The fragile peace in Edward's safe house was a candle flame in a hurricane. Destined to be extinguished. While Sarah was discovering the horrifying truth of the Core, a simpler, more brutal truth was playing out. In the dark, greedy heart of the Ashen Market. Everything, and everyone, had a price.
The news of Edward's spectacular return to Sunstone City had spread through the underworld's networks. With the speed of a plague.
Not just the story of his daring rescue. The story of Seraphina's intervention. The open schism between the Royal Guard and the Inquisition. And with that news came the Inquisition's official response.
They were furious. Humiliated. Their perfectly laid trap had been sprung. Their prey had escaped. And they had been made to look like incompetent, thuggish bullies by a teenage princess. Their fury was a cold, righteous, and utterly implacable thing.
And so, they did the one thing they knew would be effective. They raised the bounty.
