Page 61 of The Most Wanted Witch

“What about the last couple of years?” Hawk asked.

“A handful. Maybe four?” Braid said right away. After they hadn’t gotten beheaded for the first answer, they clearly didn’t feel the need for another debate.

I didn’t know the math, or how many Whimsy witches were born a year, but that didn’t sound like enough to keep the engine churning at the factory.

Hawk waved toward the door. “You can go.”

“We can? That’s it?” Braid asked.

“That’s it.”

Instead of running out of the office, they both got up like they’d just finished a marathon and all their energy was depleted. They looked about the room, as if they were stupid enough to think someone was going to fill them in on what was afoot.

Hawk cleared his throat and then pointedly looked at the door.

They nodded and headed in that direction with a bit more speed. I followed, smiling as I showed them out.

I held the door open as they left and then kept it open a few inches as they walked away. They didn’t bother looking back as they started talking.

Braid turned to Spike. “You know, considering the lack of pop-ups, I wouldn’t be surprised if Marvin gets desperate enough to use the hill again.”

“I don’t think he’ll do that anymore.”

I flattened my palm on the door, pushing it wide open. “What’s the hill?” I yelled.

They turned, their faces stark white and the urge to run in their twitchy gazes. As a former runner myself, I was a master at spotting another.

“Hawk,” I called inside, grateful I had some backup on hand. Last attempt I’d made at questioning one of them had led to a merry chase first.

“I’m right here,” Hawk said from behind me. “We need these two still?”

“Yes.”

“Well,” Hawk said, “you heard her. We need to talk some more.” He had one hand on the door, holding it open while he waited for them to turn back around.

They were cursing under their breath as they walked back in.

Spike turned to Braid. “You call me the stupid one, but you’re the one always gabbing away. Can’t keep your mouth shut for nothing.”

“Shut up or I’ll shut yours for you.” Braid elbowed him.

Hawk tilted his head back to the bench. I didn’t wait for anyone to tell me to take the lead. They’d have to fight to take the reins out of my hand.

“What’s the hill?” I asked.

“We don’t know.” Braid couldn’t sit still.

Spike stared at his shoes, saying nothing.

“Youjusttalked about it,” I said.

“That doesn’t mean weknow.” Spike looked up, even as he kept his head down.

Braid shook his head. “We really don’t know. We hear shit. No one tells us anything.”

“And what shit do you hear?” I asked, as Hawk stepped closer.

“We can’t talk about it. You don’t understand.He’llkill us.”

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