Chapter 1 Thief

• 1700 LandingTown, Igonox
• Elsabet knew precisely what she was. How dangerous she was.
• As did most who crossed her path. Instinctively sensing danger at the flick of her gaze. Feeling like a mouse in the cross hairs of a cat's gaze.
• Currently, she was watching him from across the room.
• Sebastian Bodane.
• Chavias and Sebastian strolled the room. Elbowing each other and laughing jovially.
• "Chavias, it was so long ago! Do let it go!" Bast had chuckled.
• "She had the bluest eyes I'd ever seen and hair as black as mine. We'd have made a fine pair."
• "Like horses?" He jested. "Calisto was not for you." Bast shouldered him. "You can't harbor me ill forever."
• "The devil I can't! You pulled the fur from under me feet! And placed her squarely in Raese's path." He feigned outrage but there was a laughing note in his voice.
• Bast was grinning broadly when his eyes had lit on Elsabet. Returning her thorough assessment.
• Her blue eyes narrowed on him warningly.
• He was tall and tawny. With long waving gold hair that moved around him like a crowd. His skin a similar shade. But his blue-green eyes a bit too keen for his own good. Tonight, he wore an open green overcoat over his usual flowing white shirt which was ruffled at the collar and wrist in such a way it should've made him seem less masculine. But it did not.
• Not this man.
• Instead, it drew attention to the sinewed lines of his lean hands and corded throat. Making him look as though he needed touched by a woman.
• But Elsabet wasn't one to be so easily distracted.
• Not by prey.
• ***
• She could tell from the way his gaze continually flicked back to her that he had noticed her intense stare.
• Surprising considering how many he's getting. There was no jealousy in her thoughts as she assessed the women staring at him so hungrily.
• They can have him.
• ***
• Where are all the stuffy dowagers that should be protecting their daughters from the half-clothed rogue?
• The answer dawned on her immediately. Probably staring at him themselves.
• Elsabet knew of his reputation with women. They're mesmerized by him.
• Even now the women at this ball were staring at him open-mouthed and sweating.
• Elsabet watched a woman arrive at his side, tugging his arm. Forcing him to break his study on her. The delicate beauty, dangling off him like a necklace, giggled at something he'd said. Basking in his attentions.
• Elsabet cocked her head, watching the interaction.
• Chavias wandered to the refreshments table.
• Elsabet was relieved the massive redhead man, Mardichi, was absent tonight. Not wishing to contend with the big beast.
• ***
• Bast turned to talk to a small brunette at his elbow. Making the flowing white shirt swathe around him, leaving his collarbone and the defined lines of his upper chest exposed. Fitted breeches molded a well-muscled body and his boots were at a high shine .
• A man who pays attention to the details in his appearance. Likely not much going on in his mind. She quickly assessed him as shallow.
• Elsabet rose purposefully and glided through the crowd.
• The brunette drew him onto the dancefloor. He engaged in the dance with her. Seeming utterly oblivious to Elsabet's dark intent.
• Stealing from him.
• Bast had lifted his arm to spin his dance partner.
• Pleasantly oblivious at that moment.
• Elsabet caught the glint of a gold chain falling over his collar and dangling just beneath those laces. Stark against his tanned skin. The candlelight caught the shimmer of a gold ornament on the chain. Nestled against his defined chest. A serpent twining a thick cross.
• Her target.
• The one thing she needed for her to return home.
• To Sanctuary Island.