A Divided Heart

The Thieves' Guild Academy teaches three things. Honor above profit. Skill above chance. Family above all. The challenge is to uphold these things while searching for love that lasts. But in a school filled with hackers and thieves, how do you trust your heart?

When the Academy decides to turn away an alien child who's too unruly to train, Professor Brinn Halin intercedes. Despite the warnings of his handsome ex, the Headmaster, he fosters the precocious four-year-old girl.

Academy Headmaster Kam Zavala oversees a school full of trainee thieves and hackers, and he's used to their tricks. This latest student, a headstrong but brilliant little girl, has gone beyond a simple hack. Her work threatens to implode the ancient Academy itself. As a disaster of epic proportions unfurls, Kam must take action.

But when the child's breach uncovers a deeper, more insidious hack, the two master thieves must work together. Is there truly honor among thieves? These two have a second chance to prove it, save the child, the Academy, and restore their newfound love. The question is, will they trust their well-honed instincts, or follow their long-divided hearts...

Tropes include: Adopted Child, Found Family, Redemption, Rescue, Genetic Engineering, Dark Past, Gay Dad

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

Excerpt from A Divided Heart

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."

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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 within this story universe.

Pietas images courtesy of Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.

Transmission complete.

The Empire remembers.

Remain. Endure. Return.