Chapter 42

There was an accusation there somewhere, though Pearl managed to make it sound like she was talking about something fun. Henry’s frown redirected to Pearl, but the short woman didn’t care. When Henry glowered, Pearl responded with the same scathing look.

“This is official business and you are—”

“Welcoming my sister, who was gone for a while and probably needs all the care and rest in the world—”

“I just need to meet up with the Council,” Mabel interjected, cutting off whatever argument she could sense was broiling. “Now, if it’s possible.”

“We will escort you—” Henry started again.

“I will escort her. You can escort us if you’re that suspicious.”

Again, Pearl managed to make it sound light, but Mabel could feel the tension in the woman’s shoulders. So, she hooked her arm around Pearl’s and led the way herself, leaving the two men no choice but to follow. Gunther soon led the way, quiet and formal, the distance he put between them allowing Pearl to ask her questions.

“Where have you be