Calling Card

[Raffe]

Raffe watched Cruz rolling the coin around his fingers, and was quiet a moment. This was one of Nox’s friends, and Raffe didn’t want anything to happen to him if he could prevent it, but judging by that covetous curiosity a warning was likely to fall on deaf ears. He glanced briefly at Ana, hoping the guilt for his silence was not plastered all over his expression. Raffe had never had to negotiate the worry of parents, but he’d played the big brother plenty of times; he’d keep Cruz from getting in too deep.

“Then I guess you could use a guide.” His grin was crooked, though the feverish worry had not really left his eyes. He rubbed them wearily. That Raffe was familiar with their destination wouldn’t come as a big surprise, or at least he didn’t think so; from his appearance, or just what they might already know of him. And Sage at least knew where he’d been when he’d first got his message. Whether they realised Raffe recognised the coin, though, that he wasn’t sure about – and he’d rather save the questions for outside of Ana and Christian’s earshot. It would only cause them worry. “Come on.”