Suited by Jo Anderton - Sample Chapters

up his own sleeve, all the while muttering and pleading. “Just look. And listen. You have to believe me, you have to–” “Get away from her!” Kichlan shouted. Devich’s fearful expression darkened into ugly hatred. But in the face of Kichlan so pale and furious Devich did nothing more than squeeze his hand into a frustrated fist, and turn into Darkwater after his fellow.

I forced myself to look away from Devich’s hunched back, and the furtive glances he cast over his shoulder. He’d seemed afraid, genuinely afraid. But how could I possibly believe anything Devich said? So I pushed him out of my mind.

“That got rid of him.” The scarred collector grinned at Kichlan, apparently undeterred by his haggard, grey-skin look. He cradled his card in his palms, strangely gentle. When Kichlan said nothing, the man turned to me.

I found myself fascinated by the scar dividing his nose. Scars were rare in Movoc-under-Keeper; a healer can fix most wounds so they leave no trace. I knew that, because the left side of my face, from forehead to chin and my neck, chest, hip and leg, were riddled with scars of my own. So I smiled back at him and wondered how had he fallen into this low life, and what had given him that scar.

Perhaps, like me, they were the same thing.

“Breakbell?” He rubbed his nose, and I averted my eyes, hoping I had not made him self-conscious.

“Well, that’ll take an effort. Come on then, Fedor.”

He gestured to the second collector. A thin man,