Chapter 24 #3
I roll my eyes before closing them, content to sit in the silence for a while longer.
After a few moments, I feel the presence more than hear it.
“You’re still as sneaky as ever,” I say, opening my eyes to find Ash sitting on Erin’s bed.
He blinks as if to say you’re incredibly late and then flicks his tail back and forth.
“I know,” I respond. “I’m sorry. But before you write me off . . .” I reach into my pocket, draw out the small bundle of dried meat I brought with me, unwrap it, and show it to him.
He cautiously stalks over, eyeing me, then the meat, then me again, before he snatches it up, mewing softly as he devours it. I stroke his fur, relishing the feel of soft and scarred.
He’s stayed relatively healthy, from the look of him, since I’ve been gone. He’s always been a terror for vermin in the area, and there’s an endless supply.
Once Ash finishes the treat, he leans into my touch a bit more but keeps looking back at Erin’s bed.
“I know. I miss her, too.”
Miss the sister I knew.
This other sister, the leader of the Faders . . . I don’t know how to feel about her. Betrayal burns like a wasp sting.
“Look, I know you’ve always been on the fence about being domesticated, but I’m going to take you home with me,” I explain after he’s settled in my lap.
I scoop him up, surprised when he lets me.
Usually, he’s cross with me at best, hostile at worst. I suppose without Erin around, beggars can’t be choosers.
“You’ll have a meal every day,” I say, as if he understands.
“It’s hard to get used to.” I stand up, giving my old home one last look, unsure of how to feel about leaving it.
Ash wiggles out of my arms, landing on the floor on near-silent paws. He pads over to Erin’s bed and rubs against the edge of the mattress, looking up at me as if he’s trying to tell me something, which is ridiculous, of course.
“Let’s go.” I motion to the door.
The cat doesn’t budge.
I stare the creature down. “You’d rather stay here and starve?”
Another blink.
I sigh as he resumes rubbing the edge of the mattress, and I can’t shake the thought that I should check her secret spot beneath the bed, even though I checked it every day after she went missing. With another sigh, I shift the mattress.
“You were there,” I say to the cat. “You saw me. It was always empty.”
I shift the loose plank of wood, reaching down into the small, hollow space.
My fingers hit something. I grip it and draw it out with a gasp.
“Her sketchbook?” Tears spring to my eyes. I awkwardly turn it over in my free hand, glancing down at Ash. She’s been here! “Did you see her put this here?”
Ash yawns, as if he’s bored with my line of questioning, which is absurd, of course.
I scoop him up in one arm, not wanting him to get any ideas about running off.
He’s my responsibility now, and for some reason, I feel like keeping Erin’s cat with me will cause her to come to me. Ridiculous, sure, but it’s something.
I stare at the sketchbook for a few moments, wondering when she returned it. Was it right after I left for the Choosing? Later? Why did she bring it back? Have the Faders outlawed art in their ranks, too? But if she’s their leader, why would she have the need to hide anything?
Questions fly through me more rapidly than my beating heart. I pocket the book, instinct urging me to hide it, as if an enforcer will try to take it from me any second.
Hurrying out of my old home, I clutch Ash with both hands, more than ready to rejoin Pierce and my friends, and, if I’m being honest, return home.
To any of them. I’m not unaware of the privilege I now hold—four homes to choose from, four incredible mates, and more power than I know what to do with.
But it’s at home where I’ll be able to freely study Erin’s sketchbook.
And the sooner we solve the Fader issue, the sooner we earn the Royal Authority Council’s vote by completing the Kings’ List, the sooner I’ll be able to help the Ashlands beyond a basic stipend.
I find Pierce near the center square, saying goodbye to Ned, who stalks back to his offices. Ivy, Layce, and Mirren are giving out the last of the stipends.
“Anything?” I ask once I reach him.
“I’m afraid so.” He sighs. “The body looked as we’ve seen before.”
In the Fader’s mind.
“Could you tell what he’d taken? Did he have any left in his pockets?”
“No. I will send Dalfon to come inspect him, though, as soon as we return to the palace. Maybe he can ascertain what he took or where it’s coming from.
I know you said the enforcers here do weekly inspections for all contraband, but I’ll send some enforcers we actually trust to do that from now on.
They’ll be briefed on what to look for and what to ignore and will only report on enhancement findings. ”
My shoulders drop. I wish there was more that we could do, but this is a start. I try to hold on to the notion that we’re trying. And I found Erin’s sketchbook. That’s something. Plus, her cat.
“I see you found what you were looking for,” Pierce says, shifting the heavy subject as he reaches out to pet Ash.
He hisses at him, scrambling away from Pierce’s outstretched hand.
“He’s like that with everyone,” I explain.
“I’m glad you found him.” He quickly draws his hand back.
“Me too,” I say, observing the last line of people collecting their goods.
There’s a little levity on the faces of those who linger beyond the center square, clutching the bundles of goods to their chests and looking at my friends with gratitude.
That brings joy to my heart, allowing me to breathe a bit easier.
I glance at Pierce. “Can we order the enforcers to shorten working hours? Or is that too much change?”
“I fear that would draw the kings’ suspicion and might compromise the vote. But if it’s what you wish, I will make it happen.”
I stroke the cat in my arms to calm my anger at being so trapped, despite all the power I now hold. “If we lose that vote, we lose the chance to truly help here. Help everywhere that needs it.”
He nods.
“It can wait,” I say reluctantly. More than ever, I want to earn that vote. Want my mates on the throne not only because they deserve it, but because I know we’ll have the full power to do so much for Lumathyst. So much good can happen, if we can only get there.
And if we don’t earn the vote?
It’ll be a challenge against the kings for their thrones. A battle easily won if my mates’ powers are their own.
But because of me, they’re not.
Which means we have to play the game.
I sigh, feeling defeated but hopeful as the last of the food, medicine, and clothes are handed out.
It’s something.
It’s a start.
And with how shitty things have been? It’s all I can ask for.