Everland(66)

“Joanna’s been here,” I say, glancing around the room.

Pete rests a hand on my shoulder. “At least we know for sure she’s in the palace.”

“Or she was here,” Pickpocket says, peering into a glass cabinet.

I smell the faint hint of the lavender wafting from the sheets. Its scent reminds me of the lotion Joanna took from my mother’s room the night we left our home. “It was recent,” I say, scanning the room.

“Look at these supplies,” Pickpocket says. He pulls out his multitool and picks the cabinet lock with ease. Pete joins him, and together, they stash supplies in their rucksacks.

“What do you think you are doing?” Lily says indignantly. “Those are the Professor’s supplies.”

“Look,” Pete says, whirling around to her. “I have an entire city of kids I’m responsible for. We don’t have access to supplies like these.”

I step away from the cot, noticing the floral scent isn’t just on the bedding. Feeling like Mole, I follow the smell. I open the cabinets near the bed. They are full of linens and bandages.

“An entire city of children?” Lily says with surprise. “Why haven’t you mentioned this? We must bring them here.”

The smell grows stronger as I search a metal rolling cabinet next to the sink. More gadgets and levered devices line the shelves.

“I am not bringing them into Everland,” Pete says heatedly. “They’re better off in the Lost City.”

“But you have to,” Lily argues. “I promise you, they will be safe with the other survivors. The Duchess will provide them with everything that Everland can’t: shelter, food, and medical care. You can’t stay here. It’s not safe.”

Beneath one of the two steel sinks, something rumbles. Pete grabs his dagger from its sheath and places an arm up as if to protect the rest of us.

“Who’s there?” he demands.

Stepping in front of him, I stoop by the doors. The scent of lavender permeates the air. A tiny whimper escapes from below the sink. Slowly, I open the doors.

A small girl hides her face as she wraps her arms tighter around her knees drawn up to her chest. Blisters dot her quivering fingertips.

“Joanna!” I exclaim, pulling my sister from the cupboard and into my arms. My pulse beats against my collarbone, where Joanna’s face rests. Relief washes over me and I swallow the lump in my throat. I bury my nose in her hair and breathe in her floral scent.

My sister’s surprised gaze meets mine. She wraps her arms around my neck. Fresh tears stream down her cheeks. She squeezes so tight I can barely breathe, but I don’t care. “I knew you’d come for me,” she whispers.

With the back of my hand, I brush a tear from my own cheek. “I’m your sister. I’ll always come for you.”





Lightning paints the black sky in streaks of gold, filling the air with the faint smell of electricity. The flames from the burning buildings cast eerie shadows on the palace walls. Chains rattle as the line of Lost Boys cough on the thick smoke, grumbling among themselves. The Marauders cackle through their masks, prodding them with the barrels of their guns through the palace’s gilded doors. The Professor whispers words to the children, squeezing the littlest ones to reassure them.

Smeeth tips his face toward the sky. “A storm is coming, Captain. It could make traveling a bit dicey. Perhaps we should consider postponing until it passes?”

“Storm or not, we leave tonight. I’m not staying one more day in this roach-infested country.”

“Beg your pardon, sir,” Smeeth says, “but I don’t believe the zeppelins will be able to navigate through this weather as it is. Add all these Lost Kids, and our fleet is sure to be doomed.”

I slap Smeeth on the shoulder. “Who says we’re bringing them?”

His forehead wrinkles. “But, Captain, you promised Jack that you wouldn’t harm the children. If we leave them here, they will surely die. There is nothing left of Everland. We’ve burned it to the ground.”

“I am a man of my word. I’ll keep my promise to my brother. I won’t lay a single finger on them,” I say, admiring the Professor’s stunned expression as she takes in the swarm of sniveling Lost Boys. It baffles me, this feeling for children that she seems to possess.

Frown lines form on Smeeth’s brow, but he says nothing more.

“Hook!” the Professor shouts, storming toward me. She wears a clear hazmat face mask. Behind the transparent shield I see her perfect ruby lips frown. Her eyes shimmer above her tear-streaked cheeks. “Where did you find these children? There are over a hundred of them.”

“Let’s just say a little birdie let me know of a vast underground Lost City, brimming with boys who needed a mommy.” I jut out my lip in a sarcastic pout.

“You know they don’t have the antibodies. They won’t give you the cure. Why are you taking them as your prisoners?” the Professor says.

“You’re right, Professor. They, too, will succumb to the Horologia virus. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be useful. Among these boys may just be the one who will get me what I need.”

“What more do you need? You have my daughter,” the Professor shouts.

“Incentive,” I say, waving a soldier over. “The final piece to entice Gwen to turn herself over to me: her entire family.”