Page 16 of A Tempest of Shadows

The sheriff clasped Ryker’s hand. “I’m glad you’ve returned to us.”

A muscle twitched in Ryker’s cheek as he nodded briskly. “It’s good to be home. You’re the Sheriff of Nottingshire now?”

“For the past two years.”

Two years in which The Hollows had fallen into further despair, but the sheriff was happy, his pockets stuffed by the prince and the people. He was probably sharing some of that wealth with his father, the captain of the guard for the prince.

“Your father must be proud,” Ryker said.

I resisted rolling my eyes. I was sure he was as happy as the prince, and they were both getting richer every day the sheriff was in office and using his brutality to tax the residents of The Hollows to death.

“He is. And yours must be happy to have you home.”

“Indeed.”

As they spoke, I subtly tugged Mouse toward me. Maybe they’d both forget about the boy, and I could pull him away. He’d slip easily into the crowd that wasn’t paying attention to us… yet.

“We’ll have to catch up and have some drinks,” the sheriff said.

“We will.”

“Until then, I have business to take care of.”

What little progress I’d made in pulling Mouse from him was ripped away when the sheriff jerked the boy toward him.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Ryker

The boy squeaked as Samael yanked him forward before pushing the child a little away; his nose wrinkled in disgust. From the crowd, more of the sheriff’s men pushed through to surround Samael; they slammed their spears into the ground.

The crowd had mostly ignored this interaction, but now they were stopping to watch as their attention turned away from the wrestling match. Those in the ring, and closest to it, still hadn’t noticed anything as they watched the enormous man pummel his competition.

This time, the giant was taking on three men, but that would only keep their attention for a few more minutes. Soon, they’d notice a new show unfolding.

“Take the boy,” Samael said and shoved the foul-smelling child at one of his soldiers.

“No!” Ellery cried as she lunged toward the boy.

Her hand missed his arm as the soldier pulled the boy further away. Dawn grabbed her arm, seeking to hold Ellery back, but she wasn’t deterred.

“Mouse is a child!” she protested.

“I can take you with him,” Samael told her.

I hadn’t expected Samael’s callous tone. He’d never been the most tenderhearted individual, but this man was different than the one I knew; I could see it in his eyes.

“There’s no need for this, Samael,” I said. “It was all a misunderstanding.”

Samael’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I saw this urchin trying to steal your moneybag, Ryker.”

“I’m not pressing charges.”

“There’s no need when I witnessed it myself.”

I wasn’t used to anyone telling me no and was still trying to absorb this development when Samael snatched the boy by his collar and started dragging him across the ground. The giant tossed the last of the men from the ring, but instead of calling for new competitors, everyone went oddly silent as they focused on the sheriff and the boy.

“What’s going on?” the giant demanded.