Chapter 38

“That’s not good. Not good at all.” The old man tugged on his grey-and-white beard sadly. “Bloody hell. That’s bad.” He shot Lew a look from under his terrifying caterpillar brows. “You didn’t Work with him? No…you didn’t. He was a young idiot, then. He didn’t have enough power of his own to Work safely. That’ll be what I felt—the Pull from him.” He pushed himself to his feet slowly from the dark leather wing chair. “Come on. We need Vicky to help.”

Vicky was unwilling but persuadable. They sat at her kitchen table on pine benches, with the smell of baking bread curling round them like a blanket. “I have an hour, Dad. That’s all. Else the bread’ll burn.”

Kelly nodded. “If it takes half that time, lass, we’re in trouble. Light the candle.”

“What are we doing?” Lew finally thought to ask.

“You and Vicky aren’t doing anything. I’m using your energy so I don’t have to Pull too much from The Border and attract attention. I’m having a look to see if anything’s about.”