Page 15 of Burn of Obsidian

Thea’s cheeks began aching with how forced her smile was. “They’re fae-friendly gold.”

She luckily had a high tolerance to iron, which was a common allergy amongst the Fae. Other metals didn’t really bother her as much, but she still preferred the fae-friendly coated gold, or sometimes even plastic jewellery for her piercings.

“I’m a waitress, by the way. If you’re interested at all.” She’d been a waitress for a total of three hours, two years ago, before she’d been fired. In her defence, the boss had touched her butt without permission. She’d punched him just as her father had taught her, and then she’d stolen his car and scrapped it for more money than her shift would have made her, anyway.

“Hmm.” He was clearly no longer paying any attention to what she was saying, his hand sliding further up her thigh to disappear beneath her skirt.

Thea grabbed his wrist, and his head jerked up with annoyance. “We’ve only just met. Can’t a girl finish her drink first?” she asked, keeping her tone relaxed.

He hadn’t even asked her name. How rude.

“A drink I bought.” His irritation was on the edge of anger, his fingers digging in hard enough she was sure he’d bruise if she didn’t calm him down. “Surely you can show me your appreciation?”

Any guilt at what she was about to do disappeared into thin air. Not that she ever really felt guilt, not when she chose her marks carefully. She tried to target those that wouldn’t miss the money. Who’d be able to replace the items without struggling financially.

She didn’t actually care if Niall would be affected financially or not. He was an arsehole.

“And how would I show my appreciation?” she asked, lifting his glass. He watched, the arrogance returning as she pressed her lips to the rim in what she hoped was a seductive fashion. “Oh sorry, this one’s yours.”

She straightened her arm so her sleeve covered the top slightly, the powder she kept there falling perfectly into the amber liquid. He was too busy staring at her to notice, and within seconds of him drinking, the hand that was gripping at her skin loosened.

Thea dramatically gasped when he slumped forward, head knocking over her glass as he swayed.

“Sir, are you okay?” She slipped her hand inside his jacket, removing his wallet while everyone else was distracted by the spill. His watch came next, and then the golden ring on his right hand. “Can someone call him a taxi? He’s clearly had too much to drink.”

The powder was nothing but ground up valerian root and a few secret ingredients she’d bought from the market. After a few hours’ sleep, he’d be fine – probably.

Standing from the stool, she pulled down her skirt, fighting the urge to kick at him. He looked up at her, pupils blown wide and with no recollection of the last few hours. His mouth gaped open, words slurring together as someone approached to help.

Stealing was like walking the edge of a blade, knowing she was taking something from someone else. Even better when she took from someone who didn’t need it. Like Mr O’Reilly, who’d entered the bar with an air of superiority that called to be humbled. He waltzed in with a few of his work colleagues, speaking down to the staff as if they were beneath him while flashing his expensive watch and bad attitude.

It was addictive, that rush. The ability to inconvenience someone, because she knew he’d immediately replace everything. But for a day or two, he’d be pissed.

“Hope you feel better soon,” she whispered to him with a wink, stepping away just as one of his work colleagues approached. The commotion hadn’t brought too much attention to her as she slipped into the crowd, content to watch and wait. Because the bar was full of the same type of people as Mr O’Reilly, it wouldn’t take long before she caught the eye of her next target.

JAX

Jax watched from the corner, nerve twitching in his jaw. Thea’s laughter echoed around him despite how loud it was, an enchanting sound that had his beast wanting to howl in song.

She was currently flirting with the second man in the space of an hour. She’d been there longer, he was sure of it. But in the time he’d been watching, she’d only consumed the smallest amount of alcohol, despite half a dozen empty glasses in front of her. She was subtle in the way she emptied them, making the men believe she was far drunker than she was.

Jax cocked his head, unable to pick up her conversation amongst everything else. Nectar was an upscale bar, their clientele usually those just finishing work off the financial district. Jax stood out amongst the suits, but he wasn’t exactly trying to blend in. It didn’t matter if she saw him, because she’d taken something that belonged to him. And he was going to get it back.

He allowed himself to memorise every curve of her body, the dress she’d chosen is tight. The fabric criss-crossed over her breasts to leave a triangle of tattooed sternum on display. It was shaped to expose the entirety of her shoulders and neck, with contrasting long sleeves. Then there were her legs, dressed in heels that emphasised their long length. She was tall, much taller than the prick she was currently working on.

A few more tattoos were stamped on the fair skin of her shins and thighs, bringing his eyes down to the short hem. He’d found her immediately in the crowd, naturally drawn to her even when he was looking for brown, or even pink hair, not blonde.

With her make-up soft, accentuating her larger eyes and high cheekbones commonly found on the Fae, she looked – fuck – like a woman he’d happily devour while the world burned around them.

Having watched her for long enough, he began moving closer, not wanting to give her the opportunity to run. Not that he wouldn’t find her again.

He stopped when he stood behind her, forcing his eyes to the man sitting on the stool to her right. The guy stuttered mid-sentence, eyes widening at the silent threat.

“Robbie, are you okay?” Thea asked, reaching over to grip his wrist, right over his watch.

Jax jerked his head to the side, and the man almost tripped on his own feet to follow the instruction. Thea jumped to stand, stiffening when she backed up against him.

“Oh, excuse…” Her words drifted as she turned, the skin on her cheeks flushing a warm pink. “What are you doing here?”