Page 77 of Gilded Locks

“Grace, the mayor would hate anyone he thinks is the Rogue.”

Her breath quickened. “He can’t think Cyrus is the Rogue. He’s a boy.”

Garrick pinched his eyes shut, muscles tensing further. “He’s not sane. Neither is my father.”

“Your father…”

“There aresomebenefits to being a Clairmont. My father is never louder than when he’s angry, and the Rogue has him livid. The way you reacted to your brother’s success… I thought you knew. In the mayor’s eyes, winning is as good as declaring yourself the Rogue, illogical as that is. The Rogue wouldn’t give himself away that easily.”

Grace was shaking. She’d gotten it wrong again.

“Cyrus. He beat you.”

“Exactly.” Garrick ran a hand over his face.

“There are still the other challenges,” Grace said.

“I was average at the other three. I thought winning the archery competition would put me enough above others to win. The first Rogue was notorious for impeccable aim. I hope, maybe, my name might do me some good, for once.”

As Grace and Garrick were talking, the impressed mutters had continued around them, no one else taking up the bow.

“At last!” the mayor called. “Sheriff.”

Grace and Garrick turned as one to the platform.

“Now,” Sheriff Clairmont called. Suddenly, there was scuffling in the crowd, provoking shouts and cries. Moments later, patrolmen led Cyrus Stanton to the center of the crowd.

Grace started to shake. “No.”

Lizzy’s parents were pushing through the crowd.

“Release my son,” her father called.

Murmurs of anger were growing louder, but the mayor silenced all of them.

“Now, now. Settle down.”

Never had she seen the citizens angrier. Grace expected it was occurring to the masses that they’d been lied to.

“As no one has seen fit to bring forward information about the Rogue, it was necessary that I protect our city. Our arrow-wielding terrorizer cannot be allowed to run amuck. This demonstration has revealed our best archer. And one talented in other arenas. Take him to jail!”

A cry of dismay went up. Across the way, Lizzy’s mother collapsed, and Lizzy dashed to her side. Even from here, Grace saw the girl’s entire body quivering.

Grace’s own muscles shook with a strain so tense she thought they might burst.

“Why?” Lizzy cried. “We’ve never rebelled. Not once.”

The patrolmen led Cyrus away. Suddenly, Lizzy was on her feet, running after them. “No!” she cried. “No! You know it can’t be my brother. He’s thirteen.”

Sheriff Clairmont grabbed Lizzy’s arm.

“Ow!” she squealed. The sheriff didn’t let go.

Garrick released Grace’s hand and headed for his father. She followed.

“Let go of her,” Garrick said.

Sheriff Clairmont turned furious eyes on his son, and Garrick flinched away. Then the sheriff turned to Grace. His face curled into a sneer, and he placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. “I haven’t forgotten, girl.”

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