I looked away from Lu so I could glare at the ghost. “Wanna try that again?”
His smile was sharp, showing teeth much too pointed for a human.
“Brogan is a tool. Go on, say it.”
I sighed. “Brogan is a tool. Go on, say it.”
He chuckled, and Lu raised her eyebrows.
“He’s being used by a Hush.”
“He’s being used by a Hush,” I repeated, feeling stupid. We weren’t getting anywhere with this.
“I’ve heard a story about a man like Brogan,” Val said, shifting slightly closer to his wolf so that where they were separate, and where they were whole, blurred. “Say it.”
“I’ve heard a story about a man like Brogan.”
“This man was caught by the Hush. Forced to do their bidding. A boon—wait, don’t say that word. Say the man did a favor instead.”
I repeated it all for Lu.
“To make sure it was done right, there was magic. Something that sews like needle and thread.”
I said all that too.
“Now, instead of saying this to her, do this.” Val pinched his pointer finger and thumb together, miming holding a needle, then he made looping movements by his lips to indicate sewing. “Not to your lips, but to hers.”
I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. “I’m going to just do something that adds to his story.”
“About some random man captured by some random Hush creature,” Lu said. “I’m listening.”
I lifted my hand and did the same motions Val had done.
Lu’s lips went pale. “Okay. I’m going to ask Val some things. You just tell me his answers.
“Val, did you see this dream thing happen?”
“No.”
“No,” I repeated.
“Can you see it now? Thread on his lips or some kind of magic?”
“Yes. Thread.”
I tried to repeat that and felt my lungs grow heavy. So instead, I nodded.
“Magic?” she asked.
“Yes.”
I nodded again.
“That’s why the man in your story can’t repeat what he’s looking for?”
“Yes.”
Again, I nodded.
