He lifted his arm tentatively and Hazel breathed a sigh of relief, looking up at Lilith gratefully. "Thank you for your help," she said, sounding sincere.
She looked up at Hazel and offered a small smile. "Of course." She turned and went back to her place at the table, saying nothing more.
That afternoon, the group met up again. Monty was sitting on the grass, stretching his legs and leaning back against his hands. Fina was writing, as usual, a spare pen tucked behind her ear and tangled in the curls. Theresa was waiting for Maverick, her brows furrowed nervously. Sylas was not there.
Theo was there, sitting on her knees near Monty as she tapped on her phone distractedly. Cassian was standing, his arms crossed as we waited somewhat impatiently. Maverick was running a bit late, but he was almost there. Lilith frowned, rubbing the back of her neck. "I don't think Sylas is gonna come anymore." Theo raised an eyebrow at her. "Why not?" "He's.. sort of upset with me, I think."
Monty looked over at Theo. "What are you doing?" Fina closed her book and brought out her wand, muttering under her breath as a few sparks emerged. A couple of minutes later, Sylas walked up, his arms crossed.
She looked back at him. "I'm bored." Cassian watched her curiously. "What spell are you doing?" Lilith looked up, brightening a little. "You came?" Maverick approached Theresa. "All safe?"
"Why are you bored?" he asked affectionately, sitting up and pushing his back against her playfully. "We're investigating a death!" * * * She looked up at him and squinted at him before waving her hand, the sparks stopping. "Sorry. What did you say?" * * * He looked over at her. "I said I would." * * * "How would I know?" she asked in response, raising one eyebrow.
"We're waiting for that part!" *** He squinted. "What are you doing?" *** She paused, pulling away again. "Right.. Good." *** "I meant you."
"Well... yes," he said dramatically, lying back on her even more, "But you shouldn't worry about that." * * * "Noise-canceling spell," she said with a small nod. "It's going well, I think, but it might give me ear cancer." * * * He pursed his lips but said nothing more. * * * "Oh. Yes. I think so."
She pushed against him playfully. "I have bigger things to worry about. Like you." *** He frowned, looking confused. "Ear cancer?" *** She looked uncertain, her brows furrowed as she looked at the ground before pulling further away and sitting down. *** He nodded. "Good. Shall we get started?"
"Me?! Are you still cross with me?" he asked indignantly, falling back on her. * * * "Well, cancer of the temporal bone. Close enough." * * * He pursed his lips before he leaned against the tree. * * * "Go ahead. Rally the troups."
She laughed. "Nah. You're good." *** "That's... not good." *** She didn't say anything more to him, her brows furrowed. *** Maverick nodded, stretching his arms. "Okay, people. We found the murder weapon in someone's locker!"
"Yes," he said, determination in his voice. "In locker 142. However, someone stopped us before we could get any further. They were quick, I assume. It was crazy."
Sylas closed his eyes, as if this were boring to him, leaning his head back against the tree. “How do you know it was the murder weapon?” Monty asked. “What was it?”
