It took all of Alice's willpower not to run after Ace as he was carried to one of the tents. Guilt squeezed at her heart. He was hurt because of her. He could have died.

She could have lost him.

"Alice, what happened?" Bill asked.

Alice tried to focus on her, but her eyes kept wandering back to the tent where Ace had been taken. She should be there with him. This was her fault. She needed to stay by his side. She needed to make sure he wouldn't be hurt again.

Placing a hand on her arm, Ina dipped her head down. "I'll go sit with him. Talk with Bill. I'll make sure he's taken care of."

Alice forced a smile and swallowed hard. "Thank you."

She watched as her sister disappeared behind the tent flap. Even knowing that she would be with him, Alice couldn't relax. Her every muscle was tense, and she felt like her skin was about to burst from the jittery anxiety pulsing through her.

"Alice," Bill tried again.

She turned to her, doing her best to keep her attention fixed on the current situation, even while her thoughts were on her injured husband. "It's exactly as Ina said. Someone attacked the inn where we were staying, clearly searching for something or someone. And then they set off some sort of explosive at the patisserie where we went to have breakfast."

"Did you see anyone suspicious?"

Alice shook her head. "No. I mean, I wasn't really looking. I was sort of distracted."

Running her hand over her face, Bill took a seat on one of the logs. "We must have a mole in our midst."

"Has anyone gone missing?" Alice asked as she sat beside her.

"Not that I know of. But they could have been feeding the Black Swans information in the middle of the night or something."

"Black Swans?"

"It's what Dodger calls his new band. An 'improved' version of the Swans."

"Who's Dodger?"

"Dodgson Skeffingon. Ina's father and your mother's second husband. And likely her murderer as well."

"So he's the new King of Thieves?"

"Unfortunately, yes. He's gained popularity through promises of riches and prestige. Many violent and vicious individuals who were ousted from their bands due to abominable behavior have found a place with him."

Alice picked at her skirt. "Do you think the mole got away?"

Clenching her jaw, Bill rose to her feet. "We'll find out." She turned to the rest of the camp. "All right you dirty scoundrels! Gather up! I'm taking a head count."

Those lingering about scurried to the tents to tell the others. They were quick to obey, and Alice had to admire Bill's commanding manner. "You certainly know how to demand respect," Alice said.

With a smirk, Bill watched as even the most intimidating of the men stumbled over their feet to assemble before her. "Well, I'm no Alice, but they know I can make good on my threats." She fingered the knives at her side. "It's not often that I do, but I don't hesitate when it's necessary."

"You'd make a good ruler."

Bill glanced at her. "Again, I'm no Alice. Your mother did not command respect. She earned it. People were more than happy to follow her lead. She had charisma. And her enthusiasm was contagious. Even those who hated her still admired her."

"She sounds like an amazing person."

Bill's eyes grew dark and pained. "Oh, she was. Losing her was a blow we could not recover from." After a moment, her face lit up as, and she turned to Alice with a smile. "But now we have you. Hope has returned."

Looking away, Alice felt that gnawing doubt in the pit of her stomach. They were expecting so much from her. Just like her friends back in Hearts. Did she have the ability to lead a rebellion again? Last time she had only succeeded because of her friends. Here she only had Ace and a stepsister she hadn't even existed until a few days ago.

As she scanned the faces of the thieves who had assembled, Alice tried to see past the scars and tattoos, the hard stares and the weapons. Perhaps she could find friends amongst this ragtag crew just as she had back in Hearts. She knew she couldn't overthrow this king on her own. But maybe with a little help...

"We're missing Bambi and Froggy," Bill said.

"Bambi is with Ina, tending to the boy's wounds," said a large man with a nasty scar through his left eye.

"And Froggy?"

Nervous glances were exchanged, but no one spoke. Bill's eyes passed over them, intimidating everyone with her cold stare. Finally, she pulled out a knife, tossing it in the air and catching it expertly. She pointed it at the group before her.

"I want a search party assembled. He will be found and brought back here for interrogation and punishment. Dodo, Keet, put together a team and head out. Now."

They dispersed without delay. Bill fidgeted with her knife as she paced about the camp. "What did you mean by punishment?" Alice asked.

"He assisted in an attempt on the life of the rightful Heir," Bill said. "The punishment must fit the crime."

"Do you mean—"

She waved away her question. "Never mind about that. I'll take care of it. Let's talk about what to do next."

Alice shrugged. "Maybe we should wait to make any plans until we find this mole. If he gives up any information, it could help us decide our next move."

"Good, good. And what about you and your man?"

"What about us?"

"Are you willing to stay with us?"

Alice clutched at her skirt and glanced at the tent where Ace had been taken. "I don't see what other choice we have."

"Is he trustworthy?"

"Ace? Of course. He's the most trustworthy person I know."

"So he knows about the situation."

Alice hesitated. "I'm sure he has an idea that something is up after all that chaos in town. But he's not privy to the specifics."

Cocking her head, Bill ceased her pacing. "You haven't told him?"

Shaking her head, Alice turned her eyes downward.

Bill closed the space between them and placed her hands on Alice's shoulders. Alice looked up into her warm, gentle eyes. How strange that they could change from fearsome to tender so suddenly.

"Alice, are you certain you trust him?"

"Yes, of course."
"Really? Because if you have doubts about telling him—"

"No, it has nothing to do with him. It's me. I...I'm just..." Bill's grip on her tightened. Alice heaved a sigh and pulled away from her. "I just didn't find the right moment. But I'm telling him now. Are we finished here?"

Bill nodded, although she looked uncertain about Alice's response. While Alice appreciated her concern, she wasn't quite ready to explain to her why it had taken so long to tell Ace the truth. Honestly, Alice was still slightly confused about it herself. All she knew was that even now, there was a cold dread settling over her as she made her way to the tent to see Ace.