Page 62 of Cast in Atonement

Evanton could close the store at will, and frequently did; Kaylin often wondered why he bothered to run a shop. Then again, she had daggers that made no sound at all as they were drawn from their sheaths, courtesy of Evanton’s store. Teela had taken her there, the first time; it would be years before Evanton’s store became part of her regular beat. When she’d first started tagging along with the Hawks, she’d shadowed Teela and Tain—and the Barrani didn’t get put on Elani.

She shook her head. “When did you have in mind?”

“Tomorrow,” was Evanton’s prompt reply.

“I’d like to join you,” Bellusdeo said. She had spoken very little, absorbed in listening.

Evanton frowned. “I am uncertain that it will prove of interest to you.” This was the polite way of saying no.

“I am certain it will,” Bellusdeo replied, rejecting the rejection. She smiled.

“If she’s going, I’m going,” Terrano then said, his grin deflecting the glare Bellusdeo turned on him.

“It really isn’t very interesting,” Mrs. Erickson told them both, her hands in her lap, her head slightly bowed.

Terrano shrugged. “I’ve seen at least half of it before. It was certainly interesting then. Serralyn asks, if we’re taking visitors, if she can join us as well.”

“Of course!” Mrs. Erickson said, clearly pleased at the prospect.

Evanton’s expression had become his front desk why-are-you-bothering-me-now look. But he accepted what he could not easily change—not without argument. “Fine. I will come here tomorrow to pick up Mrs. Erickson.”

When Evanton excused himself—early, as he was an “old man” who required some rest—Bellusdeo hung back. The cohort dispersed. Mrs. Erickson remained by Bellusdeo’s side until the hall contained the Dragon, Kaylin, and the old woman.

“Are they still crying?” Bellusdeo asked Mrs. Erickson, when the last of the cohort were out of sight. Being out of sight guaranteed nothing where Terrano was concerned, but Kaylin assumed the gold Dragon knew this.

“No, dear.”

“Are they happy?”

Mrs. Erickson shook her head. “It’s hard to get them to speak much, but... I think they are at least now aware of each other.”

“Are they aware of me?”

“They’re aware that you exist, they’re aware that you are alive. But they feel as if they can’t reach you.”

“They can’t,” was the Dragon’s flat reply. “I’ve listened. I’ve tried to speak of what I remember of their lives—and mine, in case it lessens the sense of isolation. But I hear nothing. I see nothing.” She exhaled. “Karriamis, the heart of my Tower, would like to meet you as well, but says it isn’t urgent. Nothing he has done—and Towers are far, far more flexible than I had initially realized—has allowed me to see or converse with my dead.

“I understand that the Keeper’s concerns take precedence.” Bellusdeo swallowed. She opened her mouth, but no further words followed.

“Kaylin works during the day, but I don’t,” Mrs. Erickson told the gold Dragon, her voice gentle. “If you want to visit, I’m sure Helen would be happy to see you, and I would be happy to try to further converse with your sisters.”

Bellusdeo nodded. “I just—I want to know why they’re in so much pain. If I understood it...”

“I’m used to talking with ghosts,” Mrs. Erickson said, placing a hand on Bellusdeo’s shoulder, as if the taller Dragon were the frailer person. “I do miss it, sometimes. Perhaps you could visit tomorrow during the day, while Kaylin and Evanton are occupied with work.”

Bellusdeo nodded.

Kaylin lay in bed in the dark, staring in the direction of the ceiling.

“This is so messy,” she said.

Hope, seated on his pillow, squawked.

“Do you know what Evanton is afraid of?”

Squawk.

“I just don’t want anything bad to happen to Mrs. Erickson. The rest of us are used to fighting; we’re trained for it. And we’re not physically fragile. She can’t be the source of Evanton’s worry. She just can’t.”

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