He didn't quite get how the distraction fields worked and felt no desire to probe Gabriel for more information tonight. He was tired, the night had been long and filled with more peril than he had hoped for in his lifetime. Gabriel looked pretty rough too by all accounts, a slight booster to Henry’s confidence that he wasn’t bearing up too badly.

Gabriel reached into his jacket and pulled out his phone, his attention momentarily lost in it. The club was illuminated in a red glow and, with no lighting from above, the place had plenty of shadows for people to disappear into. Henry could not see Byron anywhere, he had vanished into the crowd. The chatter of the people around them was indecipherable, the place was so busy it was actually discreet.

They sat in silence and, although Henry attempted to start a conversation several times, only a slight murmur left his lips. He had been through enough with Gabriel tonight that he ought to feel pretty relaxed around him, but, naturally, he didn’t. He hated being Henry Fellows sometimes, even now he knew he was some magical mutant custodian of a secret world. Actually, that last bit sounded pretty awesome.

“Gabriel, are my friends safe? With all of this?”

“You have friends?” Gabriel said.

“Please, try and be serious for a moment.”

“You talking about Elle and Dixie, or your mother and father?”

“You know about Elle?”

“And Dixie, at least try to cover up your crush on her.”

“I don’t have a-”

“Whatever you say. Your identity is a secret, the two guys at the hospital were only able to track you because of your high magus count. We will find them and make sure they don’t cause any trouble. As long as you work for the Inquisition, your family and friends remain safe.”

“That sounds like blackmail.”

“Well, maybe it is. Anyway, you don’t need to worry about their safety, you should focus on trying to tell Elle how you feel.”

“Since when are you my counsellor? I don’t have-”

“Any feelings at all, yeah I know you try to avoid them.”

Gabriel went to stand, but was blocked by Byron, who appeared as if out of thin air.

“Leaving so soon?”

“One's enough for us thanks,” Gabriel said, signalling to Henry that it was time to go. The two downed the whiskey and Gabriel reached for his wallet.

“My treat,” Byron said.

“Thanks,” said Henry.

“Ah Henry, I feel we will be seeing a lot more of each other in the future. Your father and I were close, it is a shame really,” Byron said.

Henry and Gabriel stood from the table and headed to the entrance of the club. A rather large bouncer, who hadn’t been blessed with any discernible neck or shape to his broad body, opened the door for them. Henry caught Byron’s eye, as he meandered round the bouncer, to see him wearing the biggest smile Henry had ever seen. He was pleased about something.

“How did Byron know my father?” Henry said.

“I didn't know he did,” Gabriel said.

A car was waiting outside for them as Henry stepped out into the cold night air, having to rush to catch up with Gabriel who was already getting in the backdoor. He was sure the owner would be thrilled that two people who had spent the evening wandering through the sewers now occupied his expensively crafted leather seats. The car sped off before Henry could clasp his seat belt.

They came to an abrupt stop. Henry attempted to talk to Gabriel, but he just blanked him, staring outside the window absent-mindedly.