The dim gas lamps swayed, and the sound of water dripping from the vaulted ceiling was exceptionally clear in the silence.
Yodel Brolin, the Scourers' new leader, stood before a wooden table covered with an old map. His suit was still neat and elegant, but the surroundings were unusually dilapidated.
Because not long ago, the hideout where they had taken shelter had fallen under the Acolytes' control.
Although more than a day had passed and the Acolytes had most likely withdrawn from that underground chamber, no one suggested sending someone to investigate.
A hideout that had already been exposed must never be approached a second time—this was experience the Scourers had bought with blood through years of struggle.
Although quite a few wizards had joined them, and they had mastered much magic, even having adult wizards such as Sera Abigail who had graduated from proper schools, compared to the entire Wizarding World, the Scourers could never know just how many methods their opponents possessed.
Likewise, most wizards did not understand Muggle methods either.
The Acolytes had been a few minutes too late in destroying the surveillance cameras. That had been enough for Brolin and the others, who had fled to this abandoned subway tunnel, to use the recorded video to figure out exactly how they had been exposed.
"A drunk... an idiot who couldn't keep his mouth shut... He nearly ruined everything we've built over the years!"
Brolin spoke softly, but icy rage seemed to churn through the hollow tunnel.
Rolando Stern sighed and said in a low voice, "Sorry, it was my fault... I should have realized it sooner. Letting students who had just come out of the training base take on such an important task was still too rash."
But they had no other choice, because there were