Trial by Fire

Gideon arrived in the alley before they took the bodies away.

“Four men dead, sir,” a soldier reported. “Five, including the rebel.”

Gideon waved him off. He didn’t need to be told what he could see for himself. “Did anyone go after them?” he asked, the edges of his teeth scraping together with frustration. The soldier’s eyes widened.

“No, sir,” the soldier replied, trying to hide his shock. “Fall has been claimed by a new witch.” He paused and shrugged helplessly. “He would have killed us all if we’d followed them.”

Gideon rubbed his eyes tiredly. If they’d caught the girl then, in the middle of committing the crime of attacking the city Guard, Gideon could have dragged her before the Council and hanged Rowan Fall. If the guard had managed to survive apprehending him, that is. From the back of his horse, Gideon looked around at the dead bodies lying on the pavement. They had died from having their necks snapped, chests caved-in, and skulls crushed. Rowan hadn’t even used a weapon—he’d killed them all with his bare hands.

“You may go,” he said, dismissing the shaken soldier, who gladly scurried off.

“I saw her,” Carrick said as he rode forward and pulled alongside Gideon. “Different hair, but it was her.”

“Did any of the other soldiers recognize her?”

Carrick sighed. “Not well enough to swear by it before the Council, I don’t think. The alley was dark.”

“So we still need proof or the Council will never back us.” Gideon waved at the carnage. “Especially not now that they have even more reason to fear Rowan Fall and his ‘new’ witch. How bad was it?”

“He tore through men like they were made of paper,” Carrick replied in his shadowy voice. “I wouldn’t doubt that he could have taken twenty mounted men, or I would have chased him myself.”

Gideon studied his new captain. Carrick’s voice was surprisingly level, but somewhere in his eye was genuine hatred. And maybe even respect.

“Proud of your fellow Outlander?” Gideon guessed.

Carrick looked away and changed the subject. “If you close off the city, there are only so many places Fall can take her,” he said. “There are several Outlander safe houses used for smuggling rebels into Salem.”

“Start with the safe houses, but go easy,” Gideon said approvingly. “I don’t want him to feel hunted. Wherever he takes her, I want them to relax and settle in while we think of a plan and look for the Council’s proof. Will you need bribe money?”

“I may.” Carrick furrowed his brow. “Let me see where they land first. There are plenty of Outlanders who hate the Salem Witch and wouldn’t feel too badly about turning in her double. If for no other reason than to avoid having to deal with two of them.”

Gideon nodded his approval. As Carrick wheeled his horse and galloped off, Gideon wondered if the drub wasn’t getting a bit too smart for his own good.





chapter 11



They raced through the city streets, cutting through alleys, jumping fences, and skirting around the roaring guardians chained to the bottoms of the greentowers.

The neighborhood changed and became more residential, but it wasn’t a nice part of town. Lily thought she recognized this place. They were in the Swallows. Few people were out on the streets. They slowed their pace, still not speaking. Caleb’s head was down, his massive shoulders hunched. He wasn’t even looking where he was going, and Rowan had to lead him. They reached a small building. Tristan entered first, opening the door with a wave of his hand and a flash of magelight.

As Lily entered, she realized it was the safe house with the tunnel beneath it. A plain-faced woman in her mid-twenties met them in the hallway, the question in her eyes turning to alarm when she saw Caleb.