which he and Dev had seen the Giant. What could that have been for? How did people make metal into those shapes when it was so hard? How did it all get here in the first place?
Luthor walked with the confidence of a man who knew that no sane individual would dare attack him. As for any lunatic that might try, it was clear that he could slaughter them as easily as Miri would wrench a weed from the ground. His eyes scanned their surroundings constantly and he attended to any change in noise or distant sounds as they walked, but without any nervousness.
Before long they reached the edge of the Red Ladyâs territory, marked by huge daubs of red that looked like dried blood on the corners of the buildings at the end of Grayâs Inn Road. Zane looked at them and his paced slowed; they hadnât been visible that night he had ventured into the territory with Dev. Luthor must have detected his fear and said to him, âI grant you entry into the Red Ladyâs territory by her command, so you have nothing to fear.â
Zane looked down the road, the whitewashed walls coming into view, resplendent in the summer sunshine. The impressive red silk banners, stretched taut against the walls, were spotless, the same red as the fletching of Luthorâs arrows. Knowing that he was permitted to be here did nothing to allay his fears.
Luthor escorted him to gates made of stout wood set into the wall. They were over twice the height of the Hunter, with no visible spy hole or any discernible point of weakness. Luthor signalled to a Hunter watching their approach from on top of the wall, who in turn signalled to someone below him, out of sight. In moments there was a loud thunk and scraping sound as the bolts that held the gates shut were drawn back.
Zaneâs legs were becoming uncooperative and he washalf escorted, half pushed past two guards on either side of the gates, both with arrows notched. They were dressed in the same linen and leather clothing as Luthor and were clearly also strong, but without his bulk. The guards watched Zane enter, and then one with dark brown hair drawn back into a long braid like Luthorâs withdrew the arrow, slung the bow over his shoulder, and approached purposefully.
The Hunter reached out with both hands towards Zane. Startled by the intrusion of his personal space, Zane said, âHey!â and backed away, only to feel Luthorâs hand catch the back of his neck and hold him in place with a firm grip.
âStand still. He is going to check you for weapons,â Luthor instructed, not removing his hand.
Zane tensed as the other Hunter ran his hands over his shirt and patted his legs. Zane didnât ever carry a knife and he was appalled that the Hunter thought he would. Only the Bloomsbury Boys did that, and only the ones who knew how to use them. Jay was very strict about that.
âStrange prey that you bring today.â The guardâs dismissive voice rumbled over Zaneâs head, aimed at Luthor.
âJust check him, David,â he replied curtly, making no attempt to hide his dislike of the Hunter.
The man finally gave Luthor a nod and Zane was released. He tugged his shirt down, annoyed by the mocking looks that the guards had given him. He straightened himself up as best he could, but they simply looked back at him steadily until he lowered his eyes. They laughed at him.
Embarrassed, he let Luthor push him farther in as the heavy wooden doors were slammed shut behind them.
Chapter 7
THE RED LADY
Few people had seen the interior of this place, and Zane was acutely aware of this. None of the Bloomsbury Boys save Dev, who couldnât remember anyway, had stepped foot into the inner part of the Red Ladyâs territory. He recalled being told that the Red Lady was the last person that a trespasser would ever see, as soon after being condemned by her they would be blinded or killed. Zane had always thought that these were simply scary stories that the Boys
Luthor walked with the confidence of a man who knew that no sane individual would dare attack him. As for any lunatic that might try, it was clear that he could slaughter them as easily as Miri would wrench a weed from the ground. His eyes scanned their surroundings constantly and he attended to any change in noise or distant sounds as they walked, but without any nervousness.
Before long they reached the edge of the Red Ladyâs territory, marked by huge daubs of red that looked like dried blood on the corners of the buildings at the end of Grayâs Inn Road. Zane looked at them and his paced slowed; they hadnât been visible that night he had ventured into the territory with Dev. Luthor must have detected his fear and said to him, âI grant you entry into the Red Ladyâs territory by her command, so you have nothing to fear.â
Zane looked down the road, the whitewashed walls coming into view, resplendent in the summer sunshine. The impressive red silk banners, stretched taut against the walls, were spotless, the same red as the fletching of Luthorâs arrows. Knowing that he was permitted to be here did nothing to allay his fears.
Luthor escorted him to gates made of stout wood set into the wall. They were over twice the height of the Hunter, with no visible spy hole or any discernible point of weakness. Luthor signalled to a Hunter watching their approach from on top of the wall, who in turn signalled to someone below him, out of sight. In moments there was a loud thunk and scraping sound as the bolts that held the gates shut were drawn back.
Zaneâs legs were becoming uncooperative and he washalf escorted, half pushed past two guards on either side of the gates, both with arrows notched. They were dressed in the same linen and leather clothing as Luthor and were clearly also strong, but without his bulk. The guards watched Zane enter, and then one with dark brown hair drawn back into a long braid like Luthorâs withdrew the arrow, slung the bow over his shoulder, and approached purposefully.
The Hunter reached out with both hands towards Zane. Startled by the intrusion of his personal space, Zane said, âHey!â and backed away, only to feel Luthorâs hand catch the back of his neck and hold him in place with a firm grip.
âStand still. He is going to check you for weapons,â Luthor instructed, not removing his hand.
Zane tensed as the other Hunter ran his hands over his shirt and patted his legs. Zane didnât ever carry a knife and he was appalled that the Hunter thought he would. Only the Bloomsbury Boys did that, and only the ones who knew how to use them. Jay was very strict about that.
âStrange prey that you bring today.â The guardâs dismissive voice rumbled over Zaneâs head, aimed at Luthor.
âJust check him, David,â he replied curtly, making no attempt to hide his dislike of the Hunter.
The man finally gave Luthor a nod and Zane was released. He tugged his shirt down, annoyed by the mocking looks that the guards had given him. He straightened himself up as best he could, but they simply looked back at him steadily until he lowered his eyes. They laughed at him.
Embarrassed, he let Luthor push him farther in as the heavy wooden doors were slammed shut behind them.
Chapter 7
THE RED LADY
Few people had seen the interior of this place, and Zane was acutely aware of this. None of the Bloomsbury Boys save Dev, who couldnât remember anyway, had stepped foot into the inner part of the Red Ladyâs territory. He recalled being told that the Red Lady was the last person that a trespasser would ever see, as soon after being condemned by her they would be blinded or killed. Zane had always thought that these were simply scary stories that the Boys
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