‘I still think a dagger would be easier to conceal.’
‘Nah. Nothing at close range. She’d have to be standing right next to him. A bow means she’d be far enough away to make a break for it.’
‘I still thinkIshould be the one to do it.’
‘No, me!’
‘Don’t be an idiot, Pip. You’re twelve years old.’
‘Who’re you calling an idiot?’
‘Oh, just shut up, all of you. I can barely hear myself think.’
My mouth falls open. Because I know that voice. I know them all. And one thing is for certain – these are no Eyes.
Without thinking, without pausing for breath, I reach out and swing open the door.
Five startled faces turn to stare at me, illuminated by the light of a single candle. Two girls, three boys, all of them dressed in white tunics.
In the centre, leaning against a shelf stacked with polish, her dark eyes wide with surprise, is Ingra.
‘Elva?’ Her tone is relieved, then defensive. ‘What d’you think you’re doing?’
I glance pointedly at the congregation. ‘I could ask you the same question.’
For a moment we all just stand there, looking at each other. Then the oldest boy, Seth, grabs my arm and yanks me inside the cupboard.
I shake him off, rubbing my elbow as he shuts the door behind me.
‘Hello, Elva,’ beams a dimpled, sandy-haired boy in the corner as he lowers the feather duster he’d been brandishing like a blade.
I manage a half-smile in return. ‘Hello, Pip.’ Then I turn back to Ingra. ‘Well?’
She glances shiftily at Seth.
‘So I take it this is where you’ve been sneaking off to?’ I press. ‘What’s going on?’
Ingra sighs and uncrosses her arms. ‘All right. All right, but you can’t breathe a word.’
Another girl, Clover, shakes her head. ‘No.’
‘We can trust Elva, I promise.’
‘Then why didn’t you tell her in the first place?’
Ingra shoots me a look that is part wounded, part accusatory. ‘Because she has her fair share of secrets too. I barely see her any more.’
A pang of guilt.
‘What if she rats us out?’ Seth growls, turning what looks like a key over in his hands.
‘She’s on our side,’ Ingra assures him.
I watch this exchange, wary, suspicious and utterly bewildered. ‘What’re you up to?’ I demand with as much authority as I can muster. ‘Why have you been meeting in secret? And why were you talking aboutweapons? What is it you’re planning?’
Everyone looks at Ingra. A triumphant smirk tugs at her lips. She glances from side to side before leaning towards me and whispering, ‘We’re going to kill the emperor.’
32
