THIRTYRUNE
“HOW DID YOU MANAGEit?” Rune tried not to slip as they made their way down the rain-slick gangway. “There isn’t a single witch-hunting hound in sight.”
She knew how he’d done it, of course. She just didn’t want to give him a reason to think she’d overheard his scheming with William.
The sky was moody overhead. Black clouds sat on a gray horizon, letting them know it had recently stormed, and might storm again, if it felt like it.
“I had someone take care of it,” Gideon said, carrying their luggage beside her.
Right,thought Rune.Just like you’ll take care of me, soon enough.
But the moment she stepped off the dock and onto the busy wharf, her dark thoughts scattered. Rune felt like a ship dropping anchor after months adrift on an ocean of tempestuous waves. The island beneath her was steady. Secure.
She breathed in, and with the salty air came the smell of sea and rain. Of lichen and juniper forests.
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes.
Of home.
But for Rune, home meant danger. This was witch-hunting territory, and here her life was forfeit. She couldn’t walk the New Republic’s streets as herself. Not to mention: Gideon’s plan was now set in motion.
She needed to be especially careful.
Rune had castGhost Walkerbefore disembarking, in case they were walking into a trap. It had been Gideon’s idea, oddly enough. As if he half expected one.
But if they were walking into a trap, it was yet to be sprung.
“Can I borrow your horse?” Rune asked.
She needed to get to Wintersea House. Needed it like she needed air to breathe and water to drink.
Wintersea was safe. Wintersea washers.
If Gideon didn’t lend her his horse, she’d have to rent one from the city stables. Rune had packed enough money to get her through the next week or so. She didn’t want to be here any longer than that.
“Where are you planning to go?” he asked.
“Home,” she said as she walked across the wharf, toward the city streets. “To Wintersea. Once you have the sibyl, bring her to me. In the meantime—”
“Rune… you can’t.”
Can’t?Rune scoffed. If he thought she was going to stay here in the city with him—
“Wintersea House is the residence of Noah Creed now.”
Rune stopped in her tracks.
What?
“He claimed it after you left.”
Left.Like she’d had a choice in the matter. Rune hadn’tleft. She’d been forced to flee for her life.
Her hands curled into fists. All her things now belonged to the Good Commander’s son? Her books and clothes and casting room; Lady, her beloved horse; Nan’s gardens and the pine needle path through the woods to the beach…
All Noah’s.
“Where am I going to go?” she whispered.
