Noel moved fast as he could before the door would swing open and Alaric would see Cedric.
He crossed to the door, slid the inner bolt across — not the key, just the bolt, the one that locked from inside — and stepped back.
"One moment," he called through it.
He went to the window.
Cedric was still there, one hand on the ledge, patient in the way that only Cedric was patient — not waiting anxiously, just waiting, like time was something he had decided not to argue with tonight.
Noel lifted the latch and pushed the window open.
Cold air came in.
"I can't believe you're here. Alaric's at the door," Noel said quietly.
Cedric looked at him.
"How long does he need?" he said.
"I don't know yet. I wasn't even expecting him."
Cedric stepped through the window and into the room with ease. He looked around Noel's room and rubbed his chin like he was thinking.
Thinking about something like... is his room not too small?
