Page 126 of Sin

“When his powers emerged, he wanted to learn more about them. So he started collecting taxidermied animals and reanimating them.”

Jinx stared at Lucas as if he’d just told him he could never eat another candy bar again. “What the fuck?”

We all murmured our agreement.

As we approached the gate, Lewis slowed the van to a crawl. “Everyone ready?” At the sound of several very unenthused affirmatives, he drew in a slow breath as we gazed out at the dark drive leading to Mr. Radley’s home and rolled down his window. “Let’s get this party started then, I guess.”

Then he pressed the intercom button.

The intercom crackled before a sharp, “Hello?”

Lucas stiffened at the sound of Keith’s voice, and Mare gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

“Hello, Mr. Pittel. This is Lewis, from the Legion. You talked to us the other day?”

Silence.

Lewis licked his lips. “We have a few more questions for you?”

“Now’s not a good time. You’ll need to come back later.”

London leaned across the console, getting close to the window. “Unfortunately, this isn’t something that can wait. Open the gate please, Mr. Pittel.”

There was a smile in Keith’s voice when he spoke again. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“Why not?” London demanded.

“Because I know he’s with you,” he said.

London glanced back at Lucas and swallowed. “Who do you think is with us?”

“Let’s not play games,” said the gamemaster. “Lucas, I know you’re there.”

Lucas crawled to the front of the van and glared out at the intercom. “Come out, Keith. You can’t hide in there forever. Sooner or later, you’ll need to leave.”

Keith tutted. “Sure, eventually. But I have plenty of provisions to last me until you’ve calmed down.”

“Calmed down?” Lucas growled, only to realize he’d just played into Keith’s words and scowling.

“I know you’re angry,” Keith said, still speaking directly to Lucas. “But until I know you longer want to kill me, I’m not coming out.”

The intercom turned off, and London cursed.

“Plan B?” Lewis asked him.

He nodded. “Plan B.”

“But not that Plan B,” I added, earning myself a kick in the shin from Mare.

After parking the car, we all hopped out. Lewis approached the gate, frowning as he lifted his hands to feel them out.

“What do you think?” London asked after a moment, moving to stand beside him.

“I think I can break them, but it’s not going to be easy. He’s good, I’ll give him that.” Lewis shut his eyes and pressed both his palms to an invisible barrier. The wards buzzed at his touch, and my hair stood up. “Unfortunately for him, I’m better.”

It took Lewis around ten minutes to bring down the wards, and I felt it the moment they crashed. The hum of energy dissipated, and the air filled with scents of leaves and damp earth.

Jinx grabbed the gates and pulled. He managed to pry them apart enough so the van had room to slip through.

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