She pursed her lips and then said, “I thought you hadn’t looked into the matter yet.”
“I didn’t say that.”
She sighed heavily. “But it was implied outside just now.”
“No, it wasn’t,” he countered. “I just didn’t reply.”
Cosette felt the start of a headache. “Would you please stop speaking in circles and tell me what you know? Or if there is, in fact, anything to tell?”
“Since you’ve put it so eloquently . . .” He chuckled when she shot him a look meant to do physical harm. “The only thing I know is that she hasn’t been seen at The Lion’s Share, or at Perpetual Hope.” He paused, as if what he intended to say next wouldn’t be pleasant. She braced herself for the worst. “I’ve also perused the papers for news of any unclaimed bodies, but thus far, no one matches her description.” She was about to offer a relieved sigh, when he added, “But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”
Cosette clenched her fists and set them on the table. “I don’t know why you won’t let me leave Shadowlawn. It’s not as if I’m in danger. I survived for years on the streets without anyone to watch out for me. Charlotte is my friend. I have other places I can look—”
“No.” He turned on his heel, prepared to put an abrupt end to their conversation and her request.
She wasn’t so easily dissuaded. She stood up and ran after him, laying a gentle hand on his arm. “Please, Davien. I can’t stay here . . . trapped within these walls day after day. I’ll go mad.”
His words were so quiet that she almost didn’t hear them. “If something happened to you, it would be the death of me, and my work here is not finished.” He tilted his head to the side, where she saw the firm set of his jaw. “There is evil beyond these walls that you are unaware of. I can’t fully protect you if you leave.”
She bit her lip, feeling her freedom slipping away. “Then come with me.” She didn’t care if she had to beg at this point. She just needed . . . space, and helping him look for Charlotte would give her the room to breathe, and the courage she needed to survive living with an overwhelming man like Blackburn for however long he deemed it necessary that she remain at his side.
“We leave at midnight.” She could have wept at his stoic words. “By then the ale is taking full effect and the patrons of the East End are more willing to talk.” His eyes shifted to hers, and she could have sworn she saw the beast he claimed to live within. “You are not to leave my side.”
She nodded. “Agreed.” In truth, she didn’t want to. While a part of Cosette was fearful of what lay inside of Davien, she also knew that with him she was safe.
“I’ll see you at dinner.”
With that, he departed.
