The messenger huffed. “Come, Mister Koesters. We mustn’t leave the Right Hand waiting.”
Tension crept up the back of my neck as I tugged off my gloves and apron and set them aside. It wasn’t like Levitt to use official channels to summon me. We were friends, and friends stopped by to chat. They didn’t send ominous messengers as escorts.
“Let’s go then,” Penny said. He’d clearly caught on to my unease.
The messenger raised a hand and shook his head. “The summons is for Mister Koesters alone.”
Penny stepped forward to put himself between the messenger and me. “Why?” he asked.
“It is not my place,” the messenger repeated, “to ask such questions.” He pointed at Penny. “Nor is it yours.”
Penny set his shoulders back. “Well, I’ll just wait in the atrium, then. Levitt need never know I’m there.”
I swung my cloak around my shoulders. “Someone has to close up.” I gestured to the coals glowing in the firepot.
A few months ago, that would have been an impossible ask. Penny's fear of fire had lessened during his time in the forge. At first, he must have thought it a punishment to be trapped so near such constant flames and heat. But now he seemed almost at ease in the shop, no longer flinching when I pumped the bellows and often crowding up against me while I worked to steal sly kisses.
He was less fearful and more competent, plenty able to extinguish the embers and close up for the day while I was otherwise engaged.
But it wasn't a lack of ability that made the crease between Penny's eyebrows deepen as he glanced at me. “We can do that later,” he insisted.
“We can’t leave it unattended, Pen.” I offered what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “You close up, and I’ll meet you back at home.”
His eyes flicked between the messenger and me. “I don't see the harm in?—”
“Time is wasting, Mister Koesters,” the messenger called over Penny’s protest.
I grabbed Penny’s shoulder and turned him to face me. “Close up. I’ll meet you at home.” When he looked ready to argue again, I tightened my grip. “Please.”
Grimacing, he dipped his head in a nod, then stepped out of my way.
I followed the messenger to the doorway, where I paused to check Penny’s concerned face. “See you at dinner.” My smile didn't move the frown from his lips. I was certain a parting kiss would have done the trick, but not with the messenger looking on.
Exiting the stall, I had to practically jog to keep up with my escort as he seemed to glide across the square toward the Ossuary. When we arrived, he threw the double doors wide andbustled inside. I barely managed to dart in behind him before the doors swung shut again.
I expected him to stop at the table in the atrium and direct me ahead, but he carried on through the door to the right and up the stairs. After ascending several flights, he finally stopped on the uppermost landing and knocked on the Right Hand’s door. Across the way, Merrick’s office stood dark and empty, and I briefly wondered what duties kept him so often out of the Ossuary before Levitt’s door opened.
“Ah, Kit. Come in.” He gestured with the stump of his right wrist, then nodded at the messenger. “Thank you. You're dismissed.”
The messenger dipped his head and started down the stairs while I stepped past Levitt and into his chambers.
“Sit, please” Levitt said. He crossed to the pair of armchairs in front of the windows on the eastern wall of the room. He dropped into one and motioned for me to take the other.
“You couldn’t have come to get me yourself?” I asked while perching on the edge of my seat. I was too uneasy to relax, and judging by the stiff set of Levitt’s shoulders, so was he.
“I'm afraid this is a… delicate matter,” he said. His eyes looked like caramel in the firelight as they bored into mine. “And I had to be conscious of the timing of this meeting.”
“Has Merrick accused me of something else?” My attempt at a light tone fell flat.
Levitt shook his head. “No.He’sthe accused this time.”
I sank back into my seat as surprise momentarily replaced my unease. “Accused of what?”
Levitt and I studied each other, mutually scrutinizing for several moments, before he spoke again. “How are you, Kit? How is Penny? Recovering well from the hemlock?”
My brows drew down. “I’m not sure what that has to do with Merrick?—”
“Humor me.” Levitt propped an elbow on his knee and leaned in. “Please.”
