Page 32 of Cry of the Damned
“Maybe they’ve come looking for her,” Novuk said, a deep frown showing his worry.
Bethel had left without telling her mother, Priestess Nanai, who had been in agreement with Lawana about openly attacking the Academy despite our weak numbers and the risk a battle would pose to the innocent citizens of Lux City.
Ila shook her head. “They wouldn’t be able to communicate with her if they were nearby. They need the power of their land to be able to do that.”
Novuk hit his forehead with the heel of his hand. “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“At least that means that whoever is talking to her is all the way back in Blackcrest,” Kall said, sounding relieved.
We waited on pins and needles, everyone keeping their eyes locked on Bethel’s face. Abruptly, she blinked, sucked in a breath, and relaxed. Everyone waited, afraid to even blink. Slowly, the witch glanced around, looking at us as if for the first time.
“Hey.” Novuk reached out and took her hand, enveloping it completely. “Everything all right?”
Bethel shook her head, uncertain. “The message,” she raised her free hand to her temple, “it was weak and it just can’t… it can’t be.”
“What can’t be?” Ila pressed.
“The message came from… Mrs. Clarice.”
“What?!” we all exclaimed in unison.
No one said anything for a long time, then Ila broke the silence. “She’s a witch. That’s why she helped us. Now, it all makes sense.”
Maki scratched the back of his neck. “Not really.”
“What did she say?” I asked.
“She said you need to come see her, that she can help.”
I pointed at my chest. “Me?”
“Yes, you. She says her hotel is safe for now.”
“What if it’s a trap?” Kall asked.
Novuk and Maki both nodded in agreement.
Frowning, I turned to Bethel. “Are you sure it was Mrs. Clarice and not someone else?”
She shrugged. “I can’t be entirely sure because I’ve never been close to her, but the aura felt slightly familiar, so I do think it was her.”
“Then I don’t think it’s a trap.”
Kall opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off.
“She wouldn’t have helped us last night if she meant us harm, right?”
No one seemed to disagree. It was sound logic.
“What if it’s someone from the Academy?” Kall said. “From what we saw in their last attack, they’re learning new ways to use magic. Val stopped us from shifting. It’s possible they have figured out how to send witch messages.”
“I guess that’s possible.” I looked at the floor and contemplated the possibilities. “I think I’ll take a chance. If she can really help…”
Kall grabbed my elbow. “This may not be the wisest choice.”
My eyes met his intense green gaze. “I think it’s worth the risk.”
He shook his head. “I don’t see how she could help us.”
