Page 94 of The Poison Season

“Tate,” Lupin said. “Why don’t we go and get some blankets? Mr. Thorn can sleep in your room. You can sleep on the floor of mine, if you like.”

Tate looked to Leelo. She took his hand and followed Lupin to the hall cupboard, where the linens were kept.

“You look a little worried,” Lupin said softly to Tate. “Are you nervous?”

He took the blankets from her. “A bit.”

“He seems like a nice man, but I understand if you need more time.”

“But what about your parents?”

“My parents will let you stay here as long as I say. All right?” She must have seen Leelo’s expression, because she cleared her throat. “Both of you are welcome, of course.”

“Oh, I think I’ll be staying at Jaren’s house for now. But Tate can choose.” She turned to her little brother and managed a smile. “Don’t worry, Tate. Things are a little confusing right now, but we’ll get it sorted out.”

Lupin smirked. “Besides, how dangerous can a man who names his dogSir Percivalbe?”

To Leelo’s relief, Tate came back with her to Jaren’s house that night. Leelo and Tate were given Jaren’s loft to sleep in, while he slept on the sofa downstairs. Nigel was spending the night at the Rebanes, and they had all agreed to meet up at the market in the morning.

Leelo and Tate were curled up together just like they had in his little room under the stairs. She could almost convince herself they were back there if she closed her eyes tight enough. But this house didn’t smell the same, and she knew Mama was not here with them. Every time Leelo thought of her, guilt and sorrow threatened to drag her under.

“Tate? Are you awake?” she whispered in the dark.

“Mmm-hmm.”

“How are you feeling about everything?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “It’s a lot.”

“It is. You’ve been very brave, little brother. I’m proud of you. Mama would be proud of you, too.”

“Is she all right?” he asked. “Really?”

“She’s ill,” Leelo said. “But I think she’s getting better.”

He nodded. “When will we go back for her?”

“When the ice freezes. I promise.”

“That’s a long time from now.”

“I know. I wish we could go sooner.” She chewed her lip for a moment. “Tate, when did you find out about Nigel?”

“Mama told me, not long before I left Endla.”

“That must have been difficult for both of you.”

He shrugged, and Leelo had to remind herself that Tate didn’t remember Kellan. He had never known any father, really. “She said that there was someone here who wanted me. And that if I was with him, she wouldn’t have to worry about me. I didn’t really know what to think. Especially when I was such a burden to Aunt Ketty, and she’s known me my entire life.”

Even free of Endla, Leelo felt bitter resentment toward her aunt for what she’d done to their family. “Ketty was wrestling with her own demons,” she said. “It didn’t give her any right to treat you the way she did. But it was never about you. It was never about any of us.”

“I feel sorry for her,” he whispered, and before Leelo could reply, he fell asleep.

In the morning, Tate seemed nervous as they dressed and headed out to meet the Rebanes and Nigel. Leelo wasn’t sure when she and Jaren would be able to talk about everything they’d been through, although for now, maybe that was better. They hadn’t had time to process anything yet.

Nigel Thorn hadn’t been back in Bricklebury for a few years, but he still had plenty of friends, judging by all the people who came over to talk to him as they passed through town. Percy trotted next to him, a gentle giant, they had come to realize.

“Why did you leave Bricklebury?” Leelo asked him.

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