Page 46 of Cry of the Damned
“The coast is clear.”
As we’d hoped, everyone was too distracted by the commotion outside to worry about a few deliveries.
Quickly, he removed the remaining bungee cords and slid the stack of boxes aside. Bethel held her spell, and I shot toward the opening, my eyes darting from side to side, making sure no one was looking. I signaled Bethel, and we jumped out of the van and ran in a crouch toward the back of the stables. When we got there, we pressed our backs to the wall and caught our breath, listening to the ruckus that whirled around us.
Hurried steps sounded outside the stable as people rushed in to get horses. It was as we had expected. Guards and probably magistrates would take chase on horseback. There were shouts from the men and women and snorts from the excited horses. It didn’t take long for the guards to prepare their mounts and be on their way.
When the sounds of galloping hooves died down, and I thought it was safe, I approached one of the back stable windows and peered inside. All I saw were restless horses, as I’d expected.
I jerked my head to one side to let Bethel know it was okay to climb in. The back of the stable was close to the outer wall, so normally, the chances of being spotted were small. Today, with the ruckus the guys were causing outside and Bethel’s concealment spell, I felt pretty confident.
We landed on the hay-covered ground in a crouch. The air was thick with the musky scent of the horses, saddle oil, and an undertone of manure. It was so achingly familiar. I clenched my fists to dispel the memories the place brought forth—not all of them bad. Val and I had spent countless hours here as friends when we truly had cared for each other.
Pushing all of that aside, I led Bethel toward one of the back stalls. There, we gathered a pile of hay in one corner and buried ourselves underneath it. The brown gelding that resided there looked at us sideways, then flicked his tail from side to side, quickly growing indifferent to our quiet presence.
We had made it in. Now, all we had to do was wait for nightfall.
CHAPTER 16
Wehidunderthehay for six long hours. During the first couple, I was worried about the guys.
After causing a distraction and as soon as the van made it inside, past the gate, they were supposed to escape toward the woods to avoid a confrontation with the guards. But had they managed that? Were they okay? I couldn’t sense them through our tetrad bond. They were too far for that, so I tried to focus and trust that the magistrates and guards would be too slow for them. It was nerve-racking, waiting here, unable to do anything. Worried questions kept running in circles inside my mind, threatening to drive me crazy.
But finally, the guards returned with the horses, and as they worked on watering the animals and removing the saddles, they talked among themselves, expressing their frustration at their inability to keep up with thedamn wildlings.
I was greatly relieved. Yet, I sat tensely under the hay, fearing someone would spot us. Thankfully, no one came close, and they quickly took care of their chores and went away, probably ready to indulge in a big dinner feast that they would not share with the initiates or apprentices.
Bastards!
After that, everything went quiet, and I had plenty of time to think. I worried about Nirliq, Terit, and the other children. I also fretted over Rob’s safety. Had the magistrates discovered him? And if they had, had they harmed him? I would never be able to forgive myself if something bad happened to him because of me.
The hours seemed to move as slowly as molasses. Yet, when it was time to come out, I couldn’t help the fear that rose inside my chest. If we failed, we may not have another chance. And if we were captured, the magistrates would finish what Captain Silex had started. They would burn us at the stake, delighting as they watched us suffer and turn into nothing but a pile of ashes. The thoughts sent a wave of terror through me, and I had to clench my teeth to stifle a pathetic whimper.
“I think it is time,” Bethel murmured as I lay next to her, trying not to tremble. I couldn’t reveal how terrified I felt.
I made a small sound of agreement in the back of my throat and slowly began to remove the hay that covered us. She helped, and in no time, we were crouching by the stall door, listening.
“Hear anything?” Bethel whispered.
I shook my head.
I undid the latch. We stepped out and locked the horse in. He stuck his head out, snorted, and stamped his hooves. I patted his head, willing him to calm down. It took a few beats, but then he pulled in and began chewing on some hay.
A few hanging lights illuminated the space, so I sidled up to the switchboard and turned a few off, including the ones outside. I took my time, turning off one at a time and waiting to see if the guards that normally stood up on the walls noticed a change. They didn’t, and under the cover of darkness and Bethel’s concealment spell, we left the stables and slunk toward the main building.
Backs pressed against the wall, we reached a side door used frequently by the Academy servants. Cleaning people, gardeners, cooks, and more went in and out through it, keeping everyone fed and the grounds and interior looking pristine.
I tested the handle and was not surprised to find it locked.
Earlier, I had explained the mechanism to Bethel, and she’d assured me she had a spell that could take care of it.
Taking a deep breath, she raised her hands to the lock. I pressed a fist to my mouth and bit on my knuckle. If she wasn’t able to open, we—
The lock turned bright red as the metal heated under the witch’s hands.
She’s melting it!I hadn’t expected that.
She worked, sweat sliding down her temples, her focus as sharp as a knife. Keeping us concealed had demanded a lot from her, I suddenly realized as I noticed her slack features and dim gaze.
