Across the Divide: (Alitura Realm Book 2)

by J. K. Holt

  “Well, for one, it makes it more likely that we might actually be able to figure out where the high scholar is being kept.”

  “Oh, is that so?” Rosie said. “I assume you’ve got it all worked out then, eh?”

  “No,” Tess said. “I’ve got the first few steps, that’s all. I thought we could work together to tackle it, a piece at a time, as we go. That is, if you’re still interested.”

  “Wait. You’re serious?” Disbelief was etched across Rosie’s features. “Our meeting was just three rotting days ago, and you didn’t seem so keen then. What on earth has changed?”

  “Well, for one, I don’t think it’s safe for me to stay,” Tess said. “And if I do, I put Gowan, and possibly everyone, in more danger. The lampreys are still out there, looking for Loren. I wasn’t sure at first, but now I am.”

  “And you don’t think it might alert the lampreys if all of us suddenly up and left the area?”

  “Not all of us. Just a few.”

  “Oh?” Rosie scoffed. “Who do you propose will be involved then? Dray, obviously.” At the mention of his name, Rosie’s voice caught, and Tess remembered the hint that had been made by Russ that Rosie harbored some deep feelings toward him.

  “No, not Dray. As I’ve thought about it, I keep coming to the conclusion that the Reeds shouldn’t be made aware of the plan at all. Like you said, we can’t all go without arousing suspicion. And if we told Dray, he wouldn’t let us go, or he certainly wouldn’t allow us to do it alone. But he’s needed here, where he can keep an eye on things and protect his family. It makes the most sense. And Emme agrees.”

  Rosie scowled. “You’re suggesting that it just be you and I? That’s hardly-”

  “No. I’m suggesting that it be a party of four. You, I, Fish-” at this, Rosie sucked in her breath. “And Loren.”

  Rosie stood and stalked over to Tess, glowering down at her, rage in her eyes. “If you think, for one moment, that I’d go anywhere with that disgusting piece of scum that blurred Russ-”

  Tess stood too, so close that Rosie was forced to take a step back. She shook her head and made a placating gesture with her hands. “I am suggesting it, but listen. He’d be bound, our prisoner if you will. We need him. Even if he doesn’t want to give it away, I think there’s a good chance that we can get more information out of him as we go. Information we’ll need to have any chance of winning this fight.”

  “And if he escapes? What then?” Rosie demanded.

  “Then you’d have my full support to hunt him down and do what you will with him.” Tess held Rosie’s gaze, attempting to convince her of her own earnestness. Rosie glared at her for a long moment more before shaking her head and sitting back down on the bed. Tess followed suit.

  “Why do you think he’d go with us in a thousand years?” Rosie asked.

  “Because they’ll kill him soon, and he’s got to realize that. There’s no other way this ends for him. Coming with us will give him hope, that he can possibly escape. We won’t let that happen, of course, but it’s something that will motivate him. And we’ll figure the rest out as we go. As I said, I’ve only worked out the first few moves. We can work out the rest together, if you’re in.”

  Rosie took a breath, weighing Tess’s argument. Tess knew that everything hinged on Rosie’s being involved, so she forced herself to wait. Rosie picked at a nail, and Tess saw that they were nearly all bloody at the base, likely from weeks of abuse. Rosie saw her looking and tucked her hands away into pockets. “What about Fish?”

  Tess was confused. “What about him?”

  “Why on earth does he need to be involved? He’s the whole bloody reason Loren wormed his way into our group to begin with. He was involved with him, for rotting sake. He’s hardly impartial.”

  Tess threw up her hands. “Oh, come on, none of us are impartial here. Besides, we need more than the two of us to keep an eye on Loren. And Fish is on your side, not Loren’s. Snails, Rosie, he’s beside himself with guilt for how that all happened, you must see that. He’s so desperate to prove himself to you, to fix things, that I didn’t have more than two sentences out of my mouth before he volunteered. Surely, that has to mean something.”

  Tears welled in Rosie’s eyes, but she shook her head and looked away. “It doesn’t change what’s happened.”

  “No, of course not,” Tess said. “Fish made a mistake. He loved the wrong person. I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for him to carry around the weight of his secret for years, only for it to destroy the people he loves when he thinks he’s found someone he can be himself with. I can’t help it- I feel sorry for him.”

  “Easy for you to say,” Rosie said. “You’ve not lost everything.”

  “That’s true,” Tess admitted. “But I think you’re forgetting that Loren kidnapped me, beat me, and intended to drown me. I came very close to losing it all.”

  Rosie met her eyes then. “Did he really intend to throw you overboard?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hm.” She chewed the inside of her cheek, thinking. “I hadn’t heard the whole story. Only that Dray and Fish got you out.”

  “Well, I’ll tell it all to you, on our way. That is, if you’re coming.”

  “And if I say no?” Rosie said.

  Tess decided honesty was best. “A large piece of the plan hinges on you, both your participation and your connections. So, I think it likely means that we’ll have to scrap the whole thing.”

  Rosie’s eyebrows shot up. “Connections?”

  Tess leaned forward. “Emme tells me you have family scattered across Alitura, several near Turand. And that your uncle west of town is well-connected. And, more importantly, that he keeps horses.”

  A grin skirted across Rosie’s face. “Aye, that he does.”

  “Good. We’ll need at least four.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  Dear Dray,

  By the time you read this, I’ll be gone. Not forever, but for a while. Fish and Rosie are coming along with me, and we’ve taken Loren. Rosie wanted the privilege of killing him, and since it’s what you were going to end up doing anyways, I thought I’d save you the pain of having to do it yourself. I’m sorry we didn’t talk to you about it, but I wasn’t sure you’d agree.

  I need to get away from Wharfton and what feels like danger around every corner. Rosie’s in constant pain here, as is Fish. They both need the escape as much as I do. Please don’t follow us. I didn’t ask you to come because I know you need to be here to watch out for your family and Emme. You can’t be everywhere at once. But trust that I’ll miss you while I’m gone.

  I promised you the truth. You hold a piece of it, and Gowan and your mother hold the other. Whether you choose to share with them what you know about me, and what happened that day that I pulled you back from the blur, is up to you. But if you ask him, Gowan will tell you everything I’ve told him. I’m not sure if your mother will be as forthcoming, nor am I sure that she believes me, but who you choose to talk to is up to you.

  Once you talk with them, you’ll see that there are things I’ve done that have deceived you. It was done as an act of self-preservation, which I hope you of all people can understand. Regardless, you’ll see me differently. It scares me to think how you might look at me the next time that we meet, but you deserve the truth.

  Take care of yourself, until I see you again.

  Yours,

  Tess

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  The next evening, Tess folded the blankets across her cot and tucked her few books and possessions into the small locker Gowan had given her. From it, she withdrew the opprimer and placed it carefully within her bag. She’d debated, but it seemed more sensible to take it with her than leave it. Perhaps it could be of use, even with the marble having been smashed.

  Gowan glared at her as she finished packing. “This is a useless scheme.”

  She’d gone back and forth so many times about telling him, ultimately deciding that he deserved the truth, and, mor
e importantly, that he wouldn’t get in her way. He respected that she was not a child, devoid of the ability to consider and make her own decisions. He’d always treated her as an equal. But what she had decided to do was bringing out the protective instinct in him, and she hated that it was hurting him.

  She looked at him and repeated the same argument she’d been using for the past three hours. “I’m different than everyone else, Gowan, and I need answers that this place can’t provide. Maybe the high scholar can. Or maybe a library in Turand. Who knows? And I know you think it’s less safe, but I’m being followed here. It’s more dangerous for everyone if I stay.”

  “If that was all this was about, just steal west. Abingtown’s only a few days away by horse, and you might find a shop there with a better selection of books. Answers might be found closer to home.”

  Tess didn’t respond directly. Instead, she walked over and curled herself against Gowan, allowing him to wrap his arms around her and hold her tight. “I’ll come back, Gowan. I promise. A month or two, after the lamprey’s lose interest, and I’ll return, with or without more information. But I have to try.”

  “Keep yourself safe, child. It’d be a waste for me to have saved you from destitution only for you to die on the road a few short months later,” he said gruffly.

  Tess laughed. “I promise.”

  She extricated herself from his hug and turned back to the small table, retrieving the letter there. “I need a promise from you, too. Well, two actually. First, don’t hire anyone else. I’d be horribly put out to return only to see that someone else has claimed my bed.”

  Gowan scoffed, but nodded. “And the second?”

  “Give this letter to Dray when he comes by. And if he asks you, tell him the truth about me. All of it.”

  Gowan took the letter from her outstretched hand. “All right.”

  She flung the bag onto her back, straightened her jacket, and gave him one more nod. “I’ll miss you, Uncle G.”

  He rolled his eyes at the nickname. “Get off with you, then. I’ll see you in two months. No later, or I’m liable to come after you myself.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  No fog or snow tonight to help Tess evade her followers. The air was clear and cold, the remnants of the snow crunching under foot, refrozen in the past day. Not the weather she would have preferred to leave in, but they were out of time. It was now or never.

  She closed the door firmly, making no effort to disguise her actions. She acted like she would if no one was watching, stomping her feet and rubbing her hands together before pulling on her mittens and yanking her wool cap further down on her face. She tucked her brown waves underneath the cusp of her coat. It was a sturdy, dark grey coat she’d bought the day before, but it hugged her body and seemed to keep the wind out- she’d be missing it soon. As she walked up the street, she kept her head facing forward but scanned casually for her normal shadowers.

  She clocked just one, a bit further away than usual, stooping in a corner in an attempt to escape the wind. When he saw her approaching, he bent forward and pretended to adjust his shoes. As if it would be completely normal to be outside in thirty-degree weather, tying your shoe in an alley. Not the best and brightest the lampreys were sending, which she took as a good sign. Maybe surveillance on her was dwindling, and they were already looking elsewhere for Loren. Or better yet, they’d given up.

  Tess also kept her eyes peeled for additional people, watching for the familiar cool orange of Dray’s aura. He’d be out around the town tonight, if Emme had fulfilled her part of the plan, and Tess dreaded running into him. Leaving a note was one thing, but she worried she wouldn’t be as convincing in person- if Dray saw her now, talked to her, he’d clue in that something was wrong right away.

  Luckily, other than Tess’s faithful stalker, the streets were deserted. She was careful to scan the bakery entrance as she approached, but there were no other millers-about. If there was anyone watching the Reeds, they’d followed the brothers as they left earlier in the evening. No one was watching the shop now.

  Tess entered quietly, slipping through the front doors and treading softly to the back. Once through the doors, she met Emme and Fish waiting outside the door to the storage room. Fish seemed determined, hugging Tess briefly before stepping back and looking grimly at Emme. For her part, Emme studied Tess. “Are you certain?” she finally said. “This is your last opportunity to turn back.”

  “Yes, I’m certain.” said Tess.

  Emme nodded. “Right then. Take it all off, and then go in. Loren’s waiting. I’ll bring the new clothes and be waiting for you here.”

  “Tulla’s asleep?” Tess asked, to be certain. “And the brothers are out?”

  Emme nodded in confirmation. “I told them I’d heard there might be something happening at the docks tonight, as we’d agreed. No reason to suspect that’s not where they’d be, but be on the lookout for them just in case.”

  Tess removed her cap, coat, scarf and mittens, dropping them into Emme’s outstretched arms. “I will,” she said, then looked to Fish. “Ready?”

  “Without a doubt,” Fish said. He looked a bit worse for wear, but Tess took him at his word.

  The two of them opened the door and slipped inside. Loren was awake, sitting at the edge of his bed, his hands still tied but his shoes on. He eyed Fish warily, and then turned his keen eyes to Tess. A lazy smile crossed his lips. “Ah, Tess. Good to see you again.”

  “I think we can agree that this will be easier for everyone if we cut the small talk,” Tess said. Loren shrugged as if to say, have it your way. “Emme has told you how this is going to go, correct?”

  “Let me see,” Loren said, ticking off his fingers. “If I don’t go with you, the Reeds will kill me. If I go with you and try to escape, you’ll kill me. If I draw any unwanted attention, you’ll kill me. If at any point I become more of a burden than a help, you’ll kill me. Oh, and if I breathe wrong, you’ll kill me. Sound about right?”

  “You’ve got the gist,” Fish said. “Though it won’t be Tess who kills you.” From his pocket he pulled a switchblade.

  Loren winced and looked away. “I get it,” he muttered. “What’s it to be, then?”

  “We’re leaving,” Tess threw a bundle of heavy clothes onto his lap as Fish moved to the wall and cut the rope that bound Loren to the wall. “Put them on,” he said, motioning to the clothes. After Loren had shrugged his way into them, Fish rebound his hands in the front, checking them several times before satisfied.

  “Tulla is asleep. If you want to live, I suggest you keep yourself quiet as we exit,” Tess said before opening the door. As promised, Emme was waiting on the other side, already bundled up in the warm clothing Tess had arrived in. Tess quickly threw on the cold weather gear Emme provided, anxious to keep moving. Then the two girls slunk to the front entrance. The lights were out, and they stood in shadow. Emme grasped Tess’s hands tightly. “Keep yourself safe,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

  “You too,” Tess said, pulling her into a fierce hug. They separated, and Tess tucked a stray blonde curl into Emme’s cap. “There, now you look the part. Stand on your tiptoes if you can, and keep your head down until you get into Gowan’s shop. You’ll stay there for the night, and he’ll walk you wherever you want to go in the morning. Right?”

  “Right.” Before they could linger any more in the pain of goodbye, Emme had withdrawn and moved to the door. She threw one last glance at Tess before stealing outside. Tess crept to the front, careful to stick to the dark, and watched Emme’s bright aura slip down the street. She breathed a deep sigh of relief as the other aura of her faithful thug slipped from a corner and followed behind. The bait and switch had worked.

  She retrieved Loren and Fish, and after waiting one more minute, they too spilled out into the night. Loren, well aware of the knife held at his back, was silent and willing to follow. With one last farewell glance at the bakery, Tess guided them in the opposite direction of the Muddy Gull
. North, out of town.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  They walked single-file. Fish knew Wharfton like the back of his hand, but he took up the rear so that he could keep a better eye on Loren, which left Tess to lead. She’d walked the route twice in the past day in practice but it was dark now and infinitely more difficult to find her way. She tripped a few times over uneven cobbles and nearly walked directly into an unlit lamppost before they escaped the tight streets of the town. Then, blessedly, the clouds cleared and the moon, nearly full, illuminated their surroundings in monochromatic beauty; had Tess not been so busy worrying about leaving the town as quickly as possible, she might have taken the time to admire the sight.

  As it was, she appreciated the additional visibility. It was well below freezing and movement kept the chill from becoming too intense, though Tess began to shiver. She forced herself to keep moving, buoyed by the continuous footfalls behind her. Fish was with her, watching from behind, and she’d become fractionally less tense as time passed and Loren had yet to make a move towards escape. But-

  “He’ll either try it right away, when we’re in town and he thinks he’s got a shot, or he’ll wait for us to become complacent,” Fish had warned her earlier. “We can’t let that happen. Remember how dangerous he is. Worst case is not that he escapes- it’ll be that he slits our throats before he does.”

  Tess replayed the words in her head to remember to stay on her guard.

  They’d made it past the outer row-houses now. It was so still and quiet out here. The wind, without buildings to swirl and whistle past, kept up a continuous, more silent, existence. Dead grasses danced in the fields, oceans of stalks sending waves across the surface of the earth.

  “We’ve two miles or so left,” Fish called from behind. “Steer to the right at the fork.”

  “Right,” Tess said, clenching her teeth to keep them from chattering. They kept moving steadily across the packed dirt, avoiding the ruts filled with ice, keeping the town to their backs. Now and then Tess would turn back to see how far they’d come, but the distance was difficult to gauge and she eventually gave up.