Chapter 169

Third-Person POV

Outside the Ironfang Den, the wind rolled low across the alley like a lurking beast, brushing past the neon signs and rattling loose beer bottles in the gutter. The buzz of the city dulled behind the door, but Thalia didn't mind. Her eyes were fixed on the man sitting alone by the curb-Duke.

He looked like he had fallen from grace, albeit elegantly.

His tie was half-loosened like