by Andy Peloquin
Queen of Thieves Book One
"They killed my parents. They took my name. They imprisoned me in darkness. I would not be broken."
Viola, sold to pay her father's debts, has lost everything: her mother, her home, and her identity.
Thrown into a life among criminals, she has no time for grief as she endures the brutal training of an apprentice thief. The Night Guild molds innocent waifs into cunning, agile outlaws skilled in the thieves' trade. She has only one choice: steal enough to pay her debts.
The cutthroat streets of Praamis will test her mettle, and she must learn to dodge the City Guards or swing from a hangman's rope. But a more dangerous foe lurks within the guild walls. A sadistic rival apprentice, threatened by her strength, is out for blood.
What hope does one have in a world of ruthless men?
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Content/Theme(s): Thieves, Brainwashing, Gothic
Release Date: January 17, 2017
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Excerpt & More
Purchase link(s): Amazon B&NExcerpt:
We've been at this for hours! When will he let us rest? Mind numb from hunger and fatigue, Viola placed one weary foot in front of the other. Blood dripped from cuts in her hands, arms, and forehead.
Master Velvet refused to let up. "Your past is gone, your families forgotten. You have no names, no identities. You are nothing more than a number until it is deemed fit to give you a name."
The children called out as one, "Yes, Master Velvet!"
"Everything you are, everything you will be, you owe to the Night Guild. We are your masters, your creators, your gods." The tirade had repeated for endless hours, but Master Velvet never seemed to have enough.
"Yes, Master Velvet!"
Master Velvet's voice cracked like a carter's whip. "Disobedience will be punished harshly. Obedience will be rewarded well. Learn this and you will flourish in the Night Guild."
Viola's legs wobbled, her shoulders ached, and her arms shook from exertion. "Yes, Master Velvet!"
"Forget everything you know. Forget life outside this room. You eat, sleep, and shit at my command."
"Yes, Master Velvet!" Viola's voice cracked from thirst and fatigue. She wanted to lie down, to close her eyes, to sleep.
Master Velvet snarled in her ear. "You live and die at the pleasure of the Night Guild. You belong to the Guild mind, body, and soul. What are you?"
"We are tyros, Master Velvet."
He crouched beside her. "And what are tyros?"
"Lower than dirt, Master Velvet!"
A satisfied smile spread across his face. "Empty your buckets and set them on the floor beside the barrels. Double speed, my drudges."
Viola tried to move faster, but her feet refused. By the time she reached the barrel at the far end of the room, only one other child remained. The boy, barely taller than her, had yet to empty his bucket. He strained to lift his heavy load. His hands trembled uncontrollably—a permanent condition that made even eating and drinking difficult. Water splashed down his tunic, turning the dirt to mud.
Emptying her pail, Viola dropped to the sodden ground with a half-sob, half-groan of relief.
"Get up, tyros!" Master Velvet would not let them rest.
Tears of exhaustion and frustration streaming, she climbed to her feet. Though her back protested, she forced herself straight when Master Velvet approached.
Stand tall, no matter what. Mama's words echoed in her thoughts. I'm trying, Mama, but I'm so tired!
"Chow time, my drudges. You'll find that table over there loaded with delights to fill your little bellies. Eat. You have done well."
Someone had piled the table high with fruits, sweetmeats, and treats. She'd been too exhausted to notice. The scent of fresh bread, cinnamon rolls, and pastries wafted toward her. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation.
Master Velvet placed a hand on her shoulder. "Not you, Seven. You were the first to fail, so an example must be made."
"B-But…" Viola couldn't put up more than a weak protest.
"Off with you, Seven. To your bunk and reflect on your weakness." His dark eyes held no kindness. "Pray to the Watcher for strength to survive."
"Y-Yes, Master Velvet." She turned away to hide her tears.
"Perhaps you'll try harder tomorrow, Seven." He spoke without a trace of compassion or pity in his voice. "If you want to have any hope of survival here in the Night Guild, this will be the last time you fail."
Hunger gnawed at Viola's belly, but it could not outweigh the bone-deep weariness. She forced herself not to look at the other children, to block out the sounds of their eating. Feet leaden, she turned to the tunnel that led to their sleeping quarters.
Tears flowed in earnest once she reached the darkness of the passage. Sobs of anger, desperation, and frustration washed over her, shaking her body like a leaf in a whirlwind.
Slamming the door shut behind her, she threw herself onto her bunk and buried her head in the thin pillow. She didn't care that her clothes were soaking wet or that she hadn't had any water to drink for hours. She wouldn't allow any of the others to see her cry.
Bright Lady, hear me and protect me in my hour of need. Her parched throat refused to form the words.
The prayer had comforted her in the past, but now it felt empty. The hunger, exhaustion, and thirst remained. Minutes ticked by in silence. Nothing happened.
She balled her fists and swallowed the ache in her belly. Down here, she was all alone. The Bright Lady can't hear me.
Why would she? The goddess of healing hadn’t heard when she'd prayed for Mama and baby Rose. The gods were far away, if they cared at all. Mama was gone and Papa had left her here. In this place, she was the only one she could count on. She had to be strong, just as she had been after Mama died.
I will get through another day. Just one more.
~~~~~~
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Other titles by Andy Peloquin:
Days | of the Destroyer | of the Fallen |
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Be on the lookout for Andy Peloquin's future release(s): Gateway to the Past coming Mar 2017, Thief of the Night Guild coming mid 2017, and Anamnesis coming late 2017
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