Page 24 of Cry of the Damned
It’s a… oh, never mind.
So you and Ila, huh?Kall asked in a teasing tone.It’s about time.
Through the tetrad bond, I sensed discomfort from Maki.
Something the matter?I asked, wondering if he’d already had second thoughts about what happened last night with my sister.
Well,Maki started,I was wondering if you had any pointers to help me, you know, to win her back.
Maki asking for help,Kall mocked.Who would’ve thought?
Shut up, mange-pup!Maki snapped.
I chuckled to myself. It was the first time I’d heard the insult.
Just forget I asked,Maki huffed.
I sensed Kall’s amusement, but I sobered up, taking Maki seriously for my sister’s sake.Just be true to her. She wants to trust you, but you’ve made it hard for her, so don’t screw it up again.
Yeah, you fur-clump, Kall said.Use your head and don’t do anything stupid.
They bickered for a little while longer, then we grew quiet as we waited. At last, down in the street, I spotted Rob, moving at a clipped pace toward the alley.
He’s here,I announced.He’s crossing the street. Do you see him?
I sensed Kall and Maki’s nod. They had their eyes on Rob.
I saw him pass earlier. He seems to be alone.Kall was several buildings to my right, closer to the Academy, keeping an eye on anyone coming from that direction. While Maki was to my left, in case Rob had gotten smart and had people approaching from the opposite direction.
It’s all clear here,Maki said, putting my mind at ease.
It seemed I’d judged Rob well.
As I leaned over the top of the building, my eyes followed Rob’s path as he entered the alley. His head swiveled from side to side as he searched for me. Silently, I scaled down the side of the building—which would serve as a signal to Bethel, who was in the park—and dropped into a crouch behind him.
He jumped and whirled, his eyes wide with surprise.
“Jaz! You scared the shit out of me,” he said hoarsely, then cleared his throat.
“Anyone follow you?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I left early. The rest of the apprentices will be ten or fifteen minutes behind me.”
On their day off, the apprentices swarmed Lux City in search of some distraction. They mostly went to the coffee shops, behaving as austerely as their youth and raging hormones would allow. They weren’t supposed to indulge in food, drink, or any physical pleasures. I wondered if the magistrates looked the other way if they caught an apprenticemisbehaving. Though I had the feeling that the apprentices who didn’t abide by the rules—the ones with more flexible morals—made better candidates for promotion. After all, the magistrates were rotten to the bone.
“So… you said you have a plan.” Rob got to the point, looking impatient.
“I do.” I nodded slowly.
Behind Rob, I saw Bethel’s figure slowly approaching. Once more, she tied her T-shirt to reveal her midriff and was swaying her hips in that sexy way she had.
I opened my mouth as if to answer Rob, but closed it again and let my gaze fall on the approaching witch.
“Someone’s coming,” I warned. “Act natural.”
Rob panicked and acted as natural as a toddler pretending to be innocent after doing something naughty. Bethel kept walking, moving as confidently as if she owned the alley. When she got near, a tantalizing smile graced her lips. She directed it straight at Rob. His cheeks flushed slightly at the sight of her.
“Hi, there.” Bethel waved, wiggling her fingers and winking.
