Her gaze slid toward Barlen, and my stomach tightened.
Did she know?
Please don’t say it.
Please don’t say it.
Barlen’s little ears flattened, and for one horrible moment, I knew he was going to break. The fear in him was so strong that even the fog seemed to recoil from it.
The Priestess tilted her head and studied him. “Well?”
He swallowed hard and kept his eyes on the Priestess. “She followed a shadow.”
My breath caught as I waited for the ball to drop.
“That much I gathered,” the Priestess replied.
“I tried to stop her,” he added quickly. “I told her the shadows were none of our business, but she distracted me with rolls.”
The Priestess’ eyes flicked to mine.
I lifted one shoulder. “I was hungry.”
“Were you?”
“The berries were awful.” I shrugged.
For a second, a tiny flare of disbelief crossed Barlen’s face as if he couldn’t believe I’d chosen that as my defense.
The Priestess’ mouth curved into a sinister expression. “Shadowick’s fruit is not made for delicate palates.”
“I’m from the Midwest. We consider ranch dressing a food group. I like spice. Those weren’t right.”
One of the shadows near her feet twitched, and the Priestess watched me carefully.
I felt that same sense I’d had in the compound. She didn’t know exactly what had happened or what to do with me. She sensed something had stirred, but she didn’t know what.
“You were near the east lanes,” she said.
“I was near many lanes. Shadowick is quite fond of lanes and alleys.”
“So many alleys.” She nodded in agreement. “Some can lead to strange places.”
“I would say most of Shadowick qualifies.”
Her gaze sharpened slightly. “You’re getting a little too frisky in town.”
I nearly laughed, but it would have been a terrible idea. “I like to make myself at home.”
“And what did you find?”
I held her gaze.
“Closed doors. Locked shops. People scared enough to drop apples and leave them in the street just for looking at them. Silence appears to be rewarded, and fear swims easily in these streets.”
Barlen’s shoulders stiffened.
The Priestess studied me for a long moment before smiling. “Good.”
