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Rune opened her mouth to answer, except the only information Gideon had given her was bad information.

Is she right?

Was courting Gideon nothing more than a dangerous waste of her time?

“I need to wear down his defenses more,” she said. “Once he trusts me completely, he’ll be at my disposal.”

Verity turned to the window. “Whatever you say.”

Knowing that Verity wasn’t really angry at Rune, but at the people trying to hurt her, she changed the subject. “Is Seraphine all right?”

Verity nodded, visibly relaxing. “They removed her back to her cell.”

With the tension defused, they sat in silence until the carriage pulled up to Thornwood Hall.

Alex’s home was nestled inside a forest. The old trees towered over them as they exited the carriage and started toward the stone house.

More of a small castle,thought Rune, staring up at it. A turret graced each of its four corners, and candles burned in most of the windows, giving Rune the impression of eyes. Like Cressida’s former home was watching her approach.

She hurried to catch up with Verity, following her inside.

Now that Verity had obtained information regarding the prison, they needed a cogent plan for breaking Seraphine out of that prison—as soon as possible.

Upon entering Alex’s home, she was greeted by piano music floating through the halls. It soothed her a little. While Verity stalked toward the kitchens in search of refreshments for their meeting, Rune followed the song to the other end of the house, drawn to it like a distressed ship to a beacon.

With the smell of smoke lingering in her hair, Rune drew her shawl tighter around herself. She’d spent two years being hunted by the Blood Guard. She was used to people wanting her dead. But it had never occurred to her that a witch might want her dead, too. The realization rattled her.

The conservatory door hung open. Sighting the pianist, Rune paused to watch him play.

Alex’s lean shoulders hunched as his hands moved like spiders over the keys. The sight of him was like coming home. Like wrapping herself in a warm blanket on a chilly day.

Alex was constant and safe. Gentle and kind.

Rune leaned against the lintel and let herself wonder, just for a moment, what it would be like to accept his offer. To leave everything behind and go to Caelis, where she could live a life without fear and finally be herself.

No.She had a purpose here in the New Republic. Aduty.

Witches were still being hauled to prison and purged. Rune couldn’t abandon them. They were innocent people, and she owed it to her grandmother. Saving girls from being murdered by the Republic was the only way to make Nan’s death mean something.

It was the choice she’d made.

And no matter how she might dream of a different life, this was the one she belonged in.

Alex’s right hand stumbled, hitting the wrong key, and the song halted.

“Rune.” He brushed his golden hair out of his eyes to look at her. “You startled me.”

“Sorry.” She stepped out of the door frame and into the room, moving toward him. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”

He rose from the bench, his gaze sweeping over her. “What happened?”

Rune looked down at herself. Ashy soot streaked the beautiful gown Gideon had made her. It probably streaked her face, too. “I …it’s a long story. I’ll tell it once Verity gets back from the kitchen.”

Alex made room for her on the bench, looking worried. Rune sat down, letting her shawl fall to the floor behind them.

She nodded toward the keys. “Don’t stop on my account.”

With his eyes still on her, Alex placed his fingers on the piano and resumed the song.