Everland(65)

A wrinkle of curiosity forms on Lily’s brow.

“Show me the door,” Pickpocket says, extending a hand for her to lead the way.

“Mole, you stay here with Bella,” Pete says.

Doc continues to remove Bella’s bandages. “I’m staying here as well. I want to take a look at Bella’s hands.”

Mole bites his lip, suddenly appearing younger than his twelve years. I wrap my arms around him and lean my cheek on his tousled brown hair. “We won’t be long,” I reassure him. He squeezes his arms around my waist.

“Promise?” he whispers.

“I promise,” I say, kissing the top of his head. Again I feel the sudden pang of loss. I miss Mikey. I miss Joanna.

Lily motions for us to follow her and, with a gas lamp in her hand, she leads us to a walk-in closet on the far side of the room. Inside are metal shelves stacked with sheets, pillows, and other bedding. On the back side of the closet is a steel door much like the one at the entrance of the infirmary. Only this time there is a single slot for a key.

Pickpocket manipulates the tool into the lock, and within seconds the latch releases. “You’d think for a secret door in the palace, they’d have a harder lock to pick,” he says.

“Impressive,” Lily says. “Where did you learn to do that?”

Pickpocket places the tool in his breast pocket. “Let’s just say I’ve seen more than my share in the clink. You learn a thing or two during your stay,” he says, winking.

“Ah, I see. You’re one of those bad boys,” Lily says, winking back at him.

Pickpocket smirks, watching her with a dreamy countenance. I roll my eyes. Her smooth, exotic accent grates on my nerves as I watch Pickpocket practically melt in front of her.

Pete turns the knob. The door swings inward. A wooden wall blocks the entry into the room. Pete gives us an apprehensive glance before he places his hands on the wooden panel.

“Wait!” Lily whispers, stepping between Pete and the back of the cabinet. Her hand rests on his chest. Their faces are close enough that it would take only the slightest of movements for them to kiss. A stupid grin flashes across Pete’s face. I look away, frustrated with Lily’s flirtations, first with Doc, then Pickpocket, and now Pete. Next to Lily, who is flawlessly beautiful, clever, and exuberantly confident, I feel plain. She is everything I admire in Pete: selfless and willing to put her own needs aside to rescue strangers. I, on the other hand, have turned others away, even fought them over supplies. I wouldn’t blame Pete for choosing Lily over me. Worse yet, I ought to be worried about rescuing my sister instead of fussing over a boy.

“We need to be careful,” Lily continues. “The soldiers could walk in at any moment.”

I shove myself between Lily and Pete, slide the cabinet open just a crack, and peek through the opening. “I don’t see anyone in there, and we’re not going to get anywhere standing out here.”

Lily starts to protest, but I ignore her, heave the door open, and step through.

“You do know what the Captain will do to you if he discovers you in the palace?” Lily says from the doorway. She folds her arms across her chest, defiance radiating from her stern expression.

I mimic her stance, holding my ground. “No, but I don’t intend to find out,” I say a little too abrasively. “Pete, are you coming?”

Lily places her hand on the bronze hilt of her sword and hesitates. “If the Professor returns to the lab, more than likely she will be escorted by the Captain’s guards. I’m coming with you.” She pulls the blade from her belt.

Pete glances at the sword, its blade etched with intricate carvings. He whistles. “Now that is not a butter knife,” he says, pointing at Lily’s weapon.

Lily smiles brightly.

Another twinge of resentment prickles at me and my cheeks grow hot with jealousy.

“It’s almost as fine as those daggers Blade gave to you,” he says, smirking at me.

Reaching my hand out, I pull Pete into the room, feeling vindicated.

“Do I detect a hint of jealousy?” Pete asks in a quiet, mocking tone.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I retort.

I hesitate, stealing a glance at Lily. Her eyes dart from Pete to me, and she gives me a slight knowing look. Pete chuckles but lets me lead him into the lab. Pickpocket and Lily follow behind us.

The dimly lit room is empty other than a metal gurney and huge incinerator.

“This is the crematorium,” Lily says, nodding to the oven. “Follow me.”

She takes the lead, climbing two stairs at a time up a narrow concrete stairway. When we reach the top, we step into what looks like a doctor’s laboratory. It smells of disinfectant and something else, something floral and familiar. The white walls, tile, and counters give it a sterile appearance. Gadgets fill the room, each piece rigged with wheels, levers, gears, and pedals. Cabinets line the walls, revealing bottles, containers, bandages, and other medical supplies behind their glass doors. A gurney stands in the middle of the room, its sheets disheveled. Lying on the white pillow is a brass bracelet: buttons from a military uniform. My father’s uniform. Joanna’s bracelet.

The metal buttons clink as I pick up the band. I rub my thumb over the military insignia, remembering how brightly they shone on my father’s jacket, carefully cleaned and polished. My heart leaps at the sight of the tarnished buttons.