Oathtaker

“That’s all in keeping with what I’ve heard.”

“May I ask where you got your information?” Therese asked. “You see, if you know about me, then I have to assume that I’m not as safe as I’d thought.”

Her question was fair enough, but Mara wasn’t ready to concede any information. “Well for now, I’ll tell you that the source of my information doesn’t know you still live. You’re in no greater danger than you believed yourself to be in before I told you what I know.”

Therese looked carefully at Mara, a question in her eyes. Stifling it, she resumed her story.

“As I said, some Oathtakers, and members of the Select, helped me. I learned they’d been working for a long while with Rowena, secretly, to prepare a safe place for her and the child she was expecting. But now, with the news of her death . . . Well, it looks as though their efforts were in vain.” She sighed. “What a terrible, terrible loss.”

“Is that why you asked after Dixon? Do you think him responsible for Rowena’s death?”

“Oh no, it’s not possible.”

“What’s not possible?”

“Dixon would never ever harm Rowena. I would stake my life on that.” Therese sweetened her tea. A faint ting rang out as she set her spoon down on the saucer.

“That’s not what the fliers say. I read the various accounts, and it seems some believe he may have been behind Rowena’s death.”

“Impossible.”

“You are so sure?”

“I’m certain.” Therese tore a teacake in half, then ate one piece. “I’ve known Dixon for years and I have the greatest respect for him. He would have done anything for Rowena—anything to keep her safe.