Chapter 32

As the days passed, Beulah and Lois took to their duties with a fervor that surprised even Ben. They patrolled the streets with confidence, their badges glinting in the sun. They were met with a mix of suspicion and respect, but it was clear that their presence had made a difference. The town felt safer, more secure.

But beneath the veneer of peace, whispers began to circulate. The two women had noticed a shift in the air, a tension that was palpable even to their untrained ears. They heard murmurs of dissent, of a plot that threatened to tear apart the fragile alliances they had built. It was a plot that would challenge their loyalty and their newfound authority.

One evening, as they patrolled the quiet streets of Lawless Ridge, they stumbled upon a clandestine meeting in the shadows of an alley. The murmur of hushed voices grew clearer as they approached, and their hearts raced with a mix of excitement and dread. They recognized some of the town’s less savory characters, men who had once been loyal to Lady Maud and the sheriff’s old regime.

Beulah and Lois exchanged a look, their eyes narrowing as they realized the gravity of the situation. They had been warned that not everyone would welcome the changes they had brought to the town. But they had never expected to face such open rebellion. They ducked into the alley, their boots silent on the packed earth, and moved closer to the group, their senses honed by their training with the Wematin.

The men were discussing something in low tones, their faces shadowed by the flickering light of a single candle. It was clear they were planning something nefarious, something that could undo all the good work they had done. The two assistants listened intently, their hearts pounding in their chests. They had to report this to Ben and Sly, had to stop whatever it was before it could come to fruition.