Page 101 of Keeping Sarah

“How did you kill him?”

I shook my head. “It wasn’t me.”

Jac looked to Deacon. “Did you—"

“It was me,” Ode said from behind him.

Jac turned around, his mouth agape. “You?”

“I finally had a chance to pay him back.” Ode lifted her chin. “Once I knew Sarah was okay, I took the opportunity.”

“Forgive me, Ode, but fuckingreally?” Omen blurted gleefully.

Ode laughed happily. “Yes. Fucking really.”

Omen grinned. “When we get out of here, remind me to buy you a drink.”

“We’re buying her a whole damned bar,” Jac said, and everyone laughed in agreement.

I introduced Jac and Omen to my sisters and Xylic, who’d remained behind and had watched the exchange, then asked him, “How do you recommend we leave this tower?”

He inclined his head. “As my guests, of course.”

Deacon asked a bit skeptically, “And how would that improve our situation?”

“I am the eldest of the queen’s advisors, and I have lived here the longest,” he said imperiously. “The residents of Faithless are predisposed to me. Additionally, I can muster secure transport for all of your people. Where can I take you?”

“To the ships?” Deacon asked me.

I was immediately torn between my new duty as queen and my desire to be with Jac and Deacon. “If I leave right now, it will look like I am abandoning the city while it’s on fire. I can’t go just yet.”

“The manor?” Xylic suggested.

“Last we were there,” Jac informed us, “it was on fireandoverrun with guards stealing anything that wasn’t nailed down.”

“My home, then,” Xylic said with a welcoming smile. “It is not quite as grand as the manor, but I have more than enough room for all of your people for the night.”

I glanced up at him. “And what is in it for you, Xylic?”

He smirked at me. “The first ruler of Faithless who might actually deserve to rule.”

My cheeks heated from his praise. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes, and what is mine is yours for however long you need.”

I checked in with Deacon and Jac with a look. Deacon smiled and gave an affirming nod, but Jac’s brow lined before it softened again. Then he said, “If Deacon trusts him, then I do, too.”

“Then Xylic, yes.”

He ordered a fleet of carriages and with his guard to accompany us, we traveled to his estate at the border between the city’s southern edge and the forest of Halla. The estate was almost as large as Rex’s, and even though it was not as ornate, it was much more comfortable. Far enough from the city that the riots had not even come close to the surrounding neighborhoods. I felt as safe as I could, all things considered.

After we arrived, showered, and changed, Xylic held a supper in our honor, and I couldn’t help but notice that Jenny could not keep her eyes off of Tiger. Not even when he breathed on a spoon and made it hang on his nose to amuse a giggling ghost child who sat next to Xylic. Then Tiger grinned at Jenny and the spoon fell onto the table, making her blush.

I leaned close to Jac and whispered, “I don’t know Tiger well enough, but is that him flirting?”

“I have no idea,” Jac said, his tone bemused as he watched Tiger and Jenny interact. “I’ve never seen him do it.”

“What do you mean, never?”

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