“No. I borrowed it.”
Nathaniel got a pained look on his face. “And by borrowed, please say you don’t mean stolen.”
Blaine shrugged before getting out. “All right, I don’t mean that.”
They started walking down the street, away from the traffic and the crowd. Caris knew better than to ask all the questions sitting on the tip of her tongue, though she wanted to know more about therionetkaBlaine had fought. She was deep in her thoughts, keeping pace by her mother’s side, and so was badly startled when a paddy wagon screeched to a halt next to them on the street and four men exited the vehicle to surround them.
Caris bit back a shriek, jerking close to her mother as they became boxed in. The men paid them no attention; they only had eyes for Nathaniel.
“Nathaniel Clementine?” one of the men asked.
“What’s this about?” Nathaniel demanded.
One of the men held up a metal badge that made Caris draw in a sharp breath. The six-pointed badge with a set of numbers crossing the center was only held by debt collectors. “We have a warrant for your arrest.”
Portia drew herself up to her full height. “On what grounds?”
“This doesn’t concern you, ma’am.”
“That’sBaronessDhemlan to the likes of you.”
The man smiled smarmily, but his attention never left Nathaniel. “It’s still not your business.”
Two of the men moved toward Nathaniel while the last kept his focus on Blaine, hand resting on his pistol. Caris spared Blaine a frantic glance, glad to see his veil was still in place. She knew that might not remain the case if he got caught up in another fight.
Without thinking about the risk, Caris flung herself between Nathaniel and the two debt collectors, arms outstretched, trying her best to look helpless. “Please don’t take him! There must be some misunderstanding!”
“Miss, move out of the way,” the first man ordered. “We’re collecting him on a warrant for treason.”
“For—what?” Portia choked out, one hand going to her mouth.
Caris didn’t move. “Treason? That’s preposterous.”
“Warrants don’t lie.”
Thatshe knew was a lie.
“Caris, come here,” Blaine said in a tight voice.
She raised her chin, staying put and staring down the debt collector. “You can’t collect him. Nathaniel has always been loyal to Ashion.”
The debt collector gripped the butt of his pistol. “It’s not Ashion he committed treason against. His family forfeited their loans when they aligned themselves with the Clockwork Brigade to allow their trains to be used to smuggle debt slaves out of Daijal. Now, step away if you don’t want to be considered collateral, miss. I won’t ask again.”
Caris was too shocked to say anything, staring uncomprehendingly at the debt collectors surrounding them. A rushing sound filled her ears, and she didn’t know how shaky she was until Nathaniel’s hand settled on her shoulder, steadying her.
“It’s all right, Caris,” Nathaniel said in a voice leached of all emotion. She turned to face him, searching his pale face, watching how he rallied enough to give her a smile. “I’m sure this is merely a mistake.”
They both knew it couldn’t be, but the fear coursing through Caris left her wanting to cry. Whatever had brought the attention of the Collector’s Guild down on the Clementine family was a threat Fulcrum needed to know about.
But she didn’t want to leave Nathaniel behind.
“Nathaniel…”
He smiled gently at her, gaze never leaving her face as he neatly guided her around as if they were at a dance and this was a waltz. She memorized how he looked in that moment, dappled with sunlight streaming through the tree branches above. She licked her lips, wishing she had the courage to kiss him once more, but it was too late.
He was already being taken into custody.
Hands settled on her shoulder, holding her still when she would’ve stepped forward as Nathaniel’s arms were pulled behind his back.
