Chapter 20
Oskar couldn’t help glancing at Lily as they walked. He could hardly believe she was here. Despite Eberwyn’s promise that he would release her after Oskar had done his bidding, he’d been terrified that he would never see her again. But here she was, striding by his side with a determined look on that beautiful face of hers.
He shouldn’t have been surprised that she’d found a way to escape from Eberwyn’s safehouse. After all, she was one of the bravest and most resourceful people he’d ever met. But Magnus and Emeric were still in that bastard’s clutches, not to mention Kai and Conall.
After escaping from the gaol, he’d gone looking for Alfred Brewer and the men who’d spirited him away. He hadn’t found them. They’d gone to ground like rats in a sewer and the town guard had been turned out in force looking for him, forcing him to abandon his search and flee.
He’d retreated to his childhood home in despair, sure that he’d ruined everything.
But Lily, as she always seemed able to do, had reached him. She’d shaken him out of his apathy and now a fire burned in him. Hewouldput this right. Hewouldprove worthy of Lily’s faith in him.
They were traversing the seedier districts of Edinburgh, places that Oskar had once known like the back of his hand. Theywere a long way from the king’s justice here and the rule of the fist and the dagger held sway. It was dangerous to come here, especially after what he had done, and he knew he was risking not only his life, but Lily’s as well. Yet she had made it clear that she would not be left behind and he could think of no other way to do what needed to be done.
He felt eyes on him and the back of his neck prickled. Lily looked around warily, obviously sensing the danger too. Suddenly he heard the twang of a bow and an arrow thudded into the dirt right by his feet.
“Take another step and the next arrow goes in yer stomach,” hissed a voice.
Oskar halted and raised his hands. He was taking a huge risk and his stomach knotted with dread as he slowly turned to face the group of people who’d spilled from the alley behind him.
Lily gulped but lifted her chin and faced them, showing no fear, although she’d gone a little pale.
“I dinna want any trouble,” Oskar said. “I’ve come to speak to Bryn.” He was taking a gamble that the gang leader had not been captured in their disastrous fiasco at the gaol.
The man with the bow stepped forward. He had an arrow nocked and its tip pointing at Oskar’s heart. “Is that right? Well mayhap he doesnae want to talk to ye. After what ye did—”
“Perhaps he just wants to slit yer throat,” Bryn Fletcher said, stepping out of the shadows on the other side of the street. He was holding a knife in one hand which he rolled across his knuckles.
So he’d been right—Brynhadescaped—although not unscathed. He had a dirty bandage tied around his head and the look in his eyes was murderous.
“I never thought ye would be so stupid as to come back here,” Bryn snarled. “After the stunt ye pulled.”
“The stuntIpulled?” Oskar snapped. “What happened at the gaol was none of my doing. I didnae know the guards had been tipped off. I was betrayed just as much as ye were.”
“And yet here ye stand, free and unscathed, while twelve of my boys are rotting in cells.”
“Ye were well paid for that job. Ye knew the risks and so did yer boys.”
“We knew the risks, aye, but we never expected ye to betray us.”
“I didnae betray ye!” He took a steadying breath. “I didnae come here to argue.”
“Then what did ye come here for?”
“For yer help.”
Bryn snorted an incredulous laugh. “Ye are a piece of work, ye know that? Ye lead us into a trap, get my boys locked up, and have the audacity to come here asking for my help? Ye are out of yer mind, Galbraith. I should have slit yer throat the second ye returned to Edinburgh.”
“Aye, mayhap ye should have. Yet here we both are and perhaps Ihavelost my mind but I’m still asking for yer help.”
Bryn stared at him, the knife flashing as he rolled it across his knuckles. “Not so high and mighty now, eh? Now that yer precious Order is gonna be revealed for what it truly is.”
Oskar frowned. “What does that mean? Revealed how?”
“Havenae ye heard?” Bryn replied with a harsh laugh. “There have been proclamations all over the city. Those two friends of yers? Kai and Conall is it? They are going on trial tomorrow for treason. From what I understand, the trial was originally planned for the man we broke out of gaol. Alfred Brewer was it? But seeing as he’s still on the run, that canna happen until he’s found. But why waste a good trial when everything is already arranged? I’m sure yer friends will put on a fine show before they dance on the end of a rope.”
Oskar’s blood ran cold. Kai and Conall on trial for treason? It was like some twisted nightmare.
“Bryn,” he said, more calmly than he felt. “If ye have loyalty to naught else, ye have loyalty to this city. Would ye see it destroyed by Alfred Brewer and his like? There is a conspiracy far greater at work here. If we dinna stop them, if we let them take control of this city, they will bring ruin on us all. Please. I need yer help.”
