Page 7 of Kings of Sherwood

“I don’t know,” Tuck admits. “We haven’t seen hide or hair of anyone since we’ve gotten back. Not even on Will’s trail cameras, I don’t think.” He shivers. “It’s almost eerie. Something about this place...” He trails off.

“What?” I put down my fork.

Tuck shakes his head. “The stuff that Guy told you before he...” He doesn’t finish the sentence. “About Sherwood. The power of this place.”

I nod.Like I could forget. The way it had felt like the floor dropped away from my feet in that library, Guy’s cold stare as he told me everything: about my family, about mymother, about the supposed...supernatural power of this place. The—whatever he’d called them. Ley lines.

I could make you a queen.

Now it’s my turn to shiver. “Maybe it was all bullshit.”

“Really?”

I consider, then slump a little in my seat. “No. I mean, I didn’t get the vibe that he was lying. What reason did he have to at that point?”

Tuck nods. “Yeah. And we already know he was, um, knowledgeable.” He chews his lip. “I wonder if—”

“God, I could eat a horse.”

Rob strides into the kitchen looking alive with energy and eager for whatever’s on the stove.

“Something smells fantastic,” he says, and shoves his hands in his pockets, eyebrows raised.

“Agreed,” comes Will’s voice as he follows in, “and not just Maren.”

My cheeks flame, and I make a face even though I’m kind of flattered. “Don’t be gross.”

“Yeah.” This, from LJ, who’s come in from the other side of the kitchen. “Be useful.” He shoves a stack of plates and silverware into Will’s stomach, then looks at Tuck. “Food’s up?”

Tuck, distracted and back at the stove, nods at him. “Two minutes.”

Rob sighs. “Finally.”

Over breakfast, we all share our reports on the status of various parts of the house. LJ says nothing’s missing from his apartment—“that’s because you don’t own anything to steal,” Will comments—and Tuck says that the stolen computer equipment is as good as useless as soon as it’s off the premises—“although they might be able to sell it for scrap.” Will and Rob each note a few more damages and missing items, including, it pains me to hear, a few of the cars.

I stab a fork into a sausage and chew on it moodily.

“What about you, pretty lady?”

I look up, at Rob, then at all of them. “What about me?”

“Any of your things appear to have stuck to the deputies’ sticky fingers?” Rob asks, swigging his coffee.

I’m confused. “Whatthings?I literally came here with the shirt on my back, remember?” I think. “I mean, I guess I have some clothes, now, but why would anyone want to steal my dirty laundry?”

The four of them exchange a look.

“Depends,” Rob says. “How dirty are we talking?”

Oh. Oh myGod.

“Ew!” I whisper.

At that, LJ snorts and Will rolls his eyes, while Tuck practically chokes on his coffee.

“He’s not wrong,” Will says mildly, leaning back in his chair. “Especially if they saw any of those little things Jack got you.”

“Bleh,” I murmur, but I make a mental note to check my hamper. I hate to admit to being an underwear snob, but it’s been hard to go back to MegaValu panties now that I’ve experienced the other side.

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