Everland(57)

Doc reaches for the lantern. “You’re next,” he says.

“No, you go,” I say. “Pete’s injured. He’ll need you and Pickpocket to help him down.”

Pete shoots his gaze toward Doc and frowns, seeming ruffled by the comment, but he doesn’t say anything. He holds his injured arm with his good hand and gives Doc a tired expression. Doc shifts past me toward the hole in the ground. Lily’s hand pokes through the darkness and her gloved fingers wrap around his hand as she helps him climb down the steps.

“Now you,” Lily says, motioning to Pickpocket.

He glances at me with a wary expression but swings his legs into the gap and carefully lowers himself into the hole. Mole follows without hesitation.

Unable to control my cough, I crouch toward the ground, where the smoke isn’t as thick. Pete drops to his knees, covering his mouth and nose.

“You’re hurt. You go next,” I say to Pete, nudging him toward the opening.

“No, Gwen …,” he begins to protest.

“No time to argue. Just go,” I say, choking on my words.

He glances at me with some hesitancy but sits on the edge of the opening and drops into the dark abyss. My lungs burn and my vision spins. Lying on the dirt ground, I pass the lantern down into the hole. Almost tumbling in and gasping for air, I roll into two waiting hands.

“I got you!” Pete says, cradling me with a wince. I know he’s in a lot of pain, but he tries to hide it. He gently places me on the ground.

“I told you you should’ve gone first,” he says, patting my back.

“Because it would’ve been better if I caught you instead?” I ask, wheezing.

Pete laughs. “Spoken like a true Lost Girl.”

My faces flushes and I elbow him. “I learned from the best.”

“Let’s get you up,” Pete says, helping me to my feet. His hand lingers a little too long on my elbow, sending a renewed energy through my limbs. Too soon, he releases his grip.

The click of a latch shutting draws my attention. Lily stands on the top step of a crudely made wooden staircase and closes a trapdoor, blocking the smoke from entering the passage. Her face brightens in the lamplight, revealing dark eyes, warm skin tones, and beautiful Indian features. I glance down at my filthy hands, feeling somewhat mediocre next to her beauty. Doc helps her from the step.

“A proper gentleman, I see. Why, thank you!” she says. She gives Doc a quick peck on the cheek before taking the lamp from Pickpocket’s outstretched hand. A grin grows on Doc’s flushed face as he touches his cheek, seeming stunned by her affection. I turn to catch Pete’s eye, but his stare is locked on Doc, fury glazing his expression. I touch his arm and coax him to follow me. Seeming reluctant, he strips his gaze from them.

Fiery torches light the hallway, the flames’ light twinkling off polished white marble tiles lining the floors. Old sconces and dusty portraits of England’s leaders adorn the walls. The musty-smelling passageway is more sophisticated but narrower than those that led to the Lost City.

“Where are we?” I ask.

“In the secret royal tunnels,” Lily says. “These are the passages that the royalty, top military generals, and other government officials once used to safely travel throughout the city.”

I glance at Pete. He appears as surprised as I am and shrugs, still darting angry eyes at Doc as he stands shoulder to shoulder with Lily.

“I had no idea they existed,” he says.

“Indeed,” Lily says. “And you were not supposed to. No one was. There are numerous military bunkers, safe houses, and tunnels that led to important buildings built prior to it becoming the official palace of the monarch. Her Majesty even has a secret steam engine in one of the northern underground tunnels that leads to the surrounding counties.”

Doc rubs his chin and he stares at the girl’s black-and-gold-gloved hands. I wonder if the same questions running through my mind are running through his: Is Lily immune? And how has she survived?

I hold a hand out toward Lily. “Thanks for getting us out of there. Without your help, who knows where we’d be right now.”

“Probably in Hook’s laboratory,” Mole says, shuddering.

Lily shakes my hand. “It’s no bother. You’re not the first I’ve rescued, and I hardly believe you’ll be the last.” Her gaze falls on Doc. “Although you are the most handsome bunch I’ve saved.”

Doc’s cheeks grow pink as he returns her smile with a crooked grin. Pickpocket rolls his eyes and Mole gives a hushed giggle. Pete gives an audible inhalation.

“I’m Gwen,” I say, breaking the hushed tension. “These are the Lost Boys: Doc, Mole, Pickpocket, and their leader, Pete.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” she says with a courteous nod of her head. She spins, lifting the skirt of her sari, revealing heavy combat boots adorned with several copper buckles. “We should be on our way. The Professor will be expecting me soon.”

“Professor?” Doc asks, worry creasing his forehead. “Wait, who is the Professor?”

“She is the palace physician,” Lily replies, ducking under a loose ceiling tile, waving us along. “She’ll want to take a look at that injury on your arm.” Lily nods at Pete.

“You’re taking us to the palace?” I ask, halting and unsure if this is a good thing or bad. Even though the palace is where Joanna is and I was already headed there, an uneasy feeling crawls up my spine.