Read Revolution (Chronicles of Charanthe #2) Page 64

  *

  She went to Venncastle last. Though she’d travelled back through Almont to check, there were no extra names from Lauren. In the pouch on the rooftop she’d found only an apologetic note explaining that the Shadows wouldn’t find out exactly who they’d be getting until after the solstice, and some wittering about a new poison-flower that she’d have to pass on to Daniel. So Daryl was the final name on her list.

  His bedroom was in one of the towers of the old castle, with a view out across the sea to the north of the island. As soon as she opened the door he rolled from the bed, knife in hand, and considered her from between half-closed eyelids.

  “I’ve been warned about you,” he said. “The Provost said you might come.”

  Eleanor smiled. “I’m sure he did.”

  “And?”

  “Did he also warn you not to be so foolish as to think you’re being original if you try and trap me into an ambush?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Well, he’s saved me a lot of time in explaining things to you. I trust I don’t need to tell you about the Association, either.”

  “Slaves of the revolution.” He said it with a venom that surprised her.

  “The Association doesn’t work for anyone.”

  “Then why are you working against the Empire?”

  “The Empress made us outlaws, remember? If they’ve told you to avoid us, they must have told you that.”

  “You could’ve gone into the Shadows, but you’ve joined the revolution instead.”

  “Joined it? Don’t you see? It’s our revolution. Didn’t you notice when the rebels suddenly started to get organised? They never would have got this far on their own.”

  “I could just kill you,” he said, toying with his knife. “They’d make it worth my while.”

  “The people who might be able to kill me aren’t the sort of people who’d talk about it first,” she said. “So I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you’re aware of all your options. If you want to see me, you don’t have to wait for your assignment – just come to any of the rebel districts in Almont.”

  “And now you’re going to talk to Billy?” he asked as she turned back to the door. “Or have you just come from there?”

  Billy was a new name to her. If someone of that name had come to Lucille’s attention at all, then his was one of the folders which had already been taken or lost before Eleanor searched her office. That Daryl named him was a gift, she could look up his room now and...

  She hesitated, an idea forming at the back of her mind. There were risks, but it was certainly a more interesting path to take.

  “Just you,” she said. If it didn’t work, she’d lost nothing she’d been expecting to achieve.

  “But I thought–”

  “We’re being a lot more selective this year. And it’s only fair to let the Shadows get one or two of their assignees, don’t you think?”

  She turned and left him gaping at her as she strode from the room, and was certain that Billy would hear all about this at breakfast if not before. The only question then was, would she hear from him?