Crow was relieved when Penelope agreed to let him come with her even thought he was inebriated. If she and Gavin conducted the rest of the interrogation by themselves, he felt almost certain that something would come up to tip them off about his secret. Now, as long as he could prove that he was still capable enough to handle questioning the villagers, he still had a chance to turn this to his favor. He just hoped that he could think clearly enough to do that without drawing attention to himself. He sighed to himself. Everything had been going at least somewhat smoothly until Olivia and Alistair had tricked him into downing that strong ale.

[i]Damn fools,[/i] he casted the two a scathing look.

Crow turned back to Penelope when he felt her kiss him on the cheek. “I guess so,” he smiled helplessly when she said she would be repaying him for the time when she had been drunk. [i]Although we wouldn’t even be in this mess if it wasn’t for those two,[/i] he added silently, shooting one more cold look at Olivia and Alistair. Aside from the two months after he had found out Penelope was “dead,” he never let himself go like this. He didn’t like the feeling of having such little control over himself. It made him feel weak and, if he found himself in a dangerous situation, vulnerable to attack. It was far from the enjoyable activity the others tried to make it out to be.

As she offered him a hand to stand up, he shook his head. “Thanks, but I don’ think I’m that far gone,” he winked at her and then got up from the table by himself. The motion made him feel like he was tilting, but he managed not to sway as he rose to his feet. Reaching to take her by the hand, he leaned over and touched a playful kiss to her nose. “C’mon, darling. Let’s see what the people in this tavern have t’ offer.”