His eyebrows shot up. “Is that a myth—”
“No, It’s real.” My throat bobbed with hesitation. “It…almost killed me.”
He blinked rapidly, then straightened, the old chair groaning as he pushed to his feet. His eyes darted around the shelves, scanning the spines as if a book might hold the answer he was afraid to tell.
“Who is that man?” I asked as I watched him pace slowly. “The one in black, the one I told you about.”
He froze mid-step.
I pressed on, pulse quickening. “I saw him again. He saved me from the Pylath. And he said something about me that I’ve never told anyone.” I leaned forward, searching his face. “Who is he? You seemed scared the other day. You know something, don’t you?”
He turned slowly this time, the air shifting around him. The look in his eyes wasn’t surprise, it was defeat. “What about your medal—”
“It’s gone,” I interrupted, standing. “I can’t find it. I think—”
“He found a way to get rid of it,” he muttered, finishing the sentence for me.
My brows furrowed. “Who? Him?” I stepped closer, urgency scraping through my voice. He still wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“I thought I had time.”
My frown deepened, unease snaking up my spine.
“I’ll have to travel out of town for a while,” he continued, almost to himself.
“Winifred! Hello?” I snapped, waving a hand in front of his face.
He didn’t respond immediately. Then suddenly, he moved. His hands shot out, gripping my shoulders with surprising force. My breath hitched, eyes darting down to his hands. His face, usually so calm, was drawn tight with fear. The peace that used to live in his eyes was gone, replaced by something haunted.
“Listen, child.” His voice quivered. “Do whatever it takes to stay away from him.”
My jaw tightened. “Who is he?”
He shook his head, blinking a million times like he was trying to hold his tongue. “You could die.”
I frowned, confusion twisting across my face. My brows pinched, mouth parting slightly in disbelief. “You’re not making any sense,” I said, frustrated. “I know I can die if I go near The Crater. That’s not news. Who is he?” I held my breath. “Is he human?”
His eyes met mine, and for a moment, neither of us blinked. The air crackled with tension, heavy and suffocating. He looked like a man desperate to say something but terrified of what might happen if he did.
He finally spoke. “Just stay away from him,” he said, almost trembling. “I’m not playing around this time. This could result in your death. It’d be safer if you left here…” He began backing away, step by slow step, his mind clearly somewhere else. “Ignore everything about The Crater. Ignore whatever is attracting you.”
And with that, he turned and stormed out of the bookshop, the door slamming shut behind him.
Silence swallowed the room whole.
I stood there for a long moment before turning my gaze around the shop, more confused than ever.
But one thing was clear. Three things, actually.
The man in black coat wasn’t ordinary.
He was connected to the medallion.
And Weeny Man was terrified of him.
CHAPTER TEN
SANORA
