Timekeeper (Timekeeper #1)(60)

In broken sentences, his head resting on Colton’s chest, he told him about the fall of the new Maldon tower. Colton’s arms tightened around him, and Danny wished he could hear something against his ear—the beat of a heart, the whistle of breath. It would have comforted him more than anything.

“I don’t know why this is happening,” he said. “The other two towers were small, out of the way. Why target that one?”

Colton shook his head. The spirit’s fingers wove through Danny’s hair. “I’m sorry. I wish the tower had worked.”

Danny sat up. “Do you know anything about how the towers were made? How your tower was made?”

Colton straightened Danny’s collar, his amber eyes downcast. “I don’t.”

“Are you sure?”

“Danny.” Colton met his gaze, steady but remorseful. “The truth is, I can’t remember that far back. I don’t know how long I’ve been here, or even how old the town is. All I know is that the towers were built when Aetas died. Like you told me.”

“Right. Sorry.” Suddenly restless, Danny stood and began to pace. Colton leaned against the wall, watching him.

“I’ve never seen spirits in other towers. I don’t think the new Maldon tower even had a spirit before it fell. Do you think without spirits, the towers can’t function?”

Colton lifted his shoulders in a slow shrug. “You’re the mechanic. I’m just the clock.”

A bubble of laughter escaped Danny. It was laced with panic.

“My tower will be fine,” Colton said. “I’m sure of it.”

“But you can’t know that. The other towns couldn’t predict that their towers would be attacked.” Danny resumed his pacing, biting a thumbnail. “Damn it. If only I had a hint. Maybe if I find out more about Tom and George, try to blackmail them into telling me—”

“Danny, please stop.” Colton joined him in the middle of the room and placed his hands on Danny’s shoulders, forcing him to stand still. “I’m sorry,” Colton said again. “I’m sorry I don’t have the answers, and that I’m only making this harder.”

“You’re not ma—”

Colton pressed a finger to Danny’s lips. “I am. And I wish I could help in some way, but I’m … well, I’m stuck here.” He dropped his hands to Danny’s chest. “I wish I could do more.”

Danny’s panic eased away, like water washing over his frantic footsteps. He put his hands on Colton’s waist and pulled him closer. He wanted to tell him everything. Tell him about the burning in his heart, in his stomach. When Colton held him, it was as if the small, dark things that rattled inside him were gathered up and turned to gold. All melted down and forged into something brighter.

“Colton.” It was all he could say, but it was enough.

The spirit rewarded him with a faint smile. “Danny.”

They brushed noses before they kissed. It was slow and hesitant at first, but then it grew deeper, forming a conversation of its own.

I’m worried about you.

I’m fine.

I’m not going anywhere.

They fell into a rhythm of heat and pressure. When Danny needed air, Colton brushed kisses against his neck. Danny grabbed the back of Colton’s head and crushed their mouths back together, desperate for contact.

But Colton jerked his head away, toward the stairs. Danny followed his gaze and choked on a gasp.

Cassie stood there, staring at the two of them with her mouth hanging open. “Da-Danny? What on earth?”

Colton disappeared in a blink. Danny felt oddly exposed without him.

“What are you doing here, Cass?” He tried to make the words loud and accusing, but they came out as a ragged whisper.

Her eyes were fixed on the spot where Colton had been a second earlier. Her voice sounded faraway. “You were acting strange, so I thought I’d …” She gripped the end of her frizzy braid. “I wanted to make sure you were all right. I followed you here. I thought it might be a nice surprise, you know, to see you and …”

She trailed off, her eyes taking in the clock room. She had seen Colton, Danny was sure of it. Which meant she had also seen him disappear.

“Where did he go?” She turned in a full circle, the end of her green scarf sweeping behind her.

“Where did who go?” Oh God, am I really doing this?

Her cheeks reddened. “Don’t play the idiot with me. I just saw you and another boy kissing like it was the end of the world.” She fought to swallow. “Please tell me what’s going on?”

She stared at him, silently begging him to explain. He sighed and turned to the clock face.

“Colton? Please come back.”

It took a moment for him to notice Colton standing beside him again. The spirit’s expression was cautiously blank.

“Colton, this is Cassie. I told you about her, remember? My friend?”

Colton nodded.

“Cassie, this is Colton. The ‘blond bloke.’ And … a clock spirit.”

He didn’t think her jaw could drop so low.

“No,” she said firmly.

“Yes?”

“He’s a clock spirit?”

Danny winced. “Shout it a little louder, I don’t think the people in London heard you.”