The Rebel Witch
by Kristen Ciccarelli
Contents
Twenty-One. Gideon
Overview
Gideon uses time with Abbie below deck to probe whether she is Harrow’s spy, but the conversation only deepens his uncertainty. Abbie ties herself to Harrow, belittles Rune, and pushes at Gideon’s old loyalties, while Gideon’s protectiveness toward Rune becomes harder to ignore. When Rune disappears with William, Gideon drops his investigation and rushes to find her, showing that her immediate safety now outweighs his plan.
Summary
In the crew alleyway below deck, Gideon walks with Abbie, Ash, and the others while Rune lags behind with William. When the group jokes about how he married Rune, Gideon privately remembers that Rune forced the arrangement and finds himself distracted by memories of her calling his name in the night. Even so, his main goal is practical: he wants to determine whether Abbie is Harrow’s spy before that spy can endanger Rune.
As Abbie talks with him, she points out that Rune does not seem like Gideon’s usual choice and claims the Gideon she knew wanted someone who could face darkness as he does. Abbie dismisses Rune as too sweet and not Gideon’s equal, but Gideon silently rejects that judgment because he now knows Rune is more dangerous and complicated than she appears. While talking, he keeps checking on Rune and grows increasingly uneasy about William’s interest in her.
Abbie leads the group into a loud recreation room full of crew members drinking, gambling, dancing, and listening to music. Gideon uses the moment to question her about why she left the Tribunal and ended up working on ships. Abbie says she grew frustrated with bureaucracy, reveals that Harrow suggested ship work, and explains that her contract on the Arcadia ends soon; when Gideon asks when she last spoke to Harrow, she says it was about a week earlier in the capital.
Because Gideon still cannot safely ask whether Abbie is Harrow’s spy in public, he asks her to dance so they can talk more privately. But before they can begin, he looks for Rune and realizes she is no longer visible anywhere in the room. Abbie remarks that Rune seemed friendly with William and says William is probably taking care of her, with a tone that sharpens Gideon’s suspicion and alarm.
Remembering William’s earlier attempts to charm Rune, Gideon worries that Rune may be alone with a man who wants something from her while an unidentified spy may also be on the ship. Faced with that immediate risk, he lets go of Abbie and abandons his attempt to question her further. He apologizes and goes to find Rune before someone else does.
Who Appears
- Gideon SharpeQuestions Abbie about her ties to Harrow, grows jealous and protective, and abandons his plan to find Rune.
- AbbieFormer Tribunal contact who flirts with Gideon, disparages Rune, and gives suspicious answers about Harrow.
- RuneGideon’s fake wife, watched from afar in this chapter before she disappears with William.
- WilliamCrewman whose obvious interest in Rune alarms Gideon when Rune vanishes with him.
- AshCrew member who teases Gideon early in the chapter during the walk below deck.