Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 389
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They were ten alleys away from the Boros house before
either spoke. "Wait," said Jordan, holding up his hand. "Gotta
rest."
"They’ll come after us."
"Not for a while." He had an odd distracted look on his
face. He’d had it back in the hall, too. Bemused, almost
sublime. "Everything’s quiet."
She didn’t ask how he knew that. "I’m cold."
"Yes, we’ve got to find some shelter."
Tamsin nearly said, "We just left shelter," but that would
have taken too much energy. It didn’t make any sense to go
anywhere; there was nowhere to go now. She supposed there
might be for him. But why had he come for her?
Jordan closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and smiled.
"Yes," he said, "you’ve done well. Now please return to your
master. I’m sure he’ll be frantic without you."
He opened his eyes and looked at her. She knew he was
anticipating a question. Tamsin just stared at him.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
The question was so ridiculous she laughed. "No, no I’m
not." She opened her mouth to say more, but the words tripped
over one another. And she didn’t know where to start, or why
telling him would do any good.
He spoke, touched her arm. But something distracted