Jaw

Chapter 24

Four years later, Silena Lehmann sat at a big round table on the second most ostentatious patio in Quincey, a cup of tea in her hand and a book in her lap.

Agatha Armell, widowed matriarch of the second most ostentatious family in Quincey, sat across from Silena. She was tall and middle-aged, with an old-fashioned, aged sort of beauty to her and the longest, sharpest nails you'd ever see on a woman. They were so long and sharp that they poked through her black lace driving gloves (she didn't drive) and left creases in the newspaper she was reading.

As promised, Silena had spent the last four years living with Ms. Armell in Quincey, trying to get close to the Tybur family again. It had been frustratingly slow going earning Isabelle's favor again, but Silena persisted until, just last week, Isabelle reached out to invite her to tea.

Just like those meetings four long years ago, Silena had gotten all dressed up to sit at a patio table and drink tea. She didn't have much to say to Isabelle after their years of silence, and Isabelle didn't have a lot to say to her. It had been painfully awkward– not the sort of stuff that earned Titans.

But Zeke's threat of life-ruining felt very far away as Silena reread the romance novel Porco had gifted her for their shared birthday so many years ago. Books had been too weighty to bring along for the most part, so Silena had had to rely mostly on Ms. Armell's varied collection of steamy novels for the last four years. Porco's book had been one of the few she indulged in, and she was exceedingly grateful for it.

"Darling," Ms. Armell said. Silena closed her book, a finger holding her place. "Did you know the war ended?"

The book fell to the floor, forgotten, and her cup of tea was knocked over on the table as Silena stood. "Did I what—?"

Ms. Armell blinked owlishly at her. "You didn't? Oh darling, it's all over the papers. You know, it's prudent to keep informed. A self-obsessed person won't get far in life."

Silena didn't give a damn about what was prudent at the moment. "How long has it been over?"

She tapped a talon to her chin in thought. "A week, perhaps? The troops are coming home today. That's what this article is about." As if Silena cared, Ms. Armell turned the newspaper over so she could see.

"The troops are–! Oh, I've got to get back." Silena stood ramrod straight, clenching and unclenching her fists for a moment until her mind cleared. "Yes, I've got to go now. The train? The train will be showing up soon? I must get on it." She let the words sink in for a moment before a smile overtook her. "Yes! I've got to go home."

With that, Silena turned on her heel. If Ms. Armell tried any harder than she already had to get her to stop, Silena certainly didn't register it, leaving the house in such haste that she almost knocked a maid off her feet; she called out a half-assed apology behind her.

It wasn't until she got to the train station that Silena realized she hadn't brought a bag with her. She had a few coins in the pocket of her skirt, sure, and kept her armband with her out of habit, but she had nothing else beside that. It was an oversight on her part– but the elation of the news had wiped everything from her mind.

As she labored over whether they would let her back home without any form of identification, the train rolled into the Quincey station. All around her, men and women in finer dress than Silena's casual afternoon dress rushed around the train.

She must have gotten swept up in the commotion, because before Silena knew it she was scanning the train for a spot.

There were no compartments like she was used to. This was a nicer model: more spacious, but also completely open with tables like a diner. They sat four and were all full. Silena was all but ready to give up and stand by the entrance when she spotted a head of strawberry blond hair.