Island of Legends

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.

A Visit to Gondoleery’s

Liam 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.