Oskar took another step, but Magnus’s strong grip wrapped around his arm, holding him back.
“Dinna give him what he wants, Oskar,” Magnus warned, his voice low and steady.
Lily swiveled her eyes and glared at Eberwyn, her voice unwavering despite the blade at her throat. “You won’t get away with this.”
“Shut yer mouth! Everyone move aside and let me pass!”
Eberwyn’s grip on Lily’s arm was like iron, forcing her to stumble and stagger as he dragged her out of the courtroom. They were allowed to pass unmolested. Lily could hear Oskar’s voice calling for her as they moved out into the hall, but she couldn’t see him—her world had narrowed down to the desperate man beside her and the sharp edge of the blade against her throat.
The chaos of the courtroom faded behind as Eberwyn forced Lily out into the yard and towards the gates. Her heart raced, each breath coming in short, panicked gasps.
“Damn you all!” Eberwyn snarled. He sounded crazed, almost incoherent with rage. “I was so close!”
He dragged her through the gate and into the street beyond. The clamor of the city washed over her, and Lily’s eyes dartedeverywhere, looking for a way to escape. But Eberwyn’s knife didn’t leave her throat for even an instant.
“This way.”
They started off, but they’d not gone more than ten steps when figures suddenly materialized out of the shadows around them.
“And where do ye think ye are going?” asked Bryn Fletcher, stepping forward with a wicked smile curling the corners of his mouth.
“Who are ye?” Eberwyn snapped. “Get out of my way.”
But Bryn only moved closer. “I’m glad we bumped into ye. There are some things I’d like to talk to ye about—such as ye setting us up to take the rap for yer little jailbreak.”
Eberwyn licked his lips, his eyes darting between the men that surrounded him. “I’ll pay ye!” he cried. “I have gold, lots of gold! Get me out of here and ye’ll be well rewarded!”
“Ye hear that boys?” Bryn said, looking around. “He’ll reward us. But I’m thinking we’ll take a different reward this time.”
He drew his knife.
“Stop or I’ll kill her!” Eberwyn cried.
“Nay, ye willnae. Ye dinna have the stomach for it. Ye get others to do yer dirty work dinna ye? Now let her go.”
Eberwyn hesitated, weighing his options. His grip on Lily’s throat tightened, making it hard for her to breathe. Desperation clouded his once-arrogant gaze.
She looked around desperately, searching for something, anything, that might help her. Her gaze settled on a tall figure standing on a cart maybe twenty paces away, behind the ring of Bryn’s men and out of Eberwyn’s sight. Her heart lurched and relief flooded through her as she recognized the figure. Oskar. He met her gaze and nodded once.
In response, Lily brought her boot down hard on Eberwyn’s foot, hearing a satisfying crunch. He howled in pain, his grip onLily loosened, and she was able to duck out of the way. The next instant, she heard a whistling sound, a thud, and a grunt.
She straightened and turned to see the hilt of a knife sticking out of Eberwyn’s shoulder. His hand sprang open, the knife clattering to the ground. Lily spun to look at Oskar, hand still raised from where he’d thrown the knife. He jumped down from the cart and raced over as Bryn’s men closed on Eberwyn, pressing him down and binding his hands behind his back. Oskar placed his hands on Lily’s shoulders.
“Are ye alright?” he asked urgently, his eyes filled with concern.
“Y-yes,” Lily stammered. “I’m okay.”
“Thank the Lord,” Oskar breathed, pulling her close and wrapping his strong arms around her. “Thank all the saints as well. And the Fae for that matter.”
“Oskar?” she asked uncertainly. “Is it done? Is it over?”
He let out a slow breath and pressed his forehead against hers. “Aye, it’s over, love. The justiciars have ordered the release of Kai and Conall and the arrest of Alfred, Alice, and Eberwyn. It’s over.”
Relief flooded through her, turning her muscles to water. She clung to Oskar, relying on him to hold her up. It was over. Really over. No more danger. No more intrigue and conspiracy. She could go home. Back to where she belonged.
Where she belonged? Home? All this time she had thought that was the twenty-first century, but now, standing wrapped in Oskar’s embrace, she wasn’t so sure anymore.
He stared down at her intently, eyes never leaving her face. She didn’t see relief in his expression at all. He didn’t seem pleased that this was all over, that his friends had been cleared and the Brewers captured. He seemed...distraught.
