Page 46 of Devil's Deal

“That’s very unfortunate. I was taught that a true whisperer never leaves those in need alone, no matter how wealthy or poor they are. But clearly, I was taught wrong.”

Czeslawa’s face grows blotchy, her eyes bulging with anger. But before she can speak, Helena grabs my arm, tears in her eyes.

“Please, Jaga! You know we can’t use the barn if it’s not properly cleaned. And what if that… What if that thing comes back? What if it takes Tomek?”

The whites of her eyes are bright in the dark. She’s terrified, her grip bruising my arm, and I sigh. It seems I dug this grave for myself, talking about what a true whisperer should do.

If I back out now, I’ll look like a coward.

“I’ll do it,” I say. “But I’ll do all of it alone. I’ll clean the blood, smoke out the evil, and then I’ll put protections around your house, on your doors and window, and in each corner of your land. I’ll do it all myself or I won’t do it at all, and my price is as Wiosna’s was: whatever you can spare. Take it or leave it.”

“Thank you,” Helena sighs in relief, her hand falling limp. “And, of course. I hire you to do it all and I’ll pay you as much as I can. Wiosna never failed us.”

“You’ll regret putting your trust in this girl,” Czeslawa huffs before storming away in a cloud of indignation.

Helena gives her a troubled look, shaking her head. Meanwhile, my hands sweat, my blood buzzing with excitement. This is my first serious whispering job, and also an official one, not a friendly secret like helping Bogna.

Everyone will know I cleaned the barn and secured the house.

And that means if the beast comes back and slaughters the entire family, people will blame me. That’s why my hands sweat with uncertainty right now. I’ve never done something like this on my own before. Not even Wiosna did.

Wiosna’s ghost must see the fear in my face, because she says, “I’m right here, ready to help, but I’m sure you’ll do splendidly and make me proud.”

I ignore her voice and focus on the excitement. Because now, I have access to the barn. I will see for myself what happened, examine the padlock, and draw my own conclusions without waiting for whatever explanation Jarota pulls out of his ass tomorrow.

With a beast to identify and a job to do, I feel more alive than I felt in years. Finally, I have a purpose. And it doesn’t even matter that I’ll spend the night elbows deep in bloody muck. Because this is what I’m good at.

But when I walk into the barn half an hour later, a bucket of lye and another of vinegar in my hands, I shriek and almost drop them both when I see what’s inside. And it’s not the blood and torn bit of lamb wool that have me spooked.

Woland jumps down from a roof beam, landing in a pool of blood in front of me. It splatters my dress.

“Good evening, my dear,” he says with a wolfish smile.

Chapter sixteen

Nettle

He looks at me, grinning in the light of one smoking torch, and all I want to do is claw out his eyes. But Woland stands at his full size, teeth bared tauntingly, and I know I can’t attack him and win. I am not powerful enough to get my revenge yet.

But that doesn't mean I have to be polite. Without a word, I put both buckets in the corner and survey the barn. I had a look at it before, taking in the horrifying sight of a dozen lambs ripped to shreds by a feral creature. Now, only smaller bits and the blood are left behind.

Men have carried out the corpses to burn outside the village.

“Did you do it?” I ask in a cold voice that trembles slightly, but not from fear. I’m livid. “You get a kick out of killing baby animals?”

I don’t look at him, and when Woland laughs, loud and hearty, I clench my jaw so hard, my teeth hurt.

“I can tell you who did,” he says, his voice light and amused, as if he’s about to share some juicy gossip.

But of course. To him, it’s all play. I’m sure if it were mortal blood staining the packed earth, he’d be just as amused. Maybe more.

Bile rises up my throat, my hate so strong, it chokes me. Bogna’s mauled face flashes in my mind and I clench my fists, wishing like hell I’d prepared better. I was so convinced the devil was done with me. I thought I’d have to find him myself, and that meant I had time to learn and prepare.

Yet, here he is, and I am as defenseless as those lambs were. I’ll have more foresight next time.

“Yes, you can tell me, but I’m sure it will be a lie. So no, thank you,” I say, forcing my voice to sound cool.

I ignore him, bringing the torch to examine the walls instead. I’ll start with those. Hopefully, by the time I’m done with the mess, the packed earth will soften enough for the men to shovel it out in the morning and bring in fresh soil. The barn will be as good as new.

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