Secret Agent Minister by Lenora Worth

so good.”
    Lydia waved a hand, trying to make a joke. “Not what I expected when I revealed my identity to you at last, kind sir.”
    Pastor Dev shook his head, smiling slightly, then he looked around, a frown replacing his smile. “I’m going to try and make contact so we can get out of here and get you home to rest.” Then he put his hands on his hips as he gave her a once-over. “But I don’t want to leave you.”
    “I’m fine, really,” Lydia said. “It’s nice out here, and now that I’ve removed all those feathers away from my face, I don’t feel so scratchy.”
    “I still can’t leave you alone.” He stood over her, protective and hovering. Then in frustration, he yanked off his own simple black mask. In spite of the situation, that made her smile. Then she glanced across the porch and saw a tall, distinguished-looking man staring at her through an elaborate swirling silver domino. Lydia smiled at him. He smiled back. Then he started toward them. Maybe Pastor Dev wouldn’t have to leave her.
    “Pastor Dev,” Lydia said under her breath, “we might have company.”
    Dev glanced around, his actions carefully controlled. “Okay. Let’s see what happens.” Then he leaned close and slipped his mask back on, then handed Lydia hers. “We have to pretend we don’t see him. Don’t be obvious.” After she grudgingly put her domino back on, he whispered into her ear. “Look at me.”
    Lydia did as he asked, glad to have the excuse. “Did I tell you that you look nice in that tux?”
    “No, you didn’t. But thanks.” He touched a finger to a stray wisp of hair near her temple. “Is he still coming toward us?”
    Lydia made a quick scan of the verandah, her shivers now coming from Pastor Dev’s touch. She quickly reminded herself that this was just playacting. The man moved right past them, and didn’t even bother looking back. But Lydia felt the brush of air as he casually walked by, then strolled down the steps into the big front yard.
    “He was right there, but I don’t see him anymore.” Then she looked back up at Pastor Dev, blinking because she was suddenly seeing two of him.
    Dev turned again, discreetly showing her a folded note. “He left us his calling card right here in the potted plant.”
    Lydia giggled. “You people actually do that—leave things in the potted plants?”
    “I know—it’s so cliché, but it worked. Neither of us even saw him do it, but I certainly saw the note lying there when I turned.”
    “Glad you’re the one who found it.” She swallowed the ache in her throat and croaked, “What does it say?”
    He read it to her in a soft whisper. “‘The eagle dwells on the rock. Go to the eagle.’”
    “I guess that’s from Job, too, more or less? What does that mean?”
    He leaned close, so the casual observer would think he was filling her ear with sweet talk. “It means we’re going to be traveling again. I know where we need to go now, to keep you safe.”
    “How—” Lydia tried to form the words, but her heart rate accelerated too fast, causing her to feel faint. “Oh, boy,” she said, grabbing for his arm.
    “Lydia?”
    She heard Pastor Dev’s voice, but she couldn’t seem to focus on his words. She tried to stand. “I don’t feel so good.”
    He caught her to him. “Lydia, are you sick?”
    She tried to nod. Her skin felt as if it were on fire. “Hot.” Then she pushed at him as shivers moved up and down her arms. “Cold.”
    Pastor Dev grabbed her by the waist. “Lean on me.”
    She tried to do that, but everything was becoming murky. She couldn’t focus. “Hot…cold.” The chills and fever seemed to be warring with her skin, raking her with heat followed by ice. The fire of it hissed over her arms, her neck, her face. “Must be having an allergic reaction.”
    Another man came to them. Lydia vaguely recognized him as the Distinguished Gentleman who’d just brushed past with the note. Their contact? Or the enemy? Had he been