Within These Wicked Walls(71)

“The Evil Eye isn’t some stupid Manifestation that follows a pattern. It’s a thinking creature that’s going to do whatever it takes not to be expelled.”

I pulled Jember’s peg leg out from under the bed. “All the more reason for you to come with me. Two debtera can do more than one.”

“God…” Jember let himself drop back onto the bed, pressing his hand into his forehead. “Your optimism is exhausting.”

“Are you going to help me? We have to go before the midday heat.” I opened the drawer to grab clothes for him. “Besides, you’re the only debtera in twenty years to—”

“I’m not going near that thing.”

“But together—”

“You don’t get it yet?” He sat up, slapping my assisting hand away. “I’m the only one to cleanse a house because I’m the only one who survived long enough to do it. And I barely escaped alive. This is not a fight you’re going to win, Andromeda.”

“I have to.” My words felt desperate. I knelt to attach his leg so he wouldn’t see my eyes tear up. “I can’t abandon the people I care about.”

He shoved me away with his leg as soon as I’d gotten it attached. “Go on, then. Get yourself killed.”

I pressed my lips together to keep them from trembling. “That includes you, you know. Do you know how much medical help we could get you with—”

“Stop,” he snapped, holding up his hand. “Just … stop.”

His voice had drifted from anger to something more melancholy, and it tightened my throat.

We were quiet for a minute.

“You’re going to go no matter what I say.”

I nodded. “I have to.”

“You don’t have to.” He leaned over and opened the drawer beside him. “Do you need money?”

I shook my head, a small ache in my heart. It suddenly occurred to me … he wasn’t going to come with me. My entire plan hinged on his cooperation.

Instead of money he took out an amulet. The silver was a little thicker than normal, and wrapped mostly with black and red thread, with a few bursts of gold. I’d never seen that amulet before—wait. Yes, I had. It was the new one I’d made, with added attributes. I could almost feel the power echo through it as it moved on the chain. If that couldn’t keep away the Evil Eye, I don’t know what could.

Although, part of me was annoyed that he’d made me struggle through making my own when he was just going to fix it for me, anyway.

“You save all the good techniques for yourself,” I said, smirking.

“Don’t be ungrateful” was all he said. I took it from him and hung it over my neck. “This is good-bye.”

“Come with me.”

“I can’t.” He shook his head, giving me a sad smile. “And I can’t function under optimism and hope the way you do. This is good-bye, Andi. I don’t expect to see you again.”

“Will you at least take me?” I asked. “If this really is good-bye?”

“Take you on what?” Jember scraped his hand through his beard with a heavy sigh. “It would go against all sane judgment, going near that house.” A heavy knock and his name made us both look at the door. His mentee was back—I’d forgotten about him, honestly, but it occurred to me only then that he’d been gone for hours. Hopefully he had the ten slabs of salt, if he knew what was good for him.

I could practically hear Jember roll his eyes with his sigh, and when I looked at him again he swallowed three pills with water then pointed at his boot. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”





CHAPTER 28


The archbishop’s horse, which was kept in a private stable at the edge of the good part of town, was almost too easy to borrow—because Jember had gone to see it before, the stable hand let him right in. I sat behind Jember, leaning forward, trusting more than seeing where we were going. The face masks we’d adapted out of welding helmets caught all the flying salt and sand. I should’ve really waited until we’d arrived to put my sweater on, because sweat was gathering on every inch of me, the hot wind flying past doing nothing to soothe me.

But the thought of seeing Magnus kept me from minding too much.

Jember expertly stopped a few yards from the door, and I slid off the giant animal, holding the heavy amulet still so it wouldn’t slap against my chest.

“Thanks, Jember,” I said, taking off my mask and handing it up to him.

He took it from me, but didn’t remove his, so his voice was slightly muted when he said, “I suppose it’s too late to tell you not to do anything stupid.” The horse looked antsy, stomping and shaking its head, as if telling me not to go inside. I stepped back from its hooves a bit more. How could Jember even control it without reins?

This was it. I only had a minute, maybe less, to convince him to stay and help me. I didn’t think my plan would work without him. I chewed my lip. I knew it wouldn’t. “Why don’t you come in and help me? There’s no way the Evil Eye can beat us if we work together.”

He hesitated. Shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“Just come in for a minute, then. The horse must need water and rest after that long ride.”