Water's Reflection or Hero's Guilt

Chapter Sixteen

           The door closed with a loud thud—or at least, louder than Terrance had intended. Adam looked up, somewhat startled, but when he saw it was Terrance, he turned his gaze back to the window again. The streets outside were dark, the light of the moon did not reach most of the narrow alleys. Still, he watched, although Terrance was not sure what he expected to see out there.

           “June and Maya have gone to bed,” he said to break the silence. He had tucked in the little girl himself, with not even one objection from her: she was tired. Tired from the day, the running and tired from the fear. From the spells.

           “They were good today,” Adam replied, his gaze still set outside.

           “They were, yes.” Terrance had to admit, he was proud of both of his girls. Maya had been great in the alley opposing the Mage. Without her, they'd never gotten away. And June played that knight like a pro, he couldn't have done it better himself.

           “So, you worry?” asked the bodyguard.

           “Worry?”

           “I can sense it about you; you worry. Though I don't know what exactly. But my guess would be... the Mage. He came too close today, and he might get closer tomorrow...”

           Terrance shook his head. “He won't. We were unaware of his methods. Now that we are, we know how to avoid him. We won't go out as much, we will avoid public places. He was lucky today, he won't be anymore.”

           Adam glanced at him, only for a second, to see if he was speaking the truth. When he was sure Terrance did, he shrugged and returned to the window. “Okay,” he said, “what are you worried about then? Madame Lyss?”

           “Slightly, but not too much. I'm sure we'll be able to get along with that... though we do need to find out what she wants from us soon. Maybe we can even get lucky—perhaps she'll help us.”

           “The smugglers then? Captain Kharos? Are you afraid he won't want us?”

           “I know he doesn't want us. That's not the problem; I also know he'll take us. Eventually...” said Terrance. “It is a waiting game. We'll just go to his ship tomorrow and make him a new offer. Every day until he'll finally take us.”

           “What if you run out of money to offer?”

           Terrance chuckled. “We won't.”

           “Then what's got you worrying, Terrance?” Adam asked.

           “A liar...” he said vaguely, and wondered, “Where is Lupine?”

           “Still sleeping in the stables. I thought it best if she'd stay there rather than here. I don't think Stonehouse would like her inside.”

           Terrance nodded slowly and managed a smile, even though it was lost upon Adam, who wasn't watching. He casually leaned against the door, observing Adam Clay in the candlelight. The man seemed not at all weary or tired. He looked like a guard, watching the window as if expecting enemies at any time. His silver ring gleamed in the flickering light.

           “So, a liar?” he asked without turning to see Terrance.

           “Yes.”

           “Who is a liar?”

           Terrance waited for a moment, then said, “You are.” He expected for the man to finally turn around—for him to deny it, or try to convince Terrance otherwise. But instead, he remained where he was, sitting in front of the window. His back turned to Terrance, he did not even think him a danger.