“Abbie. Whatever you and I once had, it’s in the past.”
“Then why kiss me back?”
Gideon touched his scar. “I’m sorry. I needed to answer a question.”
Her voice trembled. “But… why would you marry her, unless you had to?”
It’s not a real marriage.
It’s what he should have said. But he was thinking of Rune in the boiler room, pouring out her heart to him.
“Why indeed,” he murmured.
Stricken, she took another step back before turning and fleeing the room.
Gideon ran both hands over his face.Merciful Ancients.How had he gotten himself into this mess?
Oh, right.
Rune.
Runehad gotten him into this mess. Rune, who was still missing. So long as her invisibility spell hid her, she’d be safe. But her earlier illusion had worn off. This one might, too. And if her crimson moth signature was found…
He paced the limited floor space in their cramped cabin, the floorboards creaking beneath his weight. If he were a spy closing in on a witch, would he keep his distance, waiting to strike? Or would he get in close, perhaps be friendly, and lower her defenses?
He halted, recalling the young man who’d been circling Rune like a hawk ever since they boarded.
William.
What if Gideon was wrong about him?
It might not have been Rune who lured William down to the boilers. It might have been the other way around. Gideon hadn’t asked her; he’d assumed.
What if William was circling her not because he was a cad who wanted her in his bed, but because he was an assassin who wanted her in a grave?
TWENTY-SEVENRUNE
RUNE FINISHED HERPICKLOCKspell and pulled open the door to the cargo hold. The engine’s thumping quieted as she stepped into the darkness within. After fumbling around, she found the chain for the nearest gaslight and tugged.
The room illuminated.
Black coal was piled high along two walls and in the middle of the room. Like small mountains. The other wall was packed with wooden crates—likely containing supplies for the ship.
There was no luggage in this hold. And if there was no luggage, there was no reason for the hunting hounds to check it before departure.
It was exactly what she needed to get a few witches out.
The gaslight flickered as Rune walked around the piles of coal and across the room, trying to estimate how long they’d need to hide themselves here. With theArcadiasympathetic to their cause, it wouldn’t matter if they were found after disembarking from the New Republic. It was when the ship was still in Republic waters that they were in danger. If they could conceal themselves until the ship was out at sea, they’d be safe.
The door shut behind Rune, making her jump.
“I had a feeling I’d find you here.”
She spun to discover William standing in the hold with her, unbuttoning his jacket. Her heart pounded. Could he see her becauseGhost Walkerhad faded? Rune’s skin was sticky withsweat from the boiler room’s heat. Combined with the steam, the spellmarks forGhost Walkermay have already faded.
Or could he see her because he expected her to be here?
“William!” With her pulse racing, Rune managed to smile. “You startled me.”
