Page 70 of By the Horns (Royal Artifactual Guild #2)

Oh gods. Here it is. I clutch at Raptor’s hand tightly, trying not to physically tremble.

This is it, I realize. This is where Rooster tells everyone that he’s decided that I’m dangerous and I’m to be thrown into the dungeon, too.

That I need to be burned at the stake as a message to all other mancers in the city.

Once most of the room has been cleared, those of us remaining stand awkwardly. Raptor remains at my side. I’m nervous, but I’m also glad for his support.

Rooster leans back in his chair and rubs his face. “This is a gods-damned mess.”

No one says anything.

Smythe looks over at me, and then at Rooster. “Gwenna has been an incredible help. We wouldn’t have made it out of the Everbelow without her assistance.”

“I’m aware” is all Rooster says.

My tongue feels glued to the roof of my mouth.

I should say a million things to defend myself.

Explain why I’m useful to the guild. Why I’m necessary.

Why I can bring in riches. Why I would never want to use my powers against anyone.

But I can’t seem to speak. How can I possibly change his mind when mancers have been outlawed for three hundred years?

“We’re not getting much from Mistress Umala,” Rooster says casually, returning his quill to its inkpot. “You said you would be able to find the passage they were using, Gwenna?”

I nod. “Hemmen showed it to me.”

“Before?” His brows go up.

I clear my throat. “After.”

“Ah.”

“Gwenna is a good person,” Raptor begins, a warning growl in his voice.

Rooster waves a hand in the air impatiently. “I know that, fool. The question is, how do we hide the fact that we have a mancer in our ranks? Feeding us information?”

We glance around at one another.

“I don’t know of any mancers,” Smythe says in a slow voice. “I didn’t see anything that couldn’t be explained away by, uh, luck.”

I blink at him, surprised. I’m touched at his loyalty. Support from a stranger isn’t expected, but I’m grateful for it.

“I agree,” Rooster says, clasping his hands and eyeing our group. “It’s obvious to me that Gwenna is not a mancer. There has not been a mancer for a hundred years. Instead, it is clear that Gwenna must have known all of this because she was, in fact, working with Mistress Umala.”

I make a sound of wordless protest. “I would never—”

Rooster raises a hand in the air. “Working with Mistress Umala,” he continues in a firm voice, “as a double agent. That is how she knows about the tunnel. And their plans. And how to get out of the cavern. They simply started the story of her being a mancer to throw us off. It’s nothing but fairy tales.

Because of her involvement, there will, of course, be a hefty fine to be paid.

But I’m certain that once she becomes a full-fledged artificer, she will be able to pay it back. Am I understood?”

I don’t know what to say. My ability is to be…swept under the rug? And paying the guild back? Considering I know where a bounty of things are in the caverns…it won’t take long. I stare at Rooster.

He gives me a knowing look back. Oh. He knows that it won’t take long, either.

“Just as it should be,” Smythe says after a moment.

“Nothing but a nasty rumor,” Hawk agrees.

“You will, I trust, show us the passageway that the guilty parties were using?” Rooster inquires.

I nod. “Of course.”

“And if anything else should arise—some sort of assistance that the guild might need in the future in locating someone or something…” He arches a white, shaggy brow.

“Of course,” I say again, breathing a bit easier. So that’s the way of it. I’m to get a slap on the wrist and be available for the guild if they should need my help in the future. “I am absolutely loyal to the Royal Artifactual Guild, sir.”

“Good. See that your conduct remains unimpeachable, fledgling.” He waves a finger at us.

“All of you can go. Tell Master Jay that I need to see him at some point. There’s the matter of one of his students being unfortunately killed.

We need to speak of a replacement, as it’s not fair to the rest of his Five for them to be condemned without ever getting to a test.”

Raptor squeezes my hand with excitement. “I’ll pass it along, sir. I’m sure Master Jay will know of someone who will want to join our Five, motley though it may be.”

“Just…see that they’re not involved in a thieving ring this time?” Rooster looks tired. He runs a hand over his curling mustache. “I’ve had my fill of thievery for quite a while.”

“Haven’t we all?” Hawk mutters.

Rooster waves us out, and Raptor all but drags me through the door. “Let’s go before he changes his mind,” he murmurs.

“Do you think he will?”

“No, because he likes coin far too much, and he sees a lot of coin when he looks at you. But I’m also not keen to press our luck.” His hand slides to the small of my back, and he guides me out of the main guild hall.

Smythe walks at our side, silent. Once we’re outside, he turns to me and gives me a polite nod. “Perhaps this is inappropriate, but…thank you for saving my men. I feared yesterday would go a very different way.”

My heart warms. To think that someone’s grateful that I can talk to the dead. It’s so strange. “I appreciate you keeping my secret.”

His brows go up. “What secret? I don’t know anything.”

Before I can get flustered, he gives me an obvious wink and turns and walks away.

Raptor pulls me a little closer. “You look tired. Shall we—”

“Gwenna!”

I turn to see Sparrow racing toward me, her archivist robes flapping around her legs as she runs to my side. She flings her arms around me and holds me tight, rocking back and forth. “I’m so glad! I’ve been so worried!”

Should I laugh? Should I cry? I want to do both. It’s terrifying to hear how so many people were also worried about me, but at the same time, I’m safe now, I think.

“We’re not done yet,” I tell her, hugging her back.

I’ve never been much of a hugger, but since Sparrow loves them, and I adore her, I guess I have no choice.

I let her hug it out, patting her shoulder awkwardly until she gives a happy little sigh and releases me.

“There’s still more to do. I need to show them the tunnel, and the rest of the thieves are to be rounded up.

I should probably consult with Hemmen again before they bury him, to see if he has more names—”

She shakes her head. “You need to go home and rest. That’s what you need.”

“I’ve been saying that as well,” Raptor calls out from nearby, amused. “Gwenna’s not a very good listener.”

“Piss off,” I tell him affectionately. “My friend needed a hug.”

“When do I get mine?” he replies.

“Later. In private.” And I give him a suggestive wink. Gods, I’m feeling better by the moment. Well, as long as I don’t touch my wrist, or any of my bruises, or think about how mucking tired I am.

Raptor just grins at me, his smile wide. “You might want to take your innocent little wife home, Hawk,” he drawls, striding toward me. “Or she’s going to see me do some absolutely filthy things to my mate.”

Sparrow lets out an alarmed squeak and releases me as if I’m on fire. “We’ll catch up tomorrow! Come and visit if you can find the time! I’ll be at the archives!”

She races away, waving a hand, and moves to Hawk’s side. Amused, Hawk just shakes his head and puts an arm around his wife before leading her away.

Hands on hips, I eye Raptor. “?‘Absolutely filthy things,’ eh? Out in public? You shameless Taurian.”

“It was a lie,” he drawls, pulling me to his side and then heading down the street once more.

“If Sparrow started talking, we’d never get away.

It made them run, didn’t it? And besides, I’m far too wounded to handle much touching tonight.

I think the ratlings bit off every bit of skin on my lower body. ”

I cluck my tongue, letting him loop his arm over my shoulders. It’s good to be snuggled up against his side. It feels like it’s where I was meant to be. “They have good taste, those ratlings. I guess I’ll have to wait for you to heal before it’s my turn to bite every bit of skin below your waist.”

“Well, when you put it that way, I wouldn’t mind a bit more biting in certain…locations.”

“Of course you wouldn’t.” I snort with amusement, and then the reality of what we’ve just gone through hits me. It takes everything I have not to sag against him, to keep putting one foot in front of the other. “Is this really over? Am I truly safe?”

“Rooster’s not one to pass up an opportunity, sweetheart.

You showed him firsthand how valuable you can be to the guild.

Does it mean staying quiet about your ability?

Yes. But think of all the good you can do.

Think of all the treasure you can find. I know Rooster’s thinking of both.

” He chuckles and squeezes me against him. “I’m just so mucking proud of you.”

“You are?” My voice catches. I don’t think anyone’s ever said that to me. Not even Ma.

Raptor looks around, and then grabs my hand, sprinting toward the nearest alley. Surprised, I trot alongside him, and when we get into the shadows, he pulls me up against the nearest wall, my feet dangling, and presses his muzzle to my mouth in a tentative kiss.

I make an excited noise, cup his face, and make him kiss me again.

Is it a little awkward? Yes. Is his tongue much bigger than mine?

Yes. Is it the best kiss ever? Also yes.

He licks into my mouth as if he wants to devour me, and it sends a bolt of heat straight between my thighs. Moaning, I grab his horns and—

Hot pain flashes through my wrist. I jerk backward. “Shit!”

Raptor recoils. “What’d I do wrong?”

“It’s my wrist.” I cradle my hand against my chest even as he lowers my dangling feet to the ground.

“Oh, thank gods.” At my annoyed look, he explains. “I thought I’d been too enthusiastic and nearly choked you with my fat tongue. Your mouth is quite small. Hot and delicious and wet…but small.”