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.

Mud Mania is drawing to a close. But before the conclusion of an exciting and action-packed tournament, Kessa has a difficult decision to make. Will she satisfy the king or follow her heart and her integrity?

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

Excerpt:

The final day of competition arrived much too quickly, in Kessa’s opinion. The remaining six wrestlers and their standings were: Candy Cane, Violet Crush, Torrent, Blue Dawn, Pine Cone, and Clare. In Mud Mania’s history only three other competitors had held the title of undefeated. Kessa was proud of her first place standing and her undefeated status. Violet Crush, Torrent, and Pine Cone were the only competitors that had come close to beating her.

That morning while travelling to the competition, Charlo had warned that there was plenty a slip twixt a cup and a lip. Kessa had, with a wink, thanked her for voicing her confidence in Candy Cane.

An invitation to dinner is usually a welcome delight for Kessa. Food is, after all, her best and favourite ally. Hayland Green’s dinner invitation, however, borders a precarious pitfall. Should she fail to keep her identity secret, it could spell disaster. But if one thing is for certain, fully occupied dinner tables are as loaded with secrets as they are with food and conversation. All Kessa has to do is steer the secret unravelling conversation away from her. Easy for a clever spy, right?

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

Excerpt:

In that instant, Hayland, Pantheus, and the servants morphed into a pack of ravenous wolves – in her mind. Her hand jerked toward where her dagger normally was as she envisioned fighting off the furry beasts just for a swig, and, boy, would she savour it. But she was not in the forest nor was she facing down any vicious animals. She was sitting at a civilized dining table pretending to be someone she wasn’t. All for the sake of keeping her identity secret and Pantheus safe; there wasn’t much she wouldn’t do to keep him safe.

Particularly good spies discover the most secretive of plots and schemes, which Kessa (a particularly good spy) has done. Discovery is only a slice of a spy’s assignment pie, however. Now, Kessa gets to prove just how good a spy she is by how she twists this particular plot to her advantage.

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

Excerpt:

Kessa dodged the tiny throwing stars flying in her direction. She avoided the one aimed at her head and felt a sharp jab in her side. Glancing down, she saw the shiny star, its points imbedded in her skin. Ripping it free, she tossed it back at the figure leaping toward her.