“It’s harmless,” she insisted. “I won’t do anything to the internal mechanics. It’s …” Cassie’s eyes clouded over. “A safety device. William’s accident made me think of it.”
Danny rubbed the back of his neck. He couldn’t deny her that. “All right. But why did you ask about Enfield?”
“You’re always going there to see your blond bloke. I wondered if visiting him might help.”
“Maybe. Yes. I mean …” Danny passed a hand over his face. “I don’t know.”
He felt as if there was too much to do, but when he stopped to think about it, the list vanished from his mind. His days were both endless and fleeting. One week crept into another.
There comes a moment when time seems to slip faster, running long then short, shadows shrinking as the sun climbs. It’s the moment, he decided, when you’re no longer a child. When the concept of time and the need for more of it come together and make you powerless. Make you yearn for the longer days, the lazy days, before you knew what time passing actually meant.
Eventually, Danny did go to Enfield. The townspeople knew what had happened in Maldon, but didn’t know of Danny’s connection. They asked if he’d heard any news. He mumbled no and hurried on.
Something shimmered on top of the tower. Colton had climbed onto the roof. Danny slowed to a stop, gazing up at the golden figure. Colton stood staring at the sun, as though in competition with it. A silent challenge. The remnant of a god.
As Danny watched, Colton lifted his arms. He stood that way for some time, arms up, palms out, holding up the world.
Danny’s father had always told him the most incredible sights were right before his eyes.
Colton looked down and saw him. His smile was broad and messy with relief. Danny moved toward the door as the spirit climbed back through the window.
Colton knew something was wrong before Danny even opened his mouth. “I overheard them talking,” he said, nodding toward the window. They sat against the wall opposite the clock face. The light shining through the glass outlined Colton’s face in gold. “They said a tower fell.”
Danny said nothing.
Colton moved closer, eyebrows furrowed. “Is it true?”
When Danny remained silent, Colton wrapped his arms around him. Maybe it was the sight of him, impossibly and unfairly beautiful, or the desire to shed the weight that had been sitting on his chest all week, that allowed Danny to sag in his arms, making a pained noise as if someone had struck him.
In broken sentences, his head resting on Colton’s chest, he told him about the fall of the new Maldon tower. Colton’s arms tightened around him, and Danny wished he could hear something against his ear—the beat of a heart, the whistle of breath. It would have comforted him more than anything.
“I don’t know why this is happening,” he said. “The other two towers were small, out of the way. Why target that one?”
Colton shook his head. The spirit’s fingers wove through Danny’s hair. “I’m sorry. I wish the tower had worked.”
Danny sat up. “Do you know anything about how the towers were made? How your tower was made?”
Colton straightened Danny’s collar, his amber eyes downcast. “I don’t.”
“Are you sure?”
“Danny.” Colton met his gaze, steady but remorseful. “The truth is, I can’t remember that far back. I don’t know how long I’ve been here, or even how old the town is. All I know is that the towers were built when Aetas died. Like you told me.”
“Right. Sorry.” Suddenly restless, Danny stood and began to pace. Colton leaned against the wall, watching him.
“I’ve never seen spirits in other towers. I don’t think the new Maldon tower even had a spirit before it fell. Do you think without spirits, the towers can’t function?”
Colton lifted his shoulders in a slow shrug. “You’re the mechanic. I’m just the clock.”
A bubble of laughter escaped Danny. It was laced with panic.
“My tower will be fine,” Colton said. “I’m sure of it.”
“But you can’t know that. The other towns couldn’t predict that their towers would be attacked.” Danny resumed his pacing, biting a thumbnail. “Damn it. If only I had a hint. Maybe if I find out more about Tom and George, try to blackmail them into telling me—”
“Danny, please stop.” Colton joined him in the middle of the room and placed his hands on Danny’s shoulders, forcing him to stand still. “I’m sorry,” Colton said again. “I’m sorry I don’t have the answers, and that I’m only making this harder.”
“You’re not ma—”
Colton pressed a finger to Danny’s lips. “I am. And I wish I could help in some way, but I’m … well, I’m stuck here.” He dropped his hands to Danny’s chest. “I wish I could do more.”
Danny’s panic eased away, like water washing over his frantic footsteps. He put his hands on Colton’s waist and pulled him closer. He wanted to tell him everything. Tell him about the burning in his heart, in his stomach. When Colton held him, it was as if the small, dark things that rattled inside him were gathered up and turned to gold. All melted down and forged into something brighter.
“Colton.” It was all he could say, but it was enough.