One of them whimpered, but they both drew hoods over their heads. I strode over to the door, twisted the lock, and ushered Helene and Isabel through. After I wedged the door shut, I hesitated. I could relock it using the pins I always kept in my hair, but that would take too much precious time.
“Gods damn it,” I swore under my breath. Hopefully, Aiden would understand.
We plunged into the nearest alley. Everyone’s doors and windows were already shut tight. The violet sky deepened to black like a bruise. I started to run.
Please be there. Please be there.
I raced up the stairs to our apartment and wrenched the door open.
Aiden and Nikella whipped their heads toward me from where they sat at the table.
I sagged with relief. “G-Garyth’s been arrested,” I gasped. “Need to get them out.” I stepped aside to show Helene and Isabel bumbling up the stairs behind me. “Had to leave the warehouse unlocked.”
Aiden sprang to his feet, his chair falling backward. “Never mind that.” He seized his daggers and shoved them into his belt and threw on his cloak. “Renwell?” he spat out.
I nodded.
Nikella didn’t speak a word. Simply grabbed her wooden staff from where it leaned against the wall and stuffed something from the table into the pocket of her Teacher’s robe. She tugged the long hood over her head.
“Maz and Ruru?” I whispered to him.
“Temple. Find them and tell what happened and that we’ll be back.”
“No. I’m coming with you.”
Aiden’s eyes hardened. “Absolutely not. You’re staying with Maz and?—”
“No. I told these two I would get them out of the city, and that’s what I’m going to do.” My heart drummed at a frenzied pace, but I held firm. It was my fault they were on the run. It was my fault Isabel was going to lose her father.
“Let her come, Aiden,” Nikella said sharply. “We don’t have time for this.”
My eyebrows lifted at the unexpected support.
Aiden growled, raking his hands through his hair. “Fine. Stick close together. Nikella, cover our backs.”
Helene’s eyes widened as Aiden stalked past her. “You’re the one my husband talked about, aren’t you? The one he never met.”
Aiden’s jaw tightened. “Let me handle all the talking.”
Isabel huddled closer to her mother as Aiden led the way back down the stairs.
The shadows had grown longer, filling the alleys. Clouds drifted over the moon and stars.
We were out of time.
Aiden kept up a pace just shy of a run. I stayed close to Helene and Isabel, knives in hand. Nikella drifted behind us, a silent guardian.
The journey felt interminable.
My heart jumped into my throat every time a pebble rolled or wood creaked. But no one appeared from the shadows.
Was Renwell still in the Noble Quarter? Had he searchedThe Silk Danceryet? Thank the gods I hadn’t told him about the tunnel. That little secret might save us.
A warm glow melted through the shadows as we neared the taverns and inns that crowded near the city gate.
Hope fluttered through my chest. We were almost there. We were going to make it.
We wove around shuffling pedestrians, trying to stay together. The enormous city gate stood halfway open. Guards lined the top and bottom of it, lit by bouquets of torches.
