“I’m not a peg out of its shell, Lucas. I can keep up.” Kaley’s words faded when a figure appeared in the village crowd, marching headstrong in a silver, fitted, velvet jacket whose pearl buttons looked ready to pop off over his tight chest. In fact, one of Eliot Gray’s buttons was missing already.

“Should we run for the trees? I bet I can outrun you,” Kaley whispered in challenge.

The corner of Lucas’s mouth curled but he stayed put. “I don’t think so. To both.”

Kaley fought the impulse to act as Eliot strutted past. She turned her face away, and Lucas slinked around, tugging Kaley with him. His hand swiped Eliot’s pocket, and their mutual foe did not bat an eye.

The pair moved in silence down the road, past the veil of pine ivy, and back into the forest.

Kaley sighed in relief as Lucas turned and splayed his hands to show all that had been in Eliot’s pocket. A pearl button rolled around amidst the collection of lint, rings, two brass tins, and a crumpled paper.

“I guess we know he wasn’t carrying any weapons.” Kaley reached for the button and laughed as she held it up. “Should we hold this ransom? Tell him he won’t be able to wear his stupid coat anymore unless he leaves us alone?”

Lucas grinned, but the smile fell away when he unwrinkled the paper and read its contents. “Ragnashuck,” he whispered. And with a flick of his wrist, he had the paper folded back up and tucked away in his own pocket.

“What was that?” Kaley tossed the button into the snow.

“It’s not a thing,” Lucas swore, shaking his gloves to rid himself of the rest of Eliot’s pocket-contents—except for the two brass tins. He raised one to study it.

Kaley tilted her head. “Why don’t you want me to see that paper?” She tried to lunge for his pocket, but Lucas caught her ‘round the waist and spun, wicked smile returning.

“It’s a secret for now, Trite.”

Kaley pushed him off. “I thought we decided to air out all our dirty laundry back there,” she said.

Lucas made a repulsed face. “Air out our what?”

“It’s an expression. It means we decided to keep things out in the open. What’s on that note?” she asked again. “Does it involve me?”

A twitch of his mouth. Another of his left eye. “No.”

Kaley drew back. “What does Eliot Gray want with me?”

“Well, I’d like to have my frostbit things back, for starters.” Kaley and Lucas jumped at Eliot’s voice booming through the trees.

Kaley pressed a hand against her settling heart as she took in Eliot’s dark, furrowed brows and his mouth tipped down in an ugly scowl.

“Apologies, Gray. She threw your button over there.” Lucas nodded in the general direction.

But Eliot’s eyes sank to murky blue. “Give it back, Leutenski.”

“Hmm,” Lucas thought about it. Then, “No.”

Kaley looked between the two and backed away a pinch.