‘But I understand now,’ I say to Lumens. ‘I understand why they were – are – rebels. It wasn’t just the terrible way this country treats the Third Class, which I refused to admit until recently. It was their love of dragons, you see. What you’redoing down there . . .’ I gesture towards the shadowy prison of the dragonlings. ‘They would never have permitted it. In fact, they would have vehemently opposed it. So why haven’t you?’
‘I …’ Lumens frowns. ‘I’m doing what my government—’
‘Your government is allying with the Bulgarian dragons,’ I say. ‘They’ll arrive at Bletchley Park the day after tomorrow and turn the Dragon Queen against us all. Wyvernmire is about to make herself another enemy, and there’s nothing you can do in here to stop it.’
‘Bulgarians?’ Lumens says. ‘What are you talking about, child—’
‘She’s telling the truth, Professor,’ Atlas says. ‘The work we were supposed to do here has failed, and Wyvernmire has chosen other means to win the war.’
Lumens pales and his hands begin to shake.
‘You should leave,’ I tell him. ‘Feign illness or ask for compassionate leave. Before they get here.’
Lumens turns to Atlas. ‘And you? What will you do?’
‘Oh, we have a few ideas.’
‘The dragonlings … we cannot abandon them. Whatever you may think of me, Recruit Featherswallow, I never wanted to harm them.’
‘We’ll deal with them,’ I say.
‘But how—’
‘Professor Lumens,’ Atlas says, ‘if you’re going to leave, you’ll need to do it soon.’
‘Oh … yes.’ Lumens begins rushing about the room, fetching paperwork and belongings.
‘She won’t let you take any of it,’ I say. ‘Everything inside Bletchley Park is classified.’
He stares at me for a moment, as if trying to figure out who I really am. Then he drops everything in his arms back on to a desk. He nods at Atlas, once, and then turns on his heel and leaves.
Atlas walks towards me and takes my hand, but I shake him off.
‘Why did you leave me that note? What have I done wrong?’
I ignore him. ‘I came to tell you that we might have convinced Muirgen and Rhydderch to join us,’ I say.
‘Us?’
‘The Coalition,’ I say softly.
A grin spreads across his face, but falters when he sees I’m not smiling back.
‘What’s wrong?’ he says again.
‘Chumana,’ I reply.
I watch his face for a reaction and catch just a hint of hesitation in his eyes. I take a furious step forward.
‘When were you planning on telling me you knew her? Don’t answer that,’ I snap as he opens his mouth. ‘You were never going to tell me because you don’t trust me. Everything you said last night was just an attempt to get me on your side.’
‘Viv, no—’
‘I told you I’d released a criminal dragon from the University of London and youknewit was her, but you didn’t tell me you were sneaking off to visit her—’
‘I wasn’t visiting her,’ he retorts. ‘She came to me whenshe saw they had me in isolation. It’s a freezing-cold bunker in the forest, and when she saw me there she lit me a fire through the bars. What does it matter anyway?’
‘It matters because youkept thingsfrom me while Ibared my soulto you!’ I shout.
