THE UNEXPECTED GUEST

cart track, hemmed in by tangled hedgerows. Thomas led the way, a lantern held aloft, its dim glow carved a fragile pa

ed, and she willed her gaze forward. The night was alive with the faraway sounds, an owl cry, a snap of a branch, the echo of voices carried on the wind, Nyra shivered, "They're hunting us," "Yes," Thomas said, and

rimacing as Claire tore strips of fabric to bind his wound, his gaze drifted to Nyra, soft but weary. "You kept it safe," he said, nodding at the ledger, "I knew you would," Nyra's hands tightened upon it, "I didn't choose this, It chose me, Or you chose for me." Henry dropped his gaze, "Perhaps I did, but I had no one else," the words were a blade, flattery and cruelty combined, Nyra looked away. The brass bell sat on the table, its dull sheen catching the lamplight, Nyra set it there almost absent-mindedly, but its presence seemed to command the room, Claire stared at it, "What is that thing, truly? The way those men froze when

er Henry was bandaged, they gathered around the hearth, Thomas spread a map across the table, weighting its corners with stones, "The ledger needs to reach London," he said. "There

just want silence, he wants this ledger destroyed, If we confront

r," he tapped the book, "He cannot deny what he's done." Thomas's jaw clenched, "Dangerous plan,but you're right, running won't end this, facing Mercer might. Nyra sat back, stunned, she had imagined escape, not bat

voice, "Henry Mercer, Open, or I set fire to this hole and burn you out," Nyra's blood went cold, Henry stiffened, "It's not him, it's one of his men

" The next knock boomed against the wood, "Last chance!" Nyra extended a shaking hand to the bell, Thomas caug

men cursed, staggered, one even dropped his torch,"You feel that?" one hissed, "He has the bell!" "Shut your mouths!" the leader growled, but his own voice broke and betrayed him, louder this

amazement, "Well, I'll be damned." Nyra set the bell down, her hand shaking, she felt no

eady. If she wanted her life back, then she would have to take it herself. She rose slowly to her feet, "Then we end it together," Claire stood, too, her chin up in defiance,"Together," Thomas began to reload his revolver, sliding fresh bullets into the chamber, "I'll see it through, but if we fail, best you make peace with G