Page 52 of The Curse Breaker

“You’re safe!” Laurel threw her arms around him. “You’ve been gone for hours.”

Not hours. Days, he thought, but he could understand Laurel’s confusion. He felt like he hadn’t seen them in a week, but it was nowhere near that long. “I am well. I promise.”

“You like to wake snakes so we worry,” said Thomas.

“I don’t get into that much mischief,” Gil grumbled good-naturedly.

“Your clothes are strange,” said Laurel, touching his raincoat. He was also wearing something called joggers. They had no buttons and were as comfortable as pajamas. It seemed as if no one in Greenport dressed up.

“I bring news,” Gil said, his tone changing. He filled everyone in on what he’d learned and the new complications with Grace and the Rudds. He didn’t mention his part in all this having met Connie/Grace in 1825. What was important was seeing to it that Grace didn’t get the missing treasure before Kimble and Benny.

“What of Axel?” Thomas asked. “Is he well?”

“I have not seen him. I am told he tried to return to the island on his own, but got angry and left the establishment we were in,” Gil remembered. “I assumed he’d be with the Rudd boy—Ryan—but he wasn’t at the country club.”

Aggy frowned. “A club for countries is a strange thing indeed but despite Axel’s ire, I worry for him.”

“As do I,” Gil admitted. “There is much we all have to learn about twenty twenty-five, but I know we can figure it out together,” Gil told them. “That’s what I came to say: Benny and Zara worry the island won’t stay long, and I don’t want you trapped here—whether we break the curse or not.”

“No, sweet Gil,” Laurel said, taking Thomas’s hand. “We must wait here.”

“But why?” Gil said, aghast, as Aggy remained quiet.

Thomas gave Aggy a quick glance. “Someone has to stay and protect the island and the treasure as long as we can from intruders that may come when they hear the island is back.”

“Intruders? What do you mean?” Gil was growing frustrated at their coy talk.

The breeze blew Aggy’s curls around her face. “Don’t be cross with Thomas. There are things you don’t know for your own good. There’s not much time now. You will have to help Benny with what comes next. She could be in danger.”

Danger? Gil’s heart began to thud. “I barely know her or the world from which she comes. How would I be of assistance?”

“News is coming that could cloud her judgment, and if we’re going to beat those that want to exploit the treasure, we need Benny to understand this island in a way only you do,” Aggy continued. “You’ve combed every inch of this sand. You can help her when the time comes to summon the one who started this all.”

Summon the one? Gil’s head hurt. “I’m tired of secrets, Aggy. What do you mean with these riddles?”

“Patience, Gil. This may help.” Aggy handed him a scroll tied with string.

It looked weathered and old. A lot like the parchment Sparrow wrote to Benny on. “Is that from—” he whispered.

“Sparrow? Yes,” Aggy said. “My apologies for not giving you this sooner, friend, but it wouldn’t have made sense till now.”

Gil let his fingers close around the letter. A letter from Sparrow. “I’m not sure I’m ready to read it.”

“Wait till you’re ready,” Laurel said. “We each got one.”

“Axel did too,” Thomas said. “We have his when he’s ready. He’s family now whether he likes it or not.”

Something brushed his legs. Winks.

“Winks, there you are,” Aggy said and crouched down. She placed a small pouch in between the cat’s neck and the red cord. “You’ve got work to do too. Bring this to Kimble.”

Meow. Winks blinked at Aggy with her one good eye and disappeared through the bushes.

Gil had more questions, particularly about Winks, but he was interrupted by a rumble that moved the earth. The birds in the trees took flight, and Gil felt his body sway. The air seemed to shift, the wind rushing across the beach like a hurricane. Thomas and Laurel were knocked into one another. Everyone looked at one another in alarm.

Thomas pulled Laurel close. “What was that?”

Aggy’s brow furrowed. “It’s the island issuing a warning.”