Page 41 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

Because I was too cocky, that’s why. Because now, without my abilities, I realize how many things I’ve been taking for granted.

One hundred and five days. Or is it one hundred and four days now?

I brighten a little at the thought.

As I reach the second floor, a door opens and the landlady strides out. She looks around, narrowing her eyes when she sees me.

I muster a smile, though even using those muscles hurts.

“Minerva, just the person I needed to see.”

“Yes, Mrs. Tinley?”

“There will be an increase in rent by one shilling starting next month.”

I stare at her, afraid I haven’t heard her right.

“But next month is in three days!”

“Well, yes. But you see, this area is in high demand since everyone is afraid Central London will be struck again. I am only keeping up with the other prices in the area.”

I might have been able to pay rent for the next month if I reduced all my spending—including food. But now it’s an extra shilling? Where the hell will I get that money from?

“And if I can’t pay that?”

She purses her lips.

“You will have to vacate the premises. I already have someone interested to take your place and…”

I tune her out as I trudge my way to the third floor.

“Your answer, Minerva!” she calls out. “Will you stay or leave?”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

Of course everything would go from bad to worse in a matter of hours.

“I will take my leave in three days,” I reply.

Where I will go remains to be seen. But first I must find a way to make money. And fast.

When I get to my room, I wash up and change my clothes. Then I rummage for the leftover cookies from the other day. But as I open the cupboard, a nasty-looking thing jumps out at me.

A rat!

“Agh!” I cry out, stumbling back.

I teeter on my feet before I land on my back. Tears prick at the back of my eyes.

The rat scurries away but not before I see the crumbs he leaves in his trail.

No. Oh no…

I force myself up and inspect the cupboard, only to find it fully ransacked.

And my cookies?

That nasty creature ate them. What’s left is adulterated, and even though I’m salivating at the thought of a sweet cookie, I know I cannot take the chance to eat it. With my healing impaired, who knows what disease I might catch?

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