Guild of Lies: Kingdom of Essence, #0.5

By Holly Karlsson

The prequel to Kingdom of Essence.

All Elitsa wants is to become an agent for the Tower. Sixteen and fiercely focused, she sees the Guild as her best chance to find her mother's killer. But the life of a reclamation agent is not as noble as she thought, and there are more dangers than the rogues she's vowed to find.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Holly Karlsson
• Release date: Jun 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9789152737446

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Moonday, First of Spring

Elitsa’s breath caught in her throat as the rogue whirled around, closing the distance between them like a gust of wind. His hand grabbed her collar, knocking her hood back. Anger flickered to surprise, softening the unfriendly twist of his scarred mouth. You’re a kid.

Elitsa bristled, the fear that’d flooded through her body turning to defiance. She tried to jerk herself free but he didn’t let go. Do you often grab strangers on the street? She glared up at him, hands clenched into fists at her sides.

The rogue arched an eyebrow. He looked amused, his green eyes lit with a mocking light. Why are you following me, kid?

I wasn’t. She tried to pull away again, but the rogue’s hand remained clenched on the thick fabric of her coat. He didn’t seem to care that the rain was slowly drenching them. A fat drop of water hit her cheek from the empty clothesline overhead.

You were. He nodded behind her towards the market. Since the Lady.

The Lady’s Square was where she’d found him, but she’d been certain he couldn’t see her from the other side of the fountain. The scent of salt and fish filled the air, harsh in Elitsa’s nose, as wind blew her hair back from her face. Her stomach clenched. The rogue was using magic. What was he doing?

You one of Leida’s? Or is the Tower using kids now?

Ice bloomed in Elitsa’s chest, panic rising. His words were too close to the truth. She reacted, kicking him in the shin as hard as she could.

The rogue cursed, grip loosening, and Elitsa tore free. She barreled past him, shoulder slamming into the wall in her rush to get away. He yelled something, but she didn’t stop. Scrambling over a broken crate, she threw herself down a side alley. Her best chance was getting somewhere public and crowded, where he wouldn’t risk using his magic.

Elitsa sprinted out into the street. She slipped on the wet paving stones, trying to avoid a woman pulling a cart full of sheepskins. Catching herself on the cart’s edge, Elitsa gave a hasty apology and then dashed past. She ignored the rain hitting her face and turned left, passing beneath the shadow of the messenger tower and then through the ivy-shadowed gap between two buildings. Another flat-out sprint, and then Elitsa was through the back door of the Bee and Bun.

She froze inside the threshold, one hand still gripping the handle that now pressed into her back. Heart pounding, she hauled air into her burning lungs as her eyes darted around the inn’s warm kitchen. Lukina — back to the door and loudly singing as she kneaded a mound of dough — was the only one in the room, which meant Taras and Oxana were either serving guests in the common room or tidying the rooms upstairs.

Elitsa watched Lukina work the dough for several breaths before she unbuttoned her coat and pulled it off, hanging it up on an empty hook by the door. It wasn’t surprising the broad-shouldered cook didn’t notice her hasty arrival. It usually took a tap on her shoulder to pull Lukina from whatever it was she thought about while baking. A fire was burning warmly in the green-tiled hearth, and Elitsa could smell the fresh scent of lemon and oranges. Lukina was making moon bread then.

Elitsa combed her wet hair back from her face with her fingers and looked herself over. Luckily most of the mud from her dash through the streets had ended up on the hem of her long coat and not her dark green skirt. She wiped her boots on the mat — shooting Lukina a guilty look at the mud she’d tracked onto the floor — and then stared at the door expectantly. The rogue hadn’t yet burst through in pursuit; maybe she’d lost him. Exhilaration buzzed inside her chest. She’d kicked a rogue and gotten away.

Turning back around, Elitsa braced her hands against her hips and grinned at the room. It was here she’d gotten wind that Diduch had been spotted in Rivna. She had to tell Golda that she’d found him. The reclamation agent would be thrilled to close another open contract. And I’ll get paid.

Moving around the table in the room’s center to stand in front of Lukina, Elitsa smiled into the cook’s face. The woman glanced up, fingers still twisting the top of the dough into a decorative shape. Ah, Elitsa! What has you smiling today? It warms my heart. 

Elitsa blushed. Her smiles weren’t that rare, were they? Just a nice day, I guess. What do you want me to do?

Lukina brushed a dark curl from her eyes with the back of one floured hand. Taras probably needs help clearing the tables.

All right. Glancing towards the door to the common room, Elitsa hesitated. What if the rogue hadn’t come through the back because he was waiting in the front? No, if he really thought she was with the Tower then he’d try to get as far from her as possible, right? Either way, he probably won’t see me in the crowd. The Bee and Bun was usually busy around this time, and as short as she was, Elitsa could move around unnoticed. It was one reason she liked working there.

Grabbing an empty basket from the counter by the sink, she pushed open the door with her arm and shoulder. The sound of voices greeted her as Elitsa entered the large room. Grigor — a large, bearded man with a thick braid over one shoulder — glanced at her from behind the bar. They exchanged nods, and Grigor surreptitiously rolled his eyes before looking back at the man in front of him. Unaware of the bartender’s obvious boredom, the guest continued to chatter, enthusiastically punctuating his words with his cup.

Hiding a smile, Elitsa started to weave her way around the crowded tables, reaching past shoulders and elbows to scoop empty dishes into her basket. She listened to the conversations with half an ear, filing away tidbits and things of note. Though Golda had given her the names of the contract-breakers she was hunting, Elitsa always kept her ear open for rogues that had yet to come beneath the Tower’s notice. All were worth coin to the Guild. And one day, I’ll find the rogue who killed my mother. She had to believe that.

The memory of her loss rose fast to swallow her and for a moment, the sound in the room was too loud, pressing in. Elitsa caught herself on the edge of a table, squeezing until the pain in her fingers refocused her. Blinking clear the tears that’d sprung to her eyes, Elitsa bit the inside of her cheek and shifted the basket of dishes beneath her arm. Two years and she still had no idea why her mother had been targeted.

You all right, love? A warm hand squeezed her shoulder, and Elitsa looked up to see Taras looking down at her. The man’s striking blue eyes were bright with concern, and she nodded.

Fine.

All right. He gave her a long, searching look before squeezing her shoulder again and then moving off. His basket was already nearly full with bowls and cups. It was getting close to noon, and the second wave of patrons would soon be ordering lunch.

Moving close to the room’s outer wall to give herself more breathing room, Elitsa caught sight of two familiar figures by the small lead window. Golda Moroz was sitting with a large, dark-haired man in a charcoal coat. His back was to her, so she couldn’t see his face. Another agent, maybe? You couldn’t pick them out in a crowd by their clothing alone, as reclamation agents didn’t have uniforms like the city guard. Their guild pins and sanctioned relics were usually kept hidden.

Though they didn’t go out of their way to hide who they were, they seemed to understand it was best not to broadcast their presence, as public opinion ranged from indifferent to outright hatred. After all, they were the ones who’d come after you if you couldn’t keep up with your essence farming contract. But for Elitsa, they were an opportunity and flush with the information she needed. And the only ones actively hunting rogues.

When Elitsa caught Golda’s eye, she opened her mouth to call a greeting, but the woman gave the barest shake of her head, her gaze flicking back to the man across from her without a hint of recognition on her face. Irritation simmered in Elitsa’s stomach like a bed of coals. Golda was pretending she didn’t know her; why? It bothered her more than it should, and she couldn’t stop her frown as she continued in their direction.

Moving to a nearby table, Elitsa tilted her head to listen as she slowly scooped the dirty plates into her basket. She could see the side of the man’s face now and recognized him — he liked to frequent the Stone and Song — but she couldn’t remember his name.

It’s embarrassing; that’s what it is, Golda said to her companion. Her broad lips lifted at one corner as he scowled at her.

As if you would have done any better. It was raining!

True. Golda raised her cup and took a drink. But was it raining in Pelisk? She tilted her head, her smile broadening to show the gap between her front teeth. And Luark? Though she had to be aware of Elitsa moving in the periphery around their table, she didn’t look at her.

The man leaned forward and jabbed a finger at Golda’s face. "Don’t get any ideas, Moroz. He’s my bounty."

Yes, but if he feels comfortable enough to return to Rivna …

Why don’t you go after Zibrak? If you’re so thirsty for coin.

Hush, Hadeon! Golda hissed, her shoulders rounding with tension. I don’t need the Magekiller’s attention.

Hadeon sneered, but he lowered his voice to match hers. "There’s something fishy