A Sea of Purple Ink Read Online Free PDF

hands together and tucked them into his armpits. “Does it have to be so chilly today?”
    Reese eyed the fluttering grey sleeves of his homespun shirt. “I told you to wear something warmer.” She stepped up onto the cracked sidewalk and veered toward the alley shortcut. “And if it’s any consolation, I’d have gone to get Dexter myself if this wasn’t so important.”
    “No, you didn’t tell me to wear something warmer,” Keller snapped. He followed her into the empty side street, still muttering. Then he halted. “Lacewing said Tyrone was still trying to get in touch with you.”
    There went any chance of remaining focused. Now she couldn’t ignore the memories. Or the smell of the hand-me-down coat. Reese frowned. “Why?”
    Keller shrugged. “She said something about him picking up a new flyer and wanting your help.”
    Reese kept walking. Tyrone never wants that sort of help. Possible scenarios flickered through the back of her mind. The request might be worth looking into later. But for now, they had a mission to complete.
    As they neared the other end of the alley, Reese found herself staring at a shadow on the main road up ahead. Someone was standing to one side of the opening. Why aren’t they moving? Reese slowed down. There was another shadow beside it, also not moving. It’s almost as if they’re standing in line for something… Police blockade. Reese grabbed Keller’s arm. “Get up there and take a peek at the road,” she ordered, motioning towards the roof of the shop nearby.
    Keller stiffened, all attention. “Something wrong?”
    Reese released him and glanced up and down the alley. “I think so. No one will see. Go.” She stepped back, giving the flyer plenty of room.
    With a light jump, Keller shot upward and vanished over the edge of the blackened eaves.
    Whatever is going on, it can’t be good. Reese backed into a little alcove between the shop and a newly built shed. She waited there, breathing steadily, computing ways out of the situation. There was an outside chance the blockade only covered one of the entrances to the Inner Circle, but she doubted it. Even when she lived on the inside, the city guards had never opened more than a single gate at a time. She shivered. Her hand-me-down coat no longer felt warm. They must be inspecting for smuggled goods.
    A handful of rotting wood-chips slid down the alleyway, blown on the freshening breeze. Reese watched their journey, letting her mind calculate the wind flow, grateful for the distraction.
    The wind whistled, then a shadow flicked into view on the ground beside her, and Keller landed, dropping to a crouch on the cobblestones.
    Reese didn’t need to ask if her worries had been correct. She could see it on his face. Time for a new plan. She met the old man’s gaze. “You go on. Follow the rooftops to the coffee room beside the theater. I’ll meet you there.” She fished her gun from her coat pocket and pressed it into Keller’s hands. “Take that.” Getting caught with it would be worse than getting caught without it.
    Keller stood up straight, concern in his dark brown eyes. “It’s pretty crowded at the gate. How are—”
    A footstep in the street caught Reese’s attention. No time to waste. She jerked a hand toward the roof. “Go. Now.”
    Keller pushed himself into the air and over the gutter. Reese pretended to straighten her headscarf as a uniformed officer strolled past the alley entrance. His gaze passed over her in disinterest, then he hesitated. Flight, avoidance, disguise, and attack raced through Reese’s mind. Before the officer had made up his own mind, she had her decision. I can fake my way through this.
    She squared her shoulders and walked forward, keeping her gaze away from the policeman.
    He finished hesitating and turned back for a second look.
    Reese gave him the quick, half-frightened glance of a townsperson and continued her path right by him and out into the street. I’m a normal townsperson