In one motion, I unsheathed my dagger and slammed the blunt edge into my captor’s temple. His grip loosened as his body dropped like a sack of grain.
“Grab her!” the other shouted.
But Nash and I were already gone.
We tore through the market, zigzagging between stalls, knocking over crates and cursing our way into a full-blown scene. So much for staying low.
I reached for themarekem, locking onto Scarlet. We crashed through the crowd, drawing shouted protests and a cascade of spilled goods behind us.
A wild laugh escaped me as I vaulted a table and, for good measure, yanked the hideous hat off Scarlet’s head mid-air. Her wide eyes met mine, but she didn’t miss a beat—she turned and ran. Rhodes followed instantly.
The four of us bolted through the market to a chorus of angry shouts. At the edge of the square, River burst from the trees like a force of nature. We mounted fast. Villagers flung words and whatever they had in hand, but it was too late—we were already gone.
The four of us finally put enough forest between us and the village to breathe. Once we broke through the thick press of trees and found an opening wide enough to camp, we yanked our mounts to a halt.
Adrenaline still buzzed under my skin. I doubled over with laughter—the kind that bubbles out when you’ve outrun death by a hair. Nash hopped down and slapped my hand with a grin, breathless and wild-eyed.
“What in the holy elements was that, Fitzroy?” Rhodes stormed toward me, fury radiating off him.
I turned, still breathless. My laughter vanished.
“You could’ve gotten us killed!”
Scarlet stepped between us, pale as bone, but I pushed past her. “I can fight my own battles,” I snapped.
Rhodes got close, his face a thundercloud. “Then stop dragging us into yours.”
I lifted my chin. “I’ll have you know—”
“Stop!” Scarlet’s voice cracked like a whip.
We all jerked toward her.
We stood in a tight circle, breathing hard, still reeking of heat and chaos.
“Pointing fingers won’t help,” she said, glaring at Rhodes, then me. “Fallon—explain.”
I did, laying out what I’d overheard in the alley and what Nash couldn’t catch. Every detail, down to the northeastern tunnel and the midnight drop.
“Foolish,” Rhodes muttered.
I jabbed a finger into his chest before the word finished leaving his lips. “Genius,” I snarled. “We finally have a way in.”
He scoffed so hard it made my blood sing. “And how exactly do you plan on gettingin, Fitzroy? Or did you conveniently forget about the Barrens?”
I turned on my heel. “Come on, Wylder. Don’t tell meyoubelieve the Barren Watch is actually secure. You’re on the cleanup crew, aren’t you?”
The silence behind me was loud. No one knew exactly what Rhodes did for General Wylder. But I’d struck a nerve.
I checked in with River at the clearing’s edge, ears flicking in alert. From her saddle straps, I pulled free my shortswords. When I turned, Scarlet wore her questions like a second skin. Rhodes radiated malice. And Nash? Pure mischief sparkled in his grin.
I smirked. “New lesson.” I flipped one of the blades and tossed it, hilt-first.
Scarlet caught it with ease.
“Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Chapter 19
