No. Not yet. Later, when I was settled somewhere safe—a boardinghouse or neighbor who had never heard the name Gabriel Noble—then I would allow the tears to fall. Then I would figure out what I was going to do.
I gave myself three minutes, and when the time was up, buckled my case and headed for the stairs, the journal secured in my shoulder bag. I would take whatever documents in the kitchen I could stuff inside.
Two minutes for the documents was all I could risk. I had already been here far too long. Gabriel could return any minute. He would walk through the front door. I would go through the kitchen.
I shoved the first handful of papers into my bag. My hand was on the second handful when the papers became lead. A housekeeping spell.
I whirled, hand going for the pistol in my pocket. The lining threads sewed themselves around my wrist, trapping it and my gun there.
The man from the front stoop stood in the shadows, pistol in hand. “If you attempt a counter, I will shoot you. Move. Now.”
A counter? I had never been great at housekeeping spells, but I could recognize mastery in another.
I backed against the table as he walked toward me.
“Who are you? How did you get inside?” I had locked the door.
He remained motionless, tall and stately, and full of disdain—the pistol held calmly in his hand. “I used a key. Who are you and what are you trying to steal?”
Small relief to be thought a thief. But he wasn’t in the house because he was after me.
“Simply a maid cleaning up.”
“Gabriel never lets anyone touch his personal items or messes.” He motioned at the table. “Try again.”
Gabriel could be home any minute. “Everything I have packed is mine, or for my brother. I so do swear.” I held up my free hand so the vow could light a solid gold.
A rough edge meant the journal’s ownership stretched that truth. I swore and pushed at the magic. The journal was nowmine. The vow threads wobbled between solid strength and frayed edge.
“Magic seems to be trying to decide. Your full name,Felicity?” His tone was both commanding and conciliatory—as if accustomed to control and deference.
I dropped my hand. “Felicity Rose. My brother is in trouble. I must get to him right away.”
Two out of three should be enough for household spells. I tried to tug my trapped hand free.
“Sit.”
“Undo the spell.” I poked the wards. They hummed, tangled around the household spells, issuing no threats. “Or don’t.”
I stepped forward. He looked capable with a pistol, but I didn’t think he would shoot me. There was something upright and noble about him.
Same impression I’d had of Gabriel.
“I must leave. Good day.”
“Something in your bag is not yours. Remove it. Now. Then I will consider your request to leave.”
I knew the facts of the case. Gabriel had filed the papers. Kennen had what he needed to defend himself. I pulled the papers out and dumped them on the table.
“There is still something in your bag. Remove it.”
“It is only a journal. I had it before I appeared in this room.”
The bag was torn from my grasp. Large hands deftly removed the book and flipped the cover. His expression froze. The distraction was enough for me to rip away his spell and seize the housekeeping spells.You feel like lead. His pistol dropped. I pulled my own from my pocket.
Surprise registered then vanished behind a perfect mask. “So you truly did have a weapon. Who would have thought a lady so armed?”
“Quite.” I motioned to the journal. “Put it back in the bag and the bag on the table.”
