Chapter 1Despite the late hour the heat was still stifling, causing sweat to run down Daw’s face and soak into his shirt so that it clung to his body like a second skin. It brought back memories of the night, almost ten years ago, when he’d fled home in fear of his life. The ache in his left wrist added another reminder of what had happened as he started up the fire escape to the roof, hoping to find at least a bit of a breeze. He pushed the thoughts away, concentrating on making it to the top without anyone being aware of what he was doing.
“Don’t look up,” he whispered when he saw a man, obviously homeless, come into the alley. He froze, one foot on the next step, watching. The man shuffled along, finally seeing a darkened doorway he must have thought was safe enough to crash for the ni
