He did as she asked, and Scarlett grimaced as Manon wrapped up their urine bags and tucked them safely into the side pocket of her wheelchair.
Manon caught sight of Scarlett’s expression and raised her eyebrows. “I don’t know why you’re looking at me like I’m packing this up for my own sick amusement. We might be able touse this as evidence.”
Scarlett’s disgust turned to admiration for her grandmother’s resourcefulness. “That’s smart. Sorry for making a face while you wrapped the bags of pee up like a solstice present.”
Manon smiled crookedly. “No bother. Let’s get ourselves dressed.”
Scarlett somehow found the strength to pull on the dress, trench coat, and boots Beni had grabbed from her closet. She shoved her phone and her bank cards into her jacket pockets, then she helped Manon pull a loose dress over her head and slide loafers onto her feet. As an afterthought, Scarlett stuck a wide-brimmed hat in the second wheelchair pocket.
“Charlie’s here,” called Beni from the doorway.
Scarlett waited at the top of the staircase while Charlie carried her grandmother down. Every time his foot hit the steps, a loud thump reverberated through the space, making Scarlett’s nerves jangle. She leaned against the wall worrying about everything that could go wrong until Charlie reappeared a few minutes later.
“Thank you for helping us,” she whispered.
“Of course, kid,” he said. “I’ve been so worried about you. I’m glad to see you awake.”
Outside, Charlie sped down the dock and onto the boat with Scarlett in his arms, setting her down only when he reached the boat’s cabin, where Manon and Beni were waiting.
The feeling of an imminent heart attack finally ceased once the boat had pulled away from House Heroux and was speeding down the Sapphire Canal toward the train station. The first signs of the sunrise appeared on the horizon, illuminating the city. Manon let out a loud sigh and looked up in a prayer of thanks.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
Charlie parked the boat, and Beni unloaded their bags. Dawn-colored mist rolled off the canal as Scarlett pulled up the hood of her trench coat and slid on her sunglasses. Manon donned her hat, and Beni put on a cap and his sunglasses too. Once their basic disguises were in place, Charlie carried the bags, walking alongside Scarlett with her cane, and Beni pushed Manon’s wheelchair through the near-empty train station. Whether it was due to nerves or shock or both, they spoke barely at all.
Scarlett’s stomach knotted as they purchased tickets for the train, withdrew the maximum amount from the cashpoint, and bought a few things from the newsagent while they waited to board. She eyed the few others in the station, afraid they’d try to stop her, but everyone went about their business oblivious to their escape.
Once the train began to admit passengers, Scarlett gripped Charlie in a tight hug goodbye, and then they boarded the early-morning train to Clair de Lune. She was out of breath from boarding, but inside the train she looked around with interest. She’d never been on one before. The interior was dark wood, and they found their way to an empty compartment with a table andfour green tweed seats. Beni helped Manon and then Scarlett into their seats and stored their bags and Manon’s wheelchair in the overhead luggage racks.
“There’s almost no one on this train,” said Beni.
Scarlett peered into the hallway. He was right. Only a few other passengers were on board. “It makes sense, right? There aren’t many visa holders to begin with, and so few people from Soleil travel.”
“Then why does it run every day?”
“Correspondence,” said Manon. “The Soleil firewall prevents magical communications from going to and from the outside world, so they have to keep the physical mail delivery going regularly.”
“But you have your mirror,” said Beni. “You don’t need the mail, do you?”
Scarlett put a finger to her lips. “Shh. Don’t talk about that.”
Beni snorted. “What you just said iswaymore suspicious than what I said.”
Manon shifted in her seat, looking around the train car for anyone who could have overheard. “You’re right, Beni, but still, best get used to never mentioning it in public.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “To answer your question, the mirror only connects me to the Maddoxes. I have to write letters to everyone else. And besides, most of the world does not have a mirror.”
“Fair point.” Beni sighed as he slumped lower in his seat across from them. “Goddess above, I can’t believe we made it. You both were still dead asleep a few hours ago.” He ran his hand through his dark hair and stared down at the table.
“Thank you, Beni. You did so well, helping us get out of there,” said Manon.
“You saved us. Thank you for being brave,” said Scarlett. “Are you all right?” Her brother’s breathing was uneven.
“I thought you were going to die on me like Dad.” His voicewavered. “I’ll go get us some drinks from the canteen.” He stood and left before they could reply.
“Poor kid. I think he’s had it worse than we have,” whispered Manon.
“Agreed.” It killed her that he’d been so alone. “I need to figure out how to help him.”
