To Best the Boys(52)

“Now that’s more like it,” Vincent says, and takes a deep breath. “Give me outdoors any day, mates.”

“Well, well, well, what do you know,” a voice says. “Seems there are a few players left yet.”

I swerve to see a group of boys strolling toward us. They’re covered in sweat and look strained, but still more relaxed than we are at the moment.

“Thought we might be the only ones left.”

The speaker is a tall boy about Lute’s age and build but with an accent and style suggesting he’s from one of the far northern lord’s houses. He assesses us. “Pity, though. Seeing as the competition is now double from two minutes ago.”

Germaine eyes the group behind the kid. “Funny. I don’t see any competition.”

“Ohhhhh,” the boys groan.

“Big words, buddy.”

“Maybe you’d like to test that out?”

Beryll puts his hands up. “We’re not looking for a fight. We just got here.” He addresses the main kid. “Want to tell us what the deal is?”

The guy puckers his lips and continues summing up Beryll. Then Germaine and Vincent and the rest of us. After a second he tips his head toward the area behind him and his group. “We have the tents over there in that divot. You can have the other side of the hill.” He indicates one lone tent to the far right of us. “Now if you—”

A buzz reverberates through the air so deafening it stings my eardrums, as if the very atmosphere just came alive. I cringe and cover my ears as Seleni and the others do the same.

“Oh lovely, it appears we’re all here then. Even though some of us are not.” Kellen’s voice ripples through the noise. I frown and twist to find the old man, but the only people I see are the group of boys and my team.

“Where is he?” someone yells.

“Don’t know. Shh.”

The sound of Kellen clapping his hands ricochets across the landscape. “Did I mention you’ve earned a reprieve? A moment to breathe—and I strongly suggest you take it. Only be on guard for what roams these hills, as worse things than my beasts are now seeking to kill.”

“That sounds promising,” Vincent says dryly.

“Survive the night and tomorrow your path will be clear. Find your way to that island, beneath which, the key you seek may be near. But fair warning—try it tonight or in dim light, and you’ll be risking your life. But for now perhaps you should ponder the thrill—how good are your engineering skills?”

The next moment the buzzing air is gone, and my ears and skin are prickling like sea urchins, and the boys who were facing us moments ago are scrambling back the way they came.

“Did you hear him?” the tall one yells. “He said the island. See if there’s a boat!”

“Are they serious? They’re going to go for it tonight?” Beryll says. “Holm just said not to.”

Vincent shrugs. “Maybe they’re just going to confiscate a boat.”

“Yeah, but what if there’s only one?” Rubin looks at us.

“Did you see the size of most of them?” Germaine says. “We can take them and their boat. Besides—” He points down at the water where the glint of metal masts can be seen near a tree line. “I count at least five down there.”

“The real question is—by waiting until morning, are we doing what we’re supposed to, or is it part of the test?” Vincent glances at Germaine. “Are we supposed to risk it, or is the water actually unsafe?”

“Why don’t we ask the fisherman?” Beryll turns to Lute, whose eyes have been scanning the island and water for the past two minutes. Lute tips his head at Sam. “With the wind direction, you’ll be facing a pretty strong current. And while I’m not familiar with this lake, the waters around these parts have dangerous whirlpools. I’d be hesitant to test out any water at night that I’ve not seen during daylight.”

Sam is nodding. “Watched a whaling boat get sucked into one last year. Two men died.”

“We’re not talking about the ocean here; we’re talking about a lake.”

I ignore Vincent. “So would you two chance it or not?”

Both Lute and Sam shake their heads, and Lute says, “Not if we can wait a few hours for dawn. Might be wise to regain our energy in the meantime.” He looks over at Germaine and Rubin and mutters, “I suspect we’re going to need it.”

Vincent considers this, then nods. “If you boys want to wait, fine by me. You’re the water experts, and I’m exhausted.” He spins around and, smoothing his hair into place, heads for the tent.

“Plus, I’m sure there’s more than one way to get across,” Seleni adds. “Right?”

She has a point. Holm said engineering, not just boating.

When no one answers her, I just nod and take off after Vincent. Because the truth is, I’m beat too. And I need water. And I need to pee.

“Is it strange that no one ever sees Holm in normal life?” Sam follows us across the grassy knoll toward the small encampment. “Like Holm is everywhere but nowhere. I wonder how many community events he’s been at and no one has any idea.”

“I’m sure someone has an idea,” Berryl responds. “Otherwise, how would he get invited to them? I mean, there are people who must know who he is—at least some of parliament and the university. After all, isn’t he on their board?”