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But Henry looked positively gloomy, and leaned forward, lacing his fingers together. In the dimly lit flat, the future Lord Constantine confided in a young actor, and no one would ever know.
“He thinks that it would be good for me; go into the army after college, serve some time, maybe over seas, and to make some contacts. Cedric is a rising star of politics without ever setting foot off of the island, and no one seems to think that's odd.” He frowned, and ran a hand over his blond hair, disarranging it in a way that would have set both his manservant and his father into a dither. To me, it made him look more like himself, the young man that had dragged me into- and out of so much trouble in our youth. His hair had never lain flat then, either.
“What's the problem?” I asked.
“I think it's odd.”
“I thought you liked Cedric.”
“I did. It's different now. He's changed.”
“If he'd been eating souls like he said he was, of course he'd change.”
“He didn't say he was eating souls;” Suki pointed out to her brother. “He said he was taking power.”
“He can say whatever he wants.” Saki frowned. “I know a soul eater when I see one.”
“You're saying that he changed because he took power from other people?” Henry asked, almost hopeful.
“Would that be a change?” Suki asked tartly.
“Suki!” I said, surprised. “I realize you haven't seen him at his best; but please; be polite.”
“I don't need to be polite to anyone who casts elfshot into you.”
“I wouldn't be polite to anyone who throws elfshot.” Saki confirmed.
Henry sounded like he was choking, and I looked at him oddly, finally he stopped stifling his laughter, and chuckled merrily.
“I don't know why; but I like them; Xan. They're good children.”
“What a stunning recommendation.” Saki said dryly, sounding so much like Henry that it startled a laugh out of him.
“Henry-” I said seriously. “This is, unfortunately, serious.”
“I know” He sighed, deeply, then brightened. “I know! You should travel! Go to the east, there's all sorts of mystics out there; just your sort of thing.”
“Henry,” I said. “That's a lovely idea; but.”
“Don't worry, I can give you the money- in fact you should leave right away!” He clapped his hands together briskly. “You and the twins; it'll be fun!”
“Henry...” I knew what he meant by it. “I can't run away.”
“Why not?” The twins and Henry asked at the same time.
“Xan, you've probably royally annoyed Cedric- even before he was a- what did you call him?” he looked at Saki
“Soul eater.”
Henry pulled a face. “right- even before he was a evil magician,he wasn't a man to cross.”
“Why can't we run? It makes perfect sense to me.” Suki demanded.
“I'm not getting it either.” Saki admitted.
“Cedric can't do anything to me;” Henry said “but you, all three of you; there's not much I can do to help you- but I can help you run away.”
“I'm not going to run away.” I said, and coughed. “Honestly, Henry, how far do you think I'd get; even with your help?”
“But you can't fight him; you've got a great spirit; but he's he's...” Suki hugged me “He's not right.”
“I wish I could tell you why I thought running away wouldn't help; but I know it won't”
Saki looked thoughtful. “We could figure out why, if we had cards.”
“Cards? Like for playing games;” Henry asked. I knew he liked a good hand of cards- almost as much as my aunt had; it was ungentlemanly, but he probably had a deck with him.
“Those would work;” he allowed “But purposed cards'd be better.”
“I know what they're talking about,” I told Henry. “It's a divination tool.”
“Oh, that explains it.” Henry had never had any patience with divination, because when it wasn't vague it was useless, and that was before he'd given up magic. I didn't have much more patience for it. I'd seen a set of the cards Saki was talking about once, when I'd tried to learn magic from a gypsy woman.
“I won't know where do get them.”
“We can make some;” Suki nodded “If we had supplies.”
“Well, if you won't take my help in running, I can get you those.” Henry finished his tea and stood up, gathering his hat and gloves. “But Xan; if you really think Cedric is going to come for the twins; please, let me help you get out of the country?”
I smiled, and shook my head again. “What?” I joked. “And leave show business?”