I almost – almost – feel sorry for Sana. She was tricked. The only question was how.

“The knife had blood on it when I found it in Featherstone,” I say.

“Of course it had blood on it,” Longsight retorts. “She embedded the blade into my body. It was not a trick. It was a real dagger, real blood, a real death. My heart stopped. Within minutes, the people knew the truth – their leader was dead. They even laid my body in state, allowing people, over the course of two days, to pay their respects. I was anointed with embalming oil, wrapped in blue cloth – ready for the flayer’s blade.”

I stare at him and grit my teeth. “But people don’t just come back from the dead,” I say.

“You’re right. People don’t.” And with that, Mayor Longsight turns and walks on. I glance at Jack and I think I catch him frowning – looking at Longsight, not as though he was Saint reborn or a miracle maker, but as though he were a fool. The look passes before I can process it and I am shoved forward, following Longsight once again.

Chapter Four

We walk on, down steps until we are below ground level. It smells different, as though the air is old. We must be quite deep underground by the time we reach a set of double wooden doors that suggest the start of a new wing – a part of the government building I have never seen before.

Mel, Saintstone’s storyteller, has been waiting for us. She nods respectfully to the mayor. Our eyes meet for a second and I feel it all over again – the electric pulse that comes from her, the way she fills a space just by existing. Her red curls are pinned up off her face, and her intricately inked skin reminds me of being read to as a child. Although she intimidates me, she is also the taste of home and with that comes a strange comfort.

“Your new charge,” Minnow says to Mel, gesturing to me with a flourish.

“She has not received ink?” Mel asks, her gaze sweeping over me – eyes lingering on my left arm. “Why not? She is a criminal and should be marked as such.” I notice Longsight’s mouth tighten at being questioned but his voice is light when he replies.

“You fear I will not ensure justice is done? Believe me, storyteller, her punishment will come. For now, though, she is in your charge.”

Mel’s mouth opens but then she nods assent.

Longsight clasps her arm. “I’m counting on you, Mel. I value your faithfulness.”

Mayor Longsight and Minnow turn and walk back through the wooden doors. Mel looks after them for a moment. “You have at least been saved a trip to the jail.” She turns and looks at me, her eyes unreadable. “Punishment marks are done within earshot of the cells – it’s not a nice sound.”