Page 62 of Cry of the Damned
“Remarkable,” George said. He’d been sitting quietly, observing everything with interest.
“Can you stand?” I offered Ila a hand.
She took it and laboriously got to her feet. She swayed for a moment, then took a few hesitant steps. “How strange,” she said several times as she practiced navigating the much taller, heavier body.
But soon, she felt comfortable and was ready to go.
I watched her leave, full of apprehension. George’s house was only a short distance from the Academy, so it would take her only a few minutes to get there. She carried a satchel with her where she’d packed the necessary herbs. She only had to do this for a week, and then the younger students would find their codas gone and a host of new powers at their fingertips. After that, there would be no need to convince the older students of anything. They would be clamoring for understanding, and conveniently, we would be right there to provide it.
CHAPTER 25
Aswereturnedtothe warehouse, Bethel and I decided to take the long walk back. It was a beautiful spring morning. Flowerpots hung from the lampposts, filling the streets with color. I thought there was a strange feeling in the air. The people we saw kept throwing glances in the direction of the Academy, as if expecting something bad to happen. Still, for the most part, everyone went about their business as usual.
Hoping to hear some gossip, Bethel and I went into a coffee shop, placed an order for two cappuccinos and two pastries, and sat down. It wasn’t long before our ears perked up at a nearby conversation.
″My sister says the students at the Academy are in a panic,” a woman with red hair told the man sitting across from her. “You know she works in the nursery, taking care of the young ones.”
The man nodded.
″Well, she says there’s been no sign of any magistrates or guards for a full day. It’s like they just disappeared.”
The thought of those young children being taken care of by strangers made the hand I’d rested on the table tighten into a fist. There had been a baby and a toddler taken from our pack. Their parents were dead now, but I was sure we could find them homes with other packs. Nirliq and the older children would have already started classes, their minds wiped clean from any memories of who they used to be. All I could do was hope that the damage was reversible.
″The apprentices are trying to keep order. There’s no one to teach the lessons, so they’re trying to teach the older initiates, then those initiates turn around and teach the younger ones. My sister says they all think it’s some kind of test, but she’s not so sure about that.” The woman leaned closer to whisper. “You know she’s always thought something fishy is going on up there, and she suspects it finally caught up with them.”
″You should quit all this gossip,” the man said. “The Academy has been here for centuries. It’s not going anywhere. Besides, we don’t want them to. Look at our city. It’s a great place to live, and it is thanks to them.”
″Well, maybe—” the redhead began, but the man pushed to his feet and waved her off.
″I gotta get to work. Say hello to Mark.” With that, the man walked out, leaving her staring at her unfinished donut.
After that, Bethel and I left the coffee shop and went back to the warehouse.
″Finally!” Maki exclaimed when we walked through the door. “What took you so long?” Kall and Novuk stood behind him, looking just as restless.
I didn’t think they would ever get used to being cooped up. It made them antsy. They needed open fields and boundless skies in front of them to feel at ease.
We quickly explained we’d stopped for gossip at the coffee shop. When we told them what we’d heard, they exchanged worried glances.
″What if the apprentices turn into a problem?” Kall asked.
I shook my head, refusing to contemplate the possibility. “If Ila succeeds, it will be all right.”
″I wish we could just go in there, take the kids, and leave,” Novuk grumbled.
″Me too,” Maki agreed. “I don’t like any of this.”
″You’re just worried about Ila.” I punched him in the shoulder. “But she knows how to take care of herself. She’ll be all right.”
He huffed and walked away, while Novuk sidled up to Bethel, his eyes darting in every direction as his mouth opened and closed. “I… I would like to talk to you,” he managed, his cheeks turning bright red.
For a moment, Bethel looked like a trapped mouse, and I was afraid she would run and hide behind one of the many wooden crates. But after a deep breath, she squeaked out an answer.
″Sure, let’s talk.”
Novuk’s pointed blue gaze flicked in our direction.
″Um… let’s go outside, Kall.” I interlaced my fingers with his and pulled him along.
