Page 121 of A Thief to Die For

‘Packing.’

I raise an intrigued brow. ‘For?’

‘A trip to Notting. I’ve been cleared to go see what’s left of our coal deal.’

My plate clatters to the table as I jump to my feet. ‘I’m coming. They can’t stop me.’ Isadora says I need another week of treatment, but there’s no way I’m staying behind.

Samuel grins. ‘They won’t stop you. You’ve been cleared too. And besides, who else is going to keep me from killing Wonder Boy?’

‘I’ll take it from here,’ Lucky says to the young guardsman at the gate, blocking the entry road to Notting. ‘But in the future, they’re good to come through anytime.’

The young guardsman cranks the gate up as Lucky nods at me from his horse. ‘Sorry about that. He’s new.’

‘And stubborn,’ Samuel grumbles.

As frustrating as it was that the guard wouldn’t answer any of our questions while we waited, I like him. I like this new security measure of having a gate even better. Rocks and sand have been piled around it to make a wall, likely the unwanted waste rock dug out of the mine.

Lucky and I take each other in with a big grin. He looks well. ‘Marian’s here? Is she okay?’ I hold my breath, bracing.

‘She’s here. She’s going to be surprised to see you.’

My shoulders sag in relief. Those are the sweetest words I’ve ever heard.

Lucky escorts me, Samuel and Levi at an infuriatingly slow place towards the compound. It feels surreal. I’ve dreamed of this moment for weeks.

There are other noticeable changes. For one, a lot of the Dresden are guardsmen now. Or at least, I think they are. I’m not used to seeing their faces without a few layers of coal dust. I tip my head at a few of them, and they respond with a nod.

What happened to the guardsmen who left Atlas? Did they not make it back? Or were they not allowed to return?

The barns and fields on our right are bustling with more people than ever. Is there even a divide between the Dresden and the rest of the residents now? I hope not. ‘Who’s running this place?’ I ask.

‘For now, we have a committee,’ Lucky says. ‘Everyone was a little nervous about giving any one person all the power again.’

Understandable.

‘The guy running the mine – his name’s Pedro.’

‘Oh, yeah?’ I grin. ‘I met Pedro.’ We worked together rebuilding that Dresden house after the fire. He seemed like a solid guy.

‘Brother Thomas is in charge of food, farming and distribution.’

Appropriate, since he’s been doing that job for the Dresden from the shadows.

‘We’ve got new leaders in charge of trading, and we hope to expand our medic services. I’m the new head of security.’

‘Not Marian?’ I ask. She’s probably the most knowledgeable about the weaknesses in Notting’s border.

‘She didn’t want it. Said she’s looking …’ He presses his lips together.

Looking for what? Don’t leave me hanging.

‘For now, she’s leading the guardsman training.’

And then what are her plans? Does some part of her still wish she could leave? Where would she go?

Lucky guides us into the compound, and the first thing I notice is how much noisier it is. And crowded. People seem more relaxed. On the far right, next to the dining tables, are the sparring mats.

Then I see her. She’s surrounded by a circle of guardsmen as she explains a grappling move.