Rory stared out past the railing, where the rising moon had lit the sky. The wind was fresh and salty in his nose, on his skin, the ship vibrating from the engines as it rolled through the waves. He was only inches from Arthur’s warmth, drinks in hand, and through the wall, he could make out that the band had started up “Rhapsody in Blue.”

“I’m on a big ship, not locked up in my room, scared of myself,” he finally said, his throat tight. “I’m going on a new adventure, to a whole new country, with friends.” He swallowed. “I think maybe, if she could see me right now, my mom would be happy. And you’re the one who would’ve made that happen.”

Arthur’s hand made an aborted move in his direction, then he dropped it with a quiet curse. “Darling,” he said softly.

Rory nudged him pointedly. “Let’s go back to our room. I got three days I want to start making up for.”

The evening before they were due to dock, Arthur went to the second-class barber to get cleaned up. Rory, who was never gonna see the appeal of letting some other man run a knife over your face, went to wait on the promenade.

He was holding his cap against the wind, watching the waves, when Zhang’s astral projection shimmered into view, floating in the air past the rail.

“I have to tell you something, but you need to keep your eyes on me.” And before Rory could even process that, Zhang added, “You’re being watched.”

Rory’s eyes went wide and he started to turn.

“That was why I said eyes on me,” Zhang hissed.

Rory forced his eyes front. “Who?” he said, in a whisper that would be lost to the waves and wind.

“White man, maybe early forties. Tall and thin. He doesn’t match your description of the firestarter, Mr. Mercier.”

“Oh, I’m being followed by some other random fella now?”

“I don’t know if he’s following you,” said Zhang. “But he’s watching.”

“Rory, there you are.” Jade’s voice broke through the crowd, bright and cheerful. “It’s a beautiful day, walk with me.”

With gratitude, Rory turned to her. He offered his arm like Arthur always did for dolls, and she took it. They walked about halfway down the ship, then stopped at a different part of the railing, leaning casually against it.

Zhang flickered back into view in the air in front of them. “He didn’t follow.” He frowned. “Either he’s not a paranormal or his acting belongs on a stage, because he doesn’t seem to see me at all.”

Rory blew out a breath. “What’s he want?”