Page 38 of Witch Untold
I came to a standstill, bringing the group to a halt. “Way I see it, we have no idea what those creatures are, or what their vulnerabilities are. For all we know they could be magic- and bullet-proof. I came here to get our people out and get back to Grimswood. I promised Anna I wouldn’t put the seal under unnecessary risk. Fighting a horde might not be unnecessary, but if we do this, we save a few people but could end up dooming the world. So, we need to decide…are we willing to take this risk. Are we all on board?”
Sloane made a sound of exasperation. “Fuck it. I can’t just walk away.”
“Then we do this,” Lauris said.
A figure appeared up ahead. A woman carrying a box of groceries.
I intercepted her. “Hi, can you tell me where the police station is.”
She frowned. “You’re tourists? Are you all right?”
“No. I mean, yes. We just need to know where the police station is.”
“Just follow the road down and take a right. Big blue building, you can’t miss it.”
“Thank you. Listen, go home and stay indoors. Please.”
“What?” Alarm flashed across her face. “What’s going on? Who are you people?”
Shit. “We work for the government and we’re here to warn the townsfolk that a threat is coming. It’s minutes away. You need to get inside and wait for an official announcement.”
I sounded like a crazy person, but something in my eyes must have convinced her because she nodded quickly and hurried off.
“Shit, Cupcake, that was risky,” Sloane said.
“We don’t have a choice. They’ll see the threat soon enough. I’d rather they do it from behind closed doors.”
“Thank you,” Bramble said softly.
“What for?”
“For believing me.”
I snorted. “If something freaks you out, then it’s a serious threat. Come on. Let’s get to the station and see if we can convince the law enforcement to help.”
* * *
Barrow was wakingup by the time we reached the police station. There was no time to contemplate what to say, to plan, or to worry, because the things Bramble had seen could be here any moment.
I led the charge up the steps and into the building. Anemic light assaulted my eyes, and the smell of coffee tickled my nose. A tired-looking man looked up from behind a reception desk, but his expression grew alert at the sight of us.
“You lost, folks?” he asked.
Best to stick to my government story. “No, Officer. We’re with a covert branch of the government. A dangerous new breed of predator has been sighted on the outskirts of your town. You need to alert the townsfolk to stay indoors while we deal with the threat.”
He stared at me with cool gray eyes.
Shit. Was he buying this? He was impossible to read. “Is there a way for you to do that?”
“Predators, eh?”
“Yes. Very dangerous. And lots of them.”
“Uh-huh, and what do these predators look like?”
Fuck. I turned to Bramble.
She stepped forward and placed her hands on the counter. “Humanoid, pale, furless skin, talons, wide mouths filled with teeth.”
