cascade | kotlc

13. Getting Prentice

 "Don't scream," a deep voice told her as she passed through the breakfast area with Sophie. Her sister had wanted to go for an early morning river walk, and June agreed. It would be calming. She did need the sleep, what with the sunrise forcing her up at 4:00 AM in the morning. It was frustrating. June wondered what she could use to block her window.

June pulled out her gun and pointed it at the figure. Sophie, being Sophie, screamed as she turned around.

"There's no need to be so extra," the figure grumbled. He looked like a giant two-legged poodle, curly white fur covering his body, leaving only his dark blue eyes and pink lips exposed.

"Oh, it's you." June tapped the barrel of her gun, instantly recognizing him. She used to hate him a lot, and knowing he was with the Black Swan meant that he swore the oath. That changed her opinion of Timkin slightly. "I'd really like to shoot you right now."

"Mr. Forkle won't be very happy with you then," he said, rubbing his furry arms. "Apparently my code name is Coiffe."

"I hope that means you're part of the Black Swan," Sophie said.

June rolled her eyes. "Have you seriously not realized who he is?"

"No," Sophie said slowly. "Am I supposed to? Is this obvious?"

"Yes," both she and Coiffe grumbled. "Would I be here if I weren't? If I meant to harm you, Sophie, I would've grabbed you when you entered the gazebo. I had plenty of time, and I'm much stronger than you."

"Not as strong as me," June reminded him. "I'm sure you still remember our encounter that time. I scared the wits out of you. And I have a gun now." She showed him the sleek black pistol, and he flinched slightly.

"I do," he agreed, scratching his shoulder, then his chest, and then his arms and legs. "Argh -- I swear I've picked up ichrites in this infernal fur."

"Slightly too obvious there, Coiffe," June told him.

"Your sister won't figure it out until I tell her."

"Ichrites?" Sophie asked. "And what do you mean?"

"A type of insect that feeds on unicorn blood," he answered, leaning against the post of the gazebo, rubbing his back like a bear scratching on a tree. "My involvement with the Black Swan is usually more hands off. But today I must play babysitter, so I get to be this." he waved his hands at his fur before going back to scratching.

"Seriously, how have you not figured this out?" June asked Sophie. "Well, I suppose you didn't realize Keefe liked you until, like, a week ago, when he'd clearly had a crush on you since you got here."

She blushed. "There's a time for everything, and this is not it. Seriously, June, just tell me who he is."

"Nope," she said smugly, tossing her hair. "You'll have to figure that out for yourself. Play our recent conversation again, and you'll see."

"Sophie?" Dex shouted, racing down the stairs two at a time. "Are you okay? I heard you scream."

Fitz and Biana were right behind him, with Keefe a few steps farther back. They froze when they spotted Coiffe.

"Introducing, the world's most obvious Black Swan member," June said, waving her arms at Timkin. "Keefe, if you don't realize who he is, you're as bad as Sophie here is."

He frowned, taking in his eyes and lips. "Oh, is it-"

"Whisper it," she interrupted. "I don't want my sister to find out."