The Kingdom of Night (Book 3)

Twenty-Five - Escape the Trap

George

It took another half day to get into the Netherlands, but even there I didn't feel safe. People would give me suspicious looks and whisper behind their hands, and I knew it was because of the Wehrmacht uniform. Germans made people suspicious and uneasy. I had to get out of it soon. At the very first village I came to, I ducked into the nearest pub and tucked myself into a booth in the back corner. Only then did I feel it safe to take out Rosa's translation, written in her neatly looping hand.

    Gentlemen, I believe we have done it. Through a series of experiments, I have determined the best method for injecting Essence. Perhaps when you come, I will show you. We may be closer than you think. After I have acquired the powers of Huntley's son and granddaughter, the process will be complete. The son serves no further purpose when this is done, but I should like to keep the granddaughter for myself. I hope I will not have to use the Anathema on her, and that she will come quietly, when the time arrives. She really is quite a stunning variety of Elemental, one I would not be opposed to keeping around. I wish you safe travels. Signed Friedrich von Wittenberg, 14 June 1944.

I crumpled the note in my fist, feeling anger burning in my stomach. That bloody Kraut was going to use Cousin Al and Uncle Henry, and then keep them, like slaves. Or kill him and keep her. Somehow that thought was not much better.

     Someone knocked on the tabletop, stirring me out of my thoughts. It was the bartender, a thin wiry bloke with reddish-blond hair and pale blue eyes. He said something that I couldn't understand, pointing at me and then out the window. I shook my head, taking a glance behind me just in case. He repeated it, gesturing to my uniform.

'Not Wehrmacht,' I said, pointing to my uniform and shaking my head.

That seemed to throw him for a moment. The fact that I'd spoken and German hadn't come out must have surprised him more than I thought.

'It's a disguise,' I continued, taking my cap off so my face was visible. 'See?'

He blinked at me, cocking his head.

'I'm not German. I'm Allied.' I pulled my tags out and showed them to him, taking care to keep my name covered. Never knew who we'd be dealing with.

He said something else, his expression clearly saying, You could have stolen them.

'Please. I need help.' I tried a different approach. 'Is there someone around here who knows English and could translate for me?'

The possible answer to my prayers walked in at that moment. I recognized the brown infantry uniform of the U.S. Army, the young bloke inside it looking around for a host. He wasn't Elemental—I felt as much in my stomach—but he'd have to do. I wondered how I could explain what I needed without giving myself away. Besides, I believed Rosa when she'd said it wasn't safe for a Haywood. There were probably eyes everywhere.

'Pardon me, soldier,' I said, jumping up. 'Could you...'

'Stop right there.' He drew a pistol and aimed it right at me, his whole body on alert. 'Don't come any closer or I'll shoot.'

'I swear, I mean you no harm.' I raised my arms anyway, because he was armed and I was not. 'Please.'

'Say, you ain't German,' he said, furrowing his brow at me and his arm slackening. His confusion seemed to lessen. 'Where's that accent from?'

'I'm from London.' I felt my stomach dive when a look of slight disbelief crossed his face. 'I don't know a word of German...please don't shoot.'

He hesitated, and for a brief moment I thought I was gone right then and there. But then he clicked the safety on his pistol and lowered it, shoving it back into its holster.