Kaydn shares an emotionally shattering secret.
In this scene, Luc has gone three days without sleep already, and it's late at night, but he'd promised to talk with his Deshai (apprentice), Kaydn. After an apology for mouthing off at Luc, Kaydn tells him why he'd been so angry at finding out Luc had fostered a young child.
"All right, Kaydn. What is it you think I should know about the Guild?"
"No way to sugarcoat this. The Guild targets gifted children, kidnaps them, and master thieves pay to adopt them as Deshai."
Luc considered how well he knew Kaydn. Impulsive? His image should be in the dictionary next to the word, but he did not dwell in a fantasy world. "You think our Guild does this."
"I know they do. They steal toddlers from their families, tell them their parents are dead, and then they change the kid's last name, bring them in and palm them off as orphans. Master thieves pay to take them on as Deshai. The Guild pockets the money. And then because they're Guild-trained, they keep a portion of their income and on top of that, make them pay dues."
This dovetailed right into what Luc had uncovered about the girl he'd traced for Pietas. "Such an accusation runs counter to everything the Guild stands for. We've protected homeless children for generations. Given them homes and taught them careers."
"I didn't want buy it either, until I saw it myself."
"Prove it, Kaydn." What had Luc told the Grand Master that morning? "You can't accuse the Guild of such a heinous crime without proof."
"I know." Kaydn scrubbed both hands over his face. "I can."
"How?"
"I told you. I saw it myself."
"Where?"
"Orella--" Kaydn's voice broke, and he paused. "Orella Vettov is my sister. She found me a month ago. My parents died, never knowing what happened to me."
Luc drew back. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying--" His voice wavered. "My real last name is Vettov. I'm one of the kids the Guild kidnapped."
(continued next week...)
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Great excerpt. Great book
thank you, Janet!
Wow what a revelation. Guess he would have the proof. Great excerpt. Can’t wait to read more.
When I was writing the book, the idea to have Kaydn be one of the kids hit me as I was writing that chapter. I’d originally had it planned that he and his sister had been separated and had gone to different families. But when I got to this chapter, I realized having him be one of the victims was far more powerful.
Loved this book!!! I thought while going through Triberr this evening that A Stolen Heart should have been featured for Father’s Day. Luc is the perfect unexpected father.
So true. I had planned to do that but you know how plans are… >_<
Great twist. Your reasoning to make him the victim is spot on.
Have a great summer.
Tweeted.
Trying to convince people that what they’ve always believed is wrong: a rough task. See you next week, Kayelle
Thanks, Daryl — going to miss you over the summer!
Jill,that’s so true! Once Luc wraps his head around this information, he’ll be like a panther dragging a gazelle up a tree. Unstoppable.
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