His ma was wrong. It’d be better for him to know their plans. He could stop letting them kick him around and put his brain to better use. He wouldn’t care that it was dangerous. It should’ve been his choice to make.
Marlow rounded the corner and collided with a rail-thin man in a ruffled collar. His eyes went round as he stumbled back.
“Sorry ‘bout that,” Marlow said with a smile. “Not hurt, are ya?”
He brushed his tailcoat with a flick of his gloved hand, the other clutching a cane. When his eyes met hers, his expression hardened, and his lip curled.
“Watch where you’re going,trucagh.”
Her smile vanished. “Your manners could use some work.”
A crease carved through the man’s brow. “Manners aren’t necessary when speaking withanimals.”
“You’re probably right,” she replied with a shrug. “But I’m using them, anyway.”
He blinked, clearly confused, and she rolled her eyes.
“Oh, Arunas help me. I’m insulting you, you feather-brained turkey.”
Crimson flooded his face as he grabbed her arm.
Marlow’s mouth curved into a sharp smile.There you go.
Twisting in a quick circle, she easily freed herself from his grip, and before he could react, she vanished back into the crowd.
She checked the contents of the man’s stolen pocketbook as she walked. A few caern, a fancy silver cigarette case, and a folded handkerchief. They’d fetch a decent price and get her through until she found a new job.
Marlow smiled to herself, tucked away the pocketbook, and pushed her hair behind her ears.
A panicked shout resounded down the street, and she spun, scanning for its source. A series of high-pitched screams followed.
The market square. Where she’d left Felix.
She swore as she bolted forward. By the time she reached the edge of the square, the frantic crowd had broken apart, leaving a clear view of Felix and Henry—facing off with a woman holding a hatchet.
What had they gotten themselves into?
Marlow broke into a run just as a handful of Watch charged in their direction. Henry raised his hands in a wide, sweeping motion, and the air rippled and warped, tearing open into a strange, inky darkness.
Her feet skidded to a stop.
What in Naethara?
The Watch captain shouted orders as the woman shrieked and drew back the weapon.
“No!” Marlow bolted desperately toward Felix. She’d never make it in time.
The woman swung the hatchet, but Henry pulled Felix out of its path and into the darkness.
“Stop them!” the captain called. “Save the aesling!” The officers rushed forward, but the tear vanished, both boys gone in a blink.
The woman howled like a wounded animal as she dropped to her knees, and a second later, the officers were looming over her. A gunshot rang out, and then she was quiet.
Marlow stared, mouth gaping, at the place where the air had split. Henry had opened a doorway and dragged Felix through it.
A doorway. In the air.
Her gaze jumped to the Watch captain giving orders with wild gestures. The one who’d shouted after them.
