Chapter 59 · The Silver Round

"On your knees, Mercer. Your husband can't arrest the whole council."

The guard shoved a silver blade under my chin.

Carson stepped between us before I could spit in the man's face.

"Touch her again," he said, "and you'll spend the night explaining why you drew a weapon on the Warden's wife."

The guard's mouth twisted. "She's a traitor. The order says take her alive if possible. Dead if she resists."

"Then your order is garbage."

Carson ripped the warrant from his hand.

The council seal flashed red at the bottom. My name sat beneath it, followed by three charges—sabotage, treason, and conspiracy in the attack that had nearly torn open the city shield.

My brother's name was listed under mine.

Noah.

I reached for the page. "Give me that."

Carson folded the warrant once. Twice.

Then he tore it straight down the middle.

The guard stared at him. "Chief Rook, you don't have the authority to—"

"I'm the authority standing between you and a dead prisoner." Carson let the pieces fall onto the stone. "Walk away.