“I think it might.”
“I think I know what those things were after.” Bo walks over to the bottom of the altar and brushes away dust.
He pulls the long-handled item with a notched circle and string on the end free.
“It’s a sun compass,” Cadoc says.
“How is this helpful?” Bo sneers. The dial rotates, and writing forms on the circular piece.
Watching, I wait for the markings to make sense. “What is it doing?”
“I don’t know.” Bo tilts the wheel to the left. Numbers take shape.
“Coordinates,” Cadoc replies.
“To what?” I wrinkle my nose. “Where?”
“Nothing yet.” Cadoc studies the dial. “There aren’t enough numbers.”
Kirk looks at Cadoc. “It has to be important for them to come after it.”
Bo looks grim. “I’m more concerned about how they’re tracking us.”
“They’re afraid,” Fell peers into the distance, and his voice drops an octave.
“Fell?” I place a hand on his arm.
“They know we’re close.”
Bo steps forward.
I hold out my hand.
I keep my voice soft. “Close to what?”
Fells’ brows dip. “The start of their ruin.”
Cadoc steps closer, careful not to touch Fell. “Who are they?”
“The other children.” Fell turns his gaze to me. “They’ve been looking for you for a long time, and now they know exactly where you are.”
“How?” My lips quiver. Fear seeps into my pores.
Fell tilts his head. “The l—.” His mouth drops open and a horrible strangled sound escapes.
“Fell.” He pitches forward, and Bo steps forward, catching him.
Shocked, I grip Bo’s arm, silently thanking him.
“I don’t like this.” My voice wobbles like a loose tire.
“Join the club, Princess.”
Kirk shudders. “Someone or something was talking through him.”
“No, he’s always been like this. It’s a deeper knowing.” I frown. “It’s hard to explain.”
“You trust it?” Cadoc nods at the man slumped in Bo’s arm. “Trust him?”