The Hooded Thief

By Kayleigh Idea

The aroma of chicken and rice fills my nostrils, making my stomach grumble. I’ve been on the run for days without a bite to eat, but from my place atop the abandoned roof overlooking the marketplace, something else catches my attention.

Rather, someone else. A lady I’ve never seen before. She saunters through the marketplace with her head held high, observing everyone with a condescending gaze.

Bangles cover her wrists, jeweled rings adorn her long fingers, and gold beads hang around her slender neck. She’s dripping in wealth.

I tilt my head, my eyes narrowing. What’s a rich lady like her doing in the worst part of Bahrethia? She should know that this place is crawling with street urchins who’ll steal every piece of jewelry without her noticing. Street urchins like me.

But what the other thieves don’t have is a baby dragon ready to do their bidding. Just one of those jewels could feed Rezal and me for months.

I smile, tilting my head toward the lady. Rezal perks up, his wings unfolding from his back. The sun shines on his body, highlighting specks of red on his back and wings.

“You’ll be the distraction,” I tell him, my eyes returning to the woman. “I’ll make the grab.”

Rezal lets out a little roar that makes him sound more like a croaking frog than a ferocious dragon before flying down toward the marketplace.

I laugh, shaking my head as I dangle my legs off the ledge of the stone building. Making sure to keep my hood over my head, I shimmy down the side of the building. I land in a crouch, kicking up sand and take off toward the woman.

Rezal flies overhead, waiting for my signal. I found him only a few weeks ago in the nearby woods, but we already make a great pair, even if we haven’t had much luck the past few days.

Thankfully, I’ve grown used to going hungry for the last six years. Ever since a group of raiders stormed our house when I was eleven and killed my parents.

My eyes sting at the memory of watching their brutal deaths as I hid behind my mother’s loom.

The men never saw me by some miracle. But I know they were after me because they kept screaming “Where is she?” at my parents over and over again.

As for why, I don’t know.

That’s not completely true. I have some idea why…

They were after me—and they still are—because of the strange color of my hair. Amethyst, my mother called it, but we never discovered why I was born with it.

They think I’m special, but they’re wrong. Besides the color of my hair, I’m a completely normal girl.

I’ve been on the run ever since that day.

I close my eyes and wipe a sheen of sweat from my brow, pushing the memories away. It’s nearly midday and the crowds are getting larger. I elbow and shove my way through the marketplace just to keep up with the woman.

Vendors call out from their crowded stalls to advertise their wares—shiny weapons, colorful rugs, wooden toys, and cheap jewelry. But I ignore them all, focused only on my target.

I’m panting when I reach the woman, and I lift my head, nodding to Rezal. I reach forward. If I can just snatch one beaded necklace…

The woman whips around and grabs my wrist. Her gaze pierces through me.

I gasp, frozen to the spot. We stare at each other.

I shake away my shock, then rip free of her grasp and run back into the crowd, blood roaring in my ears. I push through the throng of people, and when I’m far enough away, I dart into a nearby alleyway. My chest heaves as I bend over, my hands on my knees. That was too close.

Where was Rezal? Where was my distraction?

A tiny dragon swoops into the alleyway, and I huff, standing straight. “Rezal? What was that? I almost got caught!”

“His name is Jarvin.”

I jump and turn around. The woman enters the alleyway, smiling.

How did she catch up to me?

A shiver creeps down my spine as Rezal lands on her shoulder. He nuzzles her neck, and she smiles at me in a way that turns my blood cold.

Wait, what?

I step backwards, venturing deeper into the alley. “What are you talking about? Who are you?”

Something’s not right. Rezal—Jarvin—knows her.

The woman just continues to smile, and I shiver even though I’m not the slightest bit cold.

My back hits the wall at the end of the alley, and my breaths quicken. How am I going to get out of here? The woman blocks the only way out.

Before I can move out of the way, Jarvin flies toward me at the lady’s command and tugs my hood back.

I gasp and pull the hood back into place, but it’s too late. The damage is done. She’s seen it.

My heart pounds. “Who are you?” I repeat, my voice louder this time, but I’m shaking. How did she know?

Again, the woman just smiles. “Dear girl with the amethyst hair.” She takes a step closer. “We’ve been looking for you.”

I swallow. “Were you one of the raiders who killed my parents?” She doesn’t answer, so I continue. “What do you want from me?” I shake my head. “I’m not special. Just leave me alone.” My voice breaks at the end.

She reaches forward to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and I flinch. She just laughs. “You have no idea the amount of power you possess, do you?”

I shut my eyes as if that will make her go away. As if that will wake me up from this nightmare.

But I don’t wake up. Because this is real life.

Her voice takes on a darker tone. “You’re coming with me.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kayleigh Idea is a young author from Arizona whose passion for stories started at a young age through books, movies, and musical theatre. She started writing fantasy when she was thirteen and hasn’t been able to stop since. In her free time, she can usually be found posting writing advice on her blog, eating chocolate, or reading a good book. She’s never had magic abilities before, but she loves to write about characters who do.

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Author Website