Let it go hungry for a few meals? Escalante stared, dumbfounded. She could hardly believe her ears.
The danger of Sealed Artifacts was common knowledge. Even the churches' official teams handled them with extreme caution. How could the man Miss Audrey had invited make such a careless decision?
Was he joking? This wasn't funny at all!
Escalante looked to Audrey, hoping she would tell him to take this seriously. Sealing the box was a matter of life and death. His attitude was downright irresponsible.
But Audrey ignored Escalante's look and asked with keen interest, "How do we get it to go hungry willingly?"
She had seen Mr. Tower work wonders too many times at the Tarot Club to think he was joking.
Go hungry... willingly? Miss Audrey, please come to your senses! This is a dangerous Sealed Artifact!
For a moment, Escalante seriously wondered whether coming to House Hall for help had been the right choice.
Then, perhaps because it was time to feed, or perhaps because Abner and Audrey's conversation had angered it, a crack split across the box. Two rows of ghostly white teeth grew inside it, and with a leap, it lunged at Audrey.
Of the three people present, Audrey was the most beautiful, so the box chose her first.
Escalante promptly rolled aside and pulled out a large bag of beef, ready to throw it to the box. She prayed it would be satisfied once more.
If Audrey died, Earl Hall would never forgive her. She might be better off getting eaten by the box.
Susie leaped in front of Audrey, blocking the box's path.
Audrey was startled, but she was not particularly afraid. She did not even think of dodging. She trusted that Mr. Tower would respond and keep her safe.
Sure enough, Abner extended