“Thank you for helping.” I said sincerely.
R?ven gave me a small nod, and glanced at Jack momentarily before turning on the spot and rocketing towards the sky in her bird form. I sighed looked at Jack helplessly.
“Do you think we will see Hawthorne again?”
Jack frowned and considered his answer for several moments, “I hope so.”
Chapter Seventeen
Hunted
By the time Jack and I returned to the Inn it was very late. The bar was empty except for Samuel Bludvok who stood there cleaning glasses with a dirty rag, looking very intimidating, and Toby Stone, who appeared to have drunk quite a lot once again. Stone gave me a cheery wave and a smile which faltered when he saw Jack with me. Bludvok nodded to us and I gave him an appreciative smile as Jack and I ascended the stairs to the room I was staying in.
“Who was that?” Jack muttered to me once we were in the room and the door was locked.
“Who?” I said absentmindedly, removing Jack’s coat and heading to the fireplace. I scowled at the matches sitting on the mantelpiece and sat on the bed instead.
“That man with the curly hair.” Jack said, a crease forming on his brow as he acted casual and shrugged my coat from his shoulders.
“Oh, Toby Stone. He is a guard at the entrance gates to the city-”
“What?” Jack said alarmed, spinning around.
“I … what?” I said defensively.
“There is a guard downstairs.” Jack said very slowly and clearly.
“Yes, he works at the gate.” I said slowly and clearly as well. I really didn’t appreciate Jack’s condescending tone.
“He is a guard.” Jack said, his ears turning pink, “You are a wanted criminal.”
“The situation seems more real when you call me that.” I sulked.
“I know you didn’t do much.” Jack sighed coming over and sitting next to me on the bed, “But you destroyed the possessions of a very important man. Then broke his nose. They’d have you hanged for less than that.”
“I hate that I’m a nobody.” I muttered.
“Not after this. Everyone will know your name.” Jack teased.
“Your attempt at making me feel better failed.”
“That’s okay. I’m still mad at you for knowing a guard of the city.”
“I don’t see the big deal. He’s all right.”
Jack’s eye twitched, “He will hear about this, you know. Eventually, when he is sober. He will know it’s you, and he will turn you in. It’s his duty.”
“I didn’t think of it like that. Maybe he won’t. He seemed quite keen on me.” I said hopefully.
Jack muttered something under his breath which I did not catch, then he heaved a sigh, “Well he knows where you are staying so we will have to relocate tomorrow morning. Everyone will see those flyers at the crack of dawn. We will have to get up before the sun does. It’s too late and suspicious to pack up and leave now.”
“You’re staying here?” I said, rather shocked. I had assumed Jack would be returning to the manor.
“Is that okay?” He asked, unsure.
“It’s fine.” I said quickly.
“I’ll sleep on the floor.” He said hurriedly.
“Oh, no, it’s okay.”
“I can go back to the manor if you want.” He said; his tone indifferent.
“I’d like you to stay.”
“I can just make a bed by the fireplace.”
“Don’t be silly.” I waved a hand, “The bed is big enough for two.”
“I guess.”
“We’re both adults.”
“We are.” He agreed with a loud gulp.
“Perfectly mature and capable of sharing a bed.” I nodded.
“I guess, there isn’t enough blankets.”
“Then it’s settled.” I clapped my hands together.
The silence that pursued was incredibly awkward. Jack cleared his throat noisily and began tapping his foot.
“Well we better get some sleep.” He said hopping up and looking around for nothing in particular, “Seeing as we will be up in a few hours.”
“Yes, yes.” I said standing also. I crossed the room rummaged through my rucksack for my night clothes. I felt Jack’s eyes upon me as I bundled the clothes into my arms.
“I’ll step out.” He said pointing to the door.
“It’s okay, there’s a screen.” I said indicating to the wooden fold-up screen in the corner of the room.
While I undressed and changed into my night clothes I heard Jack lighting the fireplace, which I quite appreciated as I was beginning to develop goose-bumps over my skin. Tonight was exceptionally cold it seemed.
When I emerged a tiny fire flickered feebly in the grate. It was quite depressing to watch the dancing flames struggling to survive. It encompassed exactly what I was feeling. Jack stood and glanced back at me, “It will have to do.” He sighed, looking back at the fire, “Your Power would come in handy right about now.”
“Sorry.”