As soon as Vin returned to town from Suarez, some sixth sense told him that Chris wasn't there, and he felt a small lurch in his stomach. Something else was different too, something that made him shiver. He noticed the fancy rig standing by the livery when he put away his horse, a shiny black carriage with soft seats fit for two. Inside, as he brushed down his horse, his saw two of the finest black geldings he'd ever seen, standing in the two pens where his and Chris's horses usually stayed.As he was leaving the livery, JD almost ran him down, followed quickly by Buck.
"What's yer hurry?" Vin asked.
"Gotta go find Chris," JD answered, breathless.
"Trouble?"
"Nope. Money," Buck replied, a sly grin on his face.
"What's that mean?" Vin asked. Normally he wouldn't get this irritated with his friends, but he'd ridden a long way, and he was tired, hungry and damp. And he wanted to see Chris.
"There's some rich lady putting up $50 for whoever finds Chris and brings him back."
The bad feeling Vin had when he first rode into town got stronger.
"Why?" he asked.
"Ask her. We gotta get to Purgatory," JD answered, and hurried into the livery.
"Guess she wants him pretty bad," Buck replied, slapping Vin's shoulder as he walked by. Vin shook his head, debating whether to go with them or not. In the end, he decided to dry off, and find Ezra to ask what this was all about. If it had to do with money, Ezra'd know more than anybody.
Ezra was hurrying across the street when Vin emerged from his wagon. "Ezra," he called out, but Ezra didn't seem to hear him. "Ezra!"
Ezra stopped and turned around. A grin crossed his features. Vin recognized that grin; it was the one Ezra got when he smelled cash.
"Ah, Mr. Tanner, I see you have returned from your excursion, and just in time," Ezra said as he walked over to Vin's wagon. "I was just on my way to join our benefactress for a light repast." He placed his arm lightly around Vin's shoulder to steer him to the hotel. "You'll want to meet her right away. A charming lady, and obviously well-financed."
Vin shrugged off Ezra's arm. "Just tell me what the hell's goin' on. Where's Chris, and why are JD and Buck hell bent on bringin' him back?"
"Mr. Larabee is presumably in Purgatory. He left the day before yesterday in one of his notoriously foul moods. Then this morning Mrs. Gaines appeared, inquiring after his whereabouts. When she learned he wasn't here, she offered a reward of $50 for anyone willing to retrieve him."
"Ya didn't offer ta go?" Vin asked.
Ezra smiled. "Mr. Tanner, where normally such a sum would endeavor me to attempt feats I'd otherwise rather not, facing down a drunk and ill-tempered Chris Larabee is not a challenge any amount of money would support."
Ezra started walking again to the hotel. "Come, Mr. Tanner, we don't want to be late. Mrs. Gaines was very anxious to meet you."
"Why?"
"I have no idea, but we wouldn't want to keep the lady waiting."
Vin followed Ezra, trying to puzzle everything together. He wasn't surprised that Chris went to Purgatory. If he started feeling wooly, he might hurt somebody here. But who this woman was and what she was doing eluded him.
He stopped Ezra before they entered the hotel. "Ezra, wait. What's she want with Chris?"
"She didn't elaborate. I get the distinct impression she's a damsel in distress, requiring Mr. Larabee as her knight in shining armor, and is willing to pay quite handsomely for the opportunity."
Ezra entered the hotel and spread his arms in greeting. "Mrs. Gaines, you look simply radiant," he said. Vin shook his head and followed. He really had a bad feeling about this.
Vin stepped into the dining room, and removed his hat. He'd never actually eaten over here. He always ate at the saloon; it made him less uncomfortable. Didn't matter over there what fork he used or how dirty his coat was.
He looked past Ezra to the woman he was talking to. She had dark hair done up in a fancy knot and wore a flattering frilly dress, but her face was hard. Her mouth was down turned as she listened to whatever Ezra was babbling to her, and her eyes cold. Vin could see how most people would find her attractive, but she reminded him of a snake.
She looked away from Ezra and over at him, but he didn't move closer into the room. Ezra also turned.
"Mr. Tanner, please, come meet our new employer."
"We work fer the town, Ezra. We ain't fer sale to the highest bidder."
Ezra laughed. "Mr. Tanner is very loyal. We are not deserting this humble hamlet. We are simply assisting another who has need of our renowned services." He walked over and took Vin's arm. "It won't kill you to meet her," he said under his breath as he led Vin to the table.
"Mrs. Gaines, may I present Vin Tanner, the last of our coterie to make your acquaintance."
She stood gracefully and extended her hand. He grabbed it roughly. "Ma'am," he said.
"Mr. Standish has been telling me of your skills as a sharpshooter and tracker. He says you are the best in the territory."
Vin glanced at Ezra. "Ezra's been known to stretch the truth."
"He also tells me of your close relationship with Chris."
"I don't know about close," Vin said, glancing at the floor. He didn't like the way she said Chris, hissed like a snake, a snake with her fangs set on Chris. He'd be damned if he'd agree to go along with it.
"If you are working with Chris, then he must trust you. Chris only surrounds himself with the best."
"Isn't that the truth?" Ezra said.
"Look, Mrs. Gaines, I appreciate yer offer, but I ain't interested. We got a job here, and it don't feel right up and leavin' these people unprotected. With yer money, you can hire a whole army ta help ya out." She didn't like being turned down. He could see that for sure.
"I applaud your loyalty, Mr. Tanner, and I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate. But if you feel so strongly, then by all means, please stay here with the town."
Vin nodded and turned to leave.
"I'm sure six will be plenty," she added.
He stopped. "Six?"
She looked at him, and he nearly took a step back. "Chris won't refuse me. He never could."
The silence stretched between them.
"Vin, why don't you reconsider? It wouldn't be prudent to break up our organization, certainly not before we go into battle against the fiends plaguing this dear woman," Ezra said.
Vin thought it over. His gut told him something fishy was going on, but Chris had obviously known this woman before. Maybe he was overreacting after all. He was tired and hungry, and worried about Chris. They'd go, help her out of her trouble, and come back, a month's wages richer.
"Is that a yes?" she asked.
He nodded. She smiled, and sat down, raising her glass. "Good. Would you like to join me for supper?"
"No, thank you, ma'am. I just got back ta town, and I have some things ta take care of. If you'll excuse me." He backed out of the room, and took deep breaths as soon as he got outside. He didn't like not trusting his own instincts. That's what happened when you spent too much time around folks, in a town, he thought. Messed you up in the head, so you couldn't tell danger from friends. He put his hat back on and pulled it low over his eyes. He'd wait until Buck and JD brought Chris back. If Chris trusted this woman, he reckoned he could too.
<<<<<<<<<<~~~~~~~~~~>>>>>>>>>>
Vin leaned back in the chair in front of the jail. Since JD hadn't come back yet, he had offered to watch over things. It also gave him an excuse to wait up for them. He hoped Chris hadn't gone too crazy. Chris could take care of himself, and Vin would let him do as he pleased, but he had hoped the gunslinger was also healing, at least a little bit. Problem was, Chris didn't want to heal; he felt he was dishonoring the memory of his family if he allowed himself any happiness.
Around midnight, Vin heard horse hooves near the town, then yelling, loud and furious. He hopped down from the porch and headed towards the saloon, and grinned at the sight. Chris Larabee, slung over the saddle of his horse like a sack of flour, and hollering to wake the dead.
"Buck, I'm gonna kill you. I'm gonna shoot you through the heart, and then I'm gonna beat the shit out of you."
Buck chuckled. "That would seem a bit pointless after I'm dead, pard," he said, climbing off his horse.
"Untie me now, you son of a bitch, so I can kill you twice."
"That's awful tempting there, Chris, but I think you might need to calm down a bit first."
"Buck, so help me God, let me down!"
Vin stepped to where Buck rested against the hitching post. "I see ya found him," he said quietly.
"Yep, we did. And he's glad to be home, as you can see."
JD climbed down off his horse and walked over to them.
"Are we gonna cut him down?" he asked.
"Not unless I can do it from way over here," Buck answered.
"Let Vin do it. He won't kill Vin," JD said.
"Hell, no. You tied him up," Vin said.
"Buck," Chris yelled. "You untie me right now and I won't kill you."
"Really?" Buck asked, smiling.
"Yeah, I'll just break every bone in your goddamned worthless body. Let me down!"
Faces had begun appearing in windows around the town. A few people stepped out of the saloon, but stepped right back in again to watch from the safety of inside. Ezra pushed past them to lean against the doorway, his gold tooth gleaming as he grinned.
"My, my, now there's a sight you don't see every day."
"Is that Ezra?" Chris asked. "Ezra, I'll give you $10 to cut me down."
Buck turned and glared at him.
"Sorry, Mr. Larabee. I don't get out of bed for less than $50."
"Then I'm killing you next. After Buck, and JD too. All of you. Cut me down!"
"Maybe you could try askin' nicely," Vin said. "Might work a bit better."
Chris lifted his head from where he lay across the horse. His blonde hair fell across his face, and he shook his head so he could see. "Vin? Is that you?"
"Yep."
"Vin, cut me down. This ain't right, and you know it. Besides, it hurts."
"He's rather manipulative when he's drunk, isn't he?" Ezra asked.
Vin walked closer to the horse, still out of Chris's grasp. "I cut ya loose, you gonna kill me too?"
Chris looked like he was thinking it over. "No," he replied, grudgingly.
"Are ya gonna behave? Go straight up to yer room and sleep it off?"
"Yep. Right after I kill Buck and JD."
"And me," Ezra said.
"And Ezra. I'm gonna kill him slow, though, 'cause he really pisses me off."
Vin stepped back away from the horse. "Then maybe ya should just sleep out here."
Chris's head collapsed against the side of the horse. He mumbled something.
Vin stepped forward again and lifted his head by the chin. "What was that?"
Chris's eyes met his, and Vin was shocked at the anger and anguish he saw there. The look softened a bit when he saw it was Vin. "I'll be good," he said. "Cut me down. Please." The defeat in his voice was almost too much for Vin to take. He pulled out his knife and cut the rope around his wrists, then guided him down off the horse. Chris sank to a boneless heap on the ground, swaying as the blood rushed out of his head. "Let me help ya inside," Vin said quietly, wrapping his arm around the unsteady man to help him up. As soon as he was standing, Chris swayed some more, rubbing his eyes. He glanced up at Buck, who was still leaning on the hitching post, grinning. Chris's grin in return would have melted ice.
Buck's smile faded, and he moved out of the way moments before Chris lunged at him, hitting the hitching post instead with a crack.
"Now, pard, I was only doing what was best for you," Buck said, backing away. "I told you, there's a real pretty lady here to see you."
"I was with a real pretty lady," Chris growled, stalking Buck as he backed up.
"No slight intended to the lovely Maria, but this lady is offering a reward for you."
"So you a bounty hunter now?" He gestured at Vin, still standing near the horse. "Vin's worth more, why don't you toss him over a saddle?"
"Now Chris, that ain't..." He didn't get to finish as Chris lunged again. Buck jumped back, and the blonde man landed awkwardly on his hands and knees. Vin moved to help him up, but Chris threw him off and went after Buck again. He chased him around the street, before resting on a hitching post.
"You all right now, pard?" Vin asked quietly.
In response, Chris began kicking the post.
"Guess not," Buck said.
Chris brought out his gun and pointed it at Buck, who backed away, hands raised. Everyone held his breath until Chris pointed the gun away from Buck and pulled the trigger. The bullet landed in the dirt. Chris began kicking at the post again, until it split down the middle. He moved on to the next post, and the next, kicking and pounding on them all until they all cracked and splintered.
"He's going to break his hands," JD said.
"Yep," Buck replied.
Finally, Chris leaned over the last standing hitching post, and heaved his guts out.
"Mr. Wilmington, what on earth is going on here?" a female voice called from down the street.
"Dear Lord," Ezra said, and stepped back in the saloon.
"Mrs. Travis," Buck said with a forced smile. "What brings you out so late at night?"
He moved to stand in front of her, while Vin and JD helped Chris stand. They pulled him back into the shadows of the alley. His head hung down, and he appeared to be snoring.
"Gunshots, swearing. I thought you were paid to arrest these people."
"I was about to do just that, ma'am. Now why don't you go back home and let us take care of this?"
She tried to peer around him, but he stepped swiftly in front of her, gently grabbing her elbow and leading her away. "Let me escort you home. Streets aren't safe for a lady at night."
As soon as she was out of sight, JD and Vin carried Chris out of the alley. "Where to?" JD asked.
Vin looked at Chris. "Better put him in the jail, just in case," he said. As they led him down the street, Vin glanced up at the hotel. Standing in the window, Ella Gaines stared down at them. She wore a black nightdress and her hair was loose around her shoulders. The smile she wore was pure triumph. Vin shivered and looked away, dragging Chris to the jail.
They led Chris to a cot. He collapsed on top of it and covered his eyes with his arm.
JD grabbed the keys to lock the cell.
"Ain't necessary," Vin said. "He's done for the night. Why don't you go get some sleep, JD? I'll stay here."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, go on."
JD replaced his hat and left the jail. Vin watched him go, then walked inside the jail, leaning against the steel door.
"Where were you?" Chris mumbled at him.
"Storm washed out the roads. Couldn't get through."
"But it was three years. You were supposed to be here."
"Three years?" Vin asked.
Chris sat up, clenching the blanket in his hand. "Three years! I told you, the three year anniversary is tomorrow, today, whatever." He lay back down on the blanket.
Vin realized what he was talking about. The three-year anniversary of the death of his family. Jesus, how could he forget? "Chris, I'm sorry. I forgot. I don't know what ta say." He moved closer into the room, kneeling by the end of the bed. He could kick himself for being so stupid. "Nothing to say. It's OK for you to forget. I can't forget. I can't ever forget. I have to remember." A single tear escaped the corner of his eye, and he let it run down his cheek.
Vin sighed, and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. Chris moved his legs so Vin could have more room.
"Chris," he said, softly, hoping he would for once be able to say the right words. "Ain't nobody askin' ya ta forget, but that don't mean tearin' yerself apart neither. You can remember, and still live. You can remember, and still let someone else in. Sarah wouldn't want ya ta be alone, from what you've told me about her. She wouldn't want ya angry and hurtin' 'cause of her. Just because ya move on, don't mean yer lettin' 'em go. Yer just lettin' somebody else in, and ya got plenty of room inside fer everybody. The person ya choose ta be with will understand that." He took a deep breath, and looked at his friend.
Chris's eyes were open and looking at him. "Do you believe that?"
Vin nodded.
"I gotta keep looking, Vin. I've gotta find the bastard that killed them."
"I know ya do. We'll find him."
"Thanks, Vin," Chris said, closing his eyes. Soon he was snoring again. Vin draped the blanket over him and left the cell, walking to the front doorway and staring out at the now dark and silent street. "We'll find him," he said softly, drawing the shade down on the window.
<<<<<<<<<<~~~~~~~~~~>>>>>>>>>>
Vin was dozing in the chair when Buck threw open the door. "Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!" he said.
"Buck, somebody's gonna shoot ya doin' that," Vin drawled from beneath the brim of his hat.
"Ain't you a bundle of joy in the morning?" Buck said. "Now get your feet off the desk. There's a lady present."
Vin looked up to see Ella framed in the doorway. She was wearing a demure white dress and a straw hat, and smiled as she saw Chris in the cell, where he could be heard snoring loudly.
Vin dropped his feet to the floor. "Mrs. Gaines," he said.
"Mr. Tanner. I see Chris is still as wild and untamed as a mountain lion." She looked over at Vin. "In our day, we had some rowdy romps."
Buck laughed. "I bet you did, Miss Ella."
Vin stood. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be headed to the saloon fer breakfast," he said.
"Don't forget to pack," Ella said. "We're leaving as soon as Chris is ready."
Vin nodded, and left the jail. His own words from last night came back to him: You can remember and still let someone else in. He hoped to God Chris didn't listen to that advice in regards to Ella Gaines.
<<<<<<<<<<~~~~~~~~~~>>>>>>>>>>
Vin hesitated in front of the door to Chris's room. He knew he should leave it alone. He knew he shouldn't be hurt that Chris hadn't said two words to him all day; instead he had been showing Ella around town like he was the proud mayor. Vin had been sitting outside the saloon, nursing a beer, when Chris and Ella walked by, not even acknowledging him. They had done the same to Mary as she stepped out of the Clarion office. The look on the newspaperwoman's face had been a mixture of loss and jealousy that she hadn't been able to hide. Vin had gulped down the rest of his beer, swearing he wasn't gonna let Larabee drive him to those depths.
Yet here he was, hanging around outside the man's door like an anxious suitor. All he wanted was to know where he stood. Shit, Tanner, that ain't it, he thought. You want Chris to tell you that Ella's leaving right this second and things'll go back to how they were. And there's not a chance in hell of that happening. The man has a right to his happiness, no matter where he finds it. That's why you took up with him in the first place, and if it means letting him go, then you'll do that too. Just didn't reckon on it hurting so damn much.
He decided against talking to Chris, and had just turned away when the door opened and Chris stepped out, wearing a clean black shirt.
"Vin," he said, pulling the door closed behind him. "You coming to the saloon?"
Vin shook his head. "New shirt?" he asked.
Chris looked down at it and shrugged. "Nope, just a clean one."
There were a few moments of silence. "Something on your mind, Vin?"
Words failed him. There was a lot on his mind, but nothing he was able to say that wouldn't get him punched. "It'll keep," he said.
Chris nodded then started past him. He stopped, saying over his shoulder. "You coming with us tomorrow?"
Vin didn't answer. He didn't want to go, but he wasn't leaving Chris behind either.
"I'd like for you to come," Chris continued. "We need you there."
"We?"
Chris turned around to face him full. "All of us. It's gonna be a tough fight."
Vin nodded. "I'll be there."
"Good," Chris answered. He held out his hand, and Vin grasped his forearm without thinking. It still felt right, the bond between them.
"Why don't you come down to the saloon? Ella's buying drinks for everyone."
Vin pulled his hand away. "No thanks. Got some stuff ta take care of before tomorrow."
Chris nodded and walked down the stairs. Vin watched him go, the sinking feeling in his stomach returning in full force. Hell, Tanner, he thought, you're worse than a lovesick calf. He shook his head and left the boarding house by the back stairs, walking in the shadows until he reached the livery. He could hear the boisterous laughter and music from the saloon as he saddled his horse. He climbed on his horse and rode fast and hard until the music and light from the damn town he had started calling home disappeared behind him.
<<<<<<<<<<~~~~~~~~~~>>>>>>>>>>
The morning they left for Ella's was bright and clear. Vin waited by his horse as Ella's fancy carriage was brought around.
"Why is it necessary to leave at this ungodly hour?" Ezra said from behind him, leading his horse, which looked as bleary-eyed as he did.
"Want to get there before dark," Vin replied. He watched as Chris stepped out of the boarding house, and immediately noticed the shirt he was wearing. It again looked clean and pressed.
"Didn't know we were supposed ta dress up," Vin said under his breath.
"A gentlemen is always immaculate," Ezra said. "Which makes Mr. Larabee's improved appearance rather inexplicable."
Chris stopped to talk to Mary, then stepped down to get his horse. Ella followed, also saying something to Mary. Whatever it was made the blonde woman bristle.
"My, my, it looks as if we don't depart soon, a cat fight may ensue."
"Don't worry, Ez, our benefactress won't get hurt."
Ezra glanced at Vin, then at Ella.
"Chris, would you like to ride in the carriage? We could reminisce about old times," she called out.
Vin waited for him to decline, but he wasn't really surprised when Chris agreed with a shit-eating grin, tied off his horse to the carriage and climbed into the seat.
Ezra chuckled. "Even our dear Mr. Larabee finds it hard to resist the trappings of wealth."
"Shut up, Ezra," Vin said, checking his saddle.
Ezra walked closer to where Vin stood. "Do you have a problem with Mrs. Gaines?" he asked.
Vin didn't look at him as he checked his cinches. "I know she's yer meal ticket, Ezra, but..."
"But what?"
"Something ain't right about her. I don't know what it is yet."
"I agree with you."
Vin paused in the motion of pulling himself into the saddle.
"What?"
Ezra grinned. "Don't look so amazed. I surmised Mrs. Gaines had a secondary agenda almost as soon as she arrived. When she offered money for anyone willing to retrieve Chris, I was sure of it."
The carriage passed them with Ella and Chris talking quietly, followed by JD, Buck, Nathan, and Josiah.
"Coming, boys?" Buck called out to them.
"In a minute," Vin answered. He stepped closer to Ezra.
"Why were ya so friendly with her?"
"Like you, I'm not sure what she's up to, and until I am, I think it would be better for her to consider me a doting fop. I find it's more beneficial if one is underestimated." He climbed into the saddle. "Besides, there will surely be a way to make some money out of this."
Vin grinned, shaking his head, then climbed onto his own horse. "Yer somethin' else, Ezra."
"Thank you. Shall we follow our compatriots?"
They spurred on their horses to catch up with the others.
Three hours later, Vin was ready to shoot somebody. The dust that damn carriage kicked up was like a small sand storm, but that wasn't what was really bothering him. It was watching Chris lounge in those soft seats like he belonged there. In all the time he'd known him, Vin had never known Chris to savor any luxuries. Hell, he got on Ezra's case for buying fancy boots. Yet here he was, leaning back eating like a king while they had water and jerky, his long legs splayed across those fine leather seats.
"I now know how the unfortunate fox felt in Aesop's parable," Ezra said from beside him, also watching the feast.
"Who?"
"Aesop. In the story, the fox is frustrated that he can't reach the grapes far above his head."
"Foxes don't eat grapes."
"It's a parable, Mr. Tanner."
"Bullshit is more like it," Vin said, grinning.
Ezra knew when he was being teased, and smiled in return. "Anyway, to remedy his predicament, he tried everything he could think of. He jumped as high as he could, then ran and jumped, but still missed. He turned round and round three times and jumped, but still he couldn't reach the grapes."
"This story have a point, Ezra? Or do ya just like ramblin' about pretend jumpin' grape-happy foxes."
"The point, Mr. Tanner, is that after all that time and effort to procure the grapes, the fox was still unsuccessful. So he stared up at the grapes and said, 'They were probably sour anyway.'"
Vin glanced at him. "That's yer point? The fox didn't even get the grapes?"
"It's a morality tale. The point is that it's easy to despise what you can't get."
"If'n I had me some of that meat, I wouldn't despise it."
Ezra laughed. "I think I may agree with you there."
Chris leaned his head down to hear something Ella said.
"Chris seems awfully taken with her," Vin said quietly.
"We see what we want to see, Mr. Tanner."
"I see some food nicer than we what got."
"I see a flask sure to contain fine spirits of some degree," Ezra said wistfully.
A half-eaten chicken leg was tossed from the carriage and landed under foot. "To hell with this," Vin said, and spurred his horse forward.
"While yer eatin' meat, we're eatin' dust," he said to Chris. Then he snatched the meat from Chris's grasp and rode back with it.
"Hey, hey," Chris called, but didn't sound particularly upset.
Vin took a bite of the succulent prime rib, which melted in his mouth.
"Do you care to share, Mr. Tanner?" Ezra asked.
"Get yer own," Vin said in between chews.
"You are far less likely to get shot by our esteemed leader absconding with his meal than I."
Vin looked at Chris, who was listening to Ella. "Don't count on it," he said, taking another bite.
Ezra reached out and tried to snatch the meat, but Vin pulled it away, grinning. "Gotta be faster than that, Ez," he said. "It's real good too, tender and tasty." He took a big bite, and Ezra took another swipe.
"Mr. Tanner, your greed is only surpassed by your cruelty."
"Say please," Vin replied.
"Begging is as much an anathema to me as bathing is to you."
Vin took another bite. "That's an insult, right?"
"Indeed. Which I will explain to you if you venture to share the wealth."
Vin shook his head. "Ain't much of an insult if'n folks bein' insulted need it explained to them."
"A fact which amuses me to no end," Ezra said, taking one last grab at the meat. When he failed, he sat back in his saddle with a sigh. "What atrocity have I committed to deserve to be lowered to such depravity?" he asked.
When they reached the edge of Ella's property, they all gazed in wonder at the sprawling estate. Ella stared at Chris as the others looked over the two-story white house and the verdant land.
"My husband left it to me. What do you think, Chris? Little bit of heaven?" Ella asked.
"Looks like a whole lot of heaven. Finally come up with a place that suits you," Chris replied.
Vin glanced down at his comment. The place sure was nice. Real peaceful, too. Man could get lost here and not care.
The carriage pulled on, and the others followed, except Vin. He lagged behind, looking over the expanse of land, and sighed. There was no way that little backwater town they called home could compete with this.
"Courage, Mr. Tanner," Ezra said, returning beside him.
"It's real nice, ain't it, Ezra?"
Ezra nodded, frowning. "Within her gilded cage confined, I saw a dazzling Belle," he quoted.
"What?" Vin asked.
Ezra looked at him. "It's Wordsworth, darkling wren. Let's go." He spurred his horse.
"Did you just call me darlin'?" Vin called, following.
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