Free By Grace Alone (The Death Dealer Book 2) by Katie Roman Page A

If he even survives to court, he’ll be sentenced to hang! Have you ever seen a hanged man? King’s justice isn’t any more merciful than torture, and you should know. You’d have been burned as a witch if King’s justice prevailed.” He was right.
    If Grace hadn’t escaped after her fiasco at the King’s tournament, she would have been tried as a witch. Witches didn’t fare well when it came to King’s justice.
    “The only benefit to Harris is that it might be over quicker if Marcus slits his throat.” A sigh followed. “You can’t straddle the line between the Guild and the Guard anymore. Did Thom send you to the Emerald? Or did you do it for that uppity guard you’ve taken a fancy to?” This time Grace knew Jack’s expression without having to see it. He was hurt. His brow would be creased, his eyes would be sad, and his mouth would be turned downward in the same scowl he wore when they first met.
    “Thom asked me, and for your information I told him it was the last time he could ask for my help.”
    “At least you have some wisdom left. Why are you wasting your energies on this if you’re not planning to help the Guild or the Guard, and if you didn’t care for this Taylor fellow anyway?”
    This gave her pause. “Atonement, I suppose,” she said at length. “I turned his brother over to Marcus without a thought, and Adam wasn’t even the one who dealt the fatal blow.”
    “My little chick, the goddess blessed you with a good, but foolish heart.” Her heart fluttered at his pet name for her and she choked back an unexpected sob. “Please don’t cry.” She heard him rise from the seat at her desk and walk toward the bed. “I’ll help you find Harris, and then you can decide what you’re going to do with him when you do.”
    “Why help me? You have no great love of my activities.”
    “I did you wrong and I want to make it right.”
    She could see him moving in the dark, a shadow amongst other shadows. His hand reached out and she didn’t pull away. His fingers brushed her cheek, finding a few tears that had escaped.
    “Is it even possible?” he breathed. “Can you ever let me make it right?”
    “I don’t think so,” she said without thinking.
    A pregnant pause invaded the darkness. Jack’s warm hand remained on her cheek, and she didn’t try to knock it away. “No matter, I will try anyway. Get some sleep. I’ll keep my ears and eyes open for Harris. You keep out of trouble.” He chucked her under the chin affectionately.
    She suddenly wanted to get up and kiss him, to unload her troubles on him. He listened and understood her in a way no one else in Glenbard did. But it would be a mistake with one, very hurtful ending.
    “Good night, Jack.”
    Grace thought she saw the gleam of his teeth in the dark, but couldn’t be sure. It made no matter. He left the room without making a sound.
    ~*~*~
    Grace woke in no mood for nonsense the following day. She wanted to stay in bed, locked away. She thought about paying some urchin to run to the Angel and declare her ill, but she remembered her breakfast with Nathaniel. If she wanted to attempt to get information from the sergeant, she couldn’t break their plans.
    Grace dressed in her most worn, green linen dress. It had ripped and been patched a dozen times since she moved to Glenbard, but it was comfortable and light; perfect for a hot summer day. She slipped her feet into a pair of dingy slippers leftover from her days as a lady. She left her hair loose to hang down her back for the time being. She could put it up at the Angel when the sweat on the back of her neck became too much to bear. The good sergeant was waiting patiently when she emerged from her lodging.
    He beamed at seeing her.  “Miss Hilren,” he greeted, and held his arm out to her. She hesitated only a moment before taking it. He took them toward the market. “I had to ask a nobby merchant if it was good and proper for me to offer my arm and kiss your