While recovering from her jaunt in the wilderness with Quinn and the Birthday Aches and Pains surprise, Kessa meets Malieous, who apprises her of the ceremony that will announce Captain York’s successor. But it turns out the ceremony has more than one revelation.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Casually scrutinizing the guard, Kessa and Quinn followed, awed by the sheer size of the tent’s interior, plus the amount of people already crowded within. With a slight gesture, Malieous ushered them to a long, wooden bench with just enough room for the two of them to sit comfortably. After they were seated, Malieous strode toward an entourage of important looking people surrounding a raised platform.

Narrowly escaping two harrowing entrapments should be cause for elation, jubilation even, but for Kessa it’s the opposite. Perhaps it has to do with her family and friends forgetting her birthday. Or did they? Maybe her friends have cooked something up that she won’t forget.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

She spent several moments contemplating this before bitterly complaining, “All I can say is it isn’t the way I planned to celebrate my eighteenth birthday; that’s for sure.”

Thomas’ steps temporarily slowed; Kessa chalked it up to the revelation that yesterday had been her birthday. Thomas, like her sister, like Quinn, like everyone had forgotten her birthday. Big surprise!

“I don’t think I’ll acknowledge my birthday again. Why should I celebrate the day I was born? No one else does...” she was about to continue but her voice caught in her throat. Blasted emotions!

What’s the popular saying for escaping one dangerous situation only to face a worse one? Out of the frying pan into the fire is certainly an apt idiom for the circumstances Kessa finds herself in upon waking up the morning after fleeing her kidnappers.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

While the trap hadn’t completely crippled her, it had certainly lamed her. The night’s rainstorm provided slippery footing as well. Those factors, in addition to the soreness the king’s beating afforded, affected her normally expeditious pace. Regrettably (for Kessa), the chase was now on a level playing field. Perhaps the odds were on the brothers’ side since she had no idea where she was either.

An evening of celebration takes an unexpected turn when Kessa and Quinn are kidnapped. How will they get out of this pickle?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Suddenly, Quinn was sucked under the water and when he didn’t resurface that certainly sped up Kessa’s limbs. Nearing the spot where he’d disappeared, Kessa felt something wrap around her ankle, yanking at her. She kicked and struggled as more tendrils wrapped around her legs, pulling her under. The water muffled her shrill scream. Furiously, she fought whatever had grabbed her but to no avail. It seemed the more she struggled the more it tightened its tentacles around her.

Turning eighteen is usually a celebratory time – a time to one day look back on and sigh with pleasant nostalgia. Not so for the young spy. Her eighteenth birthday was anything but a day to look back on with a smile.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

The sun rose hot and volatile on Kessa’s eighteenth birthday. So far, the summer had been a real scorcher. The grass was brown and brittle, even the trees wilted. Rumours that crops would soon suffer irreparable damage were rampant. People performed their daily chores predawn when the temperature was tolerable. Once the sun rose, the streets and markets were drained, everyone trying to stay cool in their homes or by some form of water. The city’s fountain was swarmed with mother’s, letting their tots play in the cool water. Passersby watched the children playing and didn’t hesitate to splash some of the water on their faces or even dunk their entire heads in. Sadly, even the fountain was beginning to run low as were the city’s wells. The situation was becoming dire.

A sound beating – probably an understatement! At least, Kessa is no longer in the dark about Casyius’ punishment. Battered and bloody, she makes her way to the doctor’s office (Thomas in tow) to not only seek healing but also to discover Charlo’s true fate.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Loman almost bumped into a blue haired girl as he rounded the corner. Thomas recognized Torrent, the girl Kessa had defeated to win Mud Mania. A malevolent smile was plastered on her fierce face, and her knuckles were swollen and bloody. There was some blood splattered on her tunic, too, and, as was the case with the blood on her hands, it wasn’t hers. Thomas made eye contact with her as she passed; it wasn’t something he’d want to repeat.

Casyius’ malicious cunning is revealed. Can the relationship between Thomas and Kessa ever recover from the damage caused? Never mind that, it seems that Casyius has more in store for the young, determined spy. Will she ever recover?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

With a fierce snarl, Kessa lunged forward, her chair scraping against the floor with the effort.

“Retract those claws, kitten. Nothing’s been done yet. I’m simply jogging your memory to your sworn allegiance…

Kessa says goodbye to Fervour and heads for Cyrene, hoping that Casyius will overlook her decision to defy him. One can always hope, right?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

“Kessa?”

She blinked open her eyes and looked up into Aquestria’s concerned face.

“Are you all right?” Aquestria asked.

Sitting up, Kessa glanced around. Realizing she was in the middle of the road where she’d first seen the dog, only there was no dog now, she shook her head - mystified.

Helping her up, Aquestria pressed, “Why were you lying in the middle of the road?”     

All the sweat, blood, bruises, sprains, and tears bestowed during Mud Mania would hardly be worth it if there weren’t a magnificent celebration at the conclusion.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

“Did you take any strange substances at the party?” Charlo questioned. “You watched your plate and goblet closely, right?”

                Incredulous, Kessa blurted, “Yes! Routine, doctor.”

“You didn’t bump your head while swimming or anything, did you?”

“No!”

“Hmm.”

“Come on, Charlo. Spill the beans. Your secret’s safe with me.”

Her face scrunched up in confusion, Charlo said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Mud Mania is all wrapped up with a pretty, little crown on top. Time for the winner to step onto that center podium and wear that crown. Goodness - what winners have to endure!

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

The king stood up, waiting for the crowd to quiet prior to pompously traipsing down to the podiums. The mayor of Fervour and one of his councilmen, draped in colourful regalia that reminded Kessa of peacocks, trailed the king, ceremoniously carrying the silken cushions that pillowed the medals and the crown.