Chapter 9 The Thief's Tale

The rooster has crowed ushering in Kessa Decora's final dawn. The dawn that will see her slippery, little neck either stretch or snap... if King Casyius has his way. Although Kessa usually has a knack for foiling the best laid plans, she's in over her head this time. 

Meena Mason reads the 9th Chapter of her book The Thief's Tale.

Chapter 9 excerpt (spoliers ahead):

Rampant, bright orange and yellow flames were engulfing the curtains as people struggled to escape unmarred. Within seconds the entire scene went from quiet observation to complete chaos. Onlookers darted about, some trying to help, some trying to get away, and some trying to encourage the pandemonium.

Scootching her legs through her arms, Kessa brought her wrists, still manacled, to the front of her and snatched the bag from her head. Next, she tore the noose off and stood up, looking around anxiously. The guards surrounding the gallows were preoccupied with the rioting crowd, and she realized it would be easy to slip into the commotion and disappear. Her only concern was the dungeon keeper. She couldn’t see him, and one wrong move could ruin her chance of escape.