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Impara wrinkled his nose. “That was the same white hair Gideon caught when he was down in the catacombs for far too long.”
My eyes widened. “The catacombs? That’s the story Fox told us. About the student that went down there and came back with white hair.”
Impara nodded. “Fox was part of the group at that time, as was Gideon. None of us could get out of him what had happened, but after that time he was a changed man in more than just appearance. His whole demeanor became darker and he thirsted for knowledge to such a degree that he was suspected of stealing some valuable books from the library.”
I lifted an eyebrow at Ben. “Think we should go look for our bony friend again?”
He pursed his lips. “We have no other leads, and he may know something of the tainted ground, especially as we have the sample the professor crafted.”
Impara shook his head. “I didn’t craft it, but extracted it from the earth sample you gave me, and mind you this is quite diluted. I doubt it could resurrect more than another skull or a hand.”
I sighed. “That’s better than what we had when we met him last, which was nothing.”
“Who the hell are you talking about?” Phil spoke up.
A teasing smile appeared on Ben’s lips. “The Lord of the Catacombs, and I hope soon to be our guest.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE
“This is a bad idea,”Phil commented.
I couldn’t quite disagree with him. We five were tucked into one of Ben’s larger covered carriages, and the vehicle with two horses raced down the streets with Tully at the reins.
“Do you have any better idea?” Impara challenged him.
Phil shrugged. “Maybe not go down into the catacombs? More than one guy’s lost his way down there and joined the party.”
“You needn’t come,” Hearth reminded him.
His manager scoffed. “I have ten percent in you. I’m not about to lose that.”
The carriage hit a bump in the road and I was tossed into Hearth’s arms.
“Sorry,” I mumbled as he helped right me.
He smiled and shook his head. “No need to apologize. One always appreciates a beautiful woman falling into one’s lap.”
Phil wrinkled his nose. “If you prefer redheads. . .”
Hearth chuckled. “You think that’s what she is? You need to open your eyes.”
“My eyes are just fine, thanks,” Phil snapped as he crossed his arms over his chest. “And my brain’s still working, too, and it’s telling me going down into the catacombs is a bad idea.”
“Even during this beautiful day?” Hearth challenged him.
“Even during Bonfire Day,” Phil countered.
I cast a questioning look at Ben who sat on my other side, who answered my unspoken curiosity. “A day in which stuffed versions of villains of yesteryear are burned in huge bonfires. The fires burn day and night.”
“That sounds like a lot of villains,” I commented.
“Most not quite so bad as the one we are to face,” Impara warned us from where he sat across from we three with Phil beside him. “Very few sought to wreak havoc on the city merely to seek vengeance on his own flesh and blood.” Hearth’s face fell and he turned to look out the window. “My apologies, Elias, but the truth must be said.”
Hearth nodded. “I understand, and I can’t fault you for your description. It’s the truth, and that, unfortunately, is often rather unpleasant.”
We reached the Court cemetery and piled out of the vehicle. Ben looked up at Tully. “Wait here for us. Barring calamity, we’ll return out of this entrance to the catacombs.” Tully nodded and set the reins in his lap.
We five ventured into the silent graveyard. Not a soul was seen, and no bird made beautiful music in the ancient trees.
