The Black Coats(49)

Thea pressed against the wall as the crowd moved past her, a cold look crossing Julie’s features when her eyes met Thea’s. Then she was gone, followed by a pack of Black Coats all making their way up the stairs.

Mirabelle sidled up next to Thea, elbowing her softly. “Way to be late to a funeral, team leader!”

Thea shook her head. “I know. I’m sorry. My parents were difficult this morning.”

“Don’t worry, I think only Julie noticed,” Casey said softly.

Louise was red-eyed. “It was so sad! Robin wasn’t even that old!”

“More reason to live for right now,” said Bea as she squeezed Louise’s arm.

Casey fiddled with her collar. “Speaking of, I’m going to attempt to get a gin and tonic. Who’s going to card us here?”

Mirabelle looked over at her with exasperation. “Of course you would be thinking about that right now.”

Louise leaned in. “Did you hear what Julie said about cutting our weakness? Is that us? Are we the weakness?”

“I don’t think she was talking about us. I think she was talking about someone coming after the Black Coats. I’ve heard whispers that they are worried about that,” Mirabelle replied.

Louise shook her head. “Who would be that stupid?”

Thea saw that Sahil had not moved from his spot on the chair. “You guys go on ahead. I’ll be a minute.” The team looked at Thea with raised eyebrows before heading upstairs. Thea walked over to Sahil and rested a hand on his shoulder, dully aware of the fact that there was a dead body a foot from where she stood. “Hey,” she said gently.

“Hey.” His voice was ragged and dry, probably from all the crying he had done. Thea didn’t say anything. Sometimes it was best to just let the other person feel, to be open to whatever came out of his mouth. “She was sick for a long time,” he croaked. She nodded. Sahil went on, “She was ready. We were ready. Everything was prepared, and yet . . .” He let out a sob. “I don’t feel ready for this.”

Thea shook her head. “No one is.”

He wiped away a tear with a half laugh. “How creepy is this place down here?”

“Yeah, it’s pretty bleak. Is this where they keep all the bodies?”

Sahil’s head jerked up. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing. It was just a joke. Bad timing. Funerals make people do weird things,” said Thea. Sahil cracked a smile, but it wasn’t honest.

Thea looked at the floor. “It gets easier. I never thought I would say that, but somehow it’s true. I thought I would never laugh again. It was like a grenade was dropped onto my entire life and yet I laugh. I smile. I look forward to things.”

Sahil raised his eyes. “Like our training?”

Thea shook her head. “Well, I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Thanks for talking to me. Everyone is acting like I’m either invisible or made of glass.” He pushed up from his chair. “I should probably go upstairs. Julie will be waiting for me to pretend I’m supportive of everything she does. My mom’s body is barely cold for three minutes and she’s already changing things.” He sighed. “I just want to run. Far away from here. From everyone and everything.”

Thea took his hand. “Anytime you want to run, I’ll run with you.” She paused. “As long as you don’t run out of the state, because that won’t work for me.” He smiled, and this time it was real. “I’ll see you upstairs, okay? Take your time. Everyone else can wait.” She gave his hand a squeeze.

As she climbed the stairs, the light growing brighter with each step, she was at once sorry for Sahil and thankful that she wasn’t lingering in that kind of darkness anymore. There was no way through it but time.

She found Team Banner seated outside, spread over a picnic table just outside the Haunt’s open doors. Inside the Haunt, the sounds of a polite reception filled the space, whereas outside the air buzzed with the sound of bees seeking sweet nectar. Mirabelle had lain down on the picnic table, a pair of bright yellow sunglasses perched on the end of her nose. “How was Sahil? I didn’t know you were hot for him.”

“I’m not,” snapped Thea. “He’s a friend, and someone who could use more friends, frankly.”

“Mirabelle!” Bea snapped. “He’s grieving! Give it a rest!”

Mirabelle sighed. “Okay, but only because I know what it’s like to lose a mom.” She pushed herself up on her elbows as Louise took a sip of sweet tea. Thea parked herself next to Casey. “So did you wrangle a gin and tonic?”

Casey fiddled with her key ring. “Nope. Damn Black Coats, following the law only when it suits them.”

Mirabelle snorted. “Hey, how long do you think we have to be here?”

Thea drummed her fingers on the tabletop, half listening, her mind on Sahil’s grief-wracked face. “I’m not sure, but here comes Nixon to tell us. Sit up, Mirabelle. Now!”

Mirabelle scurried to a normal sitting position. Their tired-looking president approached the table. She had obviously been up all night. “Nixon,” started Thea, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Nixon raised a hand to silence her. “Thank you for your condolences. I’ve just been informed by Julie that Mirabelle has been given her inheritance.” The rest of the team sat forward in surprise. Nixon shifted on her feet. “This is the earliest Balancing I have ever seen. Much too early, I think, for your team. However, the Black Coat bylaws state that this is Mirabelle’s choice and not mine. Therefore, I would urge you, Mirabelle, to be patient.”