42. Sloan
FORTY-TWO
SLOAN
“So, demon sent from the Divine, wild canine creature on the loose, or none of the above?” Aareth stared without really seeing anything, too deep in thought.
Sloan and Aareth had thanked Benjamin for his information and left the bar.
They were now walking back to the mayor’s house, hoping to find Jack and Marcus and compare notes.
“I wish I knew. Whatever it is, I think Benjamin was telling the truth. He seemed too scared to be lying.”
“I agree. Whether he has accurate information or not, I feel like he was telling us what he believed the truth was. I think the key to this is finding out who would want those people killed. If it is coordinated attacks, who has the most to gain from having those people out of the picture?”
Sloan shook her head as images of Elijah came to mind.
While they walked the town’s main road, people passed with nods and friendly smiles.
Sloan was beginning to feel a burden, a burden that rested on her shoulders with each passing hour.
These people were looking to her to help them.
They were looking to her to save them from whatever this monster was.
Even with the information from Benjamin, they were no closer to discovering the truth.
“Oh, there you are.” Sloan was interrupted from her thoughts by Elijah Ahab’s familiar voice.
“I saw you two enter the bar and thought that it would be best to let you finish indulging yourselves. Besides, as a man of the Divine, I wouldn’t set foot inside of that establishment.
Was Benjamin a helpful interview for you? ”
“How did you know we were speaking with Benjamin?” Sloan asked, ignoring the other comments the preacher made.
“Oh, I noticed him walk out, so I imagined you had a chat with him.”
“Yes, it was great,” Aareth chimed in. “Thanks for the list you left for us. We missed you at dinner last night and breakfast today. Out trying to help track down the beast as well, huh?”
“Not at all.” Elijah was one of the few men who matched Aareth for height.
Right now, he used that ability to look Aareth directly in the eyes.
“That creature has been a holy angel from the Divine, cleaning up our town and disposing of the evils of men. I have been out caring for the worried and fearful. You can imagine without a mayor or sheriff, the town needs someone to turn to.”
“Oh, I can imagine, all right,” Sloan said.
A stressed moment passed between the three before Elijah found his voice again.
“Well, I must be off. We’re having a special meeting at the church this afternoon to pray. You’re more than welcome to join if you’d like.”
“Thank you for the offer,” Sloan said. “But we still have a killer on the loose.”
Elijah nodded a goodbye and walked past them. Sloan and Aareth continued on their path back to the recently deceased mayor’s house.
Aareth bit his bottom lip while sucking in air. It made a low whistling noise. “It seems like he has motive, but does he have the ability? He doesn’t strike me as a person capable of unleashing the dogs of hell on someone. And all the reports have been of an animal, not a man.”
Sloan was about to offer an alternate hypothesis, when the two rounded a corner. A horse and rider waited at the steps to the mayor’s house. Even from this distance, Sloan could see the Queen’s colors worn by the soldier.
Sloan quickened her pace, with Aareth right behind her. When the soldier saw the two approaching, he stood with a respectful salute. “Ma’am, messenger from New Hope directly from the Queen.”
“At ease, Sergeant.” Sloan returned the salute. “What’s this all about?”
The sergeant was young and fit, but from the long ride, Sloan could tell he was spent. He was dirty from the top of his head to the bottom of his boots.
“I have a note, ma’am, from Queen Eckert. I was instructed to ride here as fast as I could and deliver this note only to you.”
Sloan took the offered envelope from the soldier and broke the seal shaped in the royal sigil. Her eyes flew over the words as worry slowly inked its way through her veins like a spreading disease.
Sloan,
I’m writing you now, not to worry you but to warn you.
The events in Burrow Den are connected far closer to New Hope than either one of us thought.
There are rumors spreading of a revolt among the soldiers and the city’s population is uneasy.
There has been an attempt made to assassinate me, but at great cost to your own men’s lives, they have kept me safe.
Everything started as soon as you left. It is like someone’s hand is being forced with your presence in that city. Be wary, Sloan, and trust no one. Find out what is going on in Burrow Den. Strengthen our bond with the people. We may find ourselves short of allies very soon.
Eleanor