BOOM!
The ground shook beneath Gideon’s feet.
He paused, steadying himself.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
What the…
The entire prison trembled around him.
“What was that?”
No one answered. His guard quickened their steps, dragging him forward amidst shouts of rising alarm and rushing footsteps.
Outside, the guard turned him down what seemed like aquiet alleyway and shoved him against a wall. As Gideon’s back hit the bricks, he realized there was no public demonstration.
This would be a quick back-alley execution.
His pulse pounded in his ears as he waited for the gun to fire.
But no gunshot rang out. Instead, the hood came up over his head and sunlight flooded his eyes. Gideon blinked, trying to clear it.
“Laila?”
She was in uniform, looking like she hadn’t slept—or changed—in days. In her hand was a ring of iron keys.
“What’s going on?”
“You owe me one.” She stepped closer and slid a key into the lock of his manacles. After a quick turn and aclick, the chains dropped to the ground.
BOOM!
They both jumped and looked to the street. Laila had led them away from the palace, where a large crowd was now dispersing amidst the chaos. Soldiers ran back and forth, panicked, as the blasts continued.
“Whatisthat?”
“Cannon fire.” Laila pressed a pistol into his hand. “We’re under attack.”
“From who?” Gideon checked the gun and found it loaded. “Soren?”
Laila glanced over her shoulder, toward the mayhem. “We don’t know. It just started.”
Rune was supposed to break the alliance. If Soren was here, and those were his cannons firing on the city, it meant Rune hadn’t come through on her part of their bargain.
She hadn’t called off her engagement to the prince.
As more tremors shook the buildings around them, Gideonheaded toward the cannon fire, grip tightening on the gun Laila had given him. “Let’s go find out.”
The cannons boomed, growing louder the closer they came to the harbor. Soon, gunfire joined them. When Gideon and Laila drew near enough to see the fray, they found the wharf on fire, smoke choking the sky, and buildings crushed by cannonballs.
Instead of heading toward the harbor front, the Republic’s soldiers were running away from it.
Gideon grabbed one. “What are you doing?” He hauled the man in front of him by his jacket. “Your duty is to defend the city.”
