Page 39 of Stalk the Dark
“It’s what he wanted,” Haiden said. “No doubt he knew what you’d think and anticipated how you’d react. You’re ordained. Conditioned to save innocent lives. There was no way he couldn’t have known that.”
I lifted my head as he set a generous mug of coffee in front of me. “What are you saying?”
He looked me dead in the eyes. “I’m saying he wanted that man dead, and he wanted you to be the cause. Guilt can be a crippling emotion. It can make you second-guess yourself, just like you’re doing right now, which in turn gives him the upper hand.”
Damn… “That makes sense.”
He patted my shoulder. “Drink your coffee. I’m making pancakes. Today is a new day.”
A new day, yes. That was the attitude to take. I sipped my coffee, mentally preparing for the day ahead. A trip into Old Town could be interesting despite the whole dress shopping aspect.
The door opened, and Merry slipped into the room. The last time I’d seen her, she’d been full of bubbly energy, but today it was as if she walked under a cloud. Her shoulders were rounded, her skin lackluster, and her movements sluggish. She mumbled a morning and took the seat opposite me, her eyes downcast.
Haiden put a pot of tea on the table for her. “Orina has to go into town today,” he said to her, his attention on me, questioning, almost prompting.
Ah, okay. “I need to buy a dress. I am not a dress person.” I sipped at my coffee. “No idea where to go.”
“Agatha’s Emporium,” Merry said. “She has the best designs.” She peeked up at me from beneath her bangs. “I…I could take you.”
This hesitant, soft-spoken woman was a far cry from the light-hearted one I’d met yesterday. But she was grieving her friends. She’d had to do so over and over. It was cruel and heartbreaking.
“I’d love for you to take me. I think Edwin’s coming too.”
“We should take Padma,” Merry said. “We can go to our favorite cake shop and…” She trailed off. “I’m sorry, we used to go there…before.” She sucked in a breath. “I can’t believe they’re gone.” Her eyes welled.
Haiden was on hand with a tissue, his expression sympathetic but in a weary way. But then, he’d watched her grieve too many times.
I fixed a smile on my face. “I’d like to go. See what they loved about the place.”
A little life bled into her eyes. “Would you like to try some elderflower tea?”
I fucking hated the stuff. “Sure.”
My mouthstill tasted like flowers by the time we left for the parade, a part of Old Town where all the shops were. I’d hoped to see Hemlock and Ordell before leaving, but they didn’t join us for breakfast. I’d catch them later.
Edwin drove us into town in the Order carriage—much smaller in comparison to the one belonging to the hunters but still large enough to fit six regular-sized people.
Padma sat opposite me, her gaze fixed on the view out of the window, which was the usual vista of fields and trees.
But the town was visible in the distance where the sky was darker and smog-clogged from the many coal fires. They’d been burning wood at the chapter house. Much cleaner.
“Do you know what kind of dress you want?” Merry asked.
“I don’t want any kind of dress, but I have to get one, so feel free to pick for me.”
Her eyes lit up.
“I think something to accentuate your waist and bosom. No bustle, though. Oh, and off the shoulder. You’ll be the belle of the ball.”
“She’s not going on a date,” Padma said tightly. “She’ll be surrounded by predators. The last thing she wants to do is stand out.”
Merry made an ‘o’ with her mouth. “Good point. Something sedate and…underwhelming, then?”
“I doubt he’ll let you get away with that,” Padma said. “Ezekiel likes to show off his things.”
“I’m not histhing.”
“You’re the first watcher he’s invited to go to the Exciatio as his companion.”
