Chapter 24

Ronan’s POV

The convoy at the pass carried empty medical crates. Tamsin watched it from the ridge while Mara and I followed Alden’s map through the trees, and she saw no sign of Vivian among the escorts. When our scouts moved closer, Concord officers set their own rear wagon alight and fled east. The flames were still visible between the firs as we turned onto the older forestry road.

“A decoy,” Mara said, tracing the ink line across her knees. “They expected us to chase the wagons.”

“Or they wanted the fire to draw us onto the main road.”

She leaned toward the swinging lantern. “This line doesn’t join the main road at all. Alden marked a crossing farther north.”

Our carriage wheels stru