The kettle whistles from the kitchen. Valek moves around our space like he belongs there. Like he owns it.
H-E... N-E-E-D-S... T-O... L-E-A-V-E,I sign angrily to Thane.
Thane nods.
A-C-C-I-D-E-N-T?I sign.
He starts to nod again, then gives me a sharp look and shakes his head, mouthingNO. Multiple times.
I want to argue. Want to sign that accidents happen all the time in hockey. Pucks to the head. Skate blades to the throat. Bodies checked into the boards at just the wrong angle.
But that would make things worse for Ivy.
The tea kettle stops whistling. Silence falls over the kitchen. Then footsteps. Slow. Measured. Coming back toward us.
Valek appears with a steaming mug. I know nothing about tea. It could be any type. But I know from the fragrance it's the kind Plague doesn't let anyone touch.
Maybe Plague will take care of the problem for us.
Valek settles into the armchair across from us. Crosses his legs. Sips his tea like he's holding court.
"Lovely morning," he says.
Neither of us responds.
"Though I imagine it's difficult to enjoy when you're worried about someone," Valek adds.
My blood turns to ice. Thane goes very still beside me.
"Worried?" Thane's voice is carefully neutral.
"Mmm." Valek takes another sip. "Body language is quite revealing. Wraith's been pacing for hours. You keep checking your phone. The scent of anxiety is rather overwhelming."
I don't sign anything. Don't move. But I'm sure Thane can feel what I'm thinking in the tension radiating from my body.
He knows.
"We're fine," Thane says.
"Of course." Valek's smile sharpens. "Though I do hope whoever you're worried about is safe. These are dangerous times for someone to be... alone."
The threat is subtle. Wrapped in concern. But unmistakable.
He knows about Ivy.
Maybe not everything. But enough.
My vision starts to tunnel. Red creeping in at the edges. The urge to leap across the room and wrap my hands around his throat is overwhelming.
I force my breathing to slow. In through my nose. Out through my mouth. Or jaws. Or whatever the fuck you call my fucked up face. I count to ten. Count to twenty.
Ivy is safe.
Whiskey and Plague will protect her.
She's miles away.
"Well," Valek says, setting down his empty mug. "I should let you both get some rest. Tomorrow's a new day."
