Thieves' Guild Academy Archives - Page 3 of 6

Just dinner — an excerpt from A Divided Heart: Thieves’ Guild Academy #FoundFamily #SciFi #MMRomance

Kayelle Allen 02/08/2023 Thieves' Guild Academy 8 Comments

In a school filled with hackers and thieves, how do you trust your heart?

In this scene from A Divided Heart, Headmaster Kam has invited Professor Brinn to dinner. Brinn accepts, but only after Kam agrees that dinner means nothing more than dinner.

Excerpt A Divided Heart

Dinner went well. The food was amazing and the service excellent. He and Kam had much in common and found it easy to chat about small things. And then the server brought out the dessert. The biggest, darkest, richest slab of chocolate cake on the planet. Maybe the whole Empire.

Fork in hand, Kam looked down at the plate. "I think this is big enough for four people."

Brinn picked up his fork. "I don't mind eating for two if you don't." He dug into the cake. The first bite melted in his mouth, creamy and decadent. He groaned. "On second thought, I could eat for three."

Kam stuck his fork into the middle of the dessert. "Fighting words if ever I heard them."

"This is too good to fight over. We'll have to agree to eating half, and then we'll each lick our own side."

Kam's eyes flashed. "All I heard in that sentence was the word lick."

Laughing, Brinn filled up a forkful and offered it to Kam.

With his gaze locked on Brinn's, Kam stroked the bottom of the fork with his tongue and drew the treat into his mouth.

Heat rushed to Brinn's head...and other extremities.

So much for just dinner.

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

She wants cheesecake for breakfast, please #Excerpt Package Deal #Romance #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 06/21/2022 Anthology 6 Comments

When he rejects a half-feline half-human prodigy for unmanageable behavior, his ex, Brinn, fosters the girl himself.

Brinn handles the unruly child well, and Kam grudgingly agrees she shows great potential as a future thief. Missing Brinn, Kam seeks to win him back. But when the child comes under suspicion as having hacked Planet Fun, an empire-renowned anti-gravity theme park, Kam must decide whether to trust his well-honed instincts, or his long-divided heart...

In this scene, Brinn and his co-teacher, Hahlibeth, are about to have breakfast with Dresden, the little girl they have taken in as a foster child.

Excerpt from Hacking Planet Fun

While Brinn sipped his coffee, the house droids served Hahlibeth scrambled eggs with potatoes, bacon, and fresh orange juice. But when approached, Dresden pushed her plate away. "I'd like cheesecake for breakfast, please."

The house droid serving her turned to Brinn.

"Cheesecake is not a good breakfast."

The girl didn't pout or argue. She opened her napkin and placed it on her lap. "May I please have milk?"

"Yes."

"May I have hot tea with sugar?"

For someone who'd always asked can I, she'd switched to the more proper may I quite fast. "Sure. I don't see why not."

"How about graham crackers?"

"I suppose that's all right."

"And may I have cream cheese for my crackers?"

Where was she going with this? Brinn met Hahlibeth's gaze, but she was clearly staying out of it. "All right. That too."

"Are eggs okay?"

"Of course."

"Thank you. Then please tell the droids to bring me tea without sugar, and then mix all those other things into cheesecake and bring me a piece."

Package Deal

Families come in all shapes and sizes. Divorced, widowed, adopted, blended or fostered -- each family has its own unique tale. Join these authors as they tell stories of amazing single dads who find love in unexpected places. Laugh, cry, get a little hot, and maybe even throw your phone. Don't say we didn't warn you.

https://books2read.com/PackageDealSingleDadAnthology

Join these amazing authors as they show off these amazing single dads! Featuring Stories by: Kayelle Allen, Rae Tina, Rhylie Matthews, L.P. Guleva, C. E. Lashua, Jenni Lynn, and Kaci Rose.

This is a multi-author anthology. Stories may come with a trigger warning and end on a cliff-hanger please be aware before reading.

Read more →

Door slam: halfway to good-riddance and don’t-come-back #SingleFather #Anthology Amazing single dads who find love #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 06/14/2022 Anthology 10 Comments

My story in Package Deal, a BBB Publishings anthology, is Hacking Planet Fun, a sci-fi MM romance.

Kam, Master of the Thieves' Guild Academy on the planet Kelthia, deals with a school full of fledgling thieves, con artists, and hackers, and doesn't need attitude from students or faculty. When he rejects a half-feline half-human prodigy for unmanageable behavior, his ex, Brinn, fosters the girl himself.

Brinn handles the unruly child well, and Kam grudgingly agrees she shows great potential as a future thief. Missing Brinn, Kam seeks to win him back. But when the child comes under suspicion as having hacked Planet Fun, an empire-renowned anti-gravity theme park, Kam must decide whether to trust his well-honed instincts... or his long-divided heart.

A twist on academy stories, the male-male science fiction romance Hacking Planet Fun focuses on the staff, and introduces a classroom of tiny precocious thieves who will steal your heart.

---

In this scene, Kam had gone to Brinn's household to inform him of a meeting Brinn had missed, but he was also checking up on the little girl Brinn is fostering. Each man has feelings for the other, but neither will bend enough to be honest about his feelings. I'll let this excerpt speak for itself.

Once the others were out of sight, Kam relaxed.

Brinn glared. "Is this an official inspection?"

"The Academy does require a check-in, and since I wanted to tell you about the board meeting, I said I'd handle it."

"As you can see, we have things under control." Brinn jammed his arms across his chest.

The tension in Brinn's posture had eased when he'd been interacting with Dresden about the pet mowt, but now it returned, full force.

"She seems really sweet." Kam adjusted his collar. "I'm glad for her. And for you."

"Why would you be glad for me?"

"Because you need to get back to work. I think helping this little girl might do it for you."

"Just what do you mean by that?"

Why was he so touchy about everything? And what had Kam said now?

"Look," Brinn headed for the door, and Kam followed. "Thanks for telling me about the meeting. Don't worry. We'll take care of your mowt. Send a text when you're back and we'll bring him to you." Brinn opened the door.

"Thanks." He stuck out his hand, and Brinn shook it. "See you in a couple days."

Kam hadn't even gotten off the front steps before the door slammed. Okay, maybe not a full slam, but more than a quiet close. The kind of close when unwanted company finally left. Halfway between good-riddance and don't-come-back.

Could Brinn not let down his guard for one minute? No matter how many times or how many ways Kam found to be in the man's circle, Brinn remained indifferent.

Shutting Kam out. Kam was probably reading more into Brinn's actions than he needed to.

But, knowing Brinn, maybe not.

***

Brinn caught the door before it slammed. He might be irritated, but he didn't want Kam picking up on it. Still, it closed pretty hard.

What was he worrying about? Kam was clueless anyway.

Or maybe he wasn't. With that constant stony-faced expression of his, who could tell? Maybe there was more going on beneath the surface.

Why should he even think about the man? It wasn't like they had anything going on. They'd had a few nights together after completing a huge project. That was it. They'd each been too wrapped up in other projects to continue the relationship. Hadn't they?

So why did his heart race every time he and Kam were in the same room? It wasn't like Kam had any interest. The man found every tiny reason to be in Brinn's business. Questioning his motives. Asking him questions. Finding fault with his answers.

Like coming all the way out here to tell him about a meeting. Come on. No, Kam was checking up on him. Of all the nerve.

Okay, maybe Brinn was reading more into it than it was worth.

But, knowing Kam, maybe not.

Package Deal

Families come in all shapes and sizes. Divorced, widowed, adopted, blended or fostered, gay or straight -- each family has its own unique tale. Join these authors as they tell stories of amazing single dads who find love in unexpected places. Laugh, cry, get a little hot, and maybe even throw your phone. Don't say we didn't warn you.

https://books2read.com/PackageDealSingleDadAnthology

Join these amazing authors as they show off these amazing single dads! Featuring Stories by: Kayelle Allen, Rae Tina, Rhylie Matthews, L.P. Guleva, C. E. Lashua, Jenni Lynn, and Kaci Rose.

This is a multi-author anthology. Stories may come with a trigger warning and end on a cliff-hanger please be aware before reading.

Read more →

When the bouncer asked for ID, he flashed the Harbinger’s hand sign #Excerpt #SciFi #Romance #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 03/01/2022 Character Insights 6 Comments

In this scene, Senth and his brother Khyff are heading to a nightclub where they'll meet Senth's adoptive father. But at the door, Senth has a little trouble...

Excerpt

As Senth approached The Ghost, the club's beefy Kin bouncer put out a hand. "Hold up, kid. You--" She motioned toward Khyff -- "Wait over there. Now..." She motioned Senth aside. "You got ID?"
Senth opened his cloak, revealing the lining with its unmistakable Thieves' Guild insignia, a skeleton key inside a slashed circle. He gave his Sen'dai's hand sign, showing the back of two fingers placed together straight across his waist.
"Ffffftt!" The bouncer made an apologetic shrug. "Sorry. Why didn't you say you were the Man's right up front?"
"His shouldn't have to." Senth brushed a hand down the front of the cloak. "And I'm no kid."
"Sorry, sir." She opened the door for both of them and bowed.
Once inside, Khyff held out one palm, and Senth slid his down it, hooked his fingers as Khyff did, and with hands clasped, gave one downward shake.
"C'mon, Bro." Khyff led the way past the darkened foyer.
Inside, music pulsed like a living entity. Throbbing bass tickled Senth's chest, and he coughed. Drums pounded. Colored lights swept the cavernous room. Strobes flashed across the congested dance floor, highlighting bobbing heads and upflung arms. Light glinted off human bodies slick with sweat, while bared and damp Kin furskin stuck out in points, laden with glitter.
"Stay close," Khyff shouted over the pounding music, standing next to Senth. He headed for the rear and left no chance to argue. They skirted around the crammed dance area. Senth liberated a few loose credit stubs clipped to belts and stuffed them into the pockets of his cloak.

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

It took only one word to stop him in his tracks #Excerpt from A Broken Heart #SciFi

Kayelle Allen 02/15/2022 Character Insights 8 Comments

As usual, Khyff's master hadn't allowed him to eat until he'd met his quota. First up: shower, clean clothes, food. Not necessarily in that order. He kept a few stale crackers hidden in his room for emergencies. He'd satisfied his last client, and was unscheduled the rest of the day. Or at least the next six hours.

Khyff bolted toward freedom.

"So you're an Antonello."

The way the client said it drew Khyff's attention. This particular client was one of the less odious. He didn't grab or cling, he was--thankfully--clean, and he tipped well. Still, the guy was paying for sex and Khyff had no choice. Being a pleasure slave meant you serviced the clients sent to you, or you suffered for it. In Khyff's case, refusing meant risking prison.

He would never go back there, no matter what they made him do here.

Khyff clenched his teeth and pasted on a smile. "Pardon?"

"Your last name." The guy continued getting dressed, seemingly in no hurry. "It's Antonello, right?"

"Why?"

"I never noticed before. It's right here on my receipt." He picked up his mobile and turned the screen toward Khyff. "I mean I've been here what... five times now?" He poked at the screen. "Whoa! Seven. Huh. I should have a free visit after three more."

Khyff choked back a retort. His master was giving away free visits with him? It would take hundreds of client visits to earn enough in his Freedom Savings Account so Khyff could buy himself. If his master was giving him away, it would take forever.

Khyff jerked open the door.

"You don't look like the other one."

Half a step into the hall, Khyff's heart stuttered. He made a slow pivot. "Other one?"

"The other Antonello. You look different."

The world went silent. Khyff came inside, shut the door and leaned against it. "So I'm sure I heard right. You know another Antonello."

"Yeah. I saw the name, and figured you had to be related. Antonello's not common. Not on Kelthia. I'm guessing you don't have much family here."

Good guess. More than three quarters of the world's population was black-skinned. Khyff had blond hair, blue eyes, fair skin.

Could this be a link to his missing mother? Did the client know her? Khyff fought the hope that rose within him. It had been how many years? No, he would not allow himself to hope. When you hoped, people could hurt you more.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

A first-time father reminds a toddler of a rule #Excerpt A Stolen Heart #SciFi #MMRomance

Kayelle Allen 07/14/2021 Character Insights 6 Comments

In Luc's hoversine on the way to shop, he taught Senthys an important rule to protect him. Now that they've arrived, how well did the first-time-father get it across?

At the entrance, two women who were leaving both greeted the boy. One wiggled her fingers at the tyke, and each gave Luc an appreciative once over.

He'd grown used to that over the years, but this appraisal had a different impact.

More sweet than sensual.

Interesting. Women found a man attractive because he was with a child. How had he missed knowing that?

Inside, the store had a clean smell, like freshly pressed linen and well-oiled wood, with an undertone of vanilla.

Senthys drew in a lungful. "I want some cookies."

"It does smell like cookies in here, doesn't it?"

A selection of clothing displayed various sizes and colors of sportswear, casualwear, and in the back, a sign designated formalwear. Formalwear for kids? Did boys need tuxes?

Before Luc could investigate, Senthys tugged at his hand and pointed to a play area near the front of the store. "I wanna go see that."

"What was the rule?"

The boy stuck a finger into his mouth, rocking himself side to side. "Stay with you."

"That's right."

"If you go see it, I can see it." He tilted his head. "Please?"

Luc could find no fault in that logic, nor resist the appeal. "Since you asked politely. Let's go see."

Be sure to check out the other authors in this hop below.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

Read more →

A thief’s gotta do what a thief’s gotta do #Excerpt Bro by Kayelle Allen #SciFi

Kayelle Allen 03/07/2021 Science Fiction Books

Advanced Members Only...

Senth pounded up the stairs, feeling the judgmental stares of hundreds of pairs of eyes on his back. He stepped up to the desk. "Morning. Here for my cloak."

The worker looked up, raked a glance down him. "Listen, kid, this is Advanced only. There's a line. Wait your turn."

"Yeah. I get it." Letting his fangs show, Senth gestured to himself. "I have a 'baby face.' I hear that every day, but I'm no kid. I'm old enough to join the Armada and vote."

A mocking smile painted itself across the worker's face. "If you were human."

Could he not get one day without being reminded he didn't belong?

"Plus," the worker continued, "in case you're new here, you should know you have to be a Level Fifteen or higher to get a cloak."

Oh, he was one of those? Judge the face and not the person. Time to pull out the big guns. Not his favorite way to deal, but if you had a tool that worked, you yanked it out of the bag and used it. Wasn't that the point of having a tool?

Senth leaned one hand on the desk and bent closer as if sharing a secret. "Speaking of being new here... When did you arrive?"

The guy drew back. "Transferred in from Tarth to help with the cloak distribution."

"Shh." Senth made a show of glancing around. "Quiet like, what level are you?"

The man gave him a smug smile. "My Guild ranking is Thirteen."

"Wow. Impressive. And how old are you?"

The worker frowned. "Not that it's your business, but I'm thirty."

"Yeah? You know when I hit Level Thirteen?" Senth picked lint off the man's jacket, dropped it onto the floor. "When I was nine."

The man scoffed. "Nobody's ever done that."

"Look it up. I hold the record for youngest ever reaching it." He stood straight, squaring his shoulders. "I'm a Level Nineteen now. You'll find me under Antonello, Senth, Advanced Interior Security. Or you can try Harbinger." He flashed his father's hand sign, showing the back of two fingers together straight across his waist. "Son of."

"The Harbin--" The man pushed back from the desk and tripped getting to his feet. "Oh, you're the-- You're the--" He muttered an oath. "I'll be right back with your cloak, sir. One moment." He hustled toward the storeroom.

Yep. Daddy had clout.

While Senth waited, a few other thieves in Advanced nodded to him. One of his professors, in full Guild robes and regalia, passed by. When Senth bowed, the man bowed in return. Respect. Mutual. What was so hard about showing it?

A couple females picking up their cloaks shot looks his way.

Had the women overheard his relationship to the Man?

Not that he could take up anyone's offer anyway. His father made sure of that.

Saint-Cyr didn't trust a male Kin, halfbreed or not, to wander around unShackled. Females could, sure. Females could control themselves. The drug his father injected him with kept Senth's feral side at bay, but that didn't mean he was kitten material.

He might not be able to--um--extend his claws, so to speak, but he had other...abilities. Too bad as a HalfKin he hadn't been blessed with his race's real claws. He had to make do with fingers. No advantage over humans.

Unless you knew how to use them. A thief had to be good with his hands.

He sent a slow smile back toward the women.

Read more →

#Excerpt Luc needs a solid plan to defeat evil #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 10/28/2020 Thieves' Guild Academy 10 Comments

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?

In this scene, Luc must dig deeper into the truth. The truth he'd heard was heartbreaking. His foster son, Kaydn, had been stolen from his family as a toddler.

A plan to make it right

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. "I trust you."

Read more →

Tag – you’re it. Playing hide and seek with a teenage thief #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 08/19/2020 Kayelle Allen 15 Comments

In this scene, Luc has asked his adopted son to go get the new Thieves' Guild tech, an invisibility cloak that the young man has just aquired.

Tag! You're It!

The moment Senthys left the room, Luc stood and pulled on his own cloak and gloves. After raising the hood, he settled into an out of the way corner. How long had it been since he'd played hide and seek with his son?

Seemed centuries ago.

Back then, it had been behind curtains and furniture. Nothing so high tech as this.

Senthys had been four. Five? Older, perhaps. The boy had thrown himself into the game with all the gusto of a ruckball player completing a pass. When he'd find Luc, he'd squeal with delight and start hissing, dancing from one foot to the other. And then Luc would throw his arms wide and his son would run to him...

A shimmer of light revealed that Senthys had entered the room and passed before a lamp. As Luc grew accustomed to the effect, his son's outline showed. Rather like the aura Luc could see around his own people, but a hundred times dimmer.

The immortal needed every gift in his arsenal to stay ahead of Senthys.

With each visit Luc made to this world, the young mortal grew closer to discovering Luc's secret life. Once his son learned the truth, there could be no going back.

Such knowledge posed a threat to himself, his people hidden around the Empire, and more importantly, to his all-too-mortal son.

A son whose mentors all coached him in uncovering corporate secrets and lies.

When Senthys had passed the lamp the third time, Luc tapped him on the shoulder.

With a hiss that morphed into a screech, the boy knocked back his hood, which turned off the invisibility.

Laughing, Luc pushed back the hood of his own to reveal himself. "Tag. You're it."

Read more →

Luc must plan how to right a wrong #Excerpt A Stolen Heart #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 07/01/2020 Character Insights 6 Comments