The three of us stood there for a time, Ciara crying into my shoulder until her sobs faded into hiccups and uncontrollable shivering. She let me guide her to a table and settled there numbly while I went to seek out my cousin and fetch a sugary cup of tea for Ciara’s shredded nerves. When Sorcha and I returned, Caelan was sitting at the table with Ciara, his large hand completely engulfing hers while he spoke to her, his lowand earnest words met only with distant nods.
Caelan stood at my approach.
“A word, Rosie?”
He inclined his head as he stepped back towards the front entrance, and I followed. I shut the door behind us, and when I turned, Caelan was dragging a broad hand down his face.
“What happened?”
Hearing my own voice tremble was a surprise to say the least. I hadn’t known Johnny McAlpine beyond a warm greeting as we passed each other in the market, but he was well-liked throughout Stormsby – and his daughter’s heartbreak was hard to watch.
Ciara had always been kind. A little bit older than me, she’d been someone I looked up to growing up. When I returned to Stormsby after my mother took ill, she’d greeted me like an old friend. Later, when Magnus and I were mourning, she’d closed down her family’s stall and forfeited sales to be there for our mother’s wake, and again just a few months later for my father’s.
But if I was honest with myself, it wasn’t just Ciara’s grief that struck a chord. Fear had a grip on me and my Flame had retreated from its insidious shadow, the rapid pulse of my heart seeming to echo in the absence of the familiar warmth. Perhaps it was loud enough that even Caelan heard it because in the next moment he had closed the gap between us and wrapped an armoured arm around my waist, his free hand coming up to cradle my face. Heat came rushing back to my chest, and I closed my eyes against the sudden shimmering wave of it. I laid my head on the cool steel of his chest, revelling in the relief for just a moment.
“What happened?” I said again, and felt Caelan’s bristled jaw drag against my hair as he shook his head.
“I can’t say much. The McAlpine girl reported her father missing last night, and Brennan began the search. My platoon found him this morning.”
“And you think–”
My throat tightened, cutting off my own words. Caelan didn’t wait for me to gather myself, but his voice was just as tight as myown.
“What Ithinkis that I’ve been instructed to investigate any sign of a dangerous escapee.”
“And that’s what this is, isn’t it? First Tanner, now Johnny McAlpine–”
“Rosie.” My name was sharp on his tongue, but he caught himself with a kiss to my crown, squeezed me tighter in wordless apology. He spoke a little softer; “I can’t talk about this. Not while their deaths are under investigation.”
Well feck right off then, I thought to myself. It was all very well for the Kingsmen, wasn’t it? Armed and strong in their numbers, guarding each other’s backs as they patrolled our petrified village. Meanwhile, we mere mortals hid away in our homes and establishments while our friends were abducted and murdered, and we could do little but cower in the dark for days on end.
I sniffed, nettled and struggling not to show it as I untangled myself from his grasp and stepped back, arms crossed once more as my Flame pressed forlornly against my ribs, pining for him already.
“Then what did you want me for?”
“Don’t be like that.”
“What did youwant, Captain?”
Caelan gave a long-suffering sigh and mirrored my stance, armour creaking as he crossed his arms over his steel-clad chest.
“I have to head back out to search the McAlpine lands. The girl–”
“Ciara.”
He paused, inclining his head with exaggerated, irritable acknowledgement.
“Ciara, then. She needs a bed for the evening. My room has been empty recently, she could have it. If you think you can tolerate my company for another night.”
“Fine.”
I turned to go, but Caelan went on even as I stomped away.
“Keep a tab open and the crown will cover anything else sheneeds, meals or –”
“I’ve got it,” I snapped over my shoulder, still walking.
He raised his voice, that stretched patience finally pulling taut. “Rosie.”
