Mam smoothed my hair, frowning. “Do you want to come with us? You can stay here if your arm’s hurting more than you’re letting on.”
“No. I’ll come.” As Mam narrowed her eyes, I hurried to add, “It hurts a bit. But I want to go.” I had to find out who had been lost this time. And I didn’t mind the pain, as I’d told Fynn the night before as he carefully bandaged my arm. Each time it throbbed, the wounds reminded me of what I’d won.
That the creatures from my nightmares could be slain. Of course, I didn’t want to face another so soon, but I had sisters to protect. And now, Fynn.
“Don’t leave without me.”
I breezed into the bedroom and found the four remaining Bollan Crosses on the dresser where I’d left them. I shoved them into my pockets. The meeting would be a good time to offer the crosses to anyone willing to listen to a witch’s apprentice.
Near the bed, Liss stared at two skirts with shimmering eyes, as though the mention of more bodies had bothered her more than she cared to show in front of Mam.
I paused, wanting to offer words of comfort, but found I had none.
The Gills’ house was stuffier than usual, packed with more than half the town. In the crowd, I spotted faces I hadn’t seen since the start of summer, and many who hadn’t deigned to attend Mally’s wedding. People crammed themselves into every available corner, glancing around and conversing in terse mutters. I followed Mam and Da to the back of the room. The Gills themselves were nowhere to be seen.
Mam, Da, Liss, and I squeezed in beside Lugh and his da by the hearth. I caught Lugh’s eye, and he gave a strained smile. His da nodded curtly.
Perhaps he thought I was mad, too, but the stares and whispers bothered me less now. Maybe, in time, my skin would grow tough and leathery like Morag’s, an impenetrable armor against the nonbelievers.
Sweat beaded on my neck and trickled into the collar of my dress as the minutes wore on. Mr. Gill couldn’t expect us to sit here patiently for hours, waiting for a better explanation than the one he’d barked at our doorsteps.
Someone shook my shoulder, startling me from my thoughts.
“Do you think old man Gill will be here soon?” Lugh leaned around his da, studying me, his brow furrowed.
“You have a really strong grip.” I rubbed my shoulder. “And I certainly hope so.” I scooted across a few feet of rug, claiming the small space between Lugh and the Gills’ firewood basket.
Lugh touched my shoulder again, lighter this time. “How’s your arm?” Before I could respond, he added, “I heard the whole story from Cat’s mam this morning in the market.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “My da’s been sending me for Samson almost every day lately. Says it calms his nerves.”
I glanced at my bandaged arm. “It feels like Mr. Watterson’s dog gnawed on my arm. But I’ll mend. Cat’s safe, and that’s what matters.”
“Still.” He touched his forehead to mine. “I hate seeing you in pain.” My breath hitched. Deep in my chest, something twinged, a duller ache than the one in my arm. Then I thought of Fynn, at home trying to make Grayse forget her worries for a little while, and the ache faded.
“Where is Cat, anyway?” I peered at the newest arrivals tramping through the door.
Lugh frowned. “I haven’t seen her or her mam yet. They probably stayed home. They’re sick of hearing about death and disappearances.”
“Who isn’t? But it’s better to know what’s happening than to sit home and wonder. The things I imagine are usually worse than the truth.” I sighed. “Even if the truth is horrible.”
The Stowells weren’t the only people missing the gathering. Thomase and his mam were absent, as were Ina Cretney and her brood. Lugh, Liss, and I were the youngest people in attendance. Parents must have been trying to conceal the grisly details of this latest tragedy from their children.
The buzz filling the house suddenly faded to whispers, as if I’d plunged my head underwater. Everyone looked toward the foyer where Mr. Gill and his wife appeared.
Mr. Gill squared his shoulders and began in a weary voice, “Thank you all for your patience. I’ve been struggling to find the right words, but we have little time to waste. The bodies of Nessa Daley, Eveleen Kinry, Alis Stowell, Nanse Doughtery, Austeyn Boyd, and Brice Nelson were found in the harbor late this morning.”
Lugh tensed beside me, sucking in a sharp breath. I put my hand over his and tried to disguise my exhale of relief as a cough. There was no new murderous sea beast. Just the fossegrim’s victims washing ashore at last.
Mr. Gill raised his voice as cries of shock and horror burst from many mouths. “Adam Radcliff and his brothers made the discovery when they went to check their traps just before noon. There’s no doubt they were murdered.”