Chapter 13

“Remember’s grave—”

“Trust me. I’ll deal with that.”

He wanted to tell her that was his job, Remember was his…his friend, but words wouldn’t come.

She tugged open the trapdoor, then handed him a blanket.

He didn’t need anything of the kind, but he was too weary to decline it, and so he accepted it.

“No one comes to see me. You’ll be safe here.”

“Thank you.” He gave Remember’s body a last look. Lethargy was beginning to overtake him, and he needed to get into the root cellar before he fell on his face. He clambered down the steep stairs. The odor of herbs freshened the air of the root cellar, which would have been musty otherwise.

He spread the blanket on the floor, lay down, and let the stupor wash over him.

* * * *

Even before he opened his eyes, Gabe knew he wasn’t alone. Had the old woman betrayed him?

He sprang up and seized his visitor by the throat.

The young man—he was hardly more than a boy—didn’t struggle. He just gazed at Gabe calmly.