Page 100 of The Pansy Paradox
“No, except for the fact that it always seems to come back to that stretch of land.”
If only we knew why, knew what happened all those years ago. Honestly, I’m this close to invoking the Sight. Yes, it’s risky. Yes, this is the exact spot where I once nearly bled out. But this is like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle with several pieces missing. We need more information, and there’s one way to get it and get it quickly.
“Pansy, don’t.”
“What?” I ask, feigning innocence.
“This is the last place where you should invoke the Sight.”
He’s right. I know it. “We need more to go on. What did my father say? I’m some sort of key? If I could just?—”
Henry raises a hand, a placating gesture. “I know, I know. But not here.”
“Then you think I should invoke the Sight at some point?”
“Let’s say I’m not against the idea of exploring the possibility of you trying to invoke it.”
What? I blink at that, trying to work out what he really means. “You could just say no.”
He manages a laugh. “Perhaps, in a controlled environment, with support?—”
“Meaning you and your magic fingers.”
That earns me a real laugh and a quick blush. “With my full support.” Henry clears his throat. “Then, yes. We could explore whether the Sight might yield something.” He looks at me straight on, his eyes hollow with sorrow. “Because all it might do is incapacitate you.”
Yes, that’s a real possibility.
“The Enclave is too damn cavalier with the Sight,” he continues. “I don’t think it’s occurred to them that perhaps we’re not meant to see the future.”
This isn’t about me; I know that. So I remain silent, prepared to let Henry vent as much as he needs. But he doesn’t. Instead, he gives me a smile full of apology.
“Forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. I understand.”
“Yes.” He shuts his eyes and exhales. “I know you do.”
He rallies then. Honestly, the man is a first-class rallier, no doubt one of the reasons he’s a principal field agent.
“I think we should try to get back home. The question is, which way should we go?”
“They want us in the housing development. That’s the path of least resistance. But?—”
“They want us in the housing development.” Henry peers through the branches, and I follow his gaze as he considers one path and then the other. “You know what?” he says. “I’d like to know why they’re so keen to get us there.”
“Keen?”
“It means eager, desirous.”
The schoolmaster is back, and I have no willpower left. I cross my arms over my chest and give him a look. To his credit, he has the good grace to appear contrite.
“Well, then, Agent Darnelle.” I ready my umbrella. We’ll need to repulse the initial attack before making a run for it. “Let’s go find out why they’re so keen.”
Henry sweeps back the willow branches. “After you, Agent Little.”
The Screamers did want us in the housing development. No, they didn’t make the trek easy, but when we reached the fence that borders the cemetery, that gaping maw of a hole greeted us.
Henry’s lips twitched at the display. “They do love their symbolism.”
