Watch of Nightingales

by Honor Gable

  At last he speaks. "You speak French?"

  I suppress a sigh. The same questions again. "Yes, sir."

  "You are nineteen?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "How did you learn French?"

  "Spent my summers there with the family my mother works for."

  He switches to French. "You're here because you impersonated a soldier? Why?"

  Flawless French spills from my lips when I respond. "My brother is very ill. He was conscripted to become a Bevin Boy and it would've killed him working with coal. So I sneaked out and took his place."

  "I see. There were no patriotic reasons?"

  "Of course I wanted to do my part. I hate what's happening in Europe, but I cared more about my brother living."

  He scrawls notes on his little pad. "Of course. Would you be willing to do something that will quite possibly kill you and in return your sentence will be commuted?"

  Hesitant spirals of relief travel through me. "Yes. Definitely. Of course."

  He frowns. "Don't be so quick to answer. When I say it could kill you, I mean the chances are low that you will survive. It will involve an experiment that still hasn't been perfected. And if it does work on you, your life will be ours for the rest of the war."

  Anything to get out of this place, to see the sky, to feel a summer breeze, to smell a blasted flower again. Anything. Wait. What if I get out and Sebastian is conscripted? It's a miracle he hasn't already been. "I'm not sure."

  "What would you like to know?" He folds his hands on the table.

  "What exactly will it mean?"

  "I'm not at liberty to tell you. It's classified. You have to sign before you learn anything."

  Of course. "Then why would I do it without the information?"

  "To get out of here."

  "I don't have that long left on my sentence. The war doesn't look like it's going to be over any time soon, and I'll be free in a year."

  His gaze turns calculating. "What do you want?"

  My teeth catch my lip and my fingers rub together under the desk. "I want my brother safe from conscription. He gets to stay home, not brought or drafted into any kind of war work."

  "Done."

  I cover my surprise by smoothing down my eyebrows. I went for everything, thinking he'd negotiate down and the most Sebastian would have to do would be a little office work. But this? This is perfect. Sebastian won't have to leave home and he'll be safe and my job of protecting him will be done. "Where do I sign?"

  He doesn't look as satisfied or happy as I expected. In fact, pain darkens his eyes. "You are very young. It will be both a curse and a blessing in the coming months I think."

  My brows pull together in confusion as he stands and leaves without another word.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  AUDREY

  I've finished my third cigarette by the time Viola leaves. Lois is on her fourth. It was nice of Xavier to give us half his rations. Apparently, he isn't much of a smoker, instead he uses them for bribes or gifts. I wonder which one he considers the pile he gave us.

  Xavier pierces us with his gaze. "We're going to need a lot more weapons and ammo than we have. The note I sent to Theo asks for a few things, but in case he can't get it, I need you two to make a little trip for me. Elodie, can you keep Justine hidden?"

  "Of course."

  "Good." He outlines the rest of his plan for us and energy runs up and down my arms, my hands tingling like they're asleep.

  We hurry into shoes and at the doorway, Lois holds out her hand.

  I take it, and everything goes black. I haven't done this much with her, and I don't care for it. At all. Even a little. Never again if I can help it. I do nothing other than stare blindly and wait for it to be over. It doesn't seem like we're moving other than the faint rush of a breeze and different smells.

  When she lets go of me, we're at the top of a staircase. An incredibly dark one.

  We flick on the torches Xavier gave us and after a mutual glace filled with nerves, we descend into Dante's inferno. My lips quirk at the thought. It's something Viola would say. The walls are made of a bunch of stones and, I'm taken aback to see, bones.

  Skulls peer out at us, leering and terrifying.

  I want out of here.

  This thrill isn't a fun one.

  Holding in my shudders, I continue down. Lois doesn't seem affected, her stride easy and face blank. A man emerges from the shadows. I stumble over the code word, but it's apparently good enough for him because he leads us farther in.

  "What do you need?"

  "Weapons. Ammunition. One of those exploding logs."

  I think of the stack of things Rivka, Theo, and I stored from our drop and fury washes away my fear and nerves. We wouldn't have to be here if the traitor hadn't given up the location. Which, apparently, way too many people knew. Axel and his team, Theo and Antoine, Xavier, and who knows who else.

  The man rubs his chin. "And you brought payment?"

  Lois pulls out a stack of bills and papers and I pull out cigarettes. He thumbs through it and smiles. "This will do. Wait here and I'll get your things."

  A pointed silence falls between us while he's gone. Not trusting our voices not to carry. Everything can be said in brow raises and grimaces anyway.

  He returns and helps us load everything into the bags we brought along. They're heavy, but we'll have to manage. With muttered thanks, we make our escape. This time, not being able to see doesn't seem as bad.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  VIOLA

  STEN GUN HIDDEN UNDER my coat, I wait for the signal, meeting Audrey's eyes from down and across the road. Excitement and valor blaze from hers, opposite to the terror raging down my spine. I brush my fingers over my bare, scabbed wrist. We left the bracelets behind again. Maybe we can leave them safe at Xavier's for the rest of our time here.

  But what if something goes wrong and the powers fail?

  Will I freeze today like that first time?

  I flit my eyes up behind her to the window of the flat Xavier and Antoine are in, but I can't see them. I'm not supposed to be able to see Lois or Rivka. I check my watch, trying to seem like a girl waiting on someone who's late, but I fear my wild eyes give me away. The sound of the trolley rumbles in the distance and my heartbeat speeds up. It's time. Theo grasps my elbow as he walks by and enters the street, a bundle of logs clutched under his arm. The trolley comes into sight, barreling straight towards him. He picks up his pace, a log falling to the street behind him, but he doesn't have time to grab it.

  The trolley runs right over it, the pop of the explosion rocketing it into the oncoming traffic and almost straight for me. I whip up the gun and fire into the grill, squinting and diving away against the spray of glass and returning gunfire, taking cover behind a parked car. Screams and racing footsteps thunder in my ears as I hit the ground, scraping the outside of my hands still gripping the gun. Rocks and dirt dig into my skin as I roll onto my back, scooting to the edge to peek out. This time there is no hesitation as I fire at the front of the trolley, the men in it slumping over dead from either my bullets or Audrey's.

  I bite back the bile threatening to rise and duck back behind the car when bullets from the Germans get too close. I take a second to reload, flinching at the thud of bullets against metal, my sweaty hands slipping against the grip. Contorting my body, I look under the car to see what's going on. People caught in the crossfire lay dead and dying on the street and sidewalk. Everyone else has disappeared, leaving us and a couple soldiers still exchanging shots with the others.

  With a squeeze of my eyes and a puff of air expelled, I sit back up. Officers swarm from the building a little down the street, and I turn my attention to them. At least ten men to our four. A gasp whispers from my mouth as I recognize three of them. The same men who came to Jade's. The same men who stopped and read my story at a spot a few meters from me.

  A Molotov cocktail soars from the window, smashing and exploding right in the group of Nazi's pa
th, throwing them back, setting one on fire. My hands almost drop my gun so I can plug my ears against the wails of agony coming from his mouth. My nose wrinkles and stomach swoops at the stench of burning flesh.

  Chaos reigns in the smoke and blood and gunfire and yellow streaks of energy from Rivka.

  I struggle to my feet, scurrying to the other side of the car to find better cover. We have to kill them. For Jade. In case we're caught or recognized, we have to kill those three.

  Imagining a metal door, I put everything behind it and slam it shut. I raise the gun to my waist and fire at the closest one, the officer who was against whatever brand of torture on the prisoners they had planned. My bullets hit him in his stomach and he arches with a scream of pain before crumpling to the ground. My eyes close for a second against the sight, but I don't have the luxury for longer. I need to find the leader, the one who actually read my story. I peer through the smoke, trying to get a line of sight on him, blinking the tears from my burning eyes.

  There.

  My aching arms jerk up the gun again and I fire, but my aim is off and I miss. Blast and crikey. The next spray hits him, and he stares down at his chest in surprise before collapsing. Audrey's howl of rage and pain rises above all the other noises, and I scramble back to peer over the car. A bloody Theo rests in her lap as she screams and fires at the Nazis, taking down two more including the other officer who came to Jade's. We have to get out of here.

  It's time to get the prisoners out of the trolley. It's clear, the driver and his companion aren't moving and no one has breached the back. Three of the tires are blown causing the trolley to sag a bit, steam rising from the engine. I twist by head around to look up at the second story window, waving to get Xavier's attention. When his eyes meet mine, I gesture to the truck and he nods, laying down cover fire so I can move.

  With a burst of speed, I make it to the back of the trolley in less than a second and yell, "Get back." Praying they heard and obeyed, I fire into the metal door, the lock flying off in pieces. I jerk open the heavy door and squint in the darkness. "Get out. Now."

  The first out is a plain girl, maybe twenty-three years old and a fellow about the same age and two more women probably in their early thirties. These are the people we went to so much trouble for.

  They grab onto my hands as I help them out.

  Gunshots bang against the truck. "We have to go. Now. To the apple orchard. Code word, panda. Theirs is mustache. Now go. I'm right behind you."

  I cover their retreat, adding to the body count weighing down my soul, thickening the blood coating my hands. Somewhere, mothers and sisters and lovers and wives will curse and hate me, screaming their grief because of what I do today.

  I don't stop firing though. I'm careful not to aim where Lois and Rivka are supposed to be, but I keep firing. I keep killing. How many are there? I'm running low on ammunition. My whole body aches and my eyes and nose burn with unshed tears and gunpowder.

  A whistle from across the street claims my attention and my head peeks out around the side to see Audrey, dark hair flying her face, standing tall as an Amazon, her gun firing down by her waist, Theo crumpled at her feet. It's the signal to run.

  So I do.

  I overtake the people in seconds and try to hurry them along. They're weak and slow, but I can't chance using my powers in front them. I lead them into a side alley and pull out coats and scarves and lipstick. In seconds, we look completely different. Still a bit suspicious maybe, but loads better. I leave the Sten gun behind, hiding the pistol in the waistband of my skirt, my baggy sweater easily disguising it. I repeat the directions and we split up into three groups.

  I return to Jade's alone, with prayers on my lips.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  AUDREY

  Theo's dead body stares up at me. I closed his eyes when I cried over him earlier, but I can still see the glassy dead look in them. I'll always see it. I didn't realize how much I cared for him until I almost passed out, and then got shot for my trouble. I never did see where the shots came from, but suddenly I had two holes in my chest. Unlike mine, the holes in Theo's chest didn't heal.

  Viola disappeared after the people we freed. Hopefully she gets them where they need to be and makes it back to Jade's safely. I won't know for a few days until we meet at the next safe house. My orders are to hole back up with Xavier and Lois.

  The Jerries must have called for help, because more trucks are showing up. More than we'll be able to take on.

  Another Molotov cocktail explodes not far from me, affording me the cover to run. Before I take a step, coughs send me to my knees. Open eyes squinting with confusion and fear meet mine.

  Theo is alive.

  He raises himself to a seated position, his grey face flooding with red. "What happened?"

  I hug him to me and force him to his feet. "We have to get out of here."

  He's still too stunned to argue or ask questions and I'm glad. I can't answer the ones swirling in my own head. Did I heal him? How will I explain it? And the pure joy radiating from me that he's alive. It gives me energy and I haul him along away from the fight. Rivka's yellow energy keeps the Jerries busy while we make our retreat.

  Theo falls twice and after the third time, we have to stop. Thankfully, we're in an alley and off the main roads. My adrenaline is fading and the healing has taken a toll. I'm not strong enough to keep lugging him. The catacombs are near here. If we can just make it there.

  "Come on, Theo. You have to help me."

  He straightens and stares down at me in confusion, putting more effort into walking. "Did I get shot?"

  There's a little blood by his temple and I jump on it. "You were grazed and it knocked you out."

  He reaches up to his head and grimaces at the blood now coating his hand. "I swore I got shot in the chest."

  "I thought you did too. It's why your shirt is ripped to shreds. Questions later. We have to find cover."

  "You can let go now. I'm feeling better."

  I do, gratefully. "Do you know where we can go?"

  He purses his lips. And it's a shame I'm too tired to appreciate it. "Yes, I think so. Hide here and I'll be right back. You don't look so good." He takes off the sweater wrapped around his waist and yanks it on over his head, hiding his bloody and ruined shirt.

  Too tired to argue, I sink against the side of the building, hidden by trash.

  I can't tell what smells worse. Me or the trash.

  Silent giggles shake me.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  VIOLA

  I'm the first one back to Jade's. The still house unnerves me, so I start a pot of tea, needing the sustenance anyway. I take a seat at the counter while I wait.

  It's too soon to celebrate over another successful mission, as much as I'm tempted. Because it feels marvelous, like we can do anything. I never thought I'd save anyone. My life was so normal and boring. I miss it and can't wait to get back to my family, but I'll carry these wins with me for the rest of my life.

  With a curse, I rise to my feet to pace. Now is the time for strength and calm and prayers, ready for whatever comes. Focus on the win. Those people are safe from torture and camps now. We have saved children. We've killed Nazis. My throat closes. It was them or us. It was them or us. It was them or us.

  The water boils, and I busy myself getting everything set up.

  I drop the dishes on the counter with a clang at the sound of the door opening. It's Jade.

  "Did you see Celine out there?"

  She shakes her head and I try not to worry. "I've got tea started. Did you get the people we freed on their way?"

  "We did. They'll be at the safe house within the hour."

  "Good." I pour tea for both of us and blurt the words I've been holding in. "The officers who came here that night are all dead."

  She spins around eyes wide. "What?"

  "They were there. We killed them. It shouldn't come back on you." I try to keep my voice hard, but it breaks at the end
. I can't stop seeing the bullets hit his back, his expression of agony, his eyes blank with death.

  The door bursting open sends both of us rushing to the door, stopping short at the sight of the maid, not Rivka, fumbling in panic.

  "What's happened?" Jade asks as she wraps her arms around the girl and leads her to the sofa.

  I run and pour her a glass of wine, hoping it'll put a little color in her ghostly cheeks. She takes it from me with a wan smile and sips on it before speaking. "The people you rescued today have made it to the safe house."

  "Then why are you so upset?"

  "Because the Germans will be here any minute to search the house."

  After a mad rush putting things to rights and hiding or destroying what can't be found, Jade comes in with tea. I don't want tea. I want out of here. I want Audrey and Lois and Rivka.

  Jade reads my face. "There's nothing you can do right now. Germans are going door to door, searching. I'll get you to the safe house as soon as I can." She reaches into her pocket and hands me a bright red lipstick. The same color Audrey favors. "Put this on. And pinch your cheeks, you are too pale. I'll do something with your hair. If Celine doesn't get here in time, we'll say she went out shopping."

  Time to act like a grown-up no matter how much I want to scream and throw myself to the floor. I join her on the sofa and let her make me over. She works magic in less than a minute. I don't recognize myself in the compact she holds before me. I'm seductive and confident looking, not like a twelve year old boy with only some lipstick and hair pins.

  Jade fusses with her tea set. "I wanted us to have something to do if they came by." Her eyes and movements and are a bit jerky, not her usual grace.