Sabine’s own eyes widened as she recognized the anguish that flashed in Gray’s. He must have come to care for the family he’d been hired to protect, because looking at his face was like looking into a mirror. It showed the pain of loss, of suffering, of being too late to save someone despite the best of intentions.
This was a feeling that Sabine knew all too well. She’d felt it on the night her father was taken away, and every night since.
Her sympathy flared, and she squeezed her fingers into fists to keep herself from doing something stupid, like reaching for Gray’s hand. He didn’t seem to the type to appreciate sentiment or pity, however well-meaning it was, and she certainly wasn’t the type to forgive and forget so quickly. Still, she couldn’t quite keep the horror from her face as Gray shared the story of the D’Ordyn family murders.
“Monsters…” she whispered. An entire family, wiped out in trills. How awful. And Gray… was he the only one who knew? The only one with tasked with finding proof and avenging their deaths?
Sabine dropped her gaze to the table as understanding flickered and she considered her companion. His seriousness, his caution, his paranoia; it all made far more sense in the context of the D’Ordyn family. Justice was a heavy burden to carry, especially alone.
But I suppose he's no longer alone.
She nodded in agreement to Gray’s instructions. “Gather information and observe. Don’t go in. Got it.” She surprised even herself when a roll of her eyes was the only response she gave to his comment about throwing herself into compromising situations. His tale of the D’Ordyns must have tempered her mood; if he had told any other story, she was certain she would have buried him with words of outrage and denial.
“And I’ll take your second favour,” she said slowly, “but know that I don’t take these promises lightly. I hope I can trust you to keep them."
Her head began to throb with more urgency. She winced and took a steadying breath. “Is there anything more you can tell me about the thief? Midtown’s a large place, so whatever might narrow it down for me would be helpful. Do you know if they hit shops or homes?”
Sabine waited a moment for his response and then dropped her hands to her sides. “If there’s nothing else…” Her chair squeaked against the wooden floor as she pushed it back and stood. She stuffed the original balled up note into her pocket and shoved her hands in after it. “I’ll let you know when I have something. Can I reach you through the Inn, or is there somewhere else that would be better?”
This was a feeling that Sabine knew all too well. She’d felt it on the night her father was taken away, and every night since.
Her sympathy flared, and she squeezed her fingers into fists to keep herself from doing something stupid, like reaching for Gray’s hand. He didn’t seem to the type to appreciate sentiment or pity, however well-meaning it was, and she certainly wasn’t the type to forgive and forget so quickly. Still, she couldn’t quite keep the horror from her face as Gray shared the story of the D’Ordyn family murders.
“Monsters…” she whispered. An entire family, wiped out in trills. How awful. And Gray… was he the only one who knew? The only one with tasked with finding proof and avenging their deaths?
Sabine dropped her gaze to the table as understanding flickered and she considered her companion. His seriousness, his caution, his paranoia; it all made far more sense in the context of the D’Ordyn family. Justice was a heavy burden to carry, especially alone.
But I suppose he's no longer alone.
She nodded in agreement to Gray’s instructions. “Gather information and observe. Don’t go in. Got it.” She surprised even herself when a roll of her eyes was the only response she gave to his comment about throwing herself into compromising situations. His tale of the D’Ordyns must have tempered her mood; if he had told any other story, she was certain she would have buried him with words of outrage and denial.
“And I’ll take your second favour,” she said slowly, “but know that I don’t take these promises lightly. I hope I can trust you to keep them."
Her head began to throb with more urgency. She winced and took a steadying breath. “Is there anything more you can tell me about the thief? Midtown’s a large place, so whatever might narrow it down for me would be helpful. Do you know if they hit shops or homes?”
Sabine waited a moment for his response and then dropped her hands to her sides. “If there’s nothing else…” Her chair squeaked against the wooden floor as she pushed it back and stood. She stuffed the original balled up note into her pocket and shoved her hands in after it. “I’ll let you know when I have something. Can I reach you through the Inn, or is there somewhere else that would be better?”