Page 72

“They are. I mean, as far as we know,” Joey said.

“So who’s buying the soul bottles?”

Wendy leaned forward. Eyes narrowed, she whispered, “Lost Ones.”

Adam stiffened.

“It’s not all at once,” Joey said.

“And never in batches.” Wendy nodded at the market. “One here, two there, whenever they pop up.”

“It’s like they don’t want anyone to know what they’re up to.”

Adam wasn’t certain he believed her. She might have just been trying to get him to take care of the Lost Ones for her.

“Shh,” she said. “They’re back.”

A man had appeared at the end of the row. Adam didn’t know him. He wore a gray suit and a blank expression as he ambled their way, swerving unevenly, left, then right, then left again.

Maybe he was drunk, but there was no doubt that Wendy and Joey’s was his destination. He ignored the other vendors and shoppers, not even noticing when he bumped into one of them.

Adam looked at the man with his Sight. He was empty, like Cole and the others at the hospital.

Every hair on the back of Adam’s neck rose.

“Maybe we should get out of here.”

“Where are we going to go?” Wendy asked.

“All of our stuff is here,” Joey said.

“Our money is here,” Wendy said.

“Where are the ogres?” Adam asked. “I haven’t seen any of them today.”

“I don’t know,” she said. “Me either, come to think of it.”

Joey hadn’t moved from behind the counter.

“There’s just one of him,” Joey said. “We’ll be fine.”

He lifted his hands, revealing a shotgun.

“You had that the whole time?” Adam asked.

“Cocked and loaded.”

Adam let out a breath. It was probably a good thing that Joey hadn’t waved it around. It might have escalated the situation. It might have gone off, hurting any number of people. It was impossible to say.

At least the man in the gray suit didn’t look angry. He was getting nearer.

Adam looked again with his Sight.

Something changed. Something blue and gray sat curled in his belly. Adam blinked. Then the first tentacle unfurled.

“Give me that!” Adam reached for Joey’s gun, but it was too late.

The empty man threw back his head and opened his mouth in a silent scream.