The geneva project comp.., p.127
The Geneva Project- Complete Series Boxset, page 127
Sadie pushed that thought from her mind. She looked at Nova. Though he was painfully thin and the red welt on his chest still grew, Nova had a fire in his eyes that she hadn’t seen in a while.
“Geneva wrote back?” Sadie asked with excitement.
Nova nodded. “Eja thinks this says Malakai agreed. Is he right?”
Sadie reached for the journal and scanned the coded text. Eja was correct. He’d picked up her and Mala’s secret language rather quickly. He was a scholar when it came to such things. When Jaka learned their plan, he insisted at least one other person learned to decipher the coded messages just in case something should happen to Sadie. Eja had been the clear choice.
“He’s right,” Sadie replied proudly. “Malakai has agreed to let Geneva meet with Eja to discuss the imminent Beto uprising. Kai and five Luxors will be accompanying her. Everyone else is ordered to stay at the Tower of Lux as insurance that she’ll return.”
The muscles in Nova’s jaw feathered but he nodded. “We expected as much. When and where?”
“Geneva’s sending the official letter tomorrow morning by carrier. She said her version of the letter requests we meet on neutral soil, between the forest and Lux, in the Flood work fields of Aveile. Two days from now.”
“I don’t know if you can make that ride,” Eja said softly, looking at Nova.
“I can make it,” Nova replied gruffly. “I need to see her.”
“Nova, there will be Luxors all over. You won’t be able to get near her,” Sadie started.
“What about your plan? You’ve been practicing the spell, haven’t you?”
Sadie glanced at Eja for help. He tried to reason with Nova. “It’s a very dangerous spell. We hadn’t planned to do it more than once. We were saving it for the end. We haven’t made it that far yet.”
“I know that,” Nova argued. “But I just need to see her.”
“If we attempt this now and it’s too much for you all of our work will have been for nothing. Just wait a little bit longer,” Sadie begged.
The fire in Nova’s eyes dulled and he reached his hand out for the journal. Sadie offered it to him and he caught her hand, surprising her with the strength in his grasp. “Sadie, I think I’ve waited as long as I can,” he said sadly.
Sadie bit her lip to stop it from quivering. She would not let herself cry in front of Nova. He didn’t need that on top of everything else. Instead she nodded and crossed the tiny room to where a small table had been set up. She sat down to write another encrypted note back to Mala and their friends. When she finished it, she handed it to Eja. “Have Nova copy it into his journal,” she said.
Eja began to read the note as Sadie quickly left the tent to hide her tears.
Dear friend,
We received your message and we await the letter. We will contact you as soon as we receive it and will let you know if the details differ. Please do not delay. I do not know how much longer he can hold on. He is adamant about going to the meeting. I fear he will not make the trip, but if this is his last chance to see her, I cannot deny him that. I am going to do the spell for him. I know you will not be there should something go wrong. But I thought you should know. With the Luxors there we cannot risk trying our final plan and I am afraid he will not make it to another meeting. This may be farewell. I am losing hope.
Humbly yours
Eja examined the letter making sure it was vague enough in case it fell into the wrong hands. When he was satisfied, he sat down to begin coding it.
Chapter 57
Malakai scanned the parchment before handing it to Kobel, who did the same. After a brief moment he handed the letter back to Malakai. Without consulting Kobel further, Malakai refolded the letter and riffled around his desk for a seal. He dripped the silver wax onto the parchment and pressed the seal into the steaming liquid. He pulled it away and smiled at the freshly stamped symbol. The roaring gryffin seemed to despise the wax that trapped it—its maw open and claws slashing. Malakai reveled in the power that holding Ravin’s seal gave him. He was sending a message to the Betos by using it. The Eva may be coming to see you, but the Ravinori own her!
Malakai handed the note back to Geneva. “You may send it.”
“Thank you,” she replied, bowing before leaving the room in a rush of skirts.
As soon as she was gone Kobel turned to Malakai to voice his disgust. “I know you’ve made up your mind, but I think you are making a mistake.”
“She did as we asked. She brought the letter to us first and she chose neutral grounds for the meeting. I see nothing wrong with it. Besides, with Kai there we’ll know exactly what goes on.”
“She did as you asked. I do not condone this plan,” Kobel scowled. “I think letting her out of the castle is senseless. She’s up to something.”
“You think I underestimate her?”
Kobel nodded.
“Kobel, you humor me. Of course she’s up to something, but what better way to find out what exactly she’s planning. I’d like you to remember that I didn’t get to be head of the Ravinori by being naïve. If I deny Geneva the opportunity to speak to the Betos she’ll just find another way. This way we control it; we decide the terms. And more importantly, she will see we are still the ones in control.”
“How’s that?” Kobel retorted. “It seems to me she’s the one making the demands.”
There was a knock at the door and Malakai’s smooth smile curled his lips viciously. “You shall see,” he purred. “Come in!” Malakai announced loudly.
The door creaked open and the five Luxors who’d escorted Geneva and her court to Lux filed in. “Good morning, soldiers. Thank you for coming. It seems you served the princess-to-be well yesterday.”
“Yes, Master.”
“So well in fact, that she’s requested you personally for a very special mission.” Malakai paused. “But first I have a few questions for you . . .”
Chapter 58
The sun was finally breaking through the thick canopy of the rainforest, defrosting the chill clinging to the humid air. Sadie shivered as she shrugged off her cloak letting the sunlight warm her skin. She was returning from an early morning trip to the fairy meadow where she’d gathered more ingredients for the spell. She rechecked the basket for the hundredth time to be sure everything was there—foxgloves, chameleons, dew of water lily, bark of Bellamorf tree, silk spider eggs, essence of fairies and monkshood moss. The final ingredient would be blood. Though Sadie knew the blood would come willingly, it still made the knot in her stomach tighten as she thought of what she was about to do.
She was so lost in thought that she narrowly missed being trampled by the band of riders galloping passed. The only thing that saved her was the blast of their horn, startling her moments before the horses were upon her. She dove out of the way just in time. Muttering under her breath, she recovered her basket and secured its valuable contents. She rushed back to the path barely catching sight of the black flag that disappeared into the forest. Black with a grey gryffin—Ravinori!
Sadie sprinted into action, running breathlessly toward the Beto camp. Jaka must have sent the scouts to intercept the riders because Sadie caught up to them quickly. They were already leaving, heading back the way they’d come. She glared at them as they raced by her without so much as a glance, but she didn’t break stride wanting to know why they’d come. She prayed it was to deliver Geneva’s letter.
A clamor of excitement greeted Sadie back at camp. She ran straight for Nova’s tent and was delighted to find Jaka, Vida and Eja already there. “Did they bring the letter?” she asked breathlessly as she barged in.
“Yes,” Jaka replied.
Eja was beaming and Nova actually laughed.
“Is it what we were hoping for?” she asked.
Jaka nodded. “The meeting is precisely as Geneva predicted. You’ll ride tomorrow to meet her.”
“Yes!” Sadie squealed. But Vida’s sour look made her regret her outburst.
“Don’t celebrate too soon. I still find it worrisome that Malakai is being so agreeable. You need to keep your wits about you tomorrow,” she ordered.
“Yes, ma’am. I will.”
Vida turned to Nova. “And you’re sure you want to go through with this?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“You’re aware of the consequences of this spell?”
“Vida, I know it might kill me. But the curse is just as liable to kill me. If I’m dying, I’d rather it be on my own terms.”
“Geneva won’t even know you’re there,” Vida argued. “It’s a foolish risk. This whole thing could be avoided if you’d just tell her the truth!”
“Vida,” Jaka said, gently putting his hands on her trembling arms. “Nova understands.”
“He understands nothing!” she said as she stormed out of the tent.
Jaka apologized and followed after her. Their voices could still be heard outside.
“This is ridiculous. He’s going to die! We serve our Eva and we owe it to her to tell her the truth.”
“Vida, he’s an adult. It’s his right to decide who and how he loves.”
She gave a disgruntled laugh. “And that is why love ruins us all.”
Then it was silent.
Sadie spoke first, breaking the awkward tension. “Nova, we need to respond to Geneva and let her know we received her letter.”
He nodded, and pulled the journal from under his pillow, gazing back at her steadily—his green eyes determined.
“You’re sure about this?” Sadie whispered.
“I trust you, Sadie,” Nova said, then he turned to look at Eja. “I trust you both.”
“Okay.” Sadie pulled her basket onto her lap. She pawed through it, producing a tiny vial and a small, silver knife. The sharp blade glinted in the candlelight. Sadie took a deep breath and looked at her friends. “Are you ready?”
They nodded solemnly.
“This might hurt a bit.”
Chapter 59
Mali was on guard duty outside the library when Terran came to relieve him.
He greeted Mali with his usual bravado. “My turn, big guy.”
“My shift’s not over.”
“Mala says it is. She sent me to get you.”
Fear lanced Mali. “Is she all right?”
Terran nodded. “She’s fine. Bossy as ever.”
“Where is she?”
“Waiting for you at the east turret.”
Mali left without question. When he reached the turret where Mala was waiting, he caught his breath. Her back was to him as she gazed out at the sea. The wind wiped her blond hair in frenzied cyclones. He paused for a moment taking her in—her tall, slender body, her long athletic legs. He couldn’t hide the smile that played at his lips. She was the spitting image of the wild girl he’d fallen in love with a lifetime ago. He never thought he’d see her again. Sometimes he couldn’t believe he’d actually found his way back to her. He savored moments like these, moments he thought would only be memories.
Breaking himself from his trance he called her name softly. “Mala?”
She turned at the sound of his voice. Her brow furrowed with worry and her keen blue eyes looked devastated—it terrified him. Mala was one of the strongest people he knew. Something terrible must have happened to rock her like this. Mali strode quickly to her.
“Mali,” she whispered letting him fold her into his arms. Another thing she didn’t do often.
“What’s happened?” Mali asked.
“We have to tell Geneva about Nova.”
“What’s changed?”
“There was more to Sadie’s last letter,” Mala said frowning. “I couldn’t say anything in front of the others. I needed time to think and I wanted to talk to you first.”
“What did it say?”
“He’s dying, Mali. Nova is dying. Sadie’s going to do the spell tomorrow so he can go to the meeting to see Geneva one last time. She’s afraid he’s not strong enough to survive.”
Mali turned away pushing his hands through his long black hair. He let out a frustrated breath and braced against the stone railing to stare out at the sea. “We promised him, Mala.”
“The spell will kill him!” Mala’s words came out in rapid fire. “If we let this happen. If we don’t tell Geneva . . . I just keep thinking, what if it was you? What if we were in their position? If it was you and this was my last chance to see you . . . If I could save you . . . I’d want to know. I can’t live with myself if we don’t do something and Nova dies.”
Mali pulled Mala into an embrace, kissing her head as he stroked her hair. “But it’s not us. And we made Nova a promise, Mala. We have to find another way.”
“How? We’re not even going to the meeting.”
“What about Kai?” Mali suggested.
“What about him?”
“He’s going with Geneva tomorrow. We can tell him the plan. If he knows Nova will be there he’ll know what to do should anything go wrong.”
“I’ve seen the way Kai looks at Geneva. He’s in love with her. He won’t help Nova.”
“I believe he’s in love with her too. But that’s precisely why he’ll help Nova. He knows Nova is in Geneva’s heart. And we want nothing if not to protect the hearts of those we love,” Mali said tilting Mala’s face to meet his. She stared into his dark eyes for a moment before reaching up to kiss him, pulling his mouth to meet hers.
Mali wanted to stop time when he kissed her, but as always there wasn’t time to waste. “Let me talk to Kai, okay?”
Mala nodded. “I’ll keep Geneva occupied.”
• • •
“That can’t be right,” Kai called from behind a stack of books.
I rolled my eyes. “Kai, I’m telling you that’s what Lily called them. Dalceridae. What does it mean?”
“Then you must have misheard her.”
I crossed my arms defiantly. “Fine, I’ll go get Lily and make her say it again, but I’m telling you, I’m right. She said they were dalceridae.”
“Geneva, you can’t have seen daliceridae. They’re extinct. Frankly, I’m not even sure they were ever real to begin with.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I’ve never seen one.”
“Just because you haven’t seen something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, Kai. You of all people should know that.”
“Believe me, I know,” he said with exasperation, “but dalceridae means 'jeweled beast'.”
A chill rippled through me. “What?”
Kai sighed deeply. “I can see you’re not going to let this go. Come on.” He took my hand and tugged me after him.
Kai spoke as he walked and I ducked the books that sailed over my head to his outstretched hands. “Dalceridae is an ancient word from the dead language of the gods. The gods believed that they obtained their powers from the dalceridae and that when a god or goddess died, their powers would go back to the jeweled beast from whence they came in hopes that when they were reborn, they could find their powers once more.”
Gooseflesh stippled my arms. “That sounds similar to the Beto legend about the magic from all the Truiets being trapped in the gems and rubble from the Flood. You don’t think . . .”
Kai only arched his eyebrow and handed me a stack of books.
I followed him to the blue chaise lounge in the corner of the library where he sprawled out, patting the spot next to him for me to join. When I did, he grabbed the pile of books from me and stacked them between us. Taking the book on top, he commanded it to magically flip open to a page of illustrations. He handed it to me while he did the same with the rest. In moments, pages of beautifully illustrated drawings surrounded me. Some were black and white, some vibrant color, while others were mere sketches—yet every single one of them were of the same thing—Dragons!
My eyes darted through the pages, absorbing as much text as possible. Words jumped out at me and my mind refused to believe them. Fire eaters, silk spinners, jeweled eggs, harvested for powers, hunted to extinction.
“Kai, this can’t be true,” I whispered. “Dragons aren’t real.”
“Of course they are,” he replied with a smirk. “All the legends are real, remember?” He winked. “You taught me that one.”
“But it doesn’t make sense. We’ve never seen any.”
Kai raised his eyebrows mockingly. “Just because you haven’t seen something—”
“I know, I know,” I said interrupting his ridicule.
“Geneva, most people would say the same thing about us . . . what we can do . . . it shouldn’t be, but you and I know otherwise. Think about it. If I told you that you could do magic five years ago, would you have believed me?”
I shook my head. He was right, but I had a million questions. The magic I could justify because I’d witnessed it and there were verifiable legends about it. I was living one of them! But never once was a dragon ever mentioned in any of the legends. My mind balked. I knew the world was a gigantic place. And just this one tiny island still held so many secrets. Perhaps it was naïve to think that I could know anything of what existed elsewhere. But it didn’t explain what I saw in the souk. The dalceridae in Hana’s shop were so small. No larger than an ordinary bird. Could they really be dragons? And why did Hana have them?
Just as I was about to ask another question Mala walked into the library. “Geneva, the Betos received the message.”
I jumped to my feet letting the books fall from my lap. “And?”
“They accept,” she answered.
Relief swept through me as I walked toward Mala, grinning. But her face didn’t mirror mine. “Is everything all right?”
“I have a favor to ask,” she said quietly.
“What is it?”
“I was hoping you’d help me write something to my sister. She intends to go to the meeting with Eja tomorrow and I don’t think she should. It’ll jeopardize the mission. And . . . I’m worried for her safety.”
