Page 78 of Stalk the Dark
“I don’t care either way.”
He was lying. I wanted to call him out on it, but another question that had been burning a path through my mind sprang from my lips instead. “Why do you do it? Why do you hurt yourself?” I knew as soon as the words left my mouth that I’d overstepped.
Shutters came down over his expression. “Why don’t you mind your own damn business.” He tore open the door and stormed out.
I exhaled and flopped back against the headboard. Ordell I understood. He made his intentions crystal clear. There was no second-guessing with him, but Hemlock…The man was a mystery, and unfortunately, I loved mysteries.
Chapter 24
Whistlethorpe Tea Shop was owned by Jerry Whistlethorpe, twin brother to Perry from New Town, and his cakes were just as delicious as his brother’s ice cream.
The tea shop was a quaint building nestled between a confectioner and a tailor. Boleros, lace collars, cravats, and high-button bodices made up the scene as people sipped tea from china cups and nibbled on tiny cakes and triangle sandwiches.
The bright colors inside contrasted with gray skies and brown cobbled streets, creating a jovial atmosphere. I’d planned to pop in and see Agatha, but her store was rammed with patrons. I managed a wave, and she mouthed athank you. I guess Zafrina had spread the word about my dress and the woman who’d stitched it.
In New Town, our lead on Lomax, the missingghoul, turned out to be a bust. And my call to Lorenzo refused to go through. I allowed myself a twinge of panic before setting it aside. Lorenzo Crescent would find a way to get in touch if he wanted to.
We managed to catalog several files before it was time to head back to the chapter house, where I packed my meager belongings to head to the castle, my stomach in knots.
Edwin hovered in the doorway. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
I’d only known him a short while, but I’d taken an instant liking to him. He was easy to talk to, quick-witted, and sweet. I hadn’t expected to like my new team as much as I did.
“I’ll miss you too. All of you. But based on everything I’ve read in the watcher journals, being close to Ezekiel is the only way to reduce human deaths.”
“That could just be a fluke.”
“Yeah, it could.” I canted my head. “But I have to try. You understand that, right?”
He blew out a breath and nodded. “It’s just…now that he has a taste for your blood…I’m worried for you.”
I’d been trying not to think about that fact. “That was a one-off deal.” I tapped my amulet. “This is not coming off again, and I’m certainly not giving him permission to feed on me.”
He chewed on his cheeks, and I got the impressionthat there was more he wanted to say. Could this be about Padma? “Edwin, what is it? You can tell me.”
He shook his head, laughing a little. “Nothing. I was just…nothing. I’ll see you downstairs.”
He ducked out of the room, leaving me with a quiver of foreboding in my belly. Something was up with Padma, and maybe it was time for me to come clean and ask her about it myself. But things were good between us. We’d fallen into a comfortable working relationship and were easing into a friendship. Whatever her deal was, it would be best if she volunteered the information, and maybe she’d be comfortable enough to tell me why she’d lied about contacting HQ.
Ordell rapped on the door with his knuckles. “Are you ready to go?” His gaze flicked to the window where the sky was a stunning blood orange.
“Yep. All good.”
He grabbed my two cases, and I hoisted my empty holster onto my shoulder.
“Your sword is in the carriage,” he said.
Of course it was. It always found its way back to me.
He hurried off with long strides, and I followed at a trot. “Hey, what’s the rush?”
“Best we get there before dark.”
“Why?”
“Get a lay of the land before Ezekiel wakes.”
Hemlock was in the driver’s seat of the carriage,horses pawing at the gravel, ready to get going while Padma, Merry, Haiden, and Edwin stood by the Raven’s perch.
