"No," I managed to say to the stranger.
"A real beauty. But she escaped Margin's slave auction and ran off wearing a thin blue coat. Angered quite a few potential buyers." He sniffed. "Doesn't matter, I suppose. She's more than likely dead already."
My tongue soured, and I fought down a swallow. He might not be talking about Jade. It could be anyone. Still, my stomach hardened into a worried knot. I couldn't imagine being someone's slave, but to choose winter, choose death, over that kind of life... Well, that told me everything I needed to know.
"Excuse me." I stood from the table abruptly, angling the lump in my coat away from him the best I could, and swept the map behind my back. My hands trembled, and I hoped I wouldn't be sick.
"Of course," the man said. "If you happen to see he
