Opaque Lies Read online

  With the guard assured they had no intention of climbing out of the tower, the girls climbed the dozens of steps to Eloise’s domain. Once inside, Eloise lit the fire with a magical spark before seating herself at the work bench. Drina curled up on the pile of cushions with her sketch pad. Allie went through a tai chi form while keeping half an ear on the conversation.

  “Since magic is a science with formulas and such, why does take so long to learn? What makes it so much more difficult than biology, chemistry, or alchemy?” Drina asked as she paused in her drawing.

  Eloise glanced up from her book and pushed her glasses further up her nose. “Oh, good question. Let me think.” She tapped a finger against her chin and stared up at the exposed beams that held aloft the ceiling. “Imagine you wanted to learn to draw. What would be the first lesson?”

  Drina rolled the pencil between her fingers as she thought. “Perspective, perhaps. Or lighting.”

  Eloise leaned her elbows on the table. “What if you first had to learn how to see?”

  Drina frowned and Allie stopped her movements, unable to concentrate on both the sword’s course and Eloise’s words.

  Drina held out her hand holding the pencil. A slight frown on her forehead. “But I can see.”

  “But what if you couldn’t? Or imagine you wanted to play the piano but first had to learn to hear. Or to write a novel you first must understand language and the alphabet.” Eloise’s voice grew stronger with her enthusiasm for the topic.

  “I always thought being able to cast magic was, well… magic.” Allie sat on the windowsill and rested the sword across her knees.

  Eloise snorted at the pun, then her expression turned serious and her tone lowered. “What if the majority of people were blind and only a rare few could see? How would you explain a world of colour to those without vision?”

  A spark of wonder grew inside Allie as she grasped the concept Eloise explained.

  “Magic is all around us but only a small number of people ever perceive it. Before you can cast magic you first have to be able to sense it. That’s why it takes so long to master. I spent two years doing exercises to develop the ability to see magic before I could tackle the formula for a flame. Think of it as a sixth sense—beyond sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste.”

  “If another custodian casts a spell, is it like writing a formula on a wall? Is it something you can perceive, and is that why wards tingle?” Allie mused aloud.

  Eloise nodded and her eyes gleamed. “Some wards are strong enough that even those without the ability to perceive magic can sense them. That’s why most girls shiver when they walk through the wards surroundings the girls’ dormitory. Although my sense is not yet as strong as a custodian’s, I can see the ward that protects the female students. To me, it’s like transparent wallpaper covered in tightly written script. I can also see the faint glimmer of a personal ward emitting from Drina’s wrist.”

  The young woman in question discarded her sketch pad, tossing it and the pencil to one side. She sucked in her bottom lip and plucked at the silver bracelet on her left wrist.

  “Why do you have a personal ward, Drina? I don’t believe I have ever encountered one on a student before,” Eloise said, leaning her elbows on the work bench.

  “Do you promise not to laugh at me?” She drew her legs under her as if ready to run.

  Allie and Eloise exchanged raised eyebrows.

  “Of course we wouldn’t laugh, friends don’t do that,” Allie replied.

  “I am only here for a few weeks and my uncle thought the freedom might go to my head and that I might run away. The ward means I can’t leave the school grounds.” She stared out the window as a sparrow rested on the sill and peered within.

  “Oh. I wonder how it works. Might I have a closer look?” Eloise abandoned her book for a more practical example. She sat on a cushion next to Drina and held out her hands.

  “Apparently it works in conjunction with the ward protecting the school and stops me leaving the grounds. Or it’s a chain that only lets me venture a certain number of feet from the school building.” Drina extended her right arm to Eloise.

  Eloise took her friend’s arm and stared at the bracelet. She touched it with a fingertip and muttered under her breath. “How amazing. Beautiful in its simplicity. Think of the outer ward as a locked door, and we all have the key to pass back and forth. But this negates the key you have as a student.”

  Allie frowned at the innocuous piece of jewellery. However pretty, it was effectively a shackle that kept the princess in one place. “It also puts a damper on our plans to have a day in town at the weekend, or go for a ride along the river.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment hung heavy in the syllable Drina uttered. “I do so like to ride.”

  An idea crept into Allie’s mind. Knowing what obstacle they faced was the first step in overcoming it. “Perhaps Lou might find some way to let you slip out for an hour or two? Something like a temporary key to allow you through?”

  Eloise arched one pale brow. “I can try, but I can only conjure a spark, remember. Breaking wards is many years in my future.”

  “Not to mention Webber. I doubt she will sit and knit at the stables while I canter off into the distance.” Drina managed a weak smile.

  Bother. Allie had forgotten the dark shadow that followed the young woman everywhere. “One problem at a time,” she muttered. If Drina wanted the freedom of a fast ride, she would figure out some way to make it happen.

  The next afternoon, the library nook became an impromptu surgery. Jared sat in the armchair closest to the fire. Allie and Drina occupied the opposite sofa. Zeb claimed an armchair and Duncan lounged against the fire surround, while Alfred Donovan surveyed the leather roll of instruments that Eloise unwrapped on the low table.

  “Do you have to do this in the library?” the custodian asked from under bushy grey eyebrows.

  “Yes. Boys can’t access our wing, they aren’t allowed in my tower, and I refuse to use Zeb’s laboratory as it looks unsanitary. That leaves here or out in the stables,” Eloise said as she slid a scalpel and pair of tweezers from their individual slots and rested them on top.

  Jared unlaced his shirt and pulled it off over his head. Drina emitted a startled squeak. Allie bit her tongue to stop a sigh, but she certainly understood Drina’s sentiment. A light bandage encircled his arm, but that wasn’t what elicited their responses. Allie didn’t think she’d ever tire of staring at Jared with his shirt off. Rather like no one complained about the naked marble statues in a gallery. At the same time, she galloped toward a point where both her body and mind wanted to do far more than look.

  Weasel, curled up on back of the sofa, made a meep sound and butted his head against Allie’s neck. She lifted a hand to stroke his metal head. The thin metal hairs weren’t so bad as long as she stroked in the right direction, like petting a hedgehog. He settled and his tail looped around her neck.

  Eloise untied the end of the bandage and unwrapped the crepe to reveal the line of stitches marching across Jared’s bicep. She made a satisfied noise and dropped the rolled bandage to the table. Next, she picked up the instruments.

  Drina opened her sketch pad and took up the charcoal, drawing the scene with quick strokes. Allie glanced from paper to her friends. Watching the sketch reveal itself was better for her internal temperature. Staring too long at half-naked Jared made her pull at her clothing as though she sat fully dressed in a sauna.

  Eloise tugged on a stitch with the tweezers before cutting the fibre with the scalpel. One by one, the little crosses were dropped to a small bowl on the table.

  Weasel slid off the sofa to curl around Allie. The creature had claimed her shoulders as his favourite spot and frequently wrapped himself around her neck, hiding behind her hair with his tail draped like a deadly piece of jewellery. An odd wave of comfort ran up her arm whenever she stroked his pointed brass head.

  She scratched behind an ear as though he were a real cat, as Eloise stared at Jared’s arm. “It has healed but do be careful—because of where it is you could potentially damage it again.”

  “I promise not to place my arm in front of any swords for at least a whole month.” Jared reached for his shirt. A smile blazed in his eyes when he glanced at Allie.

  “I’ll try not to get shot at for a month,” she murmured.

  Drina’s hand tightened on the piece of charcoal. “Why is anyone shooting at you?”

  Allie considered how much to tell the princess. Apart from Eloise, who the previous night had refused to give up on the subject of why Drina had to be confined to the grounds, the others didn’t yet know her true identity. “We had a rather exciting term break.”

  Drina opened her mouth to say more, but Zeb interjected.

  “Why aren’t we allowed in your tower, Lou? That doesn’t sound fair when I let you in my laboratory.” The lanky student took his glasses off, extracted a cloth from his pocket and set about cleaning the spectacles.

  “You keep the door locked and I regularly have to break in,” Allie reminded him.

  Zeb frowned and stared at the lenses. “I have sensitive work in my lab. What are you girls working on up there?”

  Allie bristled at what she hoped was an unintentional slight of what they chose to do in the tower. If they wanted to do needlework without the youths around, then they had the right to their privacy.

  Eloise rolled up the pouch that contained her equipment and tied the black ribbon. Jared stood to let her have the armchair, and he moved to take the opposite side of the fireplace to his cousin.

  “We are plotting to overthrow the patriarchy,” Eloise said as she dropped in the chair.

  Zeb laughed and then when he put his glasses on and glanced at Eloise, the laughter turned
into a muffled cough. “No, really, what do you do up there?”

  Eloise arched an eyebrow in a manner that indicated she was deadly serious. “What part of overthrowing the patriarchy are you having difficulty with?”

  Zeb stared at Eloise, then took his glasses off and stared at them as though the spectacles had dropped him into a different world where women expressed firmly held opinions.

  Drina spoke up from her seat, and her entire face became animated. “We are all very passionate that a woman should be mistress of her own fate. Why should you lads get to have adventures, or careers, while we are expected to stay home and embroider? We intend to spark a revolution of women stepping out from men’s shadows.”

  “But you can’t. Women are nurturers who should be in the home.” Zeb turned to Jared as though expecting reinforcements.

  “Where is that written?” Allie asked. At least the Noctis world allowed women more freedom. Their lives were too hard to lounge around in parlours. Every able-bodied person was expected to work.

  Zeb spread his hands and leaned forward in his armchair. “Well, it’s not a written rule as such. But it is your biological imperative. Women bear and raise children while men provide.”

  “Imagine a world where a woman could choose when, or even if, she decided to have children. What could we do, if we weren’t shackled to a coal range?” Eloise squared off opposite Zeb.

  “Master Donovan, surely you agree a woman’s place is in the home?” Zeb cast around for an ally.

  Alfred held up his hands. “Oh, no, lad. You’re not dragging me into this. For all my decades on this earth I have learned one thing—you don’t tell a woman her place. All I will say is if these three fine young women are planning to shake up our society, you lads better practice saying yes ma’am.”

  Duncan chuckled to himself and Jared looked amused. Zeb wrinkled his face in concern.

  “I’m seeing a new side to you this year, Lou.” He peered at her over the top of his glasses.

  “I find being friends with Allie and Drina is growing my confidence in myself. I have no intention of living in a man’s shadow. I intend to find someone who sees me as a true partner and not an unpaid housekeeper. Otherwise I shall remain a free woman like Master Cowie.”

  Ouch. Allie sucked in a breath. Perhaps she had emboldened Eloise a little too much.

  Zeb’s face fell and his mouth hung open.

  “Now Eloise, not all men are threatened by a woman who knows her mind. Some find it quite invigorating.” Alfred picked a book from the trolley and ran a hand over its spine.

  “Did you find grandmother invigorating?” Allie asked, unable to resist the opening. Her grandparents had a fiery relationship, and from what she observed, could only tolerate limited amounts of time on the same continent as each other.

  Alfred burst into laughter. “In the same way a dash across a battlefield in the pitch dark while under cannon fire is invigorating.”

  “That sounds terrifying.” Eloise stared at Allie.

  “Sounds fantastic to me.” Jared grinned and caught Allie’s gaze.

  Alfred pointed to Jared. “See? What one man finds terrifying is excitement to another.”

  “Who is your grandmother that she combines terror and excitement?” Drina nudged Allie as she continued with her drawing.

  Allie wondered how to describe the woman who had the ability to provoke a strong reaction in everyone she met—some feared her, while others loved her fiercely. “An incredible woman my grandfather met in Egypt. She rules the harem for the sultan, and I’ve seen seven-foot-tall guards cower before her.”

  “Jadda possesses a unique magic all of her own. Perhaps one day she will forgive me for choosing the League over becoming a camel trader.” A sad smile touched Alfred’s face, and it turned to a frown as he studied Eloise.

  Allie’s heart ached for her friend. Would she one day have to make the same choice as her grandfather—the Ouroboros League or love?

  Late that night, a tap-tap-tapping dragged Allie from sleep. It sounded like a clock with an erratic heartbeat, unable to keep time consistently. She sat up, glancing around the room for the source of the noise before realising it came from outside. The window to be exact. Letting her toes sink into the lush oriental carpet, she crossed the room. A flash of light caught her eyes in the moonlight. A fragile creature threw itself against the window trying to gain entrance.

  “Settle, don’t hurt yourself,” Allie muttered as she opened the casement. The brass and silver mechanical dragonfly shot into the room and alighted on Allie’s arm. The insect had absorbed a drop of Allie’s blood and was attuned to her. Its enhanced senses would find her anywhere; a tiny, unseen, and unerringly accurate messenger. She drew the window closed and sat at her desk, holding out her left hand. The insect hopped onto the outstretched palm.

  “Let’s see what you have for me, my little friend.” She gently tapped the last segment of its body and it unhinged, revealing a tightly scrolled piece of paper. Allie unfurled the tiny strip to read the hidden message.

  Meeting arranged. Private airship will collect you morning of Friday, 21st October.

  Allie stroked a finger along the dragonfly’s back and it obligingly folded it wings back over itself, allowing her to drop it into a small glass vial. Placing the stopper on the end, Allie tucked the messenger into her desk drawer.

  “Those things never bring good news,” a sleepy voice said as Eloise sat up in her bed and pulled the blankets under her chin.

  Allie headed back to the comfort of her bed, sinking into the mattress and wrapping the coverlet over herself. “That depends on what you consider good news. I am summoned to London next week for an introduction to those who move against our friend.”

  Eloise’s delicate face screwed up in a grimace. “I don’t like it.”

  Allie stared at the ceiling where the painted silver stars winked down on her. “Neither do I, but I will do what I can to keep her safe and to give her the chance she deserves.”

  A sigh came from Eloise’s side of the room. “Well, we are the adventurers club and none of us has chosen an easy route through life.”

  Allie smiled and turned to warm her cheek against Weasel. “No. The three of us all seem to have picked hard roads to walk.”

  7

  Friday, 14th October

  That morning, during their regular training session, Marshall updated them on KRAC’s promise to include the cadets on an appropriate mission. The general had found a quiet reconnaissance mission the youths could join. Duncan let out a whoop of excitement and punched the air.

  “We leave at dawn, Saturday morning,” Marshall said before dismissing them.

  Later that afternoon, after all classes had finished for the day, Allie waited for Jared in the library. She paced between the rows while Weasel darted along the books beside her. When the critter paused and spun his ears, Allie slowed her pace. Weasel didn’t emit an alert tone, which meant he recognised the person walking toward her.

  Jared appeared around the corner and then sped up to catch Allie. He caught her in his arms and pressed her back to the books as he kissed her. For one bright, hot moment Allie forgot all her worries. Then they rushed back over her.

  “I received a message from my father and am summoned to London. The meeting is arranged for next week.” Allie kept her hands laced behind Jared’s neck.

  He stroked a lock of hair from her face. “I’ll come with you.”

  She shook her head. If Jared accompanied her, that was one less person to guard Drina. “You cannot travel with me to this world.”

  “I don’t like you going alone, with no one at your back.” He held her face in his hands and peered into her eyes.

  Allie glanced to where her metal protector roamed the shelf. “I’ll take Weasel with me, and I will have my father.”

  Jared ground his jaw. “Do you trust him?”

  “I don’t know,” she whispered. “But I think in this our interests align, and that will have to suffice.”

  His grey eyes were unreadable as he leaned his forehead to hers. “I’d like to show you something in town, if you have the time.” Jared pitched his voice low.