Excerpt of Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle

Her gaze goes over the wild shore where waves lap against the rock. The illumination from the volcanoes doesn’t extend as far here and the dark horizon is swallowed by low charcoal clouds. Somewhere beyond that is Tromson on his boat and hopefully the dog.

“What do you want?” she asks stiffly, not looking at me.

“I need your help,” I tell her. “Most importantly, House Kolbeck needs your help. Your expertise.”

She frowns at me, her guard dropping for a moment. “Me? Who am I to you?”

“You’re Brynla Aihr,” I say, watching as her pupils shrink in surprise. “Daughter of rebel leaders Branne and Sonja Aihr, now deceased. You reside with your Aunt Ellestra Aihr in the Dark City, living as a fugitive from the Black Guard and the Daughters of Silence from which you escaped nearly a decade ago. And you’re one of the best thieves in the business.” I pause. “Only problem is, you’re working for the wrong side.”

Her throat bobs as she swallows. “How…how do you know all that?”

“I’ve been watching you,” I admit. “Ever since the blue moon.”

She calculates how long that’s been. “That’s half a year,” she whispers, licking her lips. Then she gives her head a shake. “I don’t understand.”

“Yes you do,” I say, taking my hand off her arm. “You and your dog are worth a lot of money, which is why the Sjef of House Dalgaard hired you. Don’t play dumb, I know your dog is what helps you find the eggs.” She opens her mouth to say something and I continue. “I said I was watching you, didn’t I? House Kolbeck is no different than House Dalgaard in that aspect. We have spies everywhere.”

I might be exaggerating, just a little. Our spies consist of a white raven that Steiner knows how to communicate with, and Dagruna Bjarr, a woman with shape-shifting abilities who works for the King of Norland.

Brynla’s gaze turns hard as she meets my eyes. I can sense her muscles twitching, her fight or flight instincts rising. “What do you want?”

“I want you to work for House Kolbeck. We’ll pay you handsomely.”

She thinks that over for a moment. “You do know what would happen to me if I switched sides. Sjef Ruunon wouldn’t let me go easily and if he learned I was working for House Kolbeck…”

“He’d kill you and your dog and your aunt,” I supply. “Or possibly keep your dog and kill the rest of you. I’m aware.”

“So then you understand why I won’t be working for you.”

I breathe in sharply, my adrenaline spiking in anticipation of what’s to come. I had prepared for this but despite the chaos that seems to follow me wherever I go, I prefer it when things go smoothly.

“You’re declining?”

“I’m saying no,” she says with a raise of her chin.

“Then I have to insist.” I can’t help but smile at her defiance. “After all, you owe me for saving your life, twice now, and for saving the life of your dog.”

Brynla stiffens at that. “I owe you something in return, yes, but not this.”

“What is this?”

“My freedom,” she says, her tone hard and final.

“Then I’m afraid you leave me no choice,” I tell her. I reach into my cloak and pull out a syclesaw, the polished dragon claw reflecting the dull light.

Her movements are fast. Both of the swords from her back are drawn and she’s in a warrior’s pose, her jaw set as sharp as the blades, her gaze focused.

“I am a Freelander,” she says boldly. “I will always have a choice.”

“And I’m a Norlander,” I tell her, moving the syclesaw over to my other hand and back again, rubbing the smooth claw under my thumb as I do. “We also have a choice, as does Sorland, and Vesland, the rest of the wide world. All the more reason to get out of your Godesssforsaken realm. See how everyone else survives for a change. See how we live. Are you afraid you’ll like it?”

She doesn’t move, her gaze continuing to hold me. Her eyes are so dark and determined. I know I’ll win, but I might not walk away unscathed.

“Or are you afraid you’re not worthy of a better life?” I add.

There. Something shifts in her eyes, just for a moment.

I hit a nerve.

I decide to switch tactics. “You really think your shoddy armor will last you over time? You think ash glass can stab through the hide of a Deathdrage? I’ve been watching you, Brynla Aihr. You’re one of the best but you’re also the luckiest person I’ve ever come across. I’ve never even seen a dragon get close to you until today but look where that got you. Had I not been there, you and your magic dog would be dead.” I pause. “People say you’re a force to be reckoned with, that you can fight your fellow man, but after today, I’m not sure how you measure up against the dragons.”

“I do just fine,” she practically growls, her grip on the sword’s hilts tightening. “I’m still here, aren’t I?”

“Because of luck. But tonight, your luck has officially run out. Two botched raids and you almost died twice. If you come with me, we can give you your luck back. We can take your thieving to another level entirely. You’ll be unstoppable. Perhaps one day finally get your revenge against the Soffers. Isn’t that what all Freelanders want?”

I let that last sentence dangle in the volcanic air.

She hesitates for a moment.

“I don’t know you,” she eventually says. “And I sure as fuck don’t trust you.”

“Nor should you,” I admit, my brow raising at her language. “I don’t trust my family either. But I’ll repeat what I said earlier; you don’t have a choice.”

I put the syclesaw back in my other hand and her eyes go to it, taking in the sight. I know she’s never seen a weapon like this either, crafted from the ten-inch curved claws of the Sycledrage. “If you don’t come with me tonight, you’ll be delivered right into the arms of the Black Guard and your own execution.”

Her nostrils flare, fear finally sparking in her eyes. Just what I wanted to see.

“And so what?” she says, starting to slowly move around me in a circle, swords still drawn. “If the Dalgaards find out I went with you, it will be the same fate for me.”

“Except we can protect both you and your aunt,” I tell her. “We can get her out of the Dark City. So either you come with me right now and join our side, or you die the same as your father did, hanging from the gallows.”

She gives her head a small shake, eyes narrowing into something so cold I feel it in my chest. She’s a marvel, this one.

“There’s a third option that you’ve forgotten about,” she says quietly.

“And what’s that?”

“That I kill you.”

She grins. Sweet and deadly.

Then she’s at me faster than I can blink.

Copyright © 2025 Karina Halle