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“Claren? Are you up?”
A knock from the other side of my bathroom door roused me from a deep sleep. It took no time at all to get settled back into my new home in Noble borough. The down duvet snuggled my body perfectly on my pillow top mattress, and I didn’t realize how much better my sleep was in it until I returned from my old bedroom in Morton. It was like laying on a cloud.
“Sort of,” I called out to Margo on the other side of the door. She entered my room and hopped on the bed beside me.
“Sort of is good enough for me,” she said with a grin. “Now get out of bed! I went a whole week without bacon and I’m ready for a hot breakfast again.”
“But it’s so cozy in here,” I said, stretching my toes as far as they could reach under the covers. Margo responded with a laugh and hit me with a pillow.
“Come on. I’ll give you five minutes before I go downstairs without you.” Her stomach let out an audible growl, sending us both into a giggling fit. “See? I told you. I’m hungry!”
We were all happy to be back in Noble after the break, even Edgar. It’s not that we didn’t enjoy our trips back home, it’s just that life near the Center was a little more enjoyable. The beds were bigger and softer, the food was deliciously prepared by professional chefs, and even our closets were stocked with new clothes upon our return. It made us feel special in a way that living on the edge of the city never could.
Even the Peacemakers’ kids seemed a little more chipper in class. The energy of our classroom was vibrant, despite a whole morning of review from the previous weeks. I was in such a good mood that I didn’t even notice Emmaline walk in during our lunch break.
“Hello, Ms. Greenwood. May I have a moment?”
Margo shot me a curious look, which I returned with a subtle shrug. Emmaline was probably anxious to hear what I learned about Cato, but I certainly wasn’t going to tell Margo any of that.
“Sure,” I replied. Emmaline gestured to the side of the cafeteria.
“I’ve already spoken with Mr. Saxon, and he has agreed to release you from your studies this afternoon.”
“What? Why?” I willed myself not to panic. She didn’t seem upset. In fact, she was almost excited.
“I’ll explain more after lunch,” she said. “Do you remember where my office is located?”
I nodded.
“Good. Finish your food and meet me there in about ten minutes.”
Georgia’s glare was piercing as I returned to my seat. She was at our table within seconds.
“What did Ms. Fraser want?” Her hands were on her hips. She stared at me accusingly, as though I’d done something to personally wrong her.
“Nothing,” I replied. I took a bite of my pasta, running the forkful of noodles casually through the sauce along the edges of the bowl before bringing it to my mouth.
“She wanted something. Otherwise she wouldn’t have come down here.”
I continued to focus on my food as if Georgia wasn’t in the room. It wouldn’t hurt her to learn some patience.
She huffed, moving into the seat beside me. “Well?”
I took another bite, chewing slowly and following it with a long sip of my water before finally turning to meet her angry scowl. “It’s a personal matter.”
“Ugh. You are literally the worst. I can’t believe they even let you come back here.” She stormed off, leaving Margo chuckling in her wake.
Margo leaned a little closer, “So what did she want?”
“I don’t know, I replied honestly. “But I’m about to find out.”
—————
Emmaline looked up with a smile as I entered her office.
“Hello, hello. Please come in and take a seat.” She gestured to the open chair in front of her desk where I’d awaited what I was sure to be an expulsion a couple of weeks earlier. Somehow seeing her cheerful grin was almost more unnerving.
I sat straight-backed in the chair, patiently awaiting further instructions. I feared if I began talking, I wouldn’t be able to stop. And rambling would be of no use to me. I couldn’t say too much. I couldn’t tell her about Raf, and I didn’t have much else to offer.
“How was your time in Morton borough?” she asked. It was a simple question, but her eyes were prodding for information.
“It was nice, thank you.”
“Were you able to catch up with old friends?”
“Yes.” I considered telling her about my visit with Sela in an effort to delay the inevitable. But the fewer details I gave her, the better. Plus, Sela was so happy. I didn’t want to put her on Emmaline’s radar.
“And your brother?” Emmaline’s crystal blue eyes were staring straight into my soul. I remembered my mom once telling me about machines they used at the medical center that would display the inside of your body on large screens. They used the machines to look for broken bones or other injuries. I imagined those patients felt a little like I did on the other side of Emmaline’s gaze. Exposed. But she wasn’t looking at my bones. No, she was searching my mind, seeking out information to locate the only person left that I loved in this world.
I shuddered. Of course Emmaline couldn’t read my mind. She would know if I lied, though.
“Yes, I saw my brother.”
Emmaline’s smile widened, sending another shiver down my spine. Cato was a thief, not a serial killer. Why was she so interested in locating him? He was harmless.
“I know he didn’t come to your house. We’ve had Protectors keeping watch since you left for training. But I’m sure you sensed them, of course. So where did you meet him, Claren?”
I swallowed, trying to think of a way to get out of this. “I thought you said you weren’t interested in his location right now.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, but her smile never faltered. “That’s right. But if he didn’t come to you, it means you went to him. And as we discussed, I’d like to know who is keeping him.”
I shook my head. “I still don’t know where he’s staying. We met somewhere separate. In an abandoned building.”
“How were you able to arrange the meeting?”
It was a valid question, and I should have had an answer prepared. But as it stood, all I could do was hope that Emmaline wouldn’t probe deeper.
“We share a mutual acquaintance.” A tall, dark, handsome, smart, sensitive, funny acquaintance. Please don’t make me give Raf away.
“I see. And you’re certain this acquaintance isn’t giving your brother orders?”
“I’m positive! I don’t know the person well, but I can guarantee Cato is not taking any orders from him... or her. From the person, I mean.” I looked down to find my knee bouncing up and down so hard I thought I might break a hole through the floor. I continued to stare until it finally came to a rest, still tingling with adrenaline.
I was doing a terrible job of blocking my affect.
“Is there any chance this acquaintance may know who is hiding Cato? Who he is taking his orders from?”
I swallowed reflexively, but my mouth was arid. The dry lump traveled slowly down my throat, burning as it went.
“I suppose it’s possible.”
Emmaline’s eyes twinkled across the desk from me as the corners of her mouth quirked up again.
“That’s excellent news. And I trust that you will continue to offer your assistance in helping us locate the individual who has been hiding your brother? We believe there’s a man in charge of a large group of Outsiders, and he has some dangerous plans. I’d hate for your brother to get into further trouble by following orders from this rogue leader. You wouldn’t want Cato to get into any more trouble either, would you, Claren?”
My palms stung from the sharpness of my nails digging in as I attempted to control my anger. She’d worked me into a corner. Again. I could almost hear the snake’s menacing rattle. If manipulation was a sport she’d be the grand champion. A slithering, conniving, beautifully lethal champion.
But she had a point. I had no allegiance to Frank. He may have protected Cato from being exiled, but at what cost? My brother only seemed to be getting further involved in Frank’s plans. And from what I’d seen of his last attempt to “educate” with Sam recruiting at my exam, Frank’s plans didn’t always end so well. I wouldn’t let Cato become another ghost in my life.
“So what will it be? Will you help us find the man in charge?”
“Yes,” I said. My voice was raw, working hard to cover the sobs that were fighting to expose my fear for my brother. “I’ll be happy to help. Just let me know what to do.”
“Well first things first, we’re going to have to work on some additional skills. Are you familiar with the term ‘projecting?’”
She reached across the desk, palms up. I knew where this was going, but I had to feign innocence. I slowly placed my hands on top of hers and allowed her calm to wash over me.
“Feel better now?” she smiled.
“I do.”
“That is projecting. I’d like to teach you how to do it as well. It could come in quite handy as you carry out the task ahead of you. But first, I need your absolute word that you will not use this skill to manipulate others outside of government-ordered work.”
“You have my word.”
Emmaline’s eyes sparkled again, and I wanted to trust her. I wanted to learn as much as I could from her. But I also feared what I might become if I did.
“Very well, then. Let’s get right to it.”