“Let’s get you up,” Pete says, helping me to my feet. His hand lingers a little too long on my elbow, sending a renewed energy through my limbs. Too soon, he releases his grip.
The click of a latch shutting draws my attention. Lily stands on the top step of a crudely made wooden staircase and closes a trapdoor, blocking the smoke from entering the passage. Her face brightens in the lamplight, revealing dark eyes, warm skin tones, and beautiful Indian features. I glance down at my filthy hands, feeling somewhat mediocre next to her beauty. Doc helps her from the step.
“A proper gentleman, I see. Why, thank you!” she says. She gives Doc a quick peck on the cheek before taking the lamp from Pickpocket’s outstretched hand. A grin grows on Doc’s flushed face as he touches his cheek, seeming stunned by her affection. I turn to catch Pete’s eye, but his stare is locked on Doc, fury glazing his expression. I touch his arm and coax him to follow me. Seeming reluctant, he strips his gaze from them.
Fiery torches light the hallway, the flames’ light twinkling off polished white marble tiles lining the floors. Old sconces and dusty portraits of England’s leaders adorn the walls. The musty-smelling passageway is more sophisticated but narrower than those that led to the Lost City.
“Where are we?” I ask.
“In the secret royal tunnels,” Lily says. “These are the passages that the royalty, top military generals, and other government officials once used to safely travel throughout the city.”
I glance at Pete. He appears as surprised as I am and shrugs, still darting angry eyes at Doc as he stands shoulder to shoulder with Lily.
“I had no idea they existed,” he says.
“Indeed,” Lily says. “And you were not supposed to. No one was. There are numerous military bunkers, safe houses, and tunnels that led to important buildings built prior to it becoming the official palace of the monarch. Her Majesty even has a secret steam engine in one of the northern underground tunnels that leads to the surrounding counties.”
Doc rubs his chin and he stares at the girl’s black-and-gold-gloved hands. I wonder if the same questions running through my mind are running through his: Is Lily immune? And how has she survived?
I hold a hand out toward Lily. “Thanks for getting us out of there. Without your help, who knows where we’d be right now.”
“Probably in Hook’s laboratory,” Mole says, shuddering.
Lily shakes my hand. “It’s no bother. You’re not the first I’ve rescued, and I hardly believe you’ll be the last.” Her gaze falls on Doc. “Although you are the most handsome bunch I’ve saved.”
Doc’s cheeks grow pink as he returns her smile with a crooked grin. Pickpocket rolls his eyes and Mole gives a hushed giggle. Pete gives an audible inhalation.
“I’m Gwen,” I say, breaking the hushed tension. “These are the Lost Boys: Doc, Mole, Pickpocket, and their leader, Pete.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” she says with a courteous nod of her head. She spins, lifting the skirt of her sari, revealing heavy combat boots adorned with several copper buckles. “We should be on our way. The Professor will be expecting me soon.”
“Professor?” Doc asks, worry creasing his forehead. “Wait, who is the Professor?”
“She is the palace physician,” Lily replies, ducking under a loose ceiling tile, waving us along. “She’ll want to take a look at that injury on your arm.” Lily nods at Pete.
“You’re taking us to the palace?” I ask, halting and unsure if this is a good thing or bad. Even though the palace is where Joanna is and I was already headed there, an uneasy feeling crawls up my spine.
“Not exactly. The Professor will meet us in the infirmary beneath the palace. It is a secret room hidden behind the crematorium. Secret from the Captain,” Lily says.
“As in Captain Hook?” Pete asks. He grips the hilt of his dagger.
Lily turns and tilts her head. “Of course. What other captain would I be speaking of?”
“Oh, now I know this is a bad idea,” Mole says, fidgeting with the cuff of his sleeve.
Lily huffs an exaggerated breath. “Well, you’re welcome to go back to the gallery, but I assure you with all that smoke billowing, that is not a simple bonfire.” She whirls around and continues up the hallway.
The Lost Boys exchange worried glances.
“Come on,” I say, tugging Pete’s hand. “I don’t think she means us any harm. And entering the palace this way is a whole lot better than having to fight our way through the soldiers.”
“I agree,” Mole interjects.
Pete casts a frustrated glance at Pickpocket. “What about you? Do you think we should trust her?”
Pickpocket shrugs. “Where else are we going to go? We can’t exactly go back. Gwen’s right; at least this way we can get closer to the palace without losing anyone else.”