Page 86 of Sinful

“Yes.” He stopped in his tracks, turned, and looked me right in the eye. “I’ve been meaning to tell you… it’s been wonderful having you visit us. Everyone has enjoyed your company, including myself. You remind me so much of Miranda, and having her here was a very special time for the Covenant. So, even after you’ve finished your research here—and hopefully cleared our name—you’re welcome to come and visit us anytime.”

I stared at him as he spoke, forehead crinkling. Surely he didn’t mean that. He had to be fucking with my head.

To what end, though? I couldn’t think of a single reason why he’d tell me I was always welcome here unless he truly meant it. After all, the more time I spent here, the more likely I was to discover the proof I needed to put him away for good.

“Thank you,” I replied. “By the way, I was glad to hear your news about Rose.”

Another smile broke out on Augustus’s face. “Ah, yes. The woman who dreamed about her return has frequently had other dreams that came to fruition, so we are confident that this onewill too,” he said. “Rosamundwillbe returned to us. Very soon, we hope.”

“Where do you think she is?” I asked, tipping my head.

He resumed walking. “She is with the Entity, of course. It is not for us to understand where or how it all works. We know she is safe in his arms, and that is all that matters.”

“So you aren’t worried anymore?”

“No. I was extremely anxious at first, as you very well know. But after many prayers, I’ve realized that was foolish and faithless of me,” he said. “The Entity wouldn’t allow anything bad to befall Rosamund. Not when she’s so important to us. This temporary disappearance is merely a test of our faith.”

“Ah.” I nodded slowly, as if his convenient delusions made perfect sense. “And what about the rest of the Covenant? What do they think? When I was here a few days ago, some of them were whispering about bears or an abduction by outsiders.”

Augustus scoffed. “Yes, I’ve heard all of that too,” he said. “The elders and I have tried to squash the rumors, but unfortunately, we can’t control everyone’s minds. So I’m sure a few of them still have these faithless beliefs, as much as we discourage it.”

“Well, they’ll feel stupid when Rose is returned just before the Tetrad, right?”

“Exactly. But it will renew their faith, so everything will work out in the end. I’m sure that’s the Entity’s plan.” He smiled and paused in his tracks again. “Now, what are your plans for your visit today? Are you going to go to your usual room at the tavern and work on your notes there? Or would you rather stay outdoors and speak to some more villagers? Either one can be arranged.”

“I’d like to stay outdoors. It’s a nice day now that the rain has stopped, so I might as well take advantage of it.”

“Yes, you’re right.” He tapped his chin. “That gives me an idea. Now that the weather has cleared up, our workers can return to the farmstead, so you could spend some time down there. I don’t think you’ve done that yet, have you?”

I shook my head. “No, but that sounds great. I’d like to see how it all works, and my mother’s notes contained quite a few interviews with your farm workers, so it could be helpful as well.”

It was actually a perfect idea for the day. I could slip away from the farmstead at some point, while the workers were busy and distracted, and then I could find the tree Rose told me about, followed by the cave if all went to plan.

“Wonderful.” Augustus clapped his hands together. “I’ll walk you down there myself.”

“Thank you,” I said, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. It seemed as if the unspoken rule about me never being alone while outdoors was still in effect.

“Wait a minute… do you see those two men heading to the end of the street?” Augustus said, pointing to two young guys in brown shirts and pants who were walking further down the cobbled main street. “They’re farm workers, so they’re probably heading there right now. If you run and catch up with them, they’ll show you around. Tell them I sent you.”

Hm. Maybe not, then.Somewhere along the line, I’d earned Augustus’s trust. I still couldn’t figure out why, though. Surely he couldn’t be so stupidly naïve.

I nodded. “All right. I’ll do that.”

I lifted a hand to bid him goodbye and hurried down the street, as if I really had any intention of catching up with the two men. I purposely stayed a few yards behind them until they finally reached the end of the street and turned onto the main path leading out of the village. Then I hung even further back,lingering by a house until I saw the men turn right on the first fork of the path.

I looked over my shoulder to make sure no one had noticed me hanging around by myself. When I knew the coast was definitely clear, I hurried down the path, ignoring the fork that led down into the valley farmstead.

About ten minutes later, I arrived at the tree Rose had described, marked with a large red cross on the thick brown trunk. Taking a deep breath, I stepped beyond it and squinted into the dense undergrowth, scanning the mass of bushes and trees in search of the narrow path she’d mentioned. It wasn't easy to spot with all the foliage blending in a sea of green, but just as doubt started to creep in, I noticed a slight break in the bushes, almost hidden from view.

I began to follow the narrow trail, my heart hammering with excited anticipation. Thick bushes flanked me on either side, creating a shadowy tunnel that guided me deeper into the wilderness, and it eventually opened into a large clearing where the sunlight poured in, just as Rose said it would. I was getting closer to the cave by the second. Closer to real answers.

I paused for a moment, taking in the vast expanse of open space before me. It was eerily silent. Steeling myself, I began to walk again, boots crunching over twigs and wet leaves.

A couple of minutes later, a loud cracking sound echoed through the clearing, and the ground beneath me started to give way.

“Shit!”

I’d stepped right on top of a pit trap.

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