After some effort, Maric drove the carriage toward Rose Street, carrying the nearly exhausted Lorne.
"What did you put inside Steve's body at the end?" Inside the carriage, Sharron's cool voice broke the silence.
"Something cursed." Lorne leaned against the soft backrest and answered weakly, "I bought it at a gathering a few weeks ago. I originally intended to use it against that detective, but I never expected to use it here..."
"That item might be connected to the True Creator," Sharron said expressionlessly.
"The True Creator? That evil god the Aurora Order worships..." Lorne rested a hand against his chin in thought. "That's possible... I know the item is connected to a Listener."
"You'd better see a psychiatrist," Sharron added.
Lorne's expression turned a little strange. Do you think I've already become a potential lunatic?
"I don't think it's gotten that serious yet."
"It's only a suggestion..." Sharron remained expressionless, but there seemed to be a barely perceptible trace of concern in her voice.
"The people in the Aurora Order are lunatics of the highest order, never mind things corrupted by Him."
Maric, beside them, also spoke up for once.
"Are you worried about me, Teacher Sharron?" Lorne managed a weak smile, once again adopting "Scott's" flippant tone.
"It's simply the concern one ought to show a companion." Sharron calmly accepted the joke.
"..." This time, it was Lorne's turn to fall silent.
"All right. I'll keep an eye on it."
He wanted to say more, but a sudden, piercing pain from the wound in his abdomen forced him to swallow the words on the tip of his tongue.
Just my luck! Stabbed by someone on my own side...
My luck hasn't been good at all these past two days...
A little over ten minutes after Lorne and the