Page 67 of The Most Wanted Witch

That was it?

Seemed to be. And here I thought the man couldn’t do simple.

“Sounds good to me.” It was fairly close to what I would’ve suggested.

As soon as I was in the building, meaning to or not, I fell a few steps behind Hawk. Taking a couple of deep breaths, I felt for the knife in my pocket and forced myself not to fall too far behind.

I didn’t remember the factory that well, but it seemed as if we were going the long way to Marvin’s office after a couple of wrong turns.

“Do you know where you’re going?” He’d been in Marvin’s office before. Had the rooms been reshuffled? Did he know something I didn’t?

“Yes,” he said.

But then he slowed down in front of every door, looking for Marvin. Typical man—he didn’t want to admit he was lost.

“I think we should turn around and go back the other way,” I said, as he kept stopping at every door.

He glanced back at me. “I know what I’m doing.”

I’d never been called slow, but I might’ve been a bit duller today. It took three hallways before the truth of what was happening sank in. He was stopping by every room, letting them see us together, to send a message.

“You don’t need to do this,” I said as we passed another door. “I can handle myself.”

“I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for them.” His tone was all business.

“How’s that work?”

“You’re with me, and they should know better. I don’t feel like killing more people, and I’m sure they don’t feel like getting killed.” His grim reply left no doubt how serious he was.

Kill more people? Had he already killed some of the ones who’d attacked me? Or was he talking about other deaths? Was that better? I’d probably lost the high ground when I killed Belinda and Raydam. Although that hadn’t been intentional. There might be a little leeway for some judgment left, even if I couldn’t seem to dredge any up.

Had I recognized any of the faces from the alley? It wasn’t like I’d memorized them that day when they were beating me to a pulp, but still, I didn’t think I’d seen a single one since walking into the factory.

I was in the process of trying to remember when Hawk kicked open Marvin’s door.

It might have been unlocked, but it was an effective entry, judging by the startled look on Marvin’s face.

Marvin got to his feet. “Mertie! Mertie!”

“She’s not out there.” Hawk walked around his desk and sat him back down with a hand on his shoulder.

Marvin’s eyes flickered to me as I attempted to close the door, with hinges that weren’t working as well as they had been a few moments ago.

“What do you want?” Marvin asked, his eyes bouncing back and forth.

“What’s the hill?” Hawk perched himself on the corner of the desk, leaning over Marvin.

I walked to the other side, staring down at the warlock.

“What hill? There are hills all over the place. How am I supposed to answer an idiotic question like that?” His forehead was looking a little moist and his bony hands were gripping the chair like it could save him from drowning.

I gave his chair a little kick until it was flush against the wall. “Marvin, we’re not leaving until we find out. You either tell us now, or he’ll torture you and then you tell us.” I tilted my head toward Hawk.

“I think you know what I’m capable of when crossed,” Hawk added calmly.

“We have a way we do things. A balance here in Xest. A mutual respect,” Marvin said.

“Therewas, but that’s over. Xest is going to hell, and I’ve got a feeling you had something to do with it.”

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