Page 7 of When Monsters Rise
“We’lluse the secret entrance into the city that bypasses their wards,”Shemsaid.
Ilooked over atMichaelin time to see his jaw tense.Myscalp prickled with unease. “Doyou have a problem with that,Michael?”
Thewatchers looked from me toMichael, andIwanted to bite my tongue for speaking out.Weneeded to foster trust, not doubt.
IfMichaelwas fazed by my question, he didn’t show it.Hesimply exhaled wearily. “Lossof life is always a problem.Manycelestials will die simply because they’re following the orders of a corrupt power.”Hetook a fortifying breath. “Butin the end, it will be worth it.”
Hisconcerns made sense, and the others relaxed, accepting his words at face value, just asIwanted to, but my unease remained.
ItrustedMichael.He’dprotected me and saved my life once we got outside theGoldenCity.Therewas no reason to doubt him now.
“That’sallIhad to say,”Shemsaid, “butRuehas something she needs to add.”
I’dtold him about the ghost, my most recent sighting, andMira’sconcerns, but the others needed to be aware of it too. “Wehave a creature in our midst.Somethingthat’s been stalking me ever since we got back.Ithought it was a ghost, but last night,Isaw its eyes.Orangeeyes, glowing in the dark.”
“When?”Bastianasked.
“JustbeforeIfell asleep.Iwas too tired to stay awake, and this morning,Miratold me someone’s been stealing food from a locked room to which only she has the key.”
“Yousaw orange eyes and you simply fell asleep?”Tumiellooked skeptical.
Nowthat he said it, it did sound odd. “YouthinkIwasmadeto fall asleep?”
“Mirathinks that this thing might be stealing food?”Zaqasked.
“It’sa possibility.Noone else has access to the room, and this thing…Imean, for all we know, it could walk through walls.”
“Andyet need to eat?”Baraqelgave a snort of disbelief. “Isay we stop chasing shadows and focus on the real issue.Therelic is all that matters.”
Thiswatcher was a pain in my ass. “You’reright, we need to go after the fourth relic piece, but we also need to be sure we’re not leaving the people here in danger when we do.”
“Youlet us worry about that,”Penemuesaid. “Ifthere is a presence here, then we will deal with it.Yourfocus must remain on the relics.”Heraised his head slightly so that his dark hair parted to reveal brown eyes now ringed in crimson. “We’rerunning out of time.”
“Ifthis thing is stalking you, then maybe it will leave with you,”Amarospointed out.
Shemstepped in. “Penemue, you’ll focus on finding the food thief.Baraqel, you’re in charge of security in our absence.”
Baraqelstood taller. “Iwill do so with honor.”
“Everyone, get some rest,”Shemsaid. “I’llhave news of when we leave soon enough.”
“Zaq, mayIhave a word?”Penemueasked.
Zaqcrossed the room to join him, and they left together, trailing after the others.
Michael,Sarq,Tumiel, andBeestayed withShemand me.
“YouleftBaraqelin charge?”Sarqsaid. “Youtrust him completely now?”
“No, butItrust that he’ll honor this position of power and do whatever it takes to keep the humans safe in our absence.Baraqelis a watcher who was created to lead, and we need to give him the opportunity to do so.Irealize now thatImay have stifled him.”
“You’regoing to seeKabiel, aren’t you?”Bastiansaid.
“Yes,”Shemreplied.
“I’mcoming with you.”
“No.It’sbetter ifRueandIgo alone.Thedevolved watchers are used to my scent, whichIcan use to maskRue.Toomany bodies and it becomes difficult to remain undetected.Tumiel,Sarq, you know what to do if we don’t return.”
