Chapter 11 · Ash Ledger - Chapter 11: The Crew With No Way Out

"You want us to follow a spy?" Kade threw the word like a fist.

Rowan stood in the center of the workshop, Mara at his back, and faced seven deserters who looked ready to bolt or kill him. The fire smell still clung to his coat. His knuckles were split from digging her out of the rubble, and the ledger sat heavy against his ribs, humming with something he didn't trust yet.

"She's not a spy," Rowan said. "She's a scout. There's a difference."

"Yeah?" Kade stepped closer, close enough that Rowan could see the scar across his jaw. "What difference? She wears their colors, she takes their coin, she probably lit that fire herself."

"I didn't." Mara's voice came flat and cold. She hadn't moved from where she stood, arms crossed, weight on one leg like she might run or fight depending on how the next ten seconds went. "But you can believe whatever keeps you warm at night."

"Shut up." Kade didn't look at her. "I'm talking to him."

"Then talk faster." Rowan kept his voice level.