Page 29 of Cry of the Damned
Ila slapped his arm. “Let her catch her breath.”
Normally, he would’ve retorted something smartass, but this time, he stared meaningfully into my sister’s eyes and simply said, “Okay.”
After a few more sips of tea, I told them what had happened, leaving nothing out. They listened without interruption, but I noticed Kall’s hands tighten and Ila’s frown deepen when I got to the part with Magistrate Sonticus.
“Do you think they suspect, Rob?” Novuk asked, looking concerned. “He’s a good man. At first, I could tell he was wary of us, but he quickly relaxed. He had a lot of questions about the packs and covens. We didn’t know if it was right to trust him, but I think you found a good one.”
“I did.” I smiled. “I did my best to hide his identity. I’m pretty sure only Sonticus recognized him, and he’s dead now.”
“Good riddance!” Maki exclaimed. “One less evildoer.”
Kall pushed to the edge of the sofa. “But they’ll be on high alert after tonight.”
I nodded in agreement. Everyone was quiet for a long moment, and I knew they all felt the pressure of what we would soon have to do.
“Kall is right,” I said. “Tonight, it was easy to slip into the hot spring, but I doubt that will be possible again. I’m sure they’ll heighten the security.”
“How will Bethel get close to the hot spring then?” Novuk asked, looking concerned for her safety. “I don’t think—”
“I can open it from the outside,” the witch interrupted him. “Now that we know where the entrance is and how it works, it will be child’s play.”
“That’s good.” Maki nodded, appearing encouraged by the news.
“There’s still the matter of getting within the walls,” Kall reminded us. “And thatwon’tbe child’s play.”
Bethel shrugged. “We’ll manage that, too. Those guards are no match for us.”
I wasn’t so sure about that, especially now that we wouldn’t have the element of surprise anymore, but negative talk would not help us either.
Looking unbothered, the witch sashayed to the stove to check on her brewing potion for thenthtime. She removed the lid and waved the steam toward her face, taking a big sniff.
“It’s ready!” she announced, turning the knob to theoffposition.
My chest swelled with excitement. The others cheered.
Dexterously, Bethel retrieved one of the small bottles Ila and I had bought and ladled a bit of the murky potion in it.
“This is good progress,” Novuk said, drawing my attention away from Bethel.
Everyone’s mood immediately improved with the news.
“We should eat and then rest,” Ila proposed. “Tomorrow we can decide what to do.”
The clock on the wall said it was five past 10 PM, and I was, indeed, hungry. Transferring bodies seemed to give you an appetite.
We had a dinner of meat patties and corn on the cob, which Ila and Maki put together quickly since it was their turn to cook. We ate in silence, everyone staring at a fixed spot while they chewed. It was clear to see that the path ahead lay heavily on everyone’s minds.
“I think I’ll keep watch tonight,” Kall said as we finished eating. “I’ll get on the roof and keep an eye on the streets.”
Novuk grabbed the plate from Kall’s hands. “Good idea. Go now. Wake me up in a few hours and I’ll relieve you.”
Kall leaned close, pressed a hand to my shoulder, and said, “I hope you rest well.”
“I will.”
Cautiously, he left through the balcony, disappearing from view as he climbed toward the roof. Suddenly, I had the urge to go after him, but before I could act on it, Novuk also took my plate and sent me on my way.
“Go take one of those hot showers you like so much, then go to bed,” he instructed.
