he doorbell was on the fritz again. Argus checked the time on his watch: 9:14. Kale was nothing if not punctual. There was little light were he was, but he didn't need it. A grey tabby purred at his feet, slinking around his ankles.
Kale appeared silently beside him a few moments later, holding a different grey tabby cat that he must have picked up on his way up through the house. He set the cat on the bed beneath the window and asked the obvious question. "Why the change in venue?"
Argus motioned toward the window. "Better vantage point." This house overlooked the backside of his Cambridge house. This particular location gave the best vantage point to see into the servant's quarters.
Kale's brow furrowed as he caught sight of Anna, curled up on the window seat reading a book. "What is she up to now?"
"She's settling in. This is her bedroom."
Kale grunted his disapproval. "Why would he put her here?"
"Because she demanded it. Believe it or not, this is a compromise. She wanted the room he'd been treating her injuries in."
They watched her in silence for a span of time that could have been minutes or hours. Time held little meaning to The King unless he was expected somewhere. The people who lived in the house began milling about, turning off lights, probably getting ready to turn in for the night.
"Do we need to move?" Kale asked.
Argus shook his head. He'd taken care of it. "They both take warm milk before retiring. You have information for me?"
"I tracked our visitors to a house in Burwell. Half a dozen rogues, at least two familiars, maybe a couple more. Looked like they might have been recruiting. They cleared out pretty quickly after the fire. Nothing to suggest where they went, but it's not like we don't know where they are. Will you be wanting to make a trip to Belgium soon?"
"You can handle Belgium on your own."
Kale made a sound that was half a grumble half a snort.
Argus cocked an eyebrow at him.
"She clings," Kale explained.
"It's because she trusts you."
"That's what I'm worried about."
Argus shook his head. "She knows your predilections. Love her as your sister, trust her as she trusts you, and she will continue to love you as her brother, I promise you."
Kale took a slow breath as he shifted his weight between his feet then turned his attention back to the window. "How long will you continue to watch her?"
"I haven't decided."
"She amuses you."
"She doesn't bore me."