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The circle of marching Lost Ones slowly closed. Some of them carried tiki torches, the kind you stuck in the lawn at parties. Some of the people at the trailer park had used them to ward away mosquitoes.
It was their statue. They could burn it if they wanted, but then the circle paused their march and more cultists brought two bound figures into view. Joey and Wendy were conscious, but gagged, and by the width of their eyes, terrified. The Lost Ones dragged the imps toward the effigy.
Adam started toward the circle. He could call the sword, maybe scare enough of the cult away to get Wendy and Joey free. Or he could try to shift to the watchtower, though he might not have time to rally help. Someone grabbed him and pulled him behind the thick, twisted trees.
“Don’t.”
“Carl?”
“Do you want to join them on the bonfire?”
“I can get myself out of here anytime.”
Carl looked him over. “Ah, you’re here in spirit. That might be useful.”
“How? What do you care if they kill me?”
“I’m indifferent, but the queen might dock my pay if I let you die.”
Adam shook free of his grip.
“Argent said she hadn’t managed to get anyone embedded in the Lost Ones.”
“And you believed her? That is so sweet.”
“We don’t have time for this.” Adam turned to go. “They’re going to kill Wendy and Joey.”
“You’ll never take that many of them.”
“You have a better plan?”
“I was going to cause a distraction while my partner cuts them free. You can help me with that.”
“Okay.”
“Just make it good and be ready to run back to your body when the imps are clear.”
Carl grabbed Adam’s arm again and dragged him roughly toward the circle.
“Look what we have here!” he shouted. “A spy for the royals!”
The masked faces turned toward them as Carl shoved Adam, sending him sprawling in the dirt.
“What do you say we burn him too?”
Adam cast about. At the edge of the circle, creeping among the trees was another Lost One. Adam recognized him from when he and Jack had gone to see the scholar. It was the guy at the lamppost. He flashed Adam a quick smile.
“What are you doing?” Carl hissed. “Run, dummy.”
Adam took a breath and shouted. “If you think you can catch me!”
Carl gave chase with a shout of, “Get him!” that sounded straight out of a monster movie.
Adam dashed out among the tombstones and wished he’d joined Vic for more of his morning runs as the cult came after them. Carl lagged behind him as the larger group gained on them.
They hadn’t gone far and he was already short of breath.
A statue, some sort of soldier, loomed ahead.
