Curse of the Forbidden Book Read Online Free PDF Page B

morality.”
    â€œIf more people had their ancient morality, we might have fewer people in our jail,” Ira pointed out.
    The wheezing man apparently had no comeback for that. He just grunted and let them pass.
    â€œThis way,” Ira said in a low tone. “My wife will have food ready, if I know her.”
    â€œAnd good food, too,” Telemachus added, sounding excited, as if they were coming as late-night dinner guests.
    So Ira was married. Jesse knew that not many Patrol members had a family. Most were young and ready for adventure—the king liked it better that way. Some though, often supervisors or officers, were allowed to marry before their years of service were up.
    Sure enough, a small woman with a wide smile opened the door to meet them. “Come inside,” she said, beaming at them. “If I know my husband, you’ve had a harrowing night. But you are welcome here.”
    â€œThank you,” Parvel said warmly. Jesse glanced back at Silas and Rae. They didn’t look welcome. In fact, they looked ready to bolt into the darkness.
    â€œI’m sure you’re hungry,” the woman said, shutting the door behind them. “Those houses of refuge don’t feed you growing children nearly enough.” She turned to Rae. “Help me in the kitchen, would you, dear?”
    Before Rae could refuse, as Jesse was sure she would, the woman turned suddenly. “Oh, and where are my manners? My name is Willa.”
    â€œOf course!” Ira said, laughing loudly. “We haven’t introduced ourselves properly!”
    â€œShh!” Telemachus hissed, looking around uncomfortably. “Won’t someone hear?”
    â€œMost of the men are in the city tonight; getting drunk at a tavern, like as not,” Ira said. “Besides, if anyone comes, I’ll tell them I’m interrogating the prisoners.” He sat down on a bench so hard that the table shook. “And that’s just what we’ll do. I have some questions for you, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œWe mind,” Silas said flatly, crossing his arms and glaring at Ira.
    Willa looked around nervously, blinking a few times. “We’ll just be in the kitchen, won’t we dear?” she said to Rae.
    â€œNo,” Rae said, not even looking at her. She stood beside Silas, straight and defiant. “I’ll be right here.”
    â€œNever mind, then. I can manage just fine by myself,” Willa said, tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ear. “It’s mostly ready anyway.” With that, she retreated into the kitchen, leaving the rest of them standing in a circle, eyeing each other. It reminded Jesse of a story he had heard a traveler from the Northern Waste tell about wolves fighting for control of a pack.
    This time, though, no one wanted to make the first move. When the silence seemed to drag on, Jesse said, “Silas, you don’t have to be rude. They’re on our side.”
    â€œWe don’t know if we can trust them,” Silas insisted, cold gray eyes fixed on Telemachus, who stared right back. Before, his gaze was dull and unintelligent, but now Jesse could see a sharp mind behind his disguise. “Maybe they’re Guard members. Maybe this is all fake.”
    â€œHe’s a smart one,” Ira said to Telemachus, as if none of them were in the room.
    â€œOf course he is. How else do you think he survived?” Telemachus looked curiously at them. “But for an entire squad to get away…why, that’s unheard of.”
    Jesse didn’t bother explaining the truth. He wasn’t a member of the Youth Guard. The fourth squad member, a young woman named Alieah, had died in training. He knew it hurt the others, especially Parvel, to remember that part of their story.
    â€œWhile I applaud your caution, I assure you, you have nothing to fear,” Telemachus said. His smooth words, compared to the way he spoke in the house of