Kessa finds herself in a situation she’s not entirely sure her training with Clandestine Services prepared her for. Will she hold true to her oath? Will pain and coercion defeat her?

Chapter 15 of The Thief's Tale read to you by the author Meena Mason.

Chapter 15 Excerpt:

The door hinges squeaked loudly as someone entered the room. Instantly, the tantalizing aroma of fresh bread wafted past her nose. Her stomach was so empty it didn’t seem to have the energy to protest anymore, or perhaps she just couldn’t hear it. Kessa had never been this hungry; it was a torture far more effective than the way she was tied up. She wanted to cry, beg, plead for food, but she knew she could not. If they cracked her, Aquestria, Pantheus, and perhaps even Quinn, would be killed. On the less tragic side, Thomas would be terribly disappointed in her if he found out. He might even be severely punished for commending her. Besides, she’d never been one to break an oath, and she didn’t intend to start now.

What in the kingdom of Nogard has Kessa gotten herself into this time? Has she found a purpose? Has she merely tumbled into something to keep her busy or was it mere tumbling at all? Whatever the case, Kessa has found herself with a choice: keep trudging along day by day at the Cyrenean stables, or take a chance on a new venture. A venture that just might cost her her life, or, perhaps save it.

Audio version of The Thief's Tale read to you by the author Meena Mason

Excerpt:

It was dark out, hinting at the extent she’d been there – a while. Was Quinn concerned about her? Would her sister be notified of her absence? If she was, would she be worried about her?

Finally, the man she presumed was the leader, T, flashed a cheeky grin her way, whispered something to his confederates, and said, “Miss Recruit, we are willing to train you, but naturally, we’ve conditions… and rules.”

“Naturally.”

Settling into Cyrenean life isn't proving as seamless for Kessa Decora as it would for the average individual. A monotonous, daily routine never stood much of a chance against the restless, emotional, headstrong teenager, and she's already found herself in a heap of trouble.

Chapter 13 of The Thief's Tale read and authored by Meena Mason

Excerpt:

There were eight of them all together: some brandishing clubs, others unarmed. All of them were eyeing her as if she were the last delicious meatball that had the audacity to roll off their plate. Generally — as with most people in a situation like this — Kessa would’ve been terrified. Right now, though, she was furious; furious enough to rip apart anything antagonistic. Fury left no room for fear or even reality. Invincibility, thy name was Kessa! With a roar as forceful as any lioness, Kessa challenged her aggressors, sizing up which antelope would taste the finest.

After their wearying ventures, and, in Kessa's case, a close call with the noose, Kessa and Aquestria are not only in need of some respite, but also some trustworthy allies, some good advice, and somewhere to lay low. Nestled within Red Talon's base with Artex, Rake, and Pantheus, they seem to have found that. Unfortunately, it will not last. Not with the dungeon keeper on their tails. And, although, Aquestria has settled confidently, Kessa knows she faces yet another difficulty; her companions will start sniffing around for answers before long. Why does this trouble her? Why can't she tell them about the king's reasons for wanting her dead? Something elusive lurks beneath Kessa's casual facade; something unnerving compels her secrecy - a circumstance that only Kessa and her past can reveal.

Audio version of Meena Mason's, The Thief's Tale, read to you by the author.

Chapter 12 Exerpt:

“What’s going on?” Kessa asked guardedly – already guessing what was going on. They were going to ask her the question she could not answer. They were going to ask her why Casyius really wanted her dead.

A vivid flashback careened through her mind, reeling her back to that fateful day when the events that would inevitably lead her here started.

Malieous gathers intelligence from an unwilling source.

Chapter 11 of The Thief's Tale, read by the author.

Excerpt:

Glaring up at him, Odette hissed, “I won’t answer any more of your questions. You can torture me as much as you like.”

A bright flash of lightning lit up the tool in his hand. Slowly, a malignant smile crept across his face. “Oh, Odette, my dear girl, how could I refuse such a generous offer?”

A band of skilled allies, just what the girls needed. Red Talon, the only rebels that have managed to thwart and frustrate King Casyius are on their side, though the whys and hows of this unexpected, albeit welcome, alliance are as murky as a swamp at midnight. Regardless, the flood of worry and trepidation stemming from being hunted by the dungeon keeper for so long has been temporarily quelled. The group has a much needed respite, while they attempt to figure out what is going on and what, exactly, to do next.

Chapter 10 of Meena Mason's The Thief's Tale, read by the author.

Excerpt of Chapter 10:

“Great Ash, Kessa! What did he do to you?” Aquestria asked with severity, recognizing the startling alteration in her sister’s view and description of Malieous. Usually, when Kessa referred to Malieous, it was with intolerance or sarcasm. She’d never spoken about him with such pronounced trepidation. The many cuts and bruises covering her sister were now more apparent, and Aquestria felt a molten anger bubbling within.

Understanding the motivation behind her sister’s sudden wrath, Kessa shook her head, exclaiming, “No. No. No. He didn’t do any of this; his methods are much more cunning and disturbing than physical assault. I don’t know how to explain it; I’ve never seen him as a true enemy before. I mean, we’ve always been at odds, but… this was different. Yesterday, I saw a side of him…” she trembled, and her voice dropped off. Swallowing, she continued firmly, “Trust me; you don’t want to be on his target list. And we are!”

The rooster has crowed ushering in Kessa Decora's final dawn. The dawn that will see her slippery, little neck either stretch or snap... if King Casyius has his way. Although Kessa usually has a knack for foiling the best laid plans, she's in over her head this time.

Meena Mason reads the 9th Chapter of her book The Thief's Tale.

Chapter 9 excerpt (spoliers ahead):

Rampant, bright orange and yellow flames were engulfing the curtains as people struggled to escape unmarred. Within seconds the entire scene went from quiet observation to complete chaos. Onlookers darted about, some trying to help, some trying to get away, and some trying to encourage the pandemonium.

Scootching her legs through her arms, Kessa brought her wrists, still manacled, to the front of her and snatched the bag from her head. Next, she tore the noose off and stood up, looking around anxiously. The guards surrounding the gallows were preoccupied with the rioting crowd, and she realized it would be easy to slip into the commotion and disappear. Her only concern was the dungeon keeper. She couldn’t see him, and one wrong move could ruin her chance of escape.

Snagged by the ever competent dungeon keeper and thrown in Acara's jail, Kessa awaits her pending execution.

Chapter 8 of Meena Mason's The Thief's Tale read by the author.

Excerpt:

She’d awoken in what she could only assume was Aquina’s prison, without a clue how she’d gotten there. Her cell was the last one in a string of stone cubicles, fronted by impenetrable, cylindrical, iron bars. Filthy, soggy straw was piled against the back wall in the form of a bed, adding its own distinct stench to the foul smell of the place. A grimy bucket was filled with a liquid that only faintly resembled water, and pieces of the previous occupant’s discarded, rock-hard bread were scattered around the floor for the rats to nibble. Horrible coughing, sneezing, and teeth chattering echoed throughout the prison — courtesy of the icy temperatures and lack of blankets. Tiny holes in the walls, serving as windows, provided inadequate light to do anything other than shiver in the cold. The prison was dark, damp, dirty, utterly miserable, and with the anchored chain securing her ankle, completely inescapable.