Unhallowed (Rath and Rune #1) - Jordan L. Hawk Page 0,80
time, I might be able to alter your shirt and vest,” Bonnie said, frowning at the aforementioned articles of clothing. “For now I’ll just cut a slit in the backs so you can use your tentacles without having to run about naked or in rags, but I’m sure I could sew up something better.”
Ves’s heart ached at her care. “Thank you for your kindness. I’m grateful for whatever you can do.”
After sketching out a map of the library that was close enough to the real thing not to raise immediate alarm, he’d written up two notes. One to Fagerlie to include with the map, suggesting he’d wait at the library for him and help overcome any librarians or guards. The other he sent to Sebastian as a warning.
And a good-bye. Since Bonnie had so generously offered Noct a place to stay, he would bring his brother back here tonight. But he couldn’t remain. How could he possibly face Sebastian ever again, knowing the hurt he’d caused? The affection that had slipped inevitably through his grasp?
He’d gone to his boarding house, packed up his things, and placed the mirrors back on the wall. For the first time, he’d made himself stand in front of one for more than a moment. Studying the features Sebastian had found so pleasing, staring at the orange eyes the silver backing revealed.
Night drew in by the time he returned to the Rath house with his things. Somewhere around eleven o’clock, the earth would begin its pass through the tail of Halley’s Comet. Fires would blaze around old stones, perhaps even atop Caprine Hill, if any were left who dared set foot there.
The evening edition of the newspaper was filled with stories of the wild extremes to which terror of the comet had driven people. Work stoppages, churches filled with terror-stricken parishioners begging to be saved, meteor showers attributed to the comet’s influence, even strange multi-colored rings around the sun. A man in Alabama had taken strychnine and died in front of his wife and six children, screaming that the comet’s tail would set the world aflame.
Once Ves returned, Bonnie took charge. While Pete and the children worked on dinner, she applied herself to a vest and shirt taken from Ves’s bag, on the grounds he couldn’t run about half-dressed after rescuing Noct. Ves was less certain her precaution was necessary, but it gave them something to do while they waited. It would be at least an hour or so before Fagerlie would reasonably make for the museum if he wished to arrive during the passage through the comet’s tail.
“Here,” she said, setting aside her shears and holding out the items. “Try these on.”
He took them up the stairs and into the bathroom beside Sebastian’s room. It was impossible not to think about what had passed between them, and by the time he walked back down the stairs wearing his altered clothing, he felt as though he’d swallowed a ball of lead. “It seems to work,” he said, stepping back into the sitting room.
Bonnie wasn’t there…but Sebastian stood in the center of the room, waiting.
Ves froze in the entryway. His heartbeat quickened, and an instant of gladness flashed through him, before he remembered. He’d thought Sebastian would remain at the library with his fellows, but it seemed he’d returned home instead.
“I-I’m sorry,” he stammered, taking a hasty step back. “I didn’t mean…I’ll go.”
He turned toward the front door, but Sebastian called, “Ves, wait.”
Ves stopped, but didn’t look back. His mind flailed for something to say, but what was there left to talk about?
The floor creaked as Sebastian took a step toward him, then stopped. “Can we…can we talk?”
He wanted to have a conversation? “About what?” Ves asked cautiously. “I lied to you. You were justly angry. I’m leaving town tonight as soon as I rescue Noct, and you’ll never set eyes on me again. Doesn’t that sum it up?”
“No, damn it. It doesn’t.”
Startled, he turned to find Sebastian wringing his hands, his mouth set in a line of distress. “I spoke before I had time to think,” he said. “And I won’t pretend I’m happy to know you applied for the job in the library under false pretenses. But I understand wanting to do your best for your family.”
Ves laughed bitterly. “I abandoned our mother and grandfather. I doubt they’d say I did my best for them.”
“They wanted to destroy the world!”
“That doesn’t mean I didn’t betray them.”
Sebastian absorbed this. “I suppose you’re right. But you didn’t