Ellie frowned. ‘But you can do those things,’ she said. ‘You’re the Vessel. You’re the Vessel to the God of Life.’
Kate flinched and looked away.
‘No, Ellie. I’m not.’
The Expedition North
Kate gave half a sob, strained to contain it, then burst into tears.
‘What … what do you mean? Of course you’re the Vessel.’
‘I’ve never been a Vessel, Ellie.’
Ellie took her hand from Kate’s shoulder. ‘But …’
‘I’ve been terrified someone would realize. For six years,’ Kate whimpered. ‘I’m a lie. And now they’re all going to find out.’
Ellie stepped away from Kate, her head spinning. Kate was a Vessel – she had to be. All this time they’d spent together, their connection. Kate did have powers; she had to. She was going to destroy the Enemy.
‘I need air,’ Kate mumbled, getting to her feet but staggering aimlessly. Ellie guided her towards the balcony, but felt she was watching some other girl guide her, some other girl undo the latch on the window, and help Kate outside.
‘Kate,’ Ellie said, ‘how … how do you know for sure?’
Kate grasped the handrail, purple make-up running in two curving arcs down her cheeks.
‘Because the God has never spoken to me, like it spoke to my mother.’ She managed a smile. ‘The island adored her, Ellie. The harvests were always plentiful.’
‘I don’t understand,’ Ellie whispered. ‘If your mother was the Vessel, then surely you are too?’
Kate gritted her teeth bitterly. ‘No.’
‘But then … what happened?’
Kate’s knuckles blanched. ‘My father happened. Nobody knew exactly where he’d come from, but he was clever, and the nobles loved him. He became my mother’s advisor, and then her husband. Would you believe, he was an inventor too? But he wasn’t interested in helping people, like you are. He was always locked in his study, day after day, and would not be distracted. When I was five, he poisoned my dog after she barked through the night.’
‘That’s horrible,’ said Ellie, her voice hoarse.
Kate nodded. ‘Then, one day, my mother told me that she and my father were going away for several months. A crucial expedition, Father called it. I was so upset – everyone was. No Vessel had ever left Shipwreck Island before. She must have really loved him to leave her people’s side for so long. They were going to take a ship, with the Seven and a handful of servants, and sail north towards the Enemy’s City.’
Ellie felt a chill rise up her spine.
‘I didn’t want to be left alone, so I tricked my nursemaid, escaped the palace, and stowed away on the ship, below deck where Father kept his strange machines. He found me a day later, asleep inside a giant suit of brass armour. I’d never seen him so angry. But he refused to turn back – the voyage was too important. So we travelled on for weeks. And every day I asked Mother where we were going, and why, and she said it was for the good of our island.
‘Finally, we dropped anchor in the middle of the ocean. Mother and Father put on the brass suits of armour. They were going underwater, attached to the ship by two tubes that they could breathe through. I screamed and yelled at Father not to risk Mother’s life, but the Sentinels restrained me, and I was forced to watch my parents vanish beneath the waves. I cried for seven hours, and then they came back.’
‘Mother was barely alive. She was pale and wheezing, and her skin was hot as burning coal. Father, though … he was … happy. He kept saying, “It worked. It worked.” Like he didn’t care that Mother was sick. I told him we had to return to Shipwreck Island immediately. Father just laughed. He said his work wasn’t done yet. Mother collapsed, but Father didn’t care. It was … like he’d been using her. Like she’d just been another experiment …’ Kate swallowed. ‘He ordered the Seven Sentinels to throw me and Mother overboard, and all the servants. But they did nothing. They loved Mother like I did. When Father went to grab me, the Sentinels hurled him into the ocean instead.’
Kate took a trembling breath, and closed her eyes.
‘We returned to the island, and within the year, my mother was dead. But when she died, the God-Bird did not appear. And though I prayed and pleaded and cried, her power never passed to me. Whatever happened to Mother, down in those depths, the god was taken from her. Her power was extinguished. The next year the harvest began to dwindle. Each year it’s been worse and worse. Until now …’
Kate’s head drooped forward and Ellie felt a swell of pity rising in her chest. Kate had been keeping this secret hidden for so long, even as it ate at her from inside. She gripped Kate’s shoulder tightly.
Kate blinked, like she was coming out of a dream. She shivered, and squeezed Ellie’s hand.
‘Come on, your pale skin shouldn’t be out in this sun,’ she said, helping Ellie to her feet and back indoors.
Kate wove between the statues of her ancestors, then sat down by the one of her mother. Ellie tapped her cane absent-mindedly, thinking. ‘Kate … why do you suppose your father wanted to take your mother’s power?’
‘I don’t know. He didn’t need to: she would have done anything for him. I’ve sometimes wondered if he was a spy of the Enemy’s.’
Ellie’s eyes widened, her fingertips tingling. She could feel ideas connecting in her brain, sparking like electricity as they collided. ‘You said the Seven Sentinels were your father’s idea. Did he also design the masks they wear?’
‘Yes. Why?’
‘Oh, nothing. Um, Kate, what was your father’s name?’
Kate’s nose twitched, her lips framing the words like a poison.
‘Altimus Ashenholme.’
Ellie tripped, catching herself on a statue’s arm. She looked into its cold marble eyes, her mind racing. Kate’s father had come from the City. He’d been Ellie’s mother’s own mentor. And, somehow, he had taken the god that had lived in Kate’s mother.
Kate curled up in a ball. ‘What can we do, Ellie?’ she sobbed. ‘They’re going to find out. I know it.’
‘We’ll figure something out.’ Ellie clenched her fists. ‘I promise.’
‘Oh, Ellie,’ said Kate, watching her fondly. ‘Always trying to fix things. But what if some things cannot be fixed?’
Ellie knelt at Kate’s side. ‘Then they were never broken.’
‘You know, you almost made me feel like … like I could still wield that power, even though a part of me knew I couldn’t.’
‘You do have power, Kate. Maybe not the same as your mother’s. But you do.’
Kate fell silent, her face aglow with sunlight. ‘I wish that was true. I would give everything to my people, Ellie. If I had anything to give.’
Kate lay down on Ellie’s lap, and Ellie stroked her hair, trying to think of something to say – anything to make Kate feel better again. But nothing came. Long minutes passed, and Kate’s eyes closed, and soon her soft, rhythmic breathing matched the rise and fall of her chest. The tears on her cheeks dried, and Ellie watched, and still could think of nothing to say.
With great care, Ellie removed Kate’s hand from hers, and rolled up her new coat into a ball. She eased Kate from her lap, resting her head on the makeshift pillow. She felt more alone than she had in months. She glanced at the statues of Kate’s ancestors casting long shadows in the sunlight: the tall, muscular woman with the gentle smile, the round-cheeked man frozen mid-laugh. The frail, pearly white child staring straight at her.
Ellie narrowed her eyes, cold fear dripping down her neck. But the statue remained unmoving. Ellie sighed in relief.
‘They’re going to destroy her.’
The voice hissed from all around. Ellie’s shoulders tensed.
‘Today was just the beginning.’
Ellie rose warily to her feet, her heart pulsing in her palms. ‘Did you do this?’
The chamber laughed at her, two voices together: one deep and grating, the other high-pitched and childish.
&nbs
p; ‘Me? Ellie, you’re not using your head. I can’t do anything without your say-so. I barely have the strength for these little chats of ours.’
Ellie turned round, searching the shadows and sunbeams. When she turned back, the statue of the frail child had vanished.
‘What –’ Ellie’s mouth was almost too dry to speak. ‘What do you want?’
‘Funny, isn’t it? An orphan, who couldn’t live up to her brilliant mother’s reputation, hiding this horrible, destructive secret for years. I guess you two have more in common than you realized?’
Ellie saw movement out of the corner of her eye. When she turned, the statue of the child was standing ten feet away, in shadow. She couldn’t see its eyes – it didn’t seem to have any – but she could see its smile.
Ellie licked her lips. ‘Did you take her mother’s power? Was Altimus Ashenholme your Vessel?’
‘It does sound like my work, doesn’t it?’ hissed the voice. ‘But no. I do remember dear Hestermeyer mentioning an Ashenholme, though. He was not especially fond of him, and with good reason it appears! What a thing to do to your wife and child.’
‘What’s going to happen to Kate?’
Laughter split the air, cutting into Ellie’s mind. ‘They will tear her down, piece by piece, until nothing remains.’
‘They won’t.’ Ellie gritted her teeth. ‘The people love her.’
‘Loved her. After this morning, I’m not so sure. And when the Festival of Life comes, and they find out how weak she really is? Why, if only there was someone who could help her. Someone who really was a Vessel. Someone who could perform miracles, just by speaking a few words.’
Ellie felt breath on her ear, and turned to find the statue of the frail child standing right by her side, its wide grin and the flat surface where its eyes should have been. But even as she watched, the marble melted away like dripping paint, and the creature underneath was revealed. Snow-white skin, a bandaged, frail body. Fabric pulled taut against its eyes and nose.
‘With my help, you can save her. Stop anyone from ever hurting her.’
Ellie looked down at Kate, her brow furrowing in restless sleep. Her hand still gripped tightly on to nothing, where it had been holding Ellie’s hand before.
‘You want to help her, don’t you?’ said the child. ‘You can perform the miracles, and she can think it was her. The whole island can think it was her.’
Ellie’s lips trembled. ‘If I ask you to grant a wish, then you’ll have a wish of your own. And you’ll use that power to put Kate at risk. That’s what you always do – attack the ones I care about.’ She took a deep breath and stepped between Kate and the child. ‘I don’t need you. I’ll fix this. I’ll stop Loren. Even if Kate’s not a Vessel, my inventions can make it look like she is.’
The child’s hand hovered by Ellie’s cheek. ‘Ever determined. But I know what’s coming, and, believe me, you are not equal to it. When it comes, well … You will fail.’
The Enemy leaned forward, baring a hundred pointed teeth. ‘And by the end, my dear, dear Ellie, you will beg for my help.’
The Hoarder of Secrets
The Vile Oak was so quiet that night that Ellie could hear it creaking under the weight of its dour, silent patrons. The sailors were huddled in the corner furthest from Ellie and Seth, shooting Ellie disgruntled looks over teacups of ale. Molworth had locked away the tankards and instituted rationing – no one was allowed more than a single cup an evening.
Seth and Ellie were sitting at their table by the window. Seth, who usually had at least three dinners, was hugging his stomach while trying to savour the single radish on his plate. He raised a thin slice to his mouth, then broke into a huge yawn.
‘Oh lovely,’ said Ellie. ‘I think I just saw your lunch.’
‘How?’ Seth grumbled. ‘I could barely see it when I was eating it.’ He watched the miserable sailors. ‘What if the food does run out? Is everyone really going to starve?’
‘I … I don’t know,’ said Ellie. She felt too guilty to look in the sailors’ direction. Janssen had explained to them that the poisoning of the farms wasn’t Ellie’s fault, but it was clear they were searching for someone to blame. Loren’s grain had arrived on the island, but whoever it had been given to, the sailors had seen none of it. Meanwhile, the price of even a loaf of bread had skyrocketed.
Seth stifled another yawn.
‘Did you not sleep?’
‘More visions. I’m worried something bad is going to happen to Leila and … me.’
‘Well, whatever it is, it’s already happened.’
Seth glowered at her.
‘Sorry,’ said Ellie. ‘That’s not very helpful.’
‘The voices in the sea are getting louder too.’ Seth massaged his temples. ‘I don’t know why – I barely even use my powers any more.’
‘Maybe the visions and the voices are linked. You’re remembering things from your past lives.’
‘I don’t want to,’ Seth said, staring resentfully at what remained of his radish. ‘I wish the past would just leave me alone.’
Ellie winced.
‘What?’ said Seth.
‘I saw the Enemy yesterday,’ she confessed. Seth’s eyes widened. ‘That’s the second time since we got to the island.’
Seth pushed back his chair, as if the Enemy might be hiding under the table. ‘What did it look like?’
‘Ill. And weak. The first time I saw it was the day after we –’ she swallowed – ‘had our big argument.’
‘Are you okay?’
Ellie shrugged. ‘I’m okay now, but yesterday I felt so lonely.’
‘Maybe when you’re upset,’ Seth said, his brow furrowing, ‘the Enemy is able to appear?’
‘Maybe.’ Ellie took a deep breath. ‘I think I can manage it, though. It helps when I picture my friends,’ she said. She thought of Kate, about how she had trusted Ellie with her darkest secret. She might not be a Vessel, but she was still a friend.
‘You are doing really well,’ Seth said, smiling encouragingly.
Ellie shifted in her chair. ‘Thank you.’
A shadow fell across the table. Ellie turned, and gasped.
‘Charmed to see you too,’ said Kate, taking a seat. Her hair was messy, and there were new, dark shadows under her eyes.
‘Sorry,’ said Ellie. ‘It’s just … always a bit of a shock seeing you here. Like finding a swan in a swamp.’
Kate frowned. ‘I think that’s a compliment?’
‘It’s more than I ever get,’ Seth huffed.
‘If you want revenge, you should try throwing things at her,’ said Kate. ‘She’s a terrible catch.’
Seth laughed and did an impression of a startled seal clapping its flippers. Kate snorted.
‘While I’m glad you’re both getting on so well,’ Ellie snapped, ‘we have planning to do.’
‘Planning for what?’ said Seth.
‘You haven’t told him yet?’ said Kate.
‘No, I wanted to wait until he’d eaten something,’ said Ellie. ‘He’s less grouchy then.’
‘Tell. Me. What?’
‘All right, losers?’ said a voice, and they looked up to find Viola standing above them. ‘My dad said you wanted some kelp. I know a seaweed merchant over on the west side, though it’s probably going to be really expensive now that –’
‘I said we want your help,’ said Ellie.
Viola rolled her eyes. ‘I keep telling Dad his hearing’s going.’
‘Wait, she’s coming with us?’ said Kate. ‘It could be dangerous.’
Viola laughed. ‘I’m not afraid of anything.’
‘Viola knows the island better than the rest of us,’ Ellie explained.
‘Excuse me,’ said Kate. ‘Nobody knows the island better than me.’
‘Well, I thought Viola might actually know where Loren lives.’
‘I know where he lives,’ said Kate. ‘I’ve been there.’
‘Oh,’ said Ellie. ‘Sorry. I just
thought … you are inside the palace most of the time.’
‘Everyone’s always underestimating me, Ellie. Please don’t you start too.’
‘WHAT ARE WE DOING?’
The whole pub turned to stare at Seth, who was glaring at Ellie, a vein pulsing in his forehead.
‘Breaking into Loren’s mansion,’ Kate said simply.
Seth butted his head against the table. ‘That is an extremely bad idea,’ he said, as Archibald hopped down from Viola’s shoulder, and began to lick Seth’s ear.
‘We don’t have a choice,’ said Kate. ‘We have to find evidence to prove he poisoned the fields. We’re going to uncover his darkest secret, and we’re going to destroy him.’ She punched her palm for emphasis.
‘I don’t want to die hungry,’ said Seth.
Ellie beamed. ‘So you’ll come with us?’
‘Hold on,’ said Viola. ‘Why are we sticking our necks out for the Queen? She could fix this famine with a snap of Her fingers, but She doesn’t. For all we know, She was in on this whole plan with Loren.’
‘Viola,’ said Seth, ‘Kate is the Queen.’
‘Seth!’ Ellie hissed.
‘She deserves to know who she’s risking her life for!’
Viola rose slowly from her chair, watching Kate with wide eyes. ‘Y-you?’
Kate leaned forward. ‘And I would never hurt my people,’ she said, in a low, dangerous whisper. ‘I would do anything for them.’
‘But … you’re so … normal,’ said Viola, struggling to find the words. ‘I thought you’d be … You seem nice.’
‘She is nice,’ said Ellie. ‘It’s Loren who’s making the island worse.’
‘But …’ Viola slumped into her chair. ‘The Revolution …’
‘Can still happen,’ said Ellie. ‘It’s just Loren we’re overthrowing, not the Queen. He’s the greedy one. He poisoned the fields to make her seem weak, because he wants all her power for himself. Help us break into his mansion, and we can figure out what he’s planning next, and find a way to stop him. Or maybe even find some incriminating evidence against him! And no one will be risking their life.’
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