‘I think . . . I think we have to trust Jinx,’ I say.
‘Okay,’ Tobias nods. ‘Aero – go meet Jinx.’
We all cringe as Aero obeys the command, expecting him to crash into the branches. His alerts are going wild, warning Tobias not to go in that direction. Yet, the bakus obey any order that their owner gives, so Aero behaves without questioning. I can’t bear to look, so I watch the feed stream from Jupiter’s back.
But there’s no crash. Aero swoops straight through the trees.
And the feed from his camera goes completely blank. We lose sight of the eagle baku completely.
‘What’s happened?’ says Tobias, panicking.
‘Oka, go after him,’ says Kai almost immediately. The same thing happens – Oka runs at the line of trees but passes through them safely – and disappears from view.
>>Now you’d better follow us, don’t you think? There’s a tinge of amusement in his tone.
He doesn’t have to ask me twice. Feeling bolder than I have done in months, I stride through the path I created in the snow, but then I keep going, walking through the trees. I close my eyes, expecting to end up with a face full of bark. But I don’t. I move swiftly through to the other side.
I hear the clicking of bindings, Tobias, Kai and Ashley obviously desperate to follow.
And I can’t wait for them to arrive. Because what I’m looking at is almost unbelievable.
I’m staring at an enormous curved wall, as tall as the eye can see. It stretches on for miles either side of us. How could we have not seen this, from the road, from the windows of Tobias’s house . . .? I reach out, until my fingertips almost touch it, but they don’t – hovering just above the surface.
‘Whoa,’ says Tobias, as he pulls up behind me.
It looks like we’ve found Lake Baku. There’s just one problem.
I place my palm down flat on the opaque wall. It’s solid.
There’s absolutely no way through.
‘EXPLAIN TO ME AGAIN,’ ZORA says, after a long pause. She exchanges a look with River. We spent a couple of hours at the wall, trying and failing to find a way in. Now that we’re back at the cottage, we’re relaying the story to Zora and River. They believe us, but they’re struggling to understand what it was exactly we saw.
Because it sounds totally fake. Like we’ve decided to play an elaborate practical joke on the two who had been left behind.
It doesn’t help that we don’t have any proof. The moment we stepped through that illusion barrier of trees, the cameras on all our bakus stopped working. We can only relate what we’ve seen with our own eyes, without any video evidence.
‘We found Lake Baku,’ says Ashley.
‘It’s a friggin’ enormous dome,’ says Kai.
‘But we can’t see what’s inside the dome,’ I say. I alternate between elation and fear, my emotions swinging wildly. I can’t believe we’ve found Lake Baku. That means Monica might be close by . . .
My teeth chatter with nervous energy, and I find myself pacing around the room.
Zora and River blink almost in synchronicity, staring at us in turn. ‘So just over there, there’s a big dome?’ River asks. He points in the direction we walked, where all that is visible is a blanket of trees.
‘Yup,’ Kai replies. ‘And it looked like it could cover a huge surface area. So, who knows what is inside it?’
‘Did you see anyone around?’ Zora asks.
‘No one,’ I reply. ‘But this has got to be the right place. Why else would they go through so much trouble to hide it? All that technology used to disguise it . . . All we have to do is figure out a way in before the convention.’
‘So . . . before tomorrow?’ says Zora.
‘Um, yeah. Before tomorrow evening at least.’ I glance over at Tobias, who still hasn’t said a word. He’s stroking Aero’s back, lost in concentration.
A little face wriggles its way up out of my jacket.
‘Jinx!’ Zora squeals. I grin – his presence is reassuring, to the others as much as me. ‘But . . . how is it safe for him to be here?’ She looks up at me.
‘He’s disconnected himself from the Moncha cloud – for now, he can’t access it, but they can’t access him either.’
Jinx squirms all the way out and leaps from my arms, then dashes over to where Zora is sitting down. He and Linus curl up around each other and my heart warms.
‘And we have to get through the party first,’ reminds Ashley.
‘That’s right. We need to give Jinx a makeover . . . in case Eric recognizes him,’ I say.
>>A temporary one, says Jinx, in a warning tone.
‘You’ll just have to stick close to people so you blend in with the other bakus.’
>>Don’t you worry about me. I can blend in when I need to.
I grimace. ‘Yeah, right.’
>>I can! But in the meantime, I think you’re going to need this . . .
He flicks his tail, this time in the direction of the television screen, and immediately a picture of the dome is displayed on the screen. Both Zora and River lean back in their chairs. ‘Whoa,’ they say, at the same time.
>>I know, I’m brilliant, says Jinx.
Jinx, why didn’t you show this to us earlier?
>>I quite enjoyed watching you all try to explain it.
I stick my tongue out at my annoying friend.
‘So it is real,’ says River, rubbing his hands together. ‘Now we can get to work on figuring a way into that place.’
‘You weren’t joking after all,’ says Zora. ‘It’s exactly like you said . . . it’s huge.’
‘Looks like there’s a door here of some kind . . .’ River says, manipulating the image.
‘What, where?’ asks Kai. I look up sharply too. We definitely didn’t see a door when we were on the ground.
But River zooms in on the edge of the photograph that Jinx has taken. There’s a very thin line down the edge of the dome, almost like a distortion.
>>Ah, good. If we get close enough then I’ll be able to access the security and shut it down for a few minutes while you pass through. It’s not too sophisticated.
‘How can you do that if you’re disconnected from the Moncha cloud?’ I ask Jinx.
But it seems like Zora’s way ahead of me. ‘If none of the satellites are able to see it, and the maps and GPS and everything go all skewy and you say that there’s some kind of illusion barrier on it . . . that must mean they’re blocking any sort of signal from entering.’
‘That sounds right,’ I say.
‘Well, that will also mean that they’re blocking any signals from coming out, too.’
‘Okay . . .’ I say, not following Zora’s logic.
But River does. ‘Oh, right! If there are no signals going out, then that means it will be difficult to have some sort of alarm. All the security will probably be hard-wired somehow.’
‘And hard-wiring can be hacked.’
>>Exactly, says Jinx.
Not for the first time, I’m glad there are much smarter people in the room than me. There’s no way I’d be able to do this on my own.
‘How did I not know about this?’ Tobias’s eyes are wide, his voice quiet. He’s said very little since we returned from Lake Baku. ‘I’ve been along that trail more times than I can remember. I thought I’d explored all around here. But we never went in that direction. It was always impassable . . . blocked off. I never thought . . .’
>>It’s not his fault, Jinx tells me. >>It was designed that way. Designed so that no one would be able to find it – no baku GPS would ever lead there. in fact, as you saw, everything is designed to lead away from there.
I swallow, glancing at Tobias as he struggles to process the information. It’s looking more and more likely that something seriously shady is going on. I know the feeling. I’m struggling too. But while I have the benefit of distance, Tobias and his family are directly involved.
His dad, who he idolizes.
His brot
her, who he competes with.
Does his mother know too? She’s an architect. Maybe she helped to design Lake Baku?
‘Hey, Tobias,’ I say. ‘Can you show me where the bathroom is?’
‘Oh, sure . . .’ He answers as if he’s in some kind of trance, and I can see the others’ eyes following us as we leave.
‘It’s just down here,’ he says, but I don’t walk with him. Instead, I take his hand and lead him in the opposite direction. We walk towards the vast pyramid-shaped window, which looks out over the lake. There’s soft snow falling outside: serene, beautiful and calming.
‘Are you okay?’ I ask him, when we’re out of earshot of the others. We lean against the window, our foreheads nearly touching.
‘Do you think . . . do you think my whole family knows the truth and they’ve just been keeping it from me?’
‘I don’t know,’ I say, honestly. ‘But if they do know, they probably want to protect you. Let you focus on your studies while you’re at Profectus.’
‘But what if they’re just waiting to see if I’m worthy of knowing?’
I put my hand over his. ‘You’re amazing at everything you do, Tobias. You don’t know the extent of Eric Smith’s manipulation. They might be desperate to tell you everything, but they can’t.’
He pulls away from my touch, his hands closing into fists. ‘What if I’m not good enough to join their inner circle, Lacey? I already lost the Baku Battles.’
‘That doesn’t mean anything . . .’
He stares at me. ‘What if I become one of the employees who are “updated”, just like your mom.’
I pause for a moment. Then I shake my head. ‘You don’t have to worry about that.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because no one is going to be like that,’ I say fiercely. ‘We’re going to make sure of it. No matter how clever or how ambitious or how ordinary anyone is – no one deserves to have their choices taken away from them. We’re going to stop it.’
Aero shimmers with a notification. ‘Oh my god,’ says Tobias.
‘What is it?’ I ask, alarmed by his state of panic.
‘I didn’t realize how late it is. We’d better get ready for the party. If we don’t . . . my mom will make sure we’re not alive to see tomorrow.’
‘IS THIS THE ONLY THING you brought to wear?’
Zora picks a black corduroy pinafore dress up out of my suitcase, wrinkling her nose as she holds it out, as if it smells.
I grab it out of her hands. ‘Yeah, what’s wrong with it? With my maroon sweater underneath? I thought it might look cute . . .’ I hold it up against myself and stare in the mirror. Zora and I are in one of the numerous bedrooms in the cottage, balancing on the edge of a massive, bigger-thanking-size bed. The style is definitely winter country charm, with furry blankets and plaid-covered throw pillows neatly stacked across the bed.
>>Ah, what every fifteen-year-old girl wants . . . to look like a five-year-old at her boyfriend’s parents’ Christmas party. Jinx leaps up on to the covers next to Zora. They both tilt their heads to one side at the same time, judging me.
‘All right, I get it!’ I say, and throw the dress over Jinx’s head. He leaps out of the way just in time.
Then I sigh and sit down next to Zora. ‘What am I going to do? I have no idea what to wear to a full-on, formal Christmas party.’
‘Don’t worry, I’m not exactly prepped for this level of . . .’ She gestures around us. ‘What do you even call this anyway? Richness doesn’t seem to cover it. Wealth? Glamour? Extravagance? At least I’m not the one who’s trying to impress the parents. Although Tobias’s brother is fine as.’
I drop back on to the bed, my head bouncing against the fluffy mattress. Everything is so luxurious and comfortable. But still, I groan. ‘Don’t remind me.’
‘Ladies, I think I might have a solution.’
I sit bolt upright again, and turn to the voice that has just appeared in the doorway. It’s Ashley, and over her arm are several sparkly, shimmery dresses. Jupiter comes bounding in, and he leaps up on to the bed, so that all our bakus are sitting together in a row.
I stand up and take a few dresses from Ashley’s overloaded arm, admiring the richness of the fabrics. Already I can see they’re far more appropriate to wear to this Christmas party than anything Zora and I would have, even in our wardrobes back home. Even Z, who isn’t the most fashion-forward individual, gasps as she looks at what’s on offer.
‘Where did you get all of these?’
Ashley cringes. ‘Would you think less of me if I told you I brought them myself? I’m horrible at knowing what to wear so I always bring a ton of options.’
‘What, you mean these are all yours?’
‘Yep. And I know you’re a lot taller than me, Lacey, but I think we might have something that can work. Some of my midi-dresses would probably look mini on you!’
I shrug. ‘Anything has to be better than what I have to wear!’
We take turns trying dresses on – some are ridiculously short on me and some look just plain ridiculous, but it turns out there is a midi-dress that suits me: a silvery A-line with a hem that hits Ashley mid-shin and me just above the knee. It has whisper-thin spaghetti straps that make me feel self-conscious about my bony shoulders, and even though it’s cosy and warm inside the cottage, I’m worried that I’m going to be cold.
‘I’ll be right back.’ I take myself away into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I lean down on the marble countertops, the cool surface chilling my palms. It feels nice. I stare up at myself, through a layer of make-up thicker than I normally wear – expertly applied by Ashley. Zora has braided my dark hair back off my face, a few wispy strands of baby hair slipping out at my temples. My unruly eyebrows aren’t tamed, but the cat-eye flick that Ashley has given me accentuates the shape of my eyes. She’s put a touch of glitter at the corners, highlighting the sparkle in my dress. It actually looks pretty.
I wish I could enjoy it.
>>We’ll get in the dome tomorrow – don’t worry. Step one is done: Find Lake Baku. You should be happy.
I almost jump out of my skin – I hadn’t realized that Jinx had slipped into the bathroom alongside me. He looks so strange in his new skin, like an avatar gone wrong. River – who is surprisingly creative – has changed the colour of his black metallic fur to that of a silvery-grey. When other people look at him, they see him as a different cat baku. An ordinary one.
>>You couldn’t have thought of a more original code name than Whiskers?
‘Whiskers is cute!’ I say, quickly trying to rearrange my expression.
>>And I look like I’m made of tinsel. He bristles his back, raising his shiny new silver hackles.
I can’t help it; the image immediately makes me snort with laughter. Jinx shoots me a piercing glare, but I can’t stop – instead, I scoop him up in my arms and twirl him around the bathroom. Jinx always knows how to make me smile, even when I’m feeling down.
‘At least we match,’ I whisper to him, as I bury my face into his soft electronic fur. ‘And if I didn’t know it was you . . . I’d be fooled. You look exactly like any other generic cat baku.’ No wonder he hates it so much.
>>Take it back!
I laugh. ‘Okay! Not generic then. You still look handsome. Just . . . with extra sparkle.
>>Better.
He jumps out of my arms and sashays towards the door. >>Come on, we can’t stay in the bathroom for ever. Let’s get this party over and done with.
My thoughts exactly.
‘WOW, LACEY, YOU LOOK AMAZING!’ says Zora, as I step out of the bathroom. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a dress like that before!’
‘Beats the pink frilly dress I wore to junior prom, doesn’t it?’
‘You’re telling me!’
She’s standing halfway behind the wardrobe door, hiding most of her front, so I can’t see what she’s wearing. ‘What about you?’
She steps out reluctantly,
wearing a dress the colour of sunsets and autumn leaves – so incongruous in this Christmas season but against her dark skin it pops like fire.
My jaw actually drops, and it takes me a few seconds to recover.
‘Doesn’t she look great?’ Ashley says, beaming with pride. She looks gorgeous too, in a pale blue mini-dress, her blonde hair in soft waves.
‘Zora, you look like . . . like actual flames! Linus, take a picture.’ Linus snaps a photo as Zora strikes a pose. ‘I should send this to your sisters!’
‘You dare!’ Zora shrieks.
‘They’ll go nuts,’ I explain to Ashley’s confused face. ‘They’re always trying to get her to dress up in beautiful dresses and she always refuses.’ Then I look over to Zora, raising my eyebrow. ‘Hmm, what makes you so keen to do it this time?’
Zora’s lips scrunch up into a pout. ‘None of your business,’ she says, with a laugh in her eyes.
‘Yeah, right! She has a crush!’ Then immediately I realize that she must be dressing up for Nathan . . . and the realization deflates my excitement. Luckily Zora doesn’t notice as she’s too busy throwing a pillow at my head. I duck, and Ashley giggles uncontrollably. Then she looks down at her watch and exclaims in surprise.
‘We’d better get down to the party – people are going to be wondering where we are!’
‘Let’s go,’ I reply. Do you think I look ready? I ask Jinx.
>>As you’ll ever be. I’ll roam the perimeter, but if you need anything, I’ll be there.
Thank you.
I know the finishing touch that is missing, though. Slick. He’s plugged into the mains, charging in secret so that no one asks why I don’t have him leashed up. I swallow, steeling myself before picking him up again and placing him on my shoulder.
>>Anything you need from me, Lacey? Are you sure you don’t want to update? he asks again.
He sounds so innocent, but I can’t help the little shiver that runs through me.
I have an urge to see Tobias and find out the game plan. This kind of partying, networking, whatever it is – it’s so not me. I want to be somewhere quiet, where I can work on the plan for tomorrow, where I can tinker with something, do something with my itchy hands. I wring my fingers together, flexing and bending them, until Zora notices and reaches out to grab one of them. ‘You need to act normal,’ she whispers to me. I catch her eye and nod. ‘Normal’ is not ‘normal’ for me, but I know that I can act it for a day.
Unleashed Page 14
