Island of Dragons (Unwanteds #7)(51)

At the bottom of the stairs he nearly collided with Fox, who was running around the entry area, dodging people’s feet, and trying not to get kicked or stepped on. Alex scooped him up and saw that Kitten was on Fox’s head, hanging on with her tiny claws during the wild ride. Alex sidestepped down the hallway and darted into an empty classroom, setting Fox on a table.

“Whew,” said Fox, trembling slightly.

“Mewmewmew,” said Kitten.

Fox sat up to translate. “She says she is very happy to see you, her most especially good friend Alex, and she is delighted to be a part of this very special day of fighting.”

Alex raised an eyebrow, but Kitten smiled so hard it made her eyes turn into slits. “Okay, quickly, I have jobs for you,” said Alex. “Kitten, I want you to stay with me in case I need you. You can have a nice long nap in my pocket if you like. And Fox, I want you on board the ship. I have a special job for you.”

Fox gasped. He sat up straighter. “A . . . special job?” he whispered. “For me? Is it top secret?”

“No,” said Alex.

Fox’s face fell.

“Or, um, yes is actually what I meant to say,” said Alex.

Fox perked up again.

“Yes,” Alex continued, “it’s top secret. It’s the tippy top of all the secrets that exist. It’s so secret, I’m going to whisper it to you, and you must tell no one.”

“Even in the face of death?” Fox asked, eyes shining.

“Even then,” Alex said, and he nodded soberly. He bent down and whispered into Fox’s ear.

Fox’s face lit up, and when Alex was done he said, “That sounds very dangerous. And very clever, which is what I happen to be. Clever like a . . . cat.”

“Yes, that’s exactly why I picked you,” said Alex. “No one else in Artimé can do it but you.”

“Or the whole world,” Fox said dreamily.

“Or the whole world,” agreed Alex. He patted Fox and picked up Kitten. “I’ll see you on the lawn, and when this is all over I’ll want a full report, Fox.”

“If I survive,” said Fox.

“Right.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Well, then you’ll die a hero, like Meghan.”

Fox nodded. And then his face clouded over and his bottom jaw began to quiver. “I don’t want to die,” he whimpered.

“You won’t,” said Alex. “You’re magic, remember? And you’re a cat, so . . .”

“Oh, that’s right,” said Fox, panting in relief. “Phew. Nine lives.”

Alex nodded. “Or something like that. I’ve got to go.”

Alex left with Kitten snuggling up in his pocket. He went outside to find Simber, and discovered Gunnar Haluki there with him.

“Gunnar,” said Alex in greeting. “What ideas do you have for keeping our Quillens safe?”

“I’ve got some Necessaries agreeing to help,” said Gunnar. “I’ll take them with me in my group—you can station me somewhere along the shore in Quill. I’ve told the rest of the Quillens to stay in their houses for now. If we’re lucky, things won’t make it that far inland to reach the housing quadrants.”

“I’m going to put your team on the western shoreline with Aaron’s and Liam’s teams,” said Alex. “You three know that terrain better than Artiméans would. Squirrelicorns will be circulating with updates.” He looked out to sea. The ships were recognizable now. They stretched out across a wide portion of the water. “Any sign of Florence or Henry?”

“No,” said Simber. “And I can’t fly out to look forrr them, because I don’t want the attackerrrs to see me. I want them to think they arrre surrrprising us.”

“Good plan,” said Alex, straining to see any sign of Pan or the returning Artiméans, but knowing if they were there, Simber would see them well before he did. “I really hope they get here soon.” A familiar wave of dread rippled through Alex—it never went away, no matter how many times Artimé faced its enemies.

As Alex and Simber waited on the shore, the door to the mansion opened and Artiméans began streaming out and organizing themselves on the lawn like they’d done in the past. With very little guidance from any of the leaders, the people of Artimé stood poised and ready to hear their final instructions, as if they did this every day.

Sometimes it felt like they did.





A Word from a Leader


When those who wished to fight had assembled, Alex climbed on Simber’s back and stood there so that everyone all the way across the lawn could see him.

It was a fairly large army of several hundred despite their losses against Gondoleery. Many of the Warbler children who had found success in Beginning Magical Warrior Training stood with the Artiméans for the first time. And at the last moment Aaron returned from Quill with a group of Necessaries following him, carrying makeshift weapons and standing in solidarity with the magical world.

Alex watched Aaron come in with the Quillens. When Aaron found a place to stand, he looked up at Alex. Alex tapped his fist to his chest, trying to express his heartfelt thanks to his brother for taking on the role of head mage, at least temporarily, as well as for finding more people to fight with them. Alex knew that if he didn’t make it to the other side of this battle, Artimé would be in good hands.