Eventually we arrive at the iron gates of the institute, and for a moment I fear they won’t open for us.The emblem on them, of a snake and key, looks menacing, and the snake’s eyes seem to glow red.
But then I hear the click of the lock and the gates slowly swing open.
We ride on through the wards, the cold pressure passing over us, popping our ears, and then we’re in the campus.Like the outside world, it’s also quiet here.All the buildings are dark except for the cathedral, faint light coming in through the stained-glass windows.We pass by the dorms, and it’s then that I realize I don’t want Kat in Brom’s room after all.
“You’re going to stay in the room next to mine,” I tell Kat as we get to the stables.
“Why not Brom’s?”she asks as I dismount.
I reach up and grab her waist, lifting her off the horse and placing her on the ground next to me.“Because I want you near me tonight in case the horseman’s spirit shows up.He’s still tied to Brom.”
Brom is holding on to Daredevil, staring at us, his dark eyes unreadable.
How long will you be with us?I can’t help but think.How long until he takes over?
But Brom’s gaze gives no answer.
“Whose head was that anyway?”I ask him instead, gesturing to the library as I lead Gunpowder into the stable.Hours earlier the Hessian soldier strode into the library and deposited a head at my feet, as if it were an offering of some sort.
His beard bristles as he wiggles his jaw.“I’m not sure.”
“The first man was Joshua Meeks,” I press him.“Was this one involved with Kat as well?”
He doesn’t say anything.
“There’s no one else,” Kat protests.
“Doesn’t have to be someone you’ve been involved with,” I say, giving her a reassuring look.“Brom’s jealousy influences the horseman’s actions.That’s why the horseman paid me a visit and Brom did the same with you.I have no doubt the head that’s in the library belongs to a man who fancied you.Isn’t that right, Brom?”
He avoids my gaze, that permanent furrow shadowing his eyes.“It was a drunk man at the bonfire.He was harassing Kat.”Then he looks to her and his expression is a plea.“I have no control over…I didn’t…”
“I know,” Kat says quietly, but she doesn’t sound like she believes him.
We put the horses away and with Brom’s unpredictable nature in my mind, I quickly duck into the tack room and grab a pair of reins, and straps for foreleg and hind-leg hobbling.I come out with all the leather bunched in my hands and approach Brom with an expectant look in my eyes.
“What’s that for?”he asks warily, his body tensing.
“You know you can’t be trusted,” I tell him.
I pass the reins and hind hobbles to Kat, then stretch out theforeleg hobble until it’s a loop of leather.I stop right in front of Brom and hold it above his head.
His eyes flash with resentment and he moves his head out of the way.
“Don’t try my patience tonight,” I warn him, an edge to my voice.“I’m afraid you won’t like it.”
He goes still but I know he doesn’t want to obey me right now.He’s fighting against it for once.Perhaps he doesn’t like looking submissive in front of Kat.Perhaps he doesn’t want to be submissive in general.
That would be a shame.
I slip the loop over his head, then tighten it like a collar around his neck.I take the reins from Kat and attach them to the leather strap at his throat.
“Come now,” I tell him, giving the reins a tug.He broadens his stance and doesn’t move.
“This isn’t necessary,” he says through a scowl, murder in his eyes.“You just like degrading me like this.”
“And what of it?”I ask mildly.“You know very well what kind of man I am.In fact, youlikedthe kind of man I am.And at the moment I’m not about to leave you unrestrained.”
I give the reins a sharper tug and he pulls back, nostrils flaring.
