Page 20 of Cry of the Damned
Rob’s fists tightened at his sides. “I don’t want to become a filthy magistrate.” There was zeal and certainty in his voice. “They should pay for what they did to our friends.”
As I saw his determination, relief washed over me. “Will you help me, then?”
“What canwedo against them?”
“I have a plan.”
“We’re just two people, Jaz.”
“I have… some friends. They’ll come and help me when I need them.”
I didn’t want to say any more. I was taking a risk with him. He might only be telling me what I wanted to hear, so he could get back to Magistrate Novus to tell her I was here.
“How can I help?” he asked after a moment’s thought.
“You can be my eyes and ears inside the Academy.” He had no idea how literally I meant that, but I figured it was best to keep things on a need-to-know basis. Even if he truly meant to help, the magistrates might discover him and torture things out of him. I knew now they were capable of that and much worse.
Hesitantly, Rob nodded. “I can do that.”
“Thank you.” I gave him a smile.
“I need to go now,” he said. “I’ve been gone too long, and magistrate Novus will begin to wonder. She sent me for an... errand.”
I frowned at the way he hesitated on the last word. “What kind of errand?”
He slipped his hand into his coat pocket and pulled out a small packet wrapped in manila paper.
“What is that?” I asked.
“I don’t know. It’s always wrapped like this. I think it may be drugs.”
“Drugs?! What makes you think that?”
“Zoe—the girl you saw me with—says some of her classmates buy similar packets from the same person.”
“I see. So you’d better go then.”
He nodded.
“Saturday… are they still letting apprentices out on the town?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then I’ll meet you here after the sun goes down. I’ll be able to explain a little more about my plan. Can you do that?”
“I’ll be here,” he said, his voice full of enough resolve that I dared to hope. Straightening his coat, he walked away and left the alley without a glance back.
I hurried out of there, still wary. Even though Rob had seemed determined, I didn’t know him well enough to guess what was truly in his heart, so it was only smart to be cautious.
Get back to the hotel. I’ll meet you there,I sent the thought toward Ila. In case Rob decided to follow me, I didn’t want him to see that my friends were already here to help.
As I walked away through a convoluted route and carefully watched my back, I prayed I hadn’t screwed up.
CHAPTER 7
Forthenextfewdays, we sat tight, watching carefully for any signs of unrest relating to the Academy. If Rob gave me away, I was sure guards would flood the city, bent on finding me, but we’d seen no activity in that regard, and everything around Lux appeared as it had since our arrival.
We extended our stay with Mrs. Clarice, giving her enough money for another week. We also bought extra groceries and more pistachio pastries, since everyone liked them almost as much as I did.
