I was nervous the entire time we were in the case. Jacob was right - there was absolutely no way for us to know what was going on outside the case. For all we knew, we could be falling from the top of a skyscraper. We could only hope that no one was suspicious of Queenie and took the case.
It felt like house later when we saw Queenie come into the occamies' habitat. "It's safe," she said. "We're in the apartment."
When we had all climbed out, Queenie said, "Are you angry with me, Rayn?"
"For what?" What reason could I possibly have for being angry with her?
"For not telling you that I'm a witch."
I thought about it. If she had told me, then I would have wanted to get as far away from her as possible. Had I done that, I doubt that I would have been reunited with Newt. For this reason, I said, "No. I'm quite happy you didn't, actually."
She seemed relieved. "Good, I'm glad, although I suspected as much. I just thought I'd ask to be sure."
"What do you mean, you suspected as much?"
"People are easiest to read when they're hurting, and you were hurting a great deal. I sense that was because of magic, but dared not search for more information."
It took a few moments for me to understand. "You mean . . . you're a Legilimens? So you knew about Newt?" How long had he been here?
Queenie kept calm. "I told you, I didn't search for the cause of your pain. I only found enough to know that you were a witch trying to live as a No-Maj. And he's only been here since this morning."
I should really practice Occlumency. I felt guilty. "So . . . I suppose you know the real reason why I was so late yesterday?"
"I thought that maybe you were hiding something, but I didn't pry because I knew that you would talk when you were ready. Why did you come back so late?"
I told her, and continued to explain what had happened earlier in the day that had led to our near execution.
Queenie was as shocked as I was. "I knew that it wasn't what it seemed, but I never thought . . . an Obscurus!"
A heavy silence pervaded the room as we all contemplated what had happened. Saying it aloud put a new weight on the situation. Just hours ago, I had left this building with the intent of taking a relaxing, magic-free walk, and I had returned after - through magic - having killed three people and nearly being killed myself. I buried my face in Newt's chest, seeking the comfort that only came when he wrapped his arms around me. I didn't cry, but I definitely felt like it. Newt said nothing, either, only gently embraced me until I pulled away, thanking him with my eyes and a smile.
"So what do we do now?" Tina asked.
"We get his creatures back, obviously," I said. "Before MACUSA does."
"It's a bit late, isn't it?" chimed Jacob.
He was right - it was just after five in the evening. But I knew that Newt would never rest until all of his creatures were safe. "Yes," I agreed, "but we need to find them. Remember, MACUSA is also intent on capturing them. We can't risk them finding them first."
"I think I know where the niffler is, and Dougle can be predictable. It's the occamy I may have trouble finding and recapturing. It'll require a group effort."
"Great," I said. "Let's get started."
ns 15.158.61.53da2
