Page 6 of Cry of the Damned

“Candy.” Maki held up his piece and stared at it as if it were an alien artifact.

I unwrapped my piece and popped it in my mouth. “It’s really good,” I mumbled as the taffy stretched, sticking to my teeth.

Ila followed suit, eating her own piece.

“Should we be worried?” Kall asked.

I shrugged.

Everyone was quiet and busied themselves with the candy.

“Um, good.” Maki nodded.

Novuk stuck a finger in his mouth. “I on’t ike it. It sock tu ma teef.”

Bethel giggled and punched him in the stomach.

“Bethel’s honeycombs are better,” Kall declared, collapsing on the sofa. “Why don’t you tell us exactly what happened?”

We all sat around the tiny living room while Ila and I explained. The guys’ expressions grew somber as we finished.

“I like it even less than the candy,” Novuk declared.

“That stupid Veraminta,” Maki put in. “What kind of name is that, anyway?” He rolled his eyes.

Bethel clucked her tongue. “They would think the same of your name, you idiot.”

“Whatever.” Maki pouted and crossed his arms.

“This could—”

A knock came at the door. We all froze. My heart thundered, and it took me a moment to spring to my feet.

Everyone, hide!I pushed the thought forward.

All of them, even Ila, scrambled out of the living room and ran into the bedrooms. Ila went into the one we shared with Bethel while the guys ran into theirs.

The knock at the door became more insistent.

“One moment,” I called out, then peered through the peephole.

Mrs. Clarice and the two guards we’d seen earlier were with her—one tall and round, the other short and thin. They both wore blue uniforms and swords at their sides.

“Shit!” I cursed under my breath.

Taking a deep breath, I turned the doorknob and opened the door.

“Good morning,” I said, forcing a smile.

“Oh, youarehere,” Mrs. Clarice said. “I didn’t see you come back.” She was wearing a skirt with a loud flowery pattern and a white shirt with ruffles at the neck. Her hair was still a perfect helmet, shaped by rollers and hair spray.

I deepened my smile and gave the guards a quick cursory glance. My stomach tightened with fear as I waited for them to recognize me.Irecognized them. I’d seen them standing guard by the gate plenty of times. One of them frowned at me.

Oh, crap! He knows me.

“Weren’t you at The Fat Bean Café earlier?” he asked.

I felt a small level of relief. Hedidrecognize me, but not from my Academy days.