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“Sit down,” Theo said, more aggressively than anyone ought to among so many miners. All three Colson brothers stood from their seats, as did Otto. A more menacing sight I’d rarely seen.

The pub quieted.

“You’ve had a long day, Teddy,” Patrick said, in that low, rumbling voice. “Perhaps you’d better turn in, eh?”

But Theo’s anger seemed to evaporate, right there on the spot. Perhaps it was the hulking figures that stood taller than him, shoulders wider than his, that cooled his blood. He smiled genially. “I’ve only just arrived,” he said, ignoring Gunner at his shoulder with great effort. Theo sat. “Stay awhile longer, Polly,” he said with faux politeness. “Let’s have a drink.”

Slowly, the Colsons and Otto sat, though Patrick and Gunner traded wary looks. “Why don’t you get everyone a beer, Otto,” Patrick said. “You owe us about a hundred of ’em.”

“I’ll get them,” I said, immediately standing. In truth, I needed a moment of reprieve.

I left before anyone could stop me.

At the bar, the keep didn’t ask for payment. He placed a tray of pints on the counter with a meek “Here you go, miss,” and hurried on to the next customer.

I downed an entire drink before stepping away, wiping my mouth on my sleeve. When I turned, it was only to nearly upturn the entire tray on Theo’s chest.

I froze.

That same tightness remained around his mouth, his eyes. He stood not half a foot away from me. “Had a productive day, did you?” he asked.

My gaze shifted to the patrons nearest, then over his shoulder.

“Yes, he’s watching you,” Theo said icily. “So smile. Offer me a drink.”

He was right. I smiled at Theo, lifted the tray for him to take a pint.

“Make any progress?” Theo said now. “Or did you and Polly simply sit on their laps all day?”

“Don’t,” I said, my smile wavering slightly. “You don’t get to say that to me.”

“Forgive me. I’ve been in a hole all day. My patience is a little spent.” He waited expectantly, and for a moment I was torn. Telling him everything and telling him nothing both felt like a betrayal.

“They met a man in Dorser who gave them guns,” I said quietly. “That’s all.”

“That’s all?” Theo queried. “And what of the person we were sent to find?”

“It’s not as though I can simply ask him where he’s hiding an Alchemist, Theo.” I laughed as though we were exchanging jokes. I hoped from this distance that Patrick couldn’t see the strain beneath the surface.

“And I can’t keep creating leaks and pretending I don’t know how to fix them,” Theo gritted out. “I’ve bought you these extra days, Nina.Usethem. The sooner we can leave this hellhole, the better.”

“The sooner I demolish it, you mean.” I said it beneath my breath, but he heard it still. How was it that voices could crest and fall all around us, but be of no consequence to him? Had he already buried them in his mind?

“I’m aware of the enormity of the task, Nina.” His voice had grown softer. He sighed, and his shoulders fell. “Perhaps I can—”

But Patrick had risen from his seat, and his intention was clear. “This isn’t the time to discuss it,” I interjected.

“Whenisthe time?”

Patrick drew nearer. “I don’t know, tomorrow night?”

“I can’t keep this up forever, Nina.”

I just had to find a way out of this mess. Lure the two guns away. “I need more time.”

Theo leaned down nearer to my ear. “Then use it wisely, Clarke. And be careful.”

I nodded, and before Patrick could arrive, and Theo could melt into the crowd, I finished another pint.