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We ran through the next night knowing they were there behind us, seeking and waiting. For all we knew, they might’ve even got ahead of us during the sunny day. Not knowing where they were was frightening, and if they were indeed ahead of us. But finally, we spotted our destination and the docks. We couldn’t have travelled across land, for the cultists surely would’ve caught us. But on water, we had a chance, even if we had to sink their boat.

Nathan put out a hand to stop us running headlong down to the docks. He was searching for something. With a quick thought at me, he moved one way, and I headed in the other direction. Nathan seemed to sense the cultists were waiting. The rest of us huddled behind the crates that were dotted about the dock. If sweating were an option, we would have done it; we were so nervous.

I scouted around, keeping every sense open. All I could pick up from the humans was their thoughts of getting the cargo loaded. There were a few merchants thinking of the profit to be had, but I couldn’t sense Ramedes’s worshippers. I returned to the hiding place and smiled at Kit and Rahmon reassuringly.

Nathan made his way back and grinned. We jumped as someone spoke behind us.

Ricardus found himself flat on his back with Nathan and I at his throat before we realised it was him.

“Bloody hell, have you got a death wish?” I asked, dragging Ricardus to his feet.

Ricardus rubbed his shoulder ruefully and shook his head.

“Ramedes must be mad to take on you lot!” he exclaimed.

Pal and Mera moved toward the children.

“The cultists are here?” Mera questioned sharply.

“Arrived this afternoon. I was notified that they were in town, and I came to investigate their purpose. Couldn’t get too close, but I heard Vam’pirs mentioned, and I thought I would track them. Good thing I did. Otherwise, you would have fallen into their trap.”

“They are at the docks?” I asked, glaring at Nathan; he was meant to have checked them out.

“Yes, disguised as sailors and keeping their minds on the task at hand. That explains your inability to collect them. Some are shielded. Those are the ones that are concerning.”

“Are they aware we’re here?” Pal asked, worried, and I couldn’t blame him.

“We must move you immediately. While en route, you can explain precisely how you got involved with the Viscerov,” Ricardus said.

???

Ricardus walked us away from the docks and into the town. I kept jumping at shadows and I wasn’t the only one. Pal and Mera looked completely drained, and Nathan and Ami were also looking tired.

Inka, Li’zel, and I alone remained alert. I was not saying the others weren’t, but they were exhausted.

Ricardus led us to a house in the middle of town and shut the door firmly behind him. It was then he noticed the twins, and his eyebrows rose in surprise.

Ricardus showed Pal where children could find food. Then he patiently waited until they were out of earshot.

“The children are marked! God, are you trying to start a war?” Ricardus exclaimed.

“Pal and Mera adopted them,” Inka said.

“But they’re marked, Ramedes won’t let them go. How stupid can you be?”

“That’s enough!” Li’zel snapped. “Kit and Rahmon are theirs, and we owe it to Pal and Mera to try and save them. How could you judge Pal and Mera? They have done what we all have done throughout the years.”

“Yes, but no one ever took marked children before, Li’zel,” Ricardus challenged. “No wonder there are seven of you present. Li’zel, it’s unusual for so many of us to be together at one time.”

Ricardus rubbed his head and stared. He disapproved; I could feel it, but he wouldn’t fail us.

I hoped.

“In Athens, I have a palace situated in the top of a very high hill. Go there, and Ramedes will not follow. Greece belongs to another Viscerov, and they rarely enter one another’s territory. You won’t reach Rome. That is for sure, and if you all insist on this escapade, flee to Athens.”

“Thank you, Ricardus,” Mera said, taking his hand.

Ricardus stared into her eyes. “Ramedes will follow. Maybe not to Athens, but she’ll try to get them back. I feel it in my bones that Ramedes desperately wants these children of yours. Do not think that you’ll hold on to them easily,” Ricardus warned.