“A gentle tug, huh?”
“Now, bear in mind, the ward only functions once. I’d have to reset it if it were triggered, but…. well, there it is.”
“Once should be enough.” She slid his drink across to him. “Thanks, Hem.”
He opened his mouth to object but shook his head instead. “You’re welcome, Viv.” He nodded and took his drink back to his table.
“What was that about?” asked Tandri.
“Just a little insurance.”
* * *
The following afternoon,Pendry reappeared in the shop, this time with his original, bizarre lute. Viv nodded encouragingly, glad to see him.
“So. Um,” he said. “I’llstopif you don’t like it. Or if… if anyone complains.” He sucked his breath through his teeth as though bracing for a blow.
“It’ll be fine, kid. Here, start with one of these.” She handed him a Midnight Crescent, and he took it with a confused look. Pointing to his instrument, Viv said, “Also, I have to ask. What exactlyisthat?”
“Oh. This? Well, um, it’s… it’s a Thaumic Lute? It’s… well, they’re sort of… new.” He pointed at the gray slab with silver pins beneath the strings. “See, the Auric Pickup sort of gathers in the sound as it… uh… well, when the strings vibrate, there’s an… um…. Actually, I don’t know how it works,” he finished lamely.
“S’alright,” said Viv, and waved him in. “Knock ’em dead. Figuratively, please.”
Blinking, he wandered into the dining area while taking a tentative bite of the pastry, and Viv smiled.
No sound arose for several minutes, and she figured he was finishing his food. Then she forgot about him as a line of customers formed in front of the counter.
When he finally began to play, she glanced up in surprise.
The lute wailed that same ragged, buzzing tone, but the music he played was more delicate than before—subtly picked with the slow lope of a ballad. An additionalpresenceunderpinned, as though the notes reverberated in a larger space, with a thicker, warmer feeling. Also, she could swear the result was quieter than his first, aborted attempt.
Viv didn’t know much about music, but now that she’d grown used to the kid’s occasional visits, the leap to this confident, modern sound didn’t seem so far anymore. He’d been bridging the gap this whole time, and taken the obvious next step. Pendry’s altogether unexpected style was…right.Especially here.
She and Tandri exchanged bemused smiles. Viv noticed that Tandri’s tail was subtly, metronomically swaying behind her.
Viv figured that was endorsement enough.
* * *
As the week wore on,Viv lived in constant anticipation of phantom tugs at her right palm. Hemington had explained that it would be gentle, but she imagined it as a fishhook embedded in her flesh that would yank sharply, jerking at her hand.
Nothing happened, though.
Her skin tingled as she envisioned it, but eventually the feeling of wary expectation faded.
* * *
Laney droppedby with increasing frequency, makingmanyoffers to trade recipes with their baker. Viv always deferred to Thimble. The little old woman’s exasperation with his gestures and anxious blinking left Viv both amused and a smidge guilty for foisting her off on him. She also thought his hand signals were at their most crypticonlywhen confronted with Laney.
The old woman always bought something, though.
* * *
The dire-cat appearedwith more regularity. Viv sometimes felt the prickle of Amity’s regard and turned to find her perched in the loft like a sooty gargoyle, surveying the diners with disdain.
Tandri tried using treats to tempt the animal into claiming the bed they’d made for her, but Amity only ate them, made very deliberate eye contact, and then sauntered away with her tail high.
Viv discovered she didn’t mind having a watchful monstrosity around. Not one bit.
