The geneva project comp.., p.122
The Geneva Project- Complete Series Boxset, page 122
“I don’t like this,” Nova grumbled. “I don’t even know what it says.”
“Nova, if this is going to work we’re going to have to trust each other.”
He stared into Sadie’s large blue eyes. Seeing nothing but eagerness to help and with no other options, Nova sighed. “Fine. Get my journal.”
When Nova finished copying the cryptic text into his dream journal he closed it and handed it back to Sadie. “So now we wait for Mala to say yes or no?”
“She says yes,” Sadie replied confidently. “I saw it in my vision. But in the meantime I need to go back to the Fae. We have to start the preparations for the rest of the plan now.”
“Sadie, I don’t know much about the Fae, but what I do know isn’t good. You don’t need to put yourself at risk for me.”
Sadie smiled and spoke gently. “I’m doing this for all of us, Nova.”
“Just be careful.”
“I will,” Sadie added, grateful she hadn’t mentioned her debt to the Fae.
Chapter 45
“They’ve all been issued cuffs like you asked, Master,” Kobel grumbled.
“Good,” Malakai purred.
“Now what do you intend to do with them?”
“Now. . .” Malakai gave a sinister pause as he gazed out the window to the garden below, where Geneva and her friends gathered. “We wait for them to slip up.”
• • •
We quickly finished our tour of the castle grounds and were now in the safety of the library, where I was filling my friends in on my plan to go through with marrying Kai. I hadn’t even gotten to the part about searching for the relic blade before Remi’s protective temper flared.
“Have you lost your mind, Geneva? That’s exactly what Malakai wants you to do,” Remi interrupted. He didn’t seem to care that he was insulting Kai, who was standing right beside me.
“Yes, but he doesn’t suspect Kai will turn against him,” I argued.
“And you do?” Remi asked incredulously.
“Yes!”
Remi laughed, scoffing at me. “Then, you’ve been here too long. You must be brainwashed if you think this Prux will ever turn on his father.”
I hated when Remi spoke to me like I was still the little girl that needed his protection. “That’s enough, Remi,” I warned. “Kai is on our side. I will marry him and it will solidify our power. Malakai won’t be able to touch me then. If he kills me, he kills Kai and any chance he has at bringing Ravin back. It’ll give us the leverage we need to take down Malakai, defeating the Ravinori once and for all. Then I will destroy the Ponte deorum, fulfill my destiny and rule in equality with Kai.”
“Where is your heart in all of this?” Remi questioned. “Does it play no part?”
“I can’t afford it to. I’ve thought this through. What I want isn’t important. I have to do what’s best for my people, my country.”
“You can’t marry him,” Sparrow gasped. “You don’t love him. You love Nova.”
My face flushed scarlet. Kai cringed next to me, but squeezed my hand in solidarity. We’d rehearsed holding hands to signify unity, but it didn’t seem to be working. I knew my friends were distrustful of him. I hated subjecting him to their scrutiny—especially since they apparently had no qualms with being vocal about their opinions. I wished they could know the lengths Kai had gone to these past few months to help me. He was the reason I’d been able to get them here in the first place. Without his help there’s no way Malakai would have negotiated with me. I didn’t know how to make them see everything Kai had done. There was only a short time left before the Blood Moon, and if we were going to succeed I needed their help. And that meant they’d need to trust Kai.
I was about to continue arguing when Kai interrupted, addressing the group. “Listen. I know this isn’t ideal. I know most of you don’t like me, don’t know me and don’t have any reason to trust me. But you know Geneva. You trust Geneva. And so do I. This is her plan. I didn’t force it on her. I know she doesn’t love me. But she has no other choice if she wants to be the true Eva and save this island. And I’m committed to helping her do that. She trusts you enough to ask you to help her as well. You don’t have to like me, but please don’t let me dishonor your trust in her.”
The room was silent. I once again found myself astonished with how well Kai wielded words. He may be envious of my selfless actions in the face of danger, but I coveted the way his words dripped with unabashed conviction. I watched Kai study the faces of my friends. I could tell he had them on the edge.
He continued. “She’s giving up everything for you. She’s giving up her heart’s true desire because she loves you above all else. Don’t let that sacrifice be in vain.”
Sparrow let out a tiny sob and Journey tucked her into his side, where she buried her face. But the mood in the room began to change. I saw the others start to nod—shoulders shrugged or sagged. Kai had won them over with his speech. I squeezed his hand in gratitude. He knew how much I needed my friends support and he’d yet again delivered as promised. They’d given in to the idea of working with him.
“Now that we know we’re all on the same side,” Terran said. “What’s the plan to take down the Ravinori once and for all?”
Kai spoke up. “It has to happen at the Blood Moon ceremony. Kobel will be occupied with the ritual, leaving Malakai vulnerable. Once we take him out the Ravinori won’t know what hit them.”
“You’re on board with overthrowing your father?”
“More than okay,” Kai pledged. “I want to be the one to kill him.”
“The Ravinori won’t give up because Malakai is dead,” Terran argued. “I’ve lived among them. They have ranks and plans for such events. The next commander will take charge.”
“And they outnumber us greatly,” Mali added.
“They won’t when we have the rebels on our side,” I interjected stealing the group’s attention. “Plus if we find the relic blade we’ll have a fall back plan.”
I explained what I’d learned about the relic blade and flipped to passages in dusty leather bound books so my friends could make themselves familiar and help with the search. Kai rolled out a map of Lux and pointed out the supporters we’d found on the outskirts of the city. I showed them where we’d ridden and told them of the rebels chanting my name and how I saved them from the wrath of the Luxors. Kai recounted the horrible living conditions and the unjust way Malakai had been treating my supporters since Scorching Day—ruling with fear and abuse.
Mala looked skeptical. “I know the rebels. They are mostly comprised of those who’ve been imprisoned. They’re scared, malnourished and untrained. No matter how much they support you, Geneva, I’m not sure they’ll be much help.”
“They’re just unorganized,” Kai argued. “But I’ve seen what Geneva can do to inspire. We only had one ride through Lux and a mob of rebels came out from the shadows for her, ready to take on the Luxors. We just need to let her be seen by them, so they know there’s something worth fighting for.”
“And how do you suppose we do that?” Remi asked. “Dangle Geneva as bait in the streets of Lux?”
“That’s why I’ve asked for you,” I implored. “I trust you with my life. I’ve fought alongside you. I know you can give me the protection I need to reach the rebels so I can share our plan with them. With the rebels on our side, I know we can overpower the Ravinori at the Blood Moon ceremony.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Remi muttered.
Lily, who’d been quiet during the discussion, spoke up. “I have a better idea.”
All eyes turned to her.
She motioned for us to join her around the map. “There are secret passageways that lead in and out of the Tower of Lux. Some even lead out of the city.”
Stunned, I studied Lily, and then glanced to Kai for confirmation. He gave none.
“How do you know this?” he asked.
“My family has been a part of the royal court of Lux for a very long time. I know many secrets about this place. It’s common practice for castles to have an escape route for the royal family in case it’s seized.”
It sounded plausible. “So the Tower of Lux has one?” I asked.
“Many,” she confirmed.
“And you know where they are?” Kai asked.
“Yes.”
“Why don’t I know about them?” Kai questioned.
“A secret known by more than one person cannot remain a secret,” she said mysteriously.
I looked at her steady features. Her amber eyes were stern, but gleaming. Secrets had torn my life apart in the past. Could they be my salvation?
“Lily? Are you telling me you’re the only one who knows about these secret passageways?”
She nodded.
“Not even my father or Kobel know of them?” Kai asked, stunned.
“I’m the Keeper. It is my job to keep this knowledge, as it was my ancestors. And I will pass it on to the next Keeper when I’m gone,” she said looking proudly at Sparrow.
Thoughts of my own mother flooded me as I looked at Lily. Had she sent Lily to me? Someone to mother and guide me in her place? She told me that she’d always be with me and I felt her in Lily at that moment. I suppressed the grin that swept across my face as I turned to survey my friends. I didn’t want to get ahead of myself, but looking at their determined faces and with Lily’s new information, I finally felt like I had the upper hand. “Well this makes things interesting.”
• • •
Lily wouldn’t divulge the location of the tunnels, but assured us when it was time to use them, they’d be ready. We worked quickly to devise plans that gave us reasons to leave the Tower grounds and go into Lux, where we could do reconnaissance. My guards would go to get a lay of the land in order to better protect me. My ladies would go under the guise of finding material for my wedding dress. While gathering silks and jewels, Lily would arrange a meeting for me with the rebels using the secret passages.
It was dark by the time we finished plotting, but I was exhilarated. I’d done well to bring my friends here. It was a risk, but it had been worth it. They all had such valuable assets. They were thinkers, strategists, soldiers. They came up with ideas that I knew I would never have thought of on my own. Malakai thought he’d tightened my leash by bringing my friends here. Little did he know, that with their help, he might have given me a leash long enough to hang him with.
My guards escorted me and my ladies back to my room. I was elated to find that the guards quarters were stationed directly across from my room and two of them would always be stationed on duty at my door. It made conversing with the boys easy and it calmed my nerves knowing they were close by.
Once we were back in my room I noticed that my things from the tower room had been returned. They were in a neat pile on the violet cushioned bench at the foot of my bed—a hairbrush, hand mirror, and a stack of books. I gasped and ran to them. The journal was there, and stuffed inside were all of my letters. Kai! He’d promised to get my things back and had come through. I grinned as I fanned through the scribbled pages loosing a sigh of relief. “I need to write to Nova and let him know you arrived safely,” I said hastily sitting down to write.
I quickly flipped the pages searching for a blank one when my eyes stopped on a new entry. My heart skipped a beat. Nova had written to me! I studied the foreign text that filled a new page in the journal and frowned. I couldn’t make sense of the words. My puzzled expression drew my friends.
“What is it?” Mala asked anxiously.
“Nova’s written me. But I don’t understand it,” I said pushing the bewildering page toward her. “I’ve never seen this language before.”
“I have,” Mala said.
I handed the journal to Mala and she shook her head in disappointment. “Sadie,” Mala grumbled through gritted teeth.
I watched anger bloom across her cheeks while reading the pages and muttering things under her breath. When she was finished she put the journal down and said, “My sister has just complicated things.”
Chapter 46
Mala hadn’t been able to relax since reading Sadie’s coded message. An uneasy dread constricted her thoughts. Why did Sadie have to be so stubborn? Mala needed to talk to someone who would understand. She needed Mali.
After deciphering the letter and sharing what she could with Geneva, Mala suggested that Kai and the boys be called in to confer. Geneva agreed. Once the information was relayed to them, a lively debate broke out.
Mala begrudgingly explained her sister’s plan to involve the Betos in Geneva’s plot to overthrow the Ravinori while purposely leaving out Sadie’s risky plans for Nova. The group discussed it at length and, despite Geneva’s reservation, they decided it was the best course of action. It would aid the plan they’d just developed to work with the rebels. Having access to the Betos would give Geneva the opportunity to gain even more power and numbers against the Ravinori. Geneva hated the risk, but she couldn’t argue the logic. Especially with Sadie’s suggestion to have Eja write a letter alerting Geneva of a false Beto uprising against the Ravinori. They all knew Malakai would intercept the letter and wait to see Geneva’s response, which Sadie had mapped out to involve appointing Eja as a liaison between Lux and the Betos, allowing Geneva to set up a peacekeeping meeting outside the city walls. This would give Geneva contact with Eja and the rest of those outside of Lux, showing her far-reaching power and garnering support from more rebels.
During the discussions Mali kept catching Mala’s eye. He knew there was something else going on. It was probably written all over her face. But she didn’t mind. She actually loved that Mali knew her so well. She never wanted to hide anything from him. She’d never had to before. Mala was desperate for a chance to talk to him before writing back to Sadie. He would know what to do.
“Geneva?” Mala asked, pulling her aside quietly. “Do you mind if I take a moment to clear my head before writing back to Sadie?”
“You’re worried about her?” Geneva asked, placing a comforting hand on Mala’s arm. Mala nodded.
“She’s brave and I appreciate everything she’s doing for me. She’s been a good friend to me, Mala. Just like you always have.”
“Thank you,” Mala said, guilt clutching at her throat.
“Take all the time you need.”
Geneva turned back to their group of friends and joined the planning again. She was visibly agitated by the news from Sadie. Mala couldn’t blame her. It was a lot to take in. And Geneva only knew the half of it. She caught Mali’s eye one more time before slipping out the door.
• • •
Mala was only outside a moment before Mali joined her. He quickly pulled her into an embrace. They stood silently on the veranda overlooking the sea. Just being close to him eased Mala’s anxiousness momentarily. She looked into Mali’s dark eyes and spilled the rest of the secrets Sadie’s letter revealed.
Mala sighed. “I don’t know what to do. If I share everything in Sadie’s letter I’ll be betraying my sister, our family secret and the promise I made Nova. But if I don’t . . . Mali, if we go along with Sadie’s plan, the price could be too steep.”
Mali put his hands on either side of Mala’s face and looked deep into her eyes. “I’m in this with you, Mala. Whatever you choose to do, I’ll back you up.”
“But I don’t know what to do.”
“What does your heart tell you?”
“That I want to ring Sadie’s neck!”
Mali grinned. “Besides that.”
“I can’t even believe I’m saying this,” Mala muttered. “But things are worse here than I expected. I think Sadie’s plan might be crazy enough to work. But it’s going to cost us. The Fae will make sure of it.”
“Then we’ll pay the debt together. You’re not in this alone, Mala.”
She smiled, caressing Mali handsome face.
“What’s so amusing?” he asked.
“Truthfully, I expected Sadie would do something like this.”
He smirked. “She is your sister.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Just that you’re both strong-willed.”
Mala narrowed her eyes.
“But that’s what I love about you,” Mali said rescuing himself.
Mala nestled herself into Mali’s muscled arms, breathing him in. “So you think we can pull this off?” she asked.
Mali rested his chin on Mala’s soft blonde hair. “I have faith that you can do anything you set your mind to, Mala Calder. Why don’t you use those clever Fae powers of yours to tap into Sadie’s vision? If you can confirm what she saw, then we do it.”
“But even if I confirm her vision it still doesn’t mean the Fae are being truthful. And Sadie’s plan hinges heavily on the rest of my powers, the ones I haven’t used since I was a girl.”
Mali took her hands. “I’ll help you.”
She sighed deeply. “I pledged an oath of honesty and protection to Geneva only hours ago. I can’t believe I’m already considering hiding the truth from her.”
“You are protecting her. If Geneva knew the truth she’d be in further danger of giving it away. I agree with your sister. Keeping this a secret is the only way it will work.”
“What if Sadie can’t do it?”
“Mala, she’s your sister. That means she’s every bit as feisty and determined as you are. I know she can do it. Just explain the steps to her.”
“But if it doesn’t work and Geneva finds out I kept this from her . . .”
“Mala, you need to think of this as a war, because that’s what we’re facing. This is strictly a combat tactic. We’re doing this to protect our queen. The best way to protect her is to limit information to the fewest amount of people as necessary for success.”
Mala nodded, trying to clear her head of worry. “Need-to-know basis,” she replied.
“Exactly,” Mali confirmed, staring into her troubled blue eyes. He softened his face and caressed Mala’s cheek, pulling her in for a kiss. “Tink, this can work. If we found a way back to each other, I believe anything is possible. We just need to stick with Sadie’s plan. This could have a happy ending for everyone.”
