“Wrong,” says the Nymph. “Love is the only thing that can truly guide us.”
She is not taking no as an answer.
My need to protect her wars with my desire to respect her wishes.
“I’m going to meet with Naomi,” Theo continues. “I’ll be subtle and sound her out, but I think she’ll be an asset.”
So be it. I’ll support the inclusion of this student called Naomi Watson.
But I shall also watch her.
“Now, moving on,” Theo says. “Next week we’ll drive to Windward Forest. Alexis has hired a box-truck under a false name, so we’ve room to transport any kids. But where are we going to take them?”
Yes. That is a problem. If we uncover more children like Zola, they must be spirited away from the Conclave’s reach.
The boy Duncan waves a hand.
“Dunc? What have you uncovered?”
He talks about dark webs and things that make no sense, but eventually gets to information I can follow. “I managed to find a series of encrypted message boards. Information on anti-Conclave action. Most of the posts use code words, but I have deciphered one thing. There’s a group called the Unbound. A low-spark rebellion group.”
Theo brightens. “So, are we thinking this rebel group could help? We could take the children to them?”
The professor looks like he wants to argue. “I don’t like exposing ourselves to unknowns.” He’s been sitting but now gets to his feet. “Can you find a way for us to contact them without being traced, Duncan?”
The boy looks worried. “Maybe? I can try. But to be honest, I’m doubtful.”
Feniks turns to the dragon. “What about Striker?”
Drakeward frowns. “She’s AWOL at the moment. It’s fucking annoying. Do we even know where this Unbound group is based?”
Duncan smiles. “That’s the one piece of the puzzle I do know! They’re up north.” He moves to the map of Havengard on the board. “Somewhere in the vicinity of Ashgrave.” He draws a circle at the very top of the sketch.
"Ashgrave?" Willow’s eyes open wide. “That’s where my aunt and uncle live; my cousin too, though he’s in Quo Reformare.”
“Quo what now?” asks Theo.
“A correctional facility for sixteen to twenty-one year olds,” the dragon tells her.
“Half-prison, half-reform school,” Willow adds. “Prison for the poor kids, and reform school for the magicals. It’s awful, especially if you are of low status.”
Theo turns to her friend, expression soft. "Your cousin is in there?"
Willow nods, looking unhappy. “He fought with the mayor’s son. Beat him badly…but I’m sure it was justified.”
“I’m sure it was, too,” Theo echoes, then goes quiet. She is thinking hard. When she looks up again, I can tell the nymph has formulated an idea. “Wills. Your aunt and uncle live near the Unbound. Are they the kind of people who would be involved?”
“I think they’d support a rebellion but not be active participants. Uncle Gareth is disabled and Aunt Opal is a healer at a low income clinic.”
“They sound like good people. People who might open their hearts and home to little refugees?”
I, and all the other beasts concentrate on Willow. After a beat she nods. “Opal is my mom’s sister. They both have a really strong caring gene.”
Being rescued from the Conclave’s grip is only the first stage for these children. Having a caring figure will be good. A woman who also heals the poor?
Very good.
How would my life have been if I’d been placed into the arms of Aunt Opal, rather than sold to the fleshpits?
