Lewis hid in a hollow just large enough for one person, both hands clamped over his mouth and nose, his nerves stretched to the breaking point.
He wore the Invisibility Cloak Stella had entrusted to him before they entered the door.
"Don't move. Those fellows are still outside." The voice kept reminding him, offering reassurance. "It's all right, Lewis. A professor is already on the way."
"They can't see you under the Invisibility Cloak."
At that, Lewis couldn't help asking, "Who are you?"
He realized that the voice seemed to know him very well.
"It's me." The voice spoke again, this time with a teasing note. "Have you forgotten who lent you that Invisibility Cloak?"
"Stephens!" Lewis exclaimed quietly, then hastily lowered his voice. "Where are you? Why can't I see you?"
"I'm not sure how to explain it. I should be asleep in the dormitory right now, but for some reason, my consciousness can wander around."
Stephens sounded just as puzzled. "I followed the whispers here and found you."
"But those things don't seem able to see me, while you..." Stephens couldn't help adding, "It might be because of Altair's Robe."
Cedric had discovered Altair's Robe in a ruin from the Middle Ages in the Middle East. Its original owner had been a powerful assassin whose stealth and vast knowledge had brought wondrous changes to the treasure.
"Then help me figure out how to get back," Lewis muttered softly. "Ever since entering the Wizard King's Treasure, I haven't known where I am."
"This is the Forbidden Forest," Stephens said. "But this place is a long way from Hogwarts."
At that, Stephens asked curiously, "You said you found the Wizard King's Treasure. What's it like?"
"A breathtaking place. Your badge really helped."
"Huh?" Stephens couldn't understand what it had to