Page 5 of His Noble Ruin

I tookoff my boots and stretched out on the rug, as comfortable as I would’ve been in my own home. The hour hand on the clock above the mantle had almost reached four. Its ticking might’ve normally made me antsy, but in this home, it felt lazy and relaxing. Raindrops pattered on the windows behind the heavy curtains, making me feel safe and hidden. Tomorrow, the real work would begin. According to rumor, Graham Brennin would be making his first public appearance to speak to journalists about his upcoming reign—that is, if an elitist Academy club counted as public.

As my mind wandered toward sleep, the front doorknob rattled. I shot up, my heart on high alert.

“It’s just Marcus,” Etna said calmly from her armchair.

Moments later, her husband walked into the room, dressed in his damp laborer clothing, his black hair slick with rain. He smiled at me as if he weren’t completely exhausted. “So! Here’s our young revolutionary.”

I relaxed, leaning back onto the floor.

“Look at you!” Marcus continued. “I can’t say I would’ve recognized you if I’d seen you on the street.”

I laughed. “That’s probably a good thing.”

“I wish your father could be here. It’s been too long since we’ve had a visit from Orrin,” said Marcus.

Three sharp knocks on the door jarred my tired head. Etna and Marcus both jumped at the aggressive hammering.

I leaped to my feet, my fear returning in full force.

Etna stood and pulled back the curtain. She gasped quietly and let go, stepping away from the window. “It’s an Enforcer,” she whispered.

I froze, internally debating whether to hide upstairs or flee out the back door.

The three of us stood there, paralyzed with indecision.

The pounding returned, more urgent than before.

“Hide,” said Marcus. “We’ll do the talking.”

I didn’t want them to take this risk. I wished I hadn’t involved them at all. Before I knew where to hide, a voice shouted from the other side of the door.

“Open up before I drown out here.”

I knew that voice. “It’s just Cael,” I said, my panic calming.

Etna put a hand over her heart, sighing with relief, while Marcus pulled her into his arms.

I hurried into the entry and opened the door to a scowling man with an aristocratic blonde mustache and close-cropped hair. My gaze immediately landed on the badge on his black uniform.

“Invite him in, dear,” Etna called from the living room.

I opened the door wider and gestured for him to enter. He pushed his way in, slamming the door behind him. Rain dripped from his uniform onto the floor and my bare feet.

“Why are you wearing that?” I asked, pointing at the badge.

He shrugged. “It’ll be useful, won’t it? Gets me everywhere I want to go. No class restrictions.”

“We talked about this and agreed it wasn’t a good idea.” I tried to keep the fury from my voice but couldn’t when I didn’t even know how he’d gotten his hands on that thing. Theft—or worse—came to mind.

“Relax,” said Cael. “It was very . . . skillfully acquired. It won’t be a problem.”

“You didn’t hurt anyone, I hope. Youknowthe plan.”

“Me?” he asked. “I’m more worried about what you might do with those knives you carry the moment your temper flares up.”

I stepped away from the puddle forming on the floor. “Well, the look suits you. Now you can telleverybodywhat to do.”

Marcus and Etna joined us in the entryway.

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