Page 4 of Gilded Curses

“Then I’ll have both of your backs.”

Orin glanced back out the window to Sahira. His chest constricted at leaving her out there, even with the witch and brownies.

Something, or someone, had set the town up like this, which meant it was probably a trap, but they had to explore this house. It would go faster with the demon’s help.

Besides, he wasn’t that far from her. If necessary, he could jump out the window to get to her. He’d have to keep to this side of the house, so he could see her while the demon explored the other side.

And the faster we get it done, the better.

With a resigned sigh, Orin turned and followed the demon from the room.

CHAPTER FIVE

Sahira kept her attention on the house as, once again, the figures slid into view. This time, the one in the bottom left-hand window didn’t appear.

What is happening in there?

Her hands clenched on the shaft of her spear as sweat beaded her palms. She had no idea what was happening in this place, but the hair on her nape rose as the uneasy feeling in her stomach grew.

Then, the laughter came.

Sweet, childish laughter drifted from the street near her. The sound was so beautiful but out of place that she was certain it couldn’t be real. When more of it came, her uneasiness turned into a knot of anxiety that threatened to empty the meager contents of her stomach.

When she searched the houses and street, all she saw was the dim glow radiating from the buildings. On her shoulder, Fath pointed his spear toward the laughter.

She exchanged a look with Elsa when her friend edged closer until their arms touched. The witch’s chestnut brown eyes were wide as her mouth parted and her pretty face paled. The crown she’d created from a braid of her chocolate brown hair had come loose to dangle against her nape.

Elsa was probably still a little mad at her for not telling her about the trapdoors in the pubs they’d traveled through, but Sahira didn’t doubt they’d fight whatever this was together….

But can we fight children even if they turn out to be monsters?

Sahira gulped at the possibility that, after everything they’d been through, they might soon face their worst encounter. Another giggle came from somewhere to her right.

Without a word, she and Elsa shifted so their backs were to each other. The thud of tiny feet followed the next round of laughter; their steps reverberated off the buildings they ran between.

“I don’t like this,” Loth growled.

As far as she was concerned, the brownie was stating the obvious, but she didn’t say so. What was there to like about any of this?

More laughter came from her right; when she turned her head in that direction, she caught a flash of movement as something ducked away. Her heart beat so forcefully against her ribs she was sure it was about to explode.

A trill of laughter came from her left. The sound of tiny feet dashing across hardpacked dirt followed it, but when she looked, she didn’t see anything.

“Shit,” Loth said from Elsa’s shoulder.

“Has anyone seen anything?” Elsa whispered.

“No,” Sahira breathed.

Neither of the brownies responded, but Sahira guessed their answers as a giggle came from nearby. This time, she couldn’t tell the direction.

Adjusting her grip on her spear, Sahira twisted it as she debated what to do if monstrous children descended on them.

* * *

The small bathroom consisted of a sink, toilet, and shower. No shower curtain hung alongside the tub, and when Orin twisted the knobs on the sink, no water emerged.

It was as if this whole town was nothing more than a prop for those things in the windows… or for something more… something worse.