Page 79 of The Shadows Beyond
So, Cinn wasn’t sure what to think of either of their ‘feelings’ anymore.
Once they reached the street, they walked a few steps in tension-laden quiet, until Cinn cracked and stopped abruptly in the middle of the pavement. He opened his mouth, but Julien beat him to it, to say, oddly, “Before I forget, I got this for you.”
Julien dipped his hand into the front pocket of his over-the-shoulder messenger bag to reveal a fistful of olive green material.
He tossed it to Cinn.
It took him a few blinks to recognise it as a hat.
“It’s only because I was sick of seeing that ratty grey one on the top of your head,” Julien said, mouth perfectly straight, eyes guarded.
Cinn let out a short, unsure laugh as he stuffed his old hat into his bag, and tugged the green beanie onto his head. It was far warmer, fit him perfectly, and was as soft as kitten fur.
“It’s bamboo fabric blended with organic cotton,” Julien said in a rush. “But if you hate it, I won’t care. I just saw it in passing when I was out doing something else.”
Cinn stared at Julien, his heart doing an odd sort of tap dance. Where on earth did beanie-hat-gifting fit into the ever-shifting dynamics of their relationship?
“Thanks,” he said at last. Then opened his mouth to see what would come out next, only to shut it again, since Darcy was charging towards them, scarf flapping in the wind, lips pressed in a grim line.
eighteen
Cinn
Darcy’s face, blotched with pink, broke into relief at the sight of them. Out of breath, she leaned on her knees, and Julien reached out his hand to steady her. “Great timing. Madame Sinclair just sent a message to Noir’s fireplace, but sent me running here in case you missed it.” She checked her watch. “Elliot’s about to be sent out with the gendarmerie. He’s already at the Baths.”
“What? What’s going on?” asked Julien.
“There’s been another umbraphage attack. In progress. Right now. But this time… this time, there’stwo.” Darcy stared at Julien, her emphasis on the number heightened by the tight clench of her jaw. “At once.”
“And Eleanor wanted us to know Elliot was being sent out… why exactly? He’s been sent to expel them before.”
“Well…” Darcy started, glancing at Cinn.
In an instant, Julien’s arm flew out in front of Cinn to create a barrier. “She’s got to be joking.”
“She only wants him toobservefrom the background.To see what he makes of them. See what reactions he has.”
“Oui, Eleanor can have areaction, alright—”
Cinn pushed Julien’s arm down. “It’s fine, Julien.” And then said to Darcy, “I’ll come.”
The tight press of Julien’s lips suggested he wasn’t happy, but it really had very little to do with him, so Cinn angled himself away from him to address Darcy. “It’s why I’m here, isn’t it? If there are people in danger,I guess I should try to help,” he said, surprising himself in the process. Truthfully though, he was getting rather tired of long interviews in Noir’s office, and attempting to read books half as heavy as him. He’d always learnt best practically, so what was the harm in a little fieldwork?
“I’ll walk Cinn to the Baths. We might still be able to catch up with Elliot,” said Darcy.
A short, sharp laugh burst out of Julien. “I’m coming too. I’m going with him.”
“Good luck persuading the operators that you’re on the list.”
Julien only smiled wickedly. “They can try to stop me if they dare.”
Darcy folded her arms. “Well, if you’re going, I’m coming as well.”
“Fine.”
“Fine!”
Cinn coughed. “Well, shall we…?”
