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Midnight Jewelarrives in bookstores on Tuesday, June 27.
If you havent already ordered your copy of the novel, you’re free to do sohere.
Credit: Razorbill
Read an excerpt from Midnight Jewel by Richelle Mead
Chapter 1
You!
Dont take another step, or Ill run you through!
I froze where I was, halfway up the great stone stairs that led to the cathedral of Kyriel.
Thethump-thumpof boots sounded behind me, and moments later, a young watchman rushed over to block my way.
What many of the watch did not do, however, was wield a dagger with such confidence.
Most kept the citys peace with heavy clubs.
I met his eyes calmly.
I beg your pardon, sir, but Im on my way to prayer.
Dont give me that.
His face twisted into a scowl.
Everyone knows you Sims are Alanzan heathens.
And I know whoyouare.
I remember you and your murderous brother.
I gestured up to the imposing double doors above us.
The watchman hesitated a moment and then grew stern again.
He kept the dagger pointed at me.
You just havent been caught yet.
Now tell me where your brother is.
I wish I knew.
I havent seen him in over a year.
He pressed the daggers point to my breastbone.
The heartbreaking part was that Id actually spoken the truth.
Lonzo had sent me one letter when hed arrived in that land across the sea.
And then thered been silence.
a new voice asked.
Another watchman joined us, moving much more casually than his colleague.
This man was older, portly, and red-faced.
Hed left his thinning hair as it was, probably because there was too little to shave.
I kept my eyes fixed serenely ahead, giving no indication that I knew him.
The younger watchman lowered the blade.
Carey, this is the Viana girl.
The one whose brother killed Sir Wilhelm last year.
That bastard was never brought to justice!
Watchman Carey stifled a yawn.
Well, I dont see him here.
I only see his sister.
And no one ever actually proved he did it.
But you know he did!
spat the other watchman.
We all know it.
And she knows where he is!
We should be tracking her every move!
You think her brother is hiding here?
Should I go ask that monk if we can conduct a search?
Sir
Theres nothing here.
Watchman Carey managed to sound both bored and irritated.
Only a girl on her way to pray and better her soula girl whos done nothing wrong.
The other mans eyes narrowed at me.
Theyve all done something.
Watchman Carey gestured him away.
Go make yourself useful.
Stop a real crime, not one that went cold long ago.
And damn it, put that dagger away.
Youre embarrassing us all.
The young watchman sheathed the blade but held a finger up to my face.
Dont think Ill forget this, girl.
Ill find your bloody brother, wherever hes hiding.
Once the man had stormed away, Watchman Careys features sharpened.
Tell me hes not still in the city.
No, I said, exhaling in relief.
But I really dont know where he is.
Just that hes far away.
You should join him.
A dull ache filled my chest.
Im trying, sir.
Things like this are going to keep happening.
Sir Wilhelm had a lot of friends, and they havent forgotten.
Watchman Carey suddenly looked very weary.
Look, I like you.
You know our language.
But Im not a fool.
I hear about the girl who stops thieves in the Sirminican district.
And thats not a bad thingbut it is something that could get out of hand one day.
Just like with your brother.
Lonzo
Not another word.
Sir Wilhelm was as vile as they come, gentry or not.
And maybe he deserved what he got, but the less I know, the better.
Watchman Careys forehead wrinkled up with a frown as a memory held him.
True, Lonzo had intended to beat him to a pulp, but actually killing Sir Wilhelm?
That had been accidental.
Most of the watch hadnt cared about that detailnot with a Sirminican involved.
Watchman Careyhadcared and had looked away a number of times as the evidence against Lonzo mounted.
Get out of here.
you’ve got the option to do better.
He gave me a wry smile.
He was the only member of the watch whod ever treated me as an equal.
The only one who even attempted my language.
And dont take it amiss when I say I hope we never cross paths again.
He lumbered down the steps without another word, soon disappearing into the crowd on the street.
I took a moment to collect myself and continued my journey to the cathedral.
The monk remained standing near the door, having observed the whole exchange.
The great hood hid his face, but he turned his head and tracked me as I walked inside.
My father had liked conducting clandestine business in churches.
No one ever expected it.
I scanned the nave and found the person I sought.
The wood creaked beneath me, and I nearly sneezed at the mans pretentious herbal cologne.
Bowing my head, I touched my brow first and then my heart.
All praise to Uros, creator of spirit and flesh, I murmured.
All praise to his six glorious angels, defenders of the faithful.
All praise, the man beside me echoed.
I lifted my head, fixing my eyes on the glorious Kyriel.
The angel held a gilded sword and shield, ready to defend mankind from the six wayward angels.
My real interest was in the priest as he continued lighting candles in my periphery.
When hed finished with the last one, he retreated to a small alcove and knelt to pray.
I carefully set it on the pew between my companion and me.
After several seconds, he took it and slipped it into his own coat pocket.
Im sure there are more.
But thats enough to get you connected.
you gotta memorize them and burn it right away.
He raised his head.
Give me some credit.
Around the nave, stained-glass windows depicted the other angels in rainbow colors.
None of them seemed to care that a heretic was sitting beside me.
Kyriel didnt leap forward with his sword.
The cathedrals vaulted ceiling didnt come crashing down.
Or maybe theyre both wrong.
I finally turned and met my companions eyes.
The dim lighting made them appear more gray than blue, but it couldnt hide their eager sparkle.
Cedric Thorn was an extremely handsome man.
Not my typebut still nice to look at.
I preferred men who were a little rougher around the edges.
Men who didnt so obviously deliberate on their clothing each morning.
I give you a lot of credit.
But peoples lives are on the line.
Believe me, I know.
And heres something for you.
He set it discreetly between us.
Admission to the Glittering Court.
A ticket to Adoria.
Adoria, I repeated, clenching the papers.
Plenty of Osfridians had experimented with the Alanzan faith.
Plenty had lost interest and happily turned in the real devotees.
They dont always record the names of bond servants.
I dont have either.
Maybe my husband will.Husband.
The word felt strange on my tongue.
Are you sure thats what you want?
I could feel Cedrics gaze on me as I looked down at my hands, still gripping the papers.
His polished manners and stylish clothes were deceptive.
He might be pretty, but he wasnt stupid.
What did I want?
I wanted to find Lonzo.
I wanted a life far away from the war and corruption that had engulfed the country of my birth.
Could a rich husband and a new land guarantee all those things?
I want a husband, I reiterated.
It was a small price to pay for all those other benefits.
I would honor the contract and accept being a wife.
As though reading my mind, Cedric remarked, Your father was a great man.
I mean, at least from what Ive heard.
He saved so many from persecution.
He gave his life for it.
You must be so proud.
Yes, I said automatically.
And I know you want to carry out that legacy.
I know youve been protecting people here.
how should I put this .
you’re gonna wanna settle down.
Not just with a husband, but in general.
No more sneaking around.
No more alley fights.
No more daggers to throats.
Cedric, givemesome credit.
If we hadnt been in the cathedral, I wouldve shouted it.
Ill be the picture of decorum at this finishing school of yours.
Ill get cultured and refined.
I glanced down at my worn, stained dress.
Actually, I wont mind that part.
Or even the studies.
The war back in Sirminica had ended my education there.
He really needed to work on discretion.
I know Adorias your end goal, but give a shot to enjoy the journey too.
It wont be that bad.
Even for a Sirminican?
The bright smile faltered.
Your first years still in Osfrid.
Even though youll be at one of our country manors .
well, youll face the same bias you see here in the city.
Adoria will be a little laxer.
But youll win them over.
Theyll see who you really are.
The priest had finished and was strolling near our side.
Thank you, I whispered.
This means everything to me.
Cedric tapped his pocket.
Dont come out right after me, I warned.
I know, I know.
Youre not giving me credit again.
I walked out of the cathedral, squinting at the bright afternoon light.
The noise of midday Osfro was crushing after the sanctuarys stillness.
Before me, the city whirled with life.
Wagons and horses clattered down the cobblestone street, and vendors pitched their wares.
Blocky stone buildings loomed over everything, their gloomy solidity a testament to Osfros history.
Osfro is an old city, I thought.A city set in its ways.
Theres no opportunity for me here.
Lonzo knew that when he sailed to Adoria.
When he left me behind.
The cathedral doors creaked open, and I stared in surprise as Cedric emerged.
You were supposed to wait, I chastised.
I forgot to tell you when were leaving for the manor.
Wait at the border of the Sirminican and Bridge districtsby the market.
My father and Ill pick you up around the first bell.
Are you sure your father wont mind me?
He let me recruit two girls.
Ive picked themsort of.
I have to finish the others paperwork.
Are you leading this girl into a sinful life?
Cedric and I both spun around at the crotchety voice.
The shadows had obscured him.
Panic shot through me, and then I relaxed as I replayed our brief conversation.
Wed said nothing about an outlawed heresy.
Cedric and I faced no danger in discussing the Glittering Court.
No, Brother, said Cedric politely.
Quite the opposite, actually.
Shes joining the Glittering Court.
Even though I couldnt see the monks face, instinct told me he was staring at meand scowling.
Is that what you call your sordid operation?
I may be removed from the world, but I know its ways.
I saw you earlier, girl.
I saw the watch interrogating you.
We were only chatting.
I havent done anything wrong.
And the Glittering Court is very respectable.
I tried for calmness and humility.
The last thing we needed was for him to draw the city watchs attention back to me.
Im going to take etiquette classes and then find a husband in Adoria next year.
And not just any husband, Cedric boasted.
Shell meet only the richest, most elite bachelors of the city.
Men whove made their fortunes in the New World want equally elevated wivesand my familys business supplies them.
Hed used those exact same words when we met.
I wondered if the salesman in him couldnt help it.
A beat of silence followed as the monk contemplated this.
Then: Which city?
Cedric kept smiling, but the shift in his posture betrayed his nervousness.
I didnt blame him, with that list in his pocket.
Church officials wanted to make an example of native Osfridian converts.
Hangings had become common.
When the monk still didnt respond, I crossed my arms and fixed my gaze on his shadowed face.
I hoped I was meeting his eyes.
Good Brother, I appreciate your concern.
And youre rightdesperate girls with no other optionsdoturn to desperate means.
But Im not one of those girls.
he asked, voice unexpectedly wry for a holy man.
If I dont see any, then I make my own.
And no one forces me into anything.
My words came out with a bit more fire than Id intended.
I can believe that.
Id pity anyone who tried.
I couldve sworn he was smiling in the depths of that hood.
Good luck to you, miss.
He opened the cathedral door and disappeared inside.
That could have gone a lot worse.
I think he mustve liked you.
They dont like anything except their studies.
He couldnt take his eyes off you, he teased.
You couldnt even see his eyes!
Now go memorize what I gave you.
Dont forget to burn it.
Cedric answered with a nod and began descending the great stone steps.
See you in four days.
I stayed where I was and looked down upon the city Id be leaving behind.
Id come here to escape war, but I felt no loyalty.
I wanted to sleep in a clean bed, instead of on a floor crowded with other refugees.
I wanted three meals a day again.
I wanted to be around books again.
I felt my lips creep into a smile.
Four days, and my new life begins.
