“They’re Earth books,” Qip said. “Forbidden and unreadable.”
“Aradella can read them,” Bree said. When they looked at her, she had no idea how to explain how she knew that fact, so she said nothing.
When Darr walked into the room, their attention went to him. He stood to the side, motionless.
Qip withdrew a book and handed it to Aradella.
“It’s a novel,” she said. “I haven’t seen many of them.Northanger Abbeyby Jane Austen. I’d love to read this.”
“It’s yours,” he said. “What do you usually read?”
“Mostly about plants.”
“She knew Valona’s garden was all poisonous plants,” Mekos said. “If it hadn’t been for Aradella, we wouldn’t have...” He trailed off. “Sorry. That’s what got us into trouble.”
Darr, who was half a head taller than the young men, stepped forward to stand close in front of Mekos. If he were human, it would have been an aggressive move.
On instinct, Mekos leaned back and his hand went to the knife at his belt.
“It’s all right,” Qip said. “You have something that’s bothering Darr. He sees and hears things that we don’t.”
“So does Mekos!” Aradella’s voice held much love and pride. “Maybe he senses Ian.”
Mekos opened his jacket and looked inside. “You want to come out?”
Ian flew out, then up, so he was hovering inches in front of Darr’s face.
They watched Darr’s green eyes get brighter.
Qip laughed. “He hasn’t seen a Never.”
“His eyes are kind,” Ian said.
Both Qip and Darr stared at the little man.
“I’ve heard of them,” Qip whispered, “but I didn’t know they could talk.”
“Ian loves beer,” Aradella said. “And I bet he’s hungry.”
“Starved,” Ian said.
“Why don’t you—” Qip began but stopped when he saw Darr lift a shoulder. Ian flew to it, held onto the metal ear, then said, “Go.” They left the room.
They all stared at the empty doorway. “I think Darr has found a friend.” Qip sounded shocked.
“Misfits,” Bree said. “That’s what we were told was on this island. Is Darr what they meant?”
“Oh no!” Qip said. “Far from it. But Darr is unique. Very few people have seen him. I made a few like him when I lived on Empyrea, but they didn’t come close to the perfection of Darr. Vian told me—”
“You know her?” Mekos asked quickly.
“Quite well. She fought against my being tossed off the island—but she failed.” When they started to ask questions, he held up his hand. “That’s for later.”
Aradella said, “If you’re here now, when we need you, maybe she knew this would happen. Maybe your being here now is part of her long-term plan.”
There was such hope in the four sets of young eyes, that Qip didn’t want to take it away. “Perhaps,” he said then looked at Mekos. “Tell me why your grandmother isn’t pleased with you.”
“She’s angry at both of us,” Aradella said. “And it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have—” Her throat closed so she couldn’t speak, and Mekos put his arm around her.
