Chapter 11: Step

Cavan opened the door a hand's width, in his shirt, with Fenny out of sight behind it.

Roddy stood in the corridor with a candle and a small smile.

"I saw the green light under your door," he said. "Is everything all right?"

"The charm cracked," Cavan said. "It went into the fire."

"Oh, brother." Roddy's face fell, quick and sorrowful. "Grandmother's luck. I'm so sorry."

"It's only gold."

"I'll have another made. A better one. I know a man in the lower town."

"No."

Roddy's eyebrows rose.

"I don't want another," Cavan said evenly. "Thank you for coming."

The candle flame did not move.

Roddy's smile stayed exactly where it was, warm and fixed.

For the first time in his life Cavan noticed that it did not reach his eyes.

"Of course," Roddy said. "Sleep well, both of you."

He walked away down the stone hall, unhurried, and did not look back.

Cavan shut the door and slid the bolt.

"He didn't ask if you were hurt," Fenny said from the shadows.

"No."

"He asked about the gold."

"I know." Cavan leaned his forehead on the wood. "I know. I'm trying to be sure before I think it."

Fenny came up behind him and put a hand between his shoulder blades.

It was the first touch all night that had nothing to do with fighting.

Cavan turned around and drew him in.

They stood like that for a long time in the dark.

The change came without warning.

It rolled up through Cavan's body, honey-sweet and slow.

For the first time in months it did not frighten him.

Fenny drew back, and his eyes went wide.

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