'It's happening.' His voice sounds strange; cracked and not like his own.
'Father?' I frown, my sense of disquiet intensifying.
'What's happening?' Malachy asks, sounding composed enough for the both of us. His posture is confident, authoritative, and I try to let it ease my concern.
'Another rebellion.' Sirus whispers. His words hang in the air for a moment, suspended, it seems, like time itself.
'Are you certain?' I gasp, a shudder of dread travelling down my spine. Father has taught us since we were small children to fear rebellion above all else. We've watched, for years, as he pored over the pages of old books and accounts detailing the first Rebellion, trying to find some specific point where he went wrong, something that could have prevented it, something that could stop it happening again. 'You must be mistaken. They can't – '
'I assure you, Lucrezia, I'm not mistaken!' He slams his palm down on the desk, the slap echoing long after it's ended. His anger seems to return to me the father I know.
'How do you know this, father?' Malachy asks, his voice carefully measured. Father sighs, placing both hands on his desk and leaning against it, as if hoping it might take the weight of his mind.
'Two days ago,' He says quietly. 'I sent a Law Officer to conduct a routine inspection of the Thailand confine. When she didn't return, I sent some of the Officers stationed in Bangkok to check on her. They reported to me that – ' He breaks off, lifting a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. 'They reported to me that the French Rebels have escaped.'
'What?' I cover my mouth in shock.
'Escaped is probably the wrong word,' Father corrects himself. 'They've been rescued.'
'You're certain?' Malachy raises an eyebrow. He, too, seems shocked, but not as much as I.
'Absolutely,' Father nods gravely. 'Every last one of them has vanished from the island. They've taken the guards with them. Rebels' Hell is completely empty.'
'This can't be!' I shake my head vigorously, as if the ferocity of the action will make it untrue. My unease has given way to pure terror. I wasn't alive for the first Rebellion, but father has recounted it many a time, in fine detail. As adolescents we studied the accounts, learned how father managed to quell it, learned the methods he imposed for punishment. Learned that another rebellion could mean the end of our family's reign.
As I stand there in father's organised office, I can't help but think; how could he have let this happen? But I quickly push that thought away, scolding myself. How could father have known? He did nothing out of the ordinary; Law Officers are sent for routine inspections all the time. Perhaps all of Sirus' research on quashing rebellions made him confident one wouldn't occur again.
'The Law Officer,' Malachy cuts in, the voice of reason. 'Who was she?'
'Vanessa Foxton,' Father replies. 'A trusted Officer who'd been with us for many years. I had no reason to suspect her.'
'It had to have been her?' Malachy asks.
'Oh, there's no doubt about that,' Father replies bitterly. 'She's one of very few Officers who could have pulled this off. She holds something of a senior position amongst her ranks on account of the length of her service. The other Officers reported to me that there were signs she had quite a lot of help, that she travelled with a large group to the island. I gave her permission to go alone.'
'Did they find anything else?'
'Blood bags. Hundreds of them, all empty. Make no mistake, this was thoroughly planned. Vanessa must have been involved with the new Rebels for years.'
'There aren't many of them,' Malachy states. 'New Rebels, I mean,' He goes on to explain. 'Why else would they need the old Rebels? Breaking them out was no easy feat, why go to such lengths for a bunch of old-timers who are so out of touch with the modern world?'
'Loyalty?' Sirus suggests.
'Perhaps,' Malachy shrugs. 'But it doesn't seem enough to me. I think it's more likely they needed the numbers. Rather than recruit new followers, which could take centuries, they thought it easier and faster to go after the one large group of Immortals they knew would back them.'
'It makes no difference, anyhow,' Sirus shakes his head. 'Why they broke them out is irrelevant, the fact is, they did.'
'But they can't have gone far,' I cut in. 'How many prisoners were in the Thailand confine?'
'Eight hundred, give or take.'
'Eight hundred Immortals fleeing a small island? That's no easy feat, either. Someone will have spotted them. There will be a trail. The old Rebels are weak, disoriented, out of touch like Malachy said... '
'I've sent as many Officers as I could round up after them already,' Father replies. 'But there are hundreds of islands in those parts of the waters. Not to mention various mainlands they could easily have fled to. Even with our speed, by the time it takes our Officers to reach one island, they could have moved on to the next. The old Rebels won't be weak after forty-eight hours head-start.'
'I agree, the issue is the head-start,' Malachy nods. 'So, what's our plan of action?'
Sirus falls silent for a while, his piercing eyes boring into Malachy as though he expects to find something there. To his credit, Malachy maintains his rigid stance, but I notice the way his fingers twitch with anxiety. 'The last time I summoned you to me it was to discuss the escape of a skilled first year and a dangerous human from The Gray Institute,' Father's tone of voice has changed; it's lower, and holds a vaguely threatening tone. I feel my intestines twist in my abdomen. 'This time it's to discuss a confine break-out and imminent rebellion. I don't think this is a co-incidence.'
'Sir?' Malachy frowns.
'I think there is a connection between the two events,' Father explains, his gaze unwavering. 'An escape from an Institute is an extremely rare occurrence. One where the escapee remains uncaptured days later, virtually non-existent. Where is Eve Ryder? Where is Lorna Gray? Why have my Officers and Army been unable to find them? Do you expect me to believe that a first year – no matter how skilled – and a mere human could evade my forces for more than a few hours, let alone days? Unless,' Sirus narrows his eyes. 'They had help from experienced Immortals. Immortals who are cultivated in the art of evading our Officers. Conspiring Rebels,' He spits the last word as if it's a dirty one. He pauses a moment, regarding Malachy. 'You knew the Ryder girl,' He states. 'Do you think it's possible she had Rebel connections?'
'I think – ' Malachy hesitates. 'I think it highly unlikely. She was virtually unconnected within our world. Even at the Institute she had very few acquaintances, let alone close friends.'
'I agree, father,' I step forward. 'Ryder was a silly little girl who let her emotions rule her. She was intelligent in some ways but she certainly didn't have the brain power to orchestrate something like this,' I speak truthfully. The idea that Ryder had Rebel connections is nothing short of laughable. 'I think she's just been lucky so far.' I add quickly.
'What about the human? Gray's pet?' Father asks. Malachy hesitates.
'Again, I think it highly unlikely. Lorna Gray was isolated for the entirety of her residence at the Institute. But – '
'But what?' Father snaps impatiently.
'Well, I didn't know her as well as Eve Ryder. It's unlikely, but possible, I suppose.'
'I still find it hard to believe, Malachy, that you knew Ryder so well but can offer me no more information regarding her escape,' Father frowns. Malachy tactfully remains silent. 'The Gray girl's mother is imprisoned in the Confine,' Sirus states, his tone business-like once more. 'Lorna was taken against her will to The Gray Institute where she remained a virtual prisoner of Sir Alec's. It's common knowledge that she despises Our Kind and was refusing to transform right up to the moment she escaped. It's not hard to see why this human would want to see us destroyed.
You will return to The Gray Institute,' Sirus eyes us closely. 'Both of you. You will interrogate the students. Begin with those closest to Ryder and the human but extend it however far you need to.'
'But sir – ' Malachy takes another step
forward. 'Sir Alec has already interrogated the students. They've given him nothing.'
'Sir Alec was given permission to interrogate only those closest to Eve Ryder. He was instructed not to cause widespread panic within the Institute. I believed – ' Sirus sighs heavily. 'I believed that Ryder would be captured within hours of giving him that permission. It appears I was wrong. I am now giving you full Auctorita authority when it comes to this matter. You, too, Lucrezia,' This is a clear sign of his desperation. Whilst I'm not distrusted, I'm often expected to fall behind my brother when it comes to political matters. 'Do whatever you must. This isn't just a high status escape any more – this is a full-scale rebellion. Do you understand?'
'Yes, sir.' Malachy nods.
'Yes, sir.' I repeat.
'Alec was a fool to upset the Mayfair girl. She's desperately needed at times like this. I forced him to hand her over to me, I apologised for the way she's been treated, offered her everything she could ever wish for to work with us on this matter – ' He shakes his head angrily.
'She refused?' Malachy asks after a long silence. Father nods bitterly.
'She won't so much as open her mouth. So then, of course, I had to resort to the same juvenile tactics as Alec; torturing the poor girl to force her hand. She may be the size of a peanut but she's strong. I may have to Confine her, make her suffer for a while and then release her, offer her the choice again. But that will take time. Time I don't have!' He slams his palm loudly on the desk. 'Go back to the Institute. Get me some answers! And keep your eye on Alec – he's starting to become a liability.'
We exit father's office and hurry along the corridor, our footsteps echoing around the stone walls. I turn towards the entrance hall, but Malachy holds me back. 'We ought to visit mother quickly,' He tugs on my arm. 'She'll only worry if we don't.'
I frown, narrowing my eyes at him. It's not like Malachy to care much about our mother's feelings, but perhaps, like I, the Rebellion has spooked him.
'Okay,' I nod, following him up Magna Tower. 'But we'd best make it quick. Father expects us to return to the Institute immediately.'
We find mother in the Genus Room, surrounded by the other Auctoritas, all of whom sit in their designated arm chairs, staring distractedly at the portraits on the walls. Our mother turns as we enter, and a look of relief crosses her otherwise tense face. 'Malachy, Lucrezia,' She gets to her feet, pulling us both into tight hugs. 'Your father has told you?'
'He told us,' Malachy nods. 'We're about to head back to the Institute.'
'I can't believe this is happening again,' She shakes her head, her expression lost. 'I just can't believe it.'
'Sirus brought this on himself,' Caruso growls from his arm chair. 'That human Gray girl – '
'You will be careful, won't you, Malachy?' Mother cuts him off as though he hadn't spoken. 'The Rebels may target you as next in line to the throne. I asked your father to send guards with you but he said it would send the wrong message. He thought it would make us appear scared – '
'He was right,' Caruso nods. 'Those Rebels are nothing more than a rowdy band of vagrants.'
'I'll be fine, mother,' Malachy reassures her. 'I left something behind last time, I need to fetch it. Lucrezia, stay here and comfort mother. I'll be back in a moment.' He hurries out of the Genus Room towards our quarters. I watch him go, my gaze boring into his back as he disappears.
'Lucrezia,' Mother groans. 'How can this be happening? Twice in our reign we've endured war. What do these Rebels expect to gain through this?'
'Don't worry, mother,' I pat her arm gently. 'Father put a stop to the last Rebellion. He'll do the same again.'
'I hope you're right, my girl,' Mother looks at me, fear in her pretty eyes. 'I can't bear to think what would happen to you and your brother if... ' She trails off, unable to say the words.
'Lucrezia,' Malachy returns. 'Let's go.'
*
The anxiety Malachy has been holding back throughout our visit to Mount Kamen seeps out on the plane ride back to the Institute. He fidgets and mutters to himself in his seat next to me until I'm so nervous I feel I might explode. Up until now I've been certain that, although Malachy knew of Ryder's plan to escape, he didn't know where she intended to go, or how she intended to get there. I'm still not entirely convinced that Ryder or the human have any connection to the Rebellion, but, like father said, if there's even the slightest chance they do, and Malachy knows something he's not letting on, it's up to me to get it out of him. Willingly or not.
'So, what's the plan when we get back?' I interrupt his quiet mutterings. It's dark outside and the cabin lights have been dimmed. The air is silent and still, only serving to heighten the sense of foreboding already weighing down my chest. Malachy sighs, shaking his head slightly, his wandering gaze distracted.
'It's pointless interrogating the students.' He mutters, more to himself than me, I think.
'But father said – '
'I know what he said!' He snaps. 'But I'm telling you, it's pointless. Sir Alec has already interrogated them and, despite what father thinks, I highly doubt he did it reluctantly. It's his precious daughter who's gone missing, he's not going to take any chances if he thinks there's even a slight possibility someone might know where she's gone.'
My thoughts travel back to Tia Carey and Richard Miller's hushed conversation in the common room. How stupid I'd been to dismiss the fact that they knew of Ryder's escape plan. How selfish of me to deem it as useless information where I was concerned. If I'd known a rebellion was coming, I'd have pulled them aside there and then and tortured a confession out of them. 'I think Carey probably knew.' I say carefully.
'She may have known about the plan to escape,' Malachy says quietly. 'But I highly doubt that Eve would have told her where they were going. She wasn't that stupid. She'd have known that Tia would be questioned.'
'But if Carey knew, that's grounds enough to Confine her!'
'Don't you understand, Lucrezia?' Malachy growls. 'The game has changed. It's not about throwing people into the Confine for petty crimes any more. There's a Rebellion. All that matters now is stopping it, and throwing Tia into the Confine simply for knowing about Eve's escape won't help us!'
'So, what will help us?' I ask. Malachy pauses for a long time, his eyes swivelling as he thinks hard.
'I need to search for them myself.' He says finally. I stare at him for a full minute before I speak.
'Have you lost your mind?' I hiss, turning in my seat to face him fully. 'Have you forgotten who you are?! You can't just go wandering the globe looking for a convict. Besides, what on Earth do you hope to achieve? The entire Army is searching for them by now, what makes you think you can do any better?'
'Because I know Eve Ryder better than any soldier in the Army,' He replies matter-of-factly. 'I know how she thinks. None of those soldiers have ever even been in the same room as her. I can track her better than all of them put together.'
'Father would never allow it. He gave us clear orders – '
'Father is not to find out about it,' He cuts me off sharply, reaching over to grip my wrist so tightly it almost hurts. 'You're not to tell him. That's an order, Lucrezia, and a plea as your brother.'
'Sir Alec is more than likely to notice your absence.'
'And I'll tell Sir Alec the truth,' Malachy nods. 'I'll ask him to keep father in the dark, too. I know he'll agree. He'll do or say anything to get Lorna back.'
'But – ' I splutter. 'But how long will you be gone? What if father calls us back to Mount Kamen?'
'Lucrezia,' Malachy lets go of my wrist and, instead, links his fingers through mine. I stare down at our hands, entwined on the arm of the chair. The gesture sends a jolt of electricity through my arm and my stomach leaps into my chest. 'What I said the other night,' Malachy turns to face me, looking at me properly for the first time in over two years. The expression he wears is one I'm not used to any more; one that suggests I'm not just an annoyance he simply has to tolerate. 'About not
needing your help... I was wrong. I've always needed your help. When we were little, when we were growing up, when we started at the Institute, and now – ' He pauses. 'Now I need your help more than ever. No one understands me like you, Luca. No one cares about me as much. I know what I'm saying sounds crazy, but another Rebellion – ' He shakes his head again. 'It's out of the question. And I know I can do this, Luca. I just know it. I need you to trust me. I need you to believe in me when nobody else will. Like you always have,' He tightens his grip on my hand, holding onto me as though for dear life. 'Will you help me, Luca?'
'Malachy – ' I stare into his eyes, so much like my own and yet so unique to him. I feel so light I might drift out of my seat towards the ceiling of the plane. Somewhere deep down, somewhere below the euphoric feeling having Malachy's trust again brings me, is a nagging suspicion. Malachy's plan isn't just crazy; it's incomprehensible. It doesn't make any sense at all and I know, in the back of my mind, that something is amiss. But Malachy is staring at me – my Malachy, the Malachy I've loved all my life. I couldn't bear to watch the light drain from behind his eyes, to have him turn away from me again. 'Malachy, you would tell me, wouldn't you, if you knew something? Something about where Ryder might be? You know – ' I hesitate, waiting for Malachy to shut down again, but he remains where he is, gazing at me. 'You know what father would do if he found out that you knew something?'
The Gray Institute_Rebels' Hell Page 18
