Republic of Thieves

It was supposed to be the biggest heist of their careers, but it went horribly wrong and Locke and his trusty partner Jean narrowly escaped death. Or at least Jean. Locke is slowly succumbing to a deadly poison that no alchemist or medicine can rid him of. But as the end draws near, the mysterious Hireling offers Locke an opportunity that will either save him or finish him off once and for all. A political election for mages is coming up and the factions need pawns. If Locke agrees to play this role, she will magically cleanse his body of the poison - though it will be a process so agonizing that he may still long for death. Locke is against it, but two things break his will: Jean's pleas - and the mention of a woman from Locke's past: about Sabetha. About the love of his life, who is his equal in skill and wit and will now be his greatest rival. Sabet had charmed Locke at first sight when they were both young orphans and thieves in training. But after a stormy courtship, she left. Now they will clash in another battle of wills. Faced with his only counterpart in love and deceit, Locke must choose whether to fight Sabetha... or woo her. Both their lives may depend on this decision.