“I’ve been wearing charms that ward off location spells ever since Evariste and I were attacked,” Angelique said. “But I’m fairly certain the Conclave has a deep tracking spell on me, given their surety that I’m going to turn on them like a rabiddog.”
Gabrielle fell in line behind Angelique, seemingly doing her best to block her—though it was a lost cause with Angelique’s eye-catchinggown.
Angelique relaxed slightly when they rounded the corner. Though she and Puss continued at a brisk walk, Gabrielle lingered behind them, looking back at themages.
“There is a small gap in the wall—it’s meant for drainage, but you’ll be able to fit through it,” Pusssaid.
“Fantastic,” Angeliquemuttered.
Behind them, Gabrielle swore. “Pick up the pace, Puss; they’re following us!” She ran after them, jumping a stone step withease.
Angelique also ran, but not with as much ease. Though her dress was breezy and comfortable and spelled against wear and tear, the poofy skirts still snagged on the branches of hedges andbushes.
She risked glancing over her shoulder and saw Finnr round the corner, his brows lowering as he saw herrun.
“Don’t you think they could be reasoned with?” Gabrielle asked as they peeled away from the castle and skirted around a shelter that covered bales of hay. “You attacked a witch; you didn’t go dancing through a city stirring dust-clouds and striking unlikable people withlightning.”
“Sometimes you are entirely too innocent,” Pussgroused.
“Maybe they’d be more lenient, but I’m not well liked.” Angelique gathered up an armful of her skirts so she could run easier. “Or rather, I’m not likedatall.”
“Here we go.” Puss skidded to a stop, digging his paws in so he left tiny trenches in the gravel-strewn path. “Between thesebushes.”
Gabrielle pushed a bush aside and yanked on the lever. “This will pull a grate up—the gardeners have to clear it out of greenery every year, so it can only be toggled on thisside.”
Angelique stared at the gap in the wall—which was about as large as a stool—as the rusty grate that crossed was slowly raised parallel to the wall. “I’m honored you think I’m slender enough to fit through there, but you may overestimate me,” she said doubtfully. “Though on the positive side, if Icansqueeze through, Finnr certainly won’t be ableto.”
“Now is not the time for your inappropriate sense of humor,” Puss snarled. “Just get through the wall and go summon your snootyconstellation!”
“Stop!” a deep, rumbling voiceshouted.
“He’s here.” Gabrielle swiveled so she faced Finnr, her hand edging towards hersword.
Angelique dropped to her knees. “Don’tfight him!” She poked her head through the hole, scooting into an awkward angle to push her shouldersthrough.
“What am I supposed to do? We can’t just let him chase you,” Gabriellesaid.
Puss growled deep in his throat and hissed. “He’s getting closer, Angelique.Hurry!”
Angelique heard footfalls as she wiggled her hips through. She clawed at the ground, dragging herself free.Why is it that enchantresses have to wear beautiful dresses and float around like flowers on the wind? What’s wrong with trousers and a goodbelt?
The second she pulled free, Gabrielle toggled the grate, so it crashed back intoplace.
Angelique pressed herself against the wall and crouched down in the dry gutter so she could partially peer through the grate, watching Finnr jog into view with a stormyexpression.
“I saidstop,” he rumbled. “And you aided in herescape?”
“You wanted to speak to Angelique?” Gabrielle asked, her voice warm and innocent. “Whateverfor?”
Angelique grinned and heaved herself to her feet before she started running through the backstreets of thecity.
She followed the wall that separated the palace from the city, starting the trek to the citygate.
“You—ApprenticeAngelique!”
Angelique twisted to look behind her, groaning when she saw Finnr’s short and squat companion.They must have split up for this veryreason.
Angelique again grabbed at her skirts and ran, twisting through backalleys.
