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I shake my head. “An arrowhead.”

“From the night patrol?”

I shrug. “From someone wearing shoes, most likely.”

“Is that supposed to be a joke?”

“You’ll have to flush that when you get home,” I say. I straighten, then sling the pack over my shoulder. I’ll have to find a new route after this. I don’t need people sitting in the dark, waiting for me—not even a girl who’s barely more than a child. “Be safe,” I say. “I have to go.”

She scrambles to her feet, limping on her injured one. “But I still don’t know your name!”

“Call me whatever you want,” I say. “I won’t come this way again.”

“No!” she calls. “Wait. Please. This is my fault—you don’t—” Hervoice breaks like she’s going to cry. “You don’t know how much we all need—”

I turn back and slap a hand over her mouth. “Do you trulywantto draw the night patrol?”

She shakes her head quickly, mollified. “But your food,” she murmurs behind my hand, holding out the biscuits I’d given her.

You don’t know how much we all need …

I do know how much they all need. The outlaws Wes and Tessa once provided a lot to these people. I’ve heard so many stories that it makes my head spin. I can’t make up for their disappearance with a few coins left here and there. I’m not entirely sure why I keep trying.

“Keep the food.” I drop my hand, then fish in my pouch for more coins. “And keep your silence.” I hold them out.

She looks at the coins in my palm, then nods quickly and swipes them.

An alarm bell begins ringing in the Royal Sector, and she jumps. I sigh. “Go home.”

“You’ll come back?” she says.

I give her a stern look. “As long as no one is waiting in the shadows next time.”

She beams, and it lights up her face. “I promise.”

“What’syourname?” I say.

“Violet.”

“Take care of that foot, Violet.”

She nods. “Thank you, Fox.”

That makes me smile. I touch the brim of my hat to her, then sprint into the darkness.

CHAPTER TWO

Tessa

There are five men at this table, and most of them want to kill each other. It’s making negotiations difficult.

There’s another young woman, too, but I don’t think either of us are having murderous thoughts. Karri looks overwhelmed by the fact that she’s inside the palace. Her brown eyes are wide, and her slender fingers keep fidgeting with the seam of her skirts. A month ago, we would’ve been whispering about this whole situation, sharing our worries and trying to help each other cope with all that’s happened. But now she’s in love with one of the leaders of the rebel faction, while I’m involved with the king’s brother. That’s built a barrier between us that tugs at my heart—but I don’t know how to tear it down. Right now, it seems thicker than the wall surrounding the Royal Sector.

Quint probably doesn’t want to kill anyone either. The Palace Master is sitting at the opposite end, ostensibly here to keep a recordof everything said. His jacket is only half buttoned, a loose lock of red hair drifting across his forehead. He’s scratching notes in a leather-bound folio with a fountain pen.

Lochlan, the rebel leader, is seated to my left, and he casts a glare at Quint every few moments. If he had his way, he’d probably killeveryone. He already tried once.

“What is he writing?” Lochlan says. “What are youdoing?”