Part 21 (2/2)
”Mmm. This involves an... incursion. Into Cane territory.”
”Not Hap,” said Johns, firmly.
Ash shook his head. ”Of course not. This is something else. A small group, older than most of ours. Twig,” and there was the barest hint of a sigh around the name, ”was watching them for me. They're organized. Down from the Western mines, apparently.”
”Dangerous?” asked Johns.
”Very. Knives, cudgels, mining issue razor wire. Last night they attacked Brother Erikus.”
”Oh-” Kess let out a breath. ”I wondered why so many Brothers came to collect Lucius tonight. Will Erikus live?”
”He has so far.”
”A good sign,” said Johns. ”Where did it happen?”
”Down Old King's Lane, after midnight.”
Johns raised his brows. ”Is that Cane territory, then? Since when?”
Ash lifted a shoulder. ”Since last night. Who do you have working that way?”
”My littlest mites. It's good training. I'll move them uptown tomorrow.”
”Good. Don't let your Haps go out alone. Threes or fours for safety. Who are your best?”
”Jack, Bren, Trellis. And Sean, of course.”
”Send them out in pairs. If they see anything, anything, they're to watch from a distance and report. Under no circ.u.mstances do they offer any provocation.”
”I'll make certain they understand.”
”Good. That leaves,” Ash turned, ”only you, Kessily.”
He only ever used her full name for dramatic effect. She refused to let him know it always worked. ”Leaves me where, exactly?”
”It leaves you nowhere, alone. You're getting a shadow.”
”What?”
But Johns nodded. ”Someone we can trust. Older, stronger. Big. That Bee's a good kid, but he wouldn't be much help.”
She let the 'he' slide, though she'd have thought Johns would know better.
”Who? All the oldest ones are either Cane or Hap, and I won't have anyone recognizable. Bel's eyes, can you imagine? We'd have a war on our hands.'
”You need someone new,” Ash said. ”Unknown. But careful, and loyal, with a responsible heart.”
”Ah,” she said. I knew Ash had sent him here on purpose. ”You're giving me Mac.”
”Mac,” said Johns. ”He's the new one, right? Looks like that wild G.o.dling. The one with all the sheep.”
Ash considered that, and his lips curved. ”An apt image, but one I trust you won't mention to him. I will send him to you tomorrow. When he's ready, if he's ready, tell him.”
She tried to see past the shadows on his face. Failed. ”Everything?”
”Everything you deem wise.” He stood, and Johns stood with him. ”I'll send him over at noon. He will stay during the daylight hours. Canes and Haps will take turns on midnight walkabout. Canes tonight, Haps tomorrow. Tell them we have a midnight truce, for the duration, you know the trick.”
Johns hugged Kess, grinned. ”That's good. That's very good.”
She checked the door, saw them through. For a blond giant, Johns melted into the dark like one born to it. Ash remained behind a moment. ”Strange. I'd expected an argument from you about your need for a shadow. You are perhaps ill?”
”I am, as usual, all admiration for your manipulative gnius.” She let him smirk, just for a moment. ”And I want Mac. I want him.”
”Ah, young Mac.” Ash's eyes quirked. ”He just might be the one. Your one lost soul, brought safely home...”
”Maybe.” She watched him. ”Will you stay?”
He took a breath. ”I think... not.”
She nodded. ”If you go down to King's Lane-I know you will-for pity's sake, be careful. And if you go to the harbor, as I think you might, bring this.” She handed him a bright silver coin.
He twisted the coin in his fingers. ”For Twig's sake?”
”And for mine. Throw it into the tide and make a wish for all of us.”
”Ever the angel.” His hand was light on her hair. Then it was gone. And so was Ash.
She locked the door, gathered the wine, the gla.s.ses. She hid the first, washed the second, and took herself up to bed.
Her room was high above the kitchen and dining hall. There were several routes out, but only one way in: a narrow ladder that could be pulled up with ease. Small windows faced east and west, open even now to let in the night breeze. She lit a candle, pulled the curtains, and curled into a bed that was too large without Ash in it.
Ash. Who, more than Mac, more even than Bee, was her one. The one lost soul she wanted to save. Needed to.
He wouldn't thank her for it.
As if that's ever stopped me before. She blew out her candle and let the day go.
”We're finished,” said Mac.
”Already?” Kess wiped her hands, then followed Mac into the dish room. The sparkling, spotless dish room. ”Wow. Even faster than yesterday. It's not a race, you know.”
Mac snorted. ”Tell Bee.”
”Bee?”
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