The sandy-haired one looked at her companion as if weighing her answer. “I believe they’re looking for privacy now. If you want to visit, it’s best to apply at the lift.”
“I tried that,” Vania said. The other woman’s use of the word “they” had clinched it. Whoever these two were, they had no authority to stop her. “I’m here to visit my friend Justen Helo, but the last time I came, we had a bit of a fight. I’ve come to apologize, but I can’t if he won’t let me see him.”
“What’s your name?” the blonde asked.
“Vania. I’m an old friend of his from Galatea.”
“The southern island?”
Vania’s eyes narrowed. Where else?
“I’m Andromeda,” the light-haired one said. “And this is Tomorrow.” Bizarre names, for even stranger women. “I can give your message to Justen if you want.”
The red-haired one, Tomorrow, still hadn’t spoken, and as Vania watched, she wandered off without a word. Andromeda took no notice. Vania had never seen such odd behavior in a grown woman. Never seen it in anyone but a Reduced prisoner.
“Actually,” Vania said, “I want to see him. So I can take these stairs?”
Quick as a flash, Andromeda stood between Vania and the staircase. “I don’t think I’m supposed to let anyone up without permission. I understand we’re already a big imposition on the Blakes.”
Who were these two? Vania blinked at the other woman in shock. What kind of enhancements were they doing here in Albion? Andromeda’s skin, her speed, her shallow sea-colored eyes? She’d never seen anything like it. She knew Albians colored their hair—were skin and eyes the new trend? Was she going to find Justen up on the pali with a lavender face and bright pink irises?
But no matter who this Andromeda was, she wouldn’t distract Vania from her mission. “I’m afraid I was a little unfair to him the other day,” she lied smoothly. “Ever since the revolution, I’ve been a tiny bit prejudiced against aristos, so when I heard he was involved with one . . .”
“You’re one of those revolutionaries,” Andromeda said.
Vania straightened. “Yes. But I’m here on personal business, so—”
“Tell me more.” Andromeda leaned in. “The princess has been very forthcoming but also very uninterested in letting us see or talk to anyone else. And unlike a few other members of my party, I’m not the type to just blindly trust a lord, Luddite or otherwise.”
Vania blinked at her. “Pardon?”
“No one will tell me anything about Galatea but that it’s dangerous and we should steer clear.”
Typical aristo propaganda. Vania had no doubt the princess was using quite a lot of it. It was the only possible explanation for why the revolution hadn’t inspired their northern neighbors yet.
“No, indeed,” Vania explained. “The revolution is a beautiful and cleansing thing. We regs have never been given a proper chance before. Finally, we’re exerting our human rights. Honestly, do you think you’ve been given all the chances you ought, growing up here in Scintillans?”
Andromeda snorted. “I’m not from around here, but I agree with everything you say.”
“Oh, well then wherever you are from in Albion.”
“We’re not from Albion, either.” And then, as Vania’s eyes got wide and her mouth dropped open, the woman told her the craziest story she’d ever heard. “We didn’t even know these islands existed until a few days ago. We’re explorers on a mission to find other survivors from the wars. A few days ago, we landed here, and that Princess Isla and her guards have us holed up so we don’t cause a riot or something.” She leaned in and dropped her voice. “But if they don’t figure things out in a few more days, they’re going to have another revolution to deal with, if you know what I mean.”
Vania suppressed her look of shock and replaced it with a smile. “Oh, I so do. Please, tell me more.”
Twenty-five
IT WAS LATE IN the evening and the female captain and her Reduced friend were nowhere to be found on Scintillans. Their glider was still waiting on the lawn, but it didn’t keep Elliot North from pacing and wringing her hands. Justen watched her concern grow, unsure of what he could do to help the stranger relax. He had a variety of antianxiety prickers in his supply bag, but from what he understood of the aristo visitor’s personality, such a move would be tantamount to assault in her eyes. And then he’d have Captain Wentforth to deal with.
And Justen wasn’t the only one who’d noticed Elliot’s growing discomfort. Captain Wentforth’s expression swelled from worry to anger as he watched his girlfriend. At last, he strode over to Persis and demanded answers. “We were promised that if we did what you said, we’d be safe here. Where are my friends?”
Persis’s eyes were as round and innocent as an accomplished courtier like herself could manage as she answered. “Sincerely, Captain Wentforth, I don’t know. The last anyone saw them they were headed down to the sea to swim in our heated star cove—”
“So what?” Elliot broke in, her voice shuddering over the words. “Are you saying they were just swept out to sea?”
“Not from the cove,” Justen jumped to Persis’s defense. “It’s completely protected from undertows. No currents at all. Maybe someone from the fishing village offered to give them a tour. I know there’s a path cut into the rock that goes to the village—” He looked to Persis for assistance.
She closed her eyes. A moment later, several flutternotes erupted from her palm and zipped off to points unknown. Both Kai and Elliot stepped back.
“I’m sorry—did those scare you?” Persis asked.
“I will never get used to them,” Elliot said. She looked a bit green around the gills.
“You’re not alone,” Justen said. “They’ve been around for years and they still make me sick.”
“Oh, Justen!” cried Persis. “You’re such a luddite.”
Both visitors stiffened at her words. Persis cast Justen a confused glance.
“It’s their word for ‘aristos,’ remember?” Justen said.
“Right. Droll name.” She batted her eyelashes and Justen nearly groaned. “At any rate, I’ve just messaged Isla, as well as Andrine and Tero down in the village, to tell them that your friends have vanished. I’m sure we’ll get word of their whereabouts soon. And don’t concern yourself for another moment about that cove. Nothing could be safer in the world. I myself have been swimming there since I could barely walk.”
Justen doubted this made Kai or Elliot feel any more comfortable.
When another hour passed with no reply from Persis’s contacts, Elliot went from concerned to frantic. “I’m the one who took her with us, Kai. I’m the one who put her in this danger. She would have been safe back home on the North Estate with Dee. She would have—” She broke off.
“She’s with Andromeda, Elliot. Nothing’s going to happen to her—Andromeda will make sure of it.”
Persis jumped into action, immediately offering to go down to the star cove and search herself, though Justen was sure the visitors found the idea as comical as he did. Persis Blake wasn’t suited to the job of retrieving missing people.
Perhaps they should call the Wild Poppy.
Kai insisted he be allowed to take his glider and go as well. “It’s fully charged since it’s been sitting out all day. I can fly all night if necessary.” He turned to Elliot and took her hands in his. “We’ll find them. Trust Andromeda to take care of herself and Ro. You know how much experience she has.”
Elliot gave a barely audible humph. “But what if they’re separated? This place . . . the way they look at Ro here—”
“We stare at her,” Persis said, “because we’re not used to her. The same way you stare at our palmports.” She paused, as if suddenly realizing it did little good to compare a human being to her flashy piece of technology. “You know what I mean. She’s unusual here. You all are. But how many ways can I promise you we mean you no harm?”