths with Aiana as I neared the entrance by the fort. She’d seen me in the blonde disguise before but still did a double take. “Mira? Is that you?”

I stopped and hoped the mask would conceal my feelings. “It’s me.”

She beckoned me toward a building, away from the busy pedestrian thoroughfare. I caught the faint scent of wine on her. “Did you give Grant what he needed?”

“Eh, that’s debatable, but I delivered the news I had.”

“Then I’ll walk you home,” she said.

I shook my head. “You’re on your way somewhere else. I don’t want to delay you.”

She nudged me forward. “I was just going to my place. My night is done. Come on.”

I didn’t think I needed an escort, but tolerating her company was probably easier than arguing with her. And she wasn’t Grant.

We walked in companionable silence until we reached the highway. She exhaled. “What a night.”

That was an understatement. “Was yours good at least?” I asked.