Page 74 of Curse of the Wolf

“How much did she charge for this?” Duncan held up the almost depleted vial.

“It was a free sample.”

“Oh? That’s always an excellent way to sell product.”

“No doubt she expects I want to order a five-gallon vat.”

“Do you have rules against making such concoctions in your apartment complex?” Duncan put the cap back on the vial and backed away from the wall. He’d finished applying the acid to the inner panel.

“It’s in the lease that you can’t grow psychedelic mushrooms or marijuana. Oddly, the mixing of toxic chemicals isn’t mentioned.”

“Might be time to make an amendment.” Duncan lifted his foot and slammed his heel into the panel.

The second piece he’d created indented a couple of inches, but he wobbled, almost losing his balance as he brought his leg down. I rushed forward to keep him from pitching sideways.

“I don’t need help,” he snapped with irritation. Or maybeindignation.

But he did. I gripped his arm to keep him steady—and on his feet.

His shoulders slumped. “Idoneed help. And I hate it.”

“I know. It’s hard being weak when you’ve always been powerful.”

“It’s hard being weak, period.”

“Some people have more experience with it and can compensate.”

“And those without experience just get cranky?” He smiled ruefully.

“I think so.” Gently, I pushed him to the side.

Trying not to look at the gaseous substance flowing under the door and into the laboratory, I took the second kick myself. The circle in the panel resisted flying free. Was there something blocking the wall? Maybe it needed a little more acid.

“At least the fan is sucking those vapors away.” Duncan pointed at the cloud flowing under the door and immediately wafting toward the vent.

After donning gloves, I took the vial and smeared the last of the acid onto the panel.

“Not enough left to fling at metal bugs.” I tossed the empty vial onto a countertop.

“Alas. You should have ordered the five-gallon vat.”

“I can only imagine what Rue would charge for that.”

Once more, I kicked the inner panel. It barely gave, the acid not having had time to fully work, but it did shift outward an inch.

A creak came from the door to the room, then the door fell open. I gaped. Had the bugs done that? The entire door hit the floor.

“They destroyed the hinges,” Duncan said as metal bugs flowed into the room, all with their orifices open, all spewing out the hazy vapor.

“Industrious bastards, aren’t they?” I kicked again.

The panel flew away and into the dark room beyond.

I scrambled through the hole, then reached back for Duncan. As soon as he came through after me, I patted around on the floor, found the section of panel, and did my best to plug up the hole.

In the dark, I had no idea what kind of room we entered, but I doubted it was another laboratory with a ventilation fan. If the vapor-spewing bugs made it in here, we would be screwed.

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