How can taking children from their families ever be right? There is no way to justify that kind of evil After learning that his apprentice had been stolen from his family, Luc vows to never let it happen to anyone else. But how can he make that happen?

In this scene, Luc must dig deeper into the truth. The words he heard were heartbreaking. Kaydn had been stolen from his family as a toddler.

A plan to make it right. How?

Luc and Kaydn talked most of the night. His Deshai showed him evidence gathered by the older sister Kaydn had never known. While Kaydn had been learning how to circumvent the law, Orella Vettov had learned to enforce it. First as a cop, and then as a detective specializing in missing children. She’d supplied her kidnapped brother with names, dates, and statistics.

It wasn’t only Kaydn who’d been taken. There were at least fifteen others, and Vettov wasn’t through digging.

The realization that this had begun while he was Grand Master struck Luc down in shame. It was his duty and responsibility to know everything the Guild did under his command, and he’d failed to flag it.

Kaydn was right. Luc not only wanted to burn down the Thieves’ Guild, he wanted to crush it to the last ember.

Three mortal lifetimes he’d invested in that institution: first as Cyr de Tomasson, centuries ago, then in his previous life as Neene St. Thomas, and now as Luc Saint-Cyr. Lives spent hiding his true nature to carry out the mission: protect humanity.

Different identities. Same skill. Same talent. Same passion. Same utter devotion.

Someone had tarnished everything he’d lived for. And for what?

“Kaydn.” Swallowing hard against the breath lodged in his throat, Luc clasped his Deshai’s hand. “I didn’t do this to you, but I apologize for it.”

“I know.” He braced his other arm alongside Luc’s. “Right now, I hate the Guild. But Sen’dai, I know the Guild could go back to what it was. We’re thieves, but honorable.” Kaydn pulled away. “I can’t stay. It’s not personal.”

“I’d want to leave, too, in your situation. I can’t. Not until I fix this.”

“What are we going to do, Sen’dai? It’s not like we can invite the police to investigate the Guild.”

“I can imagine how that would go over. I’ll think of something. I have contacts and there’s idBot.”

“Sen’dai, I don’t want to destroy everything you and my brothers have worked for. And I wouldn’t skip Nikko’s graduation for anything.”

“Until I can dig into this and figure out who knew what, don’t do anything different. Take some time off. Let me do what I do best. I’ll know more by Nikko’s big day.”

“Luc.” Kaydn pointed toward the door. “What if that little HalfKin was taken?” The agony on his Deshai’s face crushed Luc’s heart. “What if my brothers were?”

“I’ll find out.” Luc set a hand on Kaydn’s shoulder. “I will stop this. Nothing I can say or do will make up for being torn from your family, but I will try to make it right.”

Kaydn gave him a soul-searching look, and then moved in close and embraced him. He stepped back. “I trust you.”

—

A Stolen Heart

A former space pirate who’s gone straight rescues a vulnerable child adept at breaking into things. By protecting the boy, Luc unlocks secrets that threaten to topple the powerful king Luc once loved. For the child’s safety, Luc must send the boy away, far from danger. Nowhere near him. Even if this little one has already stolen his heart…
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Kayelle Allen writes space opera with larger than life, unforgettable characters. Come walk in her worlds and meet them.
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