The Tinman lunges forward and takes a handful of Remi’s tunic, yanking them closer. “Where is she?”
“I’m not telling you.”
“You are and you will.”
Remy grits their teeth. “I won’t.”
The Tinman tosses Remy back. Remy thumps into the opposite wall. The Tinman swings his axe back and Remy squeezes their eyes shut, surrendering to their fate.
“Don’t!”
The Tinman stops. He turns slowly to Cleo. “Why?”
“Do you not know mercy?”
“I’m heartless. What do you think?”
Heart thumping in her ears, Cleo steps forward and then in front of Remy. “You showed me mercy.”
“You were useful.”
“No, I wasn’t.”
He narrows his eyes.
Cleo can hear the shallow, staccato sound of Remy’s breath behind her. The fire crackles again.
“If not mercy, then how about reason? What purpose would Remy’s death serve? And how much energy would it cost you to do it? You’re still healing from a stab wound. You might need that energy later.”
Cleo knows the moment she’s broken through to him. His stance relaxes. The axe hangs slightly.
“Fine,” he says and steps back.
Remy blows out a breath.
Cleo trails behind the Tinman as he heads back into thedining room. “We need to go,” he says, his voice harsh now, a little disgruntled.
“Wait.” Remy puts their hand on Cleo’s shoulder, brings her to a stop.
“You don’t have to thank me,” Cleo says.
“How did you know my name?”
“I’m sorry?”
“We’ve never met. How did you know my name? It’s not even my birth name. I chose Remy.”
“I—” Cleo frowns. “I must have heard someone call you by name. That’s all.”
Remy looks on skeptically.
Cleo racks her brain. How did she know the innkeeper’s name? And does it matter in a time like this?
“Truly, it must have been something I overheard and…”
“Cleo,” the Tinman calls.
“I have to go.”
