Island of Legends (The Unwanteds) (14 page)

Eva blinked. “That makes a lot of sense,” she said evenly. “Do you mean to take over the mansion? It’s quite stunning inside.”

“Perhaps I will. Seems a shame to let it go to ruin outside the wall.” Aaron knew well enough what it looked like, but Secretary didn’t need to know that.

Secretary hesitated. “I’ll stop the workers right away.”

“Have them take down whatever they’ve put up so far.”

“Right.” She turned to go.

“Wait. Tell me—who of the former governors was most loyal to Justine?”

Eva thought for a moment. “Strang, of course.”

Aaron nodded. “That’s my thought too. Please invite him for dinner.”

“Tonight?”

“Tomorrow. Also, who from our Restorers might be interested in a government job? Bethesda or Liam, perhaps?”

“You sent them to the Ancients Sector, sir.”

Aaron tapped his lips. “Ah, yes. So I did. I’ve forgotten why.”

Eva Fathom remained quiet as he pondered. She was not about to remind him. “I could see if they’re still alive,” she said, “though it’s been quite a while, so it’s doubtful.”

“Yes, do that. If they’re still biding their time, order the sector overseer to hand them over to you.”

“If you’re sure.”

“Of course I am.”

The maid came in with a tray of breakfast for Aaron, set it on his desk, and left. Eva waited at the door to see if there was anything else.

Aaron picked up a spoon and stirred something mushy in a bowl. He tasted it and made a face. “Also, Gondoleery Rattrapp.”

Eva narrowed her eyes. “What about her?”

“Invite her to dinner as well.”

Eva pursed her lips but said nothing. She’d told Aaron that Gondoleery was up to something strange. But she couldn’t force the high priest to make wise choices. “Very well,” she said. “Anyone else?” She refrained from suggesting every ridiculous thought that came to her head now that Gondoleery had been brought into the picture.
Claire Morning, perhaps? How about Alex Stowe?

“No, that’ll do for now. If you do find Bethesda or Liam alive, invite them as well.”

“For dinner tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

“With Governor Strang and Gondoleery.” Eva couldn’t imagine a more dreadful grouping of guests.

Aaron was beginning to look annoyed. “Yes.” He shoved a spoonful of gruel into his mouth. “And get some decent food from the Favored Farm, since our kitchen staff doesn’t seem to understand what good food tastes like. This is disgusting.”

» » « «

Eva Fathom began with the easiest task—lugging armloads of fruits and vegetables from the Favored Farm to the Quillitary vehicle, and then stopping for chickens as well. It wasn’t her job to get the food, but she didn’t trust the kitchen staff to know ripe from rotten, so it was easier to do it herself.

Next her driver took her to former governor Strang’s house. He still lived in the governor housing, but he hadn’t been seen much since Aaron had taken over. No one knew, or seemed to care, what he was doing after he got fired. Eva walked up to the front door and knocked.

No one answered, so she knocked again. This time she heard a noise inside, and soon the door opened a crack. “Who is it?” came Strang’s familiar voice. It sounded duller than usual, if that were possible.

“It’s Eva Fathom. Secretary, that is.” Eva tried to peek through the crack in the door without appearing to be nosy.

“What do you want?”

“The High Priest Aaron Stowe would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow evening.”

The door opened farther and Strang stuck his head out. Eva Fathom tried hard not to stare, for the young man’s appearance was quite different from before. His hair was long and unkempt, his face unshaven. His eyes were bloodshot, and he had gained quite a large girth since Eva had seen him last.

“What for?” Strang asked.

“I’m not exactly sure,” Eva said. “Something about a job in the government. He knows you were loyal to Justine, and he’d like to talk with you.”

Former Governor Strang narrowed his eyes. “What time?”

“Eight o’clock.”

Strang hesitated. “Fine.” He nodded once and shut the door in Eva’s face.

Eva smiled condescendingly at the door and went back to the vehicle. “To the Ancients Sector, please,” she told the driver.

At the Ancients Sector, Eva hesitated before she went inside. She had been very close to being sent here by Justine, and Eva didn’t look at this place with any amount of warmth, that was for sure. No one did.

She waited at the small rundown gray table for someone to notice her.

A worker looked up. “Time’s up, eh? Who sent you?”

“No, no,” Secretary said. “I’m not checking in or out just yet. I’m on an errand for the high priest.”

“Sure,” the woman said.

“No, truly I am. I’m to inquire after two individuals. Bethesda Dia Gloria and Liam Healy. Are they still housed here, or are they . . . not?”

The woman stood. “Bethesda’s gone and buried. Liam’s heading to the sleep chamber today.” She looked out the window. “He’s standing there now, waiting to go in.”

Eva stepped to the window. “Oh dear. Well, by order of the high priest, you’ll need to put a halt to it. I’m to collect him and his things and take him to the palace.”

The worker narrowed her eyes. “What proof do you have?”

Eva’s lips quivered. She looked at her wrinkled hands resting on the window frame. And then she closed her eyes and used the code phrase that Justine had given to her that would overrule any other measure put in place, her voice quiet so as not to be overheard. “In the name of Quill, and upon your life and mine, it
shall
be done.”

The worker was quiet. “Apologies,” she said.

Eva turned to look at her. “Get going, then, before they kill him.”

The woman nodded, flustered, and nearly tripped over the chair leg on her way out.

Eva hesitated, then followed. Liam was certain to be overwhelmingly grateful. And she was determined to be on the receiving end of the gratitude when he was.

L
iam sat down in the backseat of the Quillitary vehicle next to Eva Fathom. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and put his face in his hands. He shook while Eva instructed the driver, he shook as they drove off, and he even shook as Eva patted his shoulder a few minutes later.

Finally he took in a deep breath, sat back, and looked at her. “I don’t know how to thank you for this,” he said in a low voice.

Eva smiled. “One day you will know exactly how to thank me,” she said. “All you need to do now is go along with whatever
Aaron says.” She looked out her window. “If you want to stay out of the Ancients Sector, I mean.”

Liam regarded her. “But I—after the mage—and Claire Morning, and that pantry—I just can’t . . .”

Eva turned toward him. “Listen to me,” she said, softly enough that the driver couldn’t hear. “You can say things with your lips that your heart doesn’t feel. And for now you will. You must.”

Liam’s lips parted. He faced forward and closed them again. “Oh. Of course. In that case. Is that what you—?”

“Good.” She looked straight ahead. “Good. We’ll talk again another time.”

The driver stopped outside Gondoleery Rattrapp’s house. Eva got out of the vehicle, and then she bent down and looked in. “I think you should come with me.”

Liam fumbled with the handle and got out, and together they walked up the path to the door.

The last time Eva was here, the house had glowed blue. But this time there was a faint orange glow coming from behind the curtains. “Do you see that?” she whispered.

Liam nodded, eyes wide.

Eva knocked on the door. “Pay close attention to everything.”

Scuttling noises came from inside. Eva knocked again.

When at last Gondoleery opened the door, a rush of hot air blew over Eva and Liam. Eva disguised the surprise on her face at the sight of their old Restorer, but Liam stared.

“What do you want?” Gondoleery asked. Her face was red and blistered in spots, her wild gray hair was blown back, and her knuckles were covered in burns. She pulled a thin blanket around her shoulders and gripped it tightly around her neck as if she were cold.

Eva smiled politely. “Aaron—I mean the high priest—is wondering if you will come to the palace for dinner tomorrow night. Eight o’clock.”

“What for?”

The questions were sounding familiar. “I’m not sure exactly,” Eva said. “Something about a possible government job. Strang will be there, and Liam, too. And me, of course.” Eva knitted her brows thoughtfully. “I think.”

Gondoleery stared. “Why in Quill would I ever want or need to spend time with that arrogant snot?”

Eva smiled. “I wouldn’t know.” She realized something else
that looked so strange about Gondoleery—her eyebrows were gone. Eva glanced over Gondoleery’s shoulder, trying to look inside. She could smell wood or something else burning. “But you’re invited, nevertheless, and I do hope to see you. It’ll be nice to catch up again.”

Liam slowly rose up on the balls of his feet, trying to see into the house.

Gondoleery sneered. “Don’t count on it.” She closed the door swiftly.

“All right, then,” Eva said, smiling brightly at the closed door. She turned to Liam and muttered, “Let’s go.”

They walked back to the vehicle.

Gondoleery’s front door opened again. “What time did you say?”

“Eight o’clock.” Eva smiled and got in the jalopy as Gondoleery slammed her front door.

Liam climbed in beside her. “Great Quill,” he said. “That was—”

Eva pressed her fingertips on his arm. “Save it,” she murmured. She leaned forward to speak to the driver. “Back to the palace, if you please, sir.”

They drove in strained silence the short distance to the palace. When they got out, Eva slipped the driver a sack full of fruits and vegetables she had picked up that morning from the Favored Farm. “Here, take these,” she told him. “And give my best to your family.”

“Th-thanks,” the driver said, dubious. “Thanks a lot—my wife will be very grateful.”

“Just as I am grateful for you,” Eva said. “I shall call on you again when my business takes me into Quill.”

The driver bowed his head. “I am at your service, madam.”

She waved him off, and the two watched him drive away.

“What is going on here?” Liam asked under his breath. “I’m not quite sure I understand . . . you.”

Eva tilted her head and opened the door to the palace. “Hmm?” she said. “Whatever do you mean?”

O
nce the ship had sailed and everyone had stowed their things, Alex gathered them on deck. “Do any of you know what ‘sports’ are?” he asked.

Lani, who had been studying a wrinkled piece of paper, folded it quickly and put it in her pocket, then lifted her hand in the air, along with a few others. “I read about it. It’s kind of like having a battle. Everybody on your side has a job to do, and if everybody does their thing right, you can win against the other team. People do it for fun. I don’t get why you’d want to have a battle just for the fun of it, but whatever.”

Samheed and Carina Holiday exchanged a grin. They both
loved a good battle and would probably choose to do it for fun every day if they could.

“I saw that,” Lani said.

“Anyway,” Alex interrupted, “that’s the kind of mission this is. Those of us who have been training with Ms. Octavia will have certain parts to play in the rescue, and everyone else will have different roles. If we do it right, it’ll work perfectly and no one will even notice we’ve stolen Sky and Crow’s mother away. That’s what we’re going for. A rescue without a fight.”

Carina looked disappointed. She was still a bit mad about the last battle on Warbler, where she and Sean had been knocked out at the very beginning by sleep darts.

Alex continued laying out the plan. “Ideally, it’ll be simple,” he said. “We’ll wait for Sky and Crow’s mother by the skylight. Her name is Copper, by the way, which is also the same color as her hair, so that will help you identify her.” Alex glanced at Sky to make sure he’d gotten the details correct.

Sky nodded. “Her hair is long and a little bit lighter than mine,” she said. “She wears scarves over it, or at least she did. And she has the golden-orange eyes and thorn necklace as well.”