have been a shadow against the grimy glass, but now I was invisible.
And then he was leaving. I started to go but realized he wasnât making for the front door. He was looking for the outhouse at the back.
I slid quietly across the broken slates of the roof till I could see into the yard behind the tavern. It had once been a coach house, but the outhouses were the only structures that had been maintained. I dropped and eased into the shadows, checking for snakes in the tumbledown masonry and fractured barrels. Even in winter it was wise to check for snakes. A moment later, Tanish emerged from the back of the tavern.
I called his name.
He stopped midstride, head tilted like a dog, trying to locate the sound, and I stepped out. I saw the shock, relief, and anxiety that chased each other through his young face. When he came toward me, it was like a guilty creature, hesitant and fearful.
âYou shouldnât be here, Ang,â he said.
âI know,â I replied. âMorlak isâ?â
âNot good,â said Tanish. âHe lost a lot of blood. Theyâve strapped him up, and heâs sleeping in the shed. Canât walk up the tower stairs.â
âWill heâ?â I couldnât finish the question, but Tanish knew what I meant.
âThey say the next few hours are ⦠Whether heâll live or not, I mean. Ang, listen to me. He has people looking for you. If they find youââ
I reached out to his cheek, tipping his head slightly so I could see the bruising.
Tanish blushed and looked down. âHe had Sarn rough everyone up,â he said, âbut it wasnât too bad. He canât do much himself right now,â he said, grinning wickedly for a moment before panicking as if Morlak might be watching. âBut when heâs back on his feet ⦠I donât know. Iâm just going to do my work.â
âSmart,â I said.
âWhat about you?â he asked. âYou all right?â
âYeah,â I drawled with feigned casualness. âYou know me. Always land on my feet.â
âYeah,â said Tanish, wanting to believe it. âYou going to leave the city?â
âLeave beautiful Bar-Selehm, where I have riches at my fingertips and servants to satisfy my every want?â I said. âNever.â
He smiled at that, albeit ruefully, and looked down. âYou canât stay,â he said. âIâve never seen Morlak so angry.â
âIâll be all right. What are people saying about the Beacon?â
The boy blinked, then shrugged expansively.
âWhat about Berrit?â I tried.
âNo oneâs talking,â he said, again glancing nervously over his shoulder. He fished in his pocket, and a smileâa real, unanxious smileâbroke across his face. âI thought I might see you,â he said. âBrought you this.â He plucked out a threadbare cloth toy, soft and shapeless and missing one eye.
âMy habbit!â I exclaimed, taking it and pressing it to my heart. âThanks.â
It had been a rabbit when Papa first gave it to me, but time and love had made it unrecognizable, though I slept with it to this day. It had once been about comfort. Now it was about habit, hence the name.
âDidnât want to see it get thrown out,â said Tanish, pleased by my delight. âI thought you might want it.â
âI do. Thank you, Tanish.â
âIâll try to save your books too.â
âThanks,â I said again.
âWelcome. And Ang?â
âYes?â
âIf you do leave,â he said, giving me a heartachingly open look, âtake me with you.â
For a split second I saw the hope and sorrow in his eyes, the panic and anxiety, and I pulled his frail little body to mine and hugged him quick and hard. Then I turned him around and gave him a little shove. âGo to sleep, Tanish. Iâll see you soon. Promise.â
He did not
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