Page 5 of Cry of the Damned
“That went well?” I said, but it came out as a question.
Had we really accomplished anything? I didn’t think so. My shoulders slumped.
“Maybe this is a waste of time,” I said.
Ila frowned. “Why do you say that?”
“I don’t know. People like Veraminta, they’ll never change their minds.”
“It’s not people like Veraminta we need on our side. It’s people like Zoe.”
“I guess. Still, changing anyone’s mind would take too long. Maybe Lawana was right. Maybe the only way is to go to war with the Academy.”
“We’re going to do more than just talk to people, Sheela. Don’t get discouraged.”
Trying to sow distrust against the Academy was only one part of our plan. There was more we intended to do. This was just the beginning. Ila was right. I needed to keep my resolve. Lawana and the Pack Rule wanted revenge against everyone, not only the Academy. They didn’t care if innocent people like Veraminta and Zoe died. If we did that, we wouldn’t be much better than the magistrates.
I nodded and smiled. “You’re right. We should go. The others are probably getting nervous.”
We got up, threw out paper cups in a trash bin, and walked out of the café. As we started to turn back toward the hotel, I noticed two Academy guards standing by the corner, their blue coats unmistakable. Seeing them made my breath catch, but it was the sight of Veraminta standing next to them and pointing at us that chilled my blood.
CHAPTER 2
GrabbingIlabytheelbow, I steered her in the opposite direction.
Guards!I pushed the frantic thought forward.
Ila was immediately on high alert and matching my clipped pace as we turned the corner.
We can’t lead them back to the hotel,I pushed the thought out.
I sensed my sister’s silent agreement as I tried to paint a map of the city inside my head, trying to figure out where to go. A route quickly took shape.
“This way!”
We turned down a narrow alley, then started running. When we came out on the other end, we crossed the street and walked into a saltwater taffy store. Once inside, I led Ila behind a tall shelf filled with large jars of colorful candy. I gave the attendant a smile and pretended to examine the sweets while I peered through the jars at the street.
I held my breath and finally sighed in relief after five minutes without any signs from the guards. As I relaxed, I noticed the attendant watching us with a frown.
“This is really good.” I pointed at a jar filled with bright green mint taffy. “Want to try a few?”
“Yeah,” Ila said, sounding a bit breathless.
I grabbed a paper bag from a holder, removed the metal lid from the jar, and took six pieces of taffy. Wearing a sheepish smile, I walked to the register and handed the bag to the attendant, who weighed it and gave me a frown when three ounces registered on the screen.
“That’ll be seventy-seven cents,” she said.
I counted the coins carefully and handed them over. “Thank you.”
We left the candy store and headed straight for the hotel, watching our backs the entire time. My heart was in my throat as we entered the lobby. Mrs. Clarice wasn’t there, so we headed straight for the stairs and took them two at a time. Once in front of our door, I waved my card on the reader, rushed inside, and slumped in relief.
Kall, Maki, Novuk, and Bethel stood in front of us, forming a wall. They looked as if they’d been waiting for us, standing shoulder-to-shoulder while stepping on pins and needles.
“Everything all right?” Kall asked, his tone full of concern.
“We ran into some guards,” Ila said.
“But we lost them,” I hurried to add, trying to avoid panic. “Um, we bought some candy.” I dug in the bag and started distributing the taffy.
