“I am not bringing them into Everland,” Pete says heatedly. “They’re better off in the Lost City.”
“But you have to,” Lily argues. “I promise you, they will be safe with the other survivors. The Duchess will provide them with everything that Everland can’t: shelter, food, and medical care. You can’t stay here. It’s not safe.”
Beneath one of the two steel sinks, something rumbles. Pete grabs his dagger from its sheath and places an arm up as if to protect the rest of us.
“Who’s there?” he demands.
Stepping in front of him, I stoop by the doors. The scent of lavender permeates the air. A tiny whimper escapes from below the sink. Slowly, I open the doors.
A small girl hides her face as she wraps her arms tighter around her knees drawn up to her chest. Blisters dot her quivering fingertips.
“Joanna!” I exclaim, pulling my sister from the cupboard and into my arms. My pulse beats against my collarbone, where Joanna’s face rests. Relief washes over me and I swallow the lump in my throat. I bury my nose in her hair and breathe in her floral scent.
My sister’s surprised gaze meets mine. She wraps her arms around my neck. Fresh tears stream down her cheeks. She squeezes so tight I can barely breathe, but I don’t care. “I knew you’d come for me,” she whispers.
With the back of my hand, I brush a tear from my own cheek. “I’m your sister. I’ll always come for you.”
Lightning paints the black sky in streaks of gold, filling the air with the faint smell of electricity. The flames from the burning buildings cast eerie shadows on the palace walls. Chains rattle as the line of Lost Boys cough on the thick smoke, grumbling among themselves. The Marauders cackle through their masks, prodding them with the barrels of their guns through the palace’s gilded doors. The Professor whispers words to the children, squeezing the littlest ones to reassure them.
Smeeth tips his face toward the sky. “A storm is coming, Captain. It could make traveling a bit dicey. Perhaps we should consider postponing until it passes?”
“Storm or not, we leave tonight. I’m not staying one more day in this roach-infested country.”
“Beg your pardon, sir,” Smeeth says, “but I don’t believe the zeppelins will be able to navigate through this weather as it is. Add all these Lost Kids, and our fleet is sure to be doomed.”
I slap Smeeth on the shoulder. “Who says we’re bringing them?”
His forehead wrinkles. “But, Captain, you promised Jack that you wouldn’t harm the children. If we leave them here, they will surely die. There is nothing left of Everland. We’ve burned it to the ground.”
“I am a man of my word. I’ll keep my promise to my brother. I won’t lay a single finger on them,” I say, admiring the Professor’s stunned expression as she takes in the swarm of sniveling Lost Boys. It baffles me, this feeling for children that she seems to possess.
Frown lines form on Smeeth’s brow, but he says nothing more.
“Hook!” the Professor shouts, storming toward me. She wears a clear hazmat face mask. Behind the transparent shield I see her perfect ruby lips frown. Her eyes shimmer above her tear-streaked cheeks. “Where did you find these children? There are over a hundred of them.”
“Let’s just say a little birdie let me know of a vast underground Lost City, brimming with boys who needed a mommy.” I jut out my lip in a sarcastic pout.
“You know they don’t have the antibodies. They won’t give you the cure. Why are you taking them as your prisoners?” the Professor says.
“You’re right, Professor. They, too, will succumb to the Horologia virus. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be useful. Among these boys may just be the one who will get me what I need.”
“What more do you need? You have my daughter,” the Professor shouts.
“Incentive,” I say, waving a soldier over. “The final piece to entice Gwen to turn herself over to me: her entire family.”
“Mum!” the little boy yells as he breaks free from the guard’s hold.
The Professor’s eyes grow wide and I’m certain she recognizes that young voice. She spins, drops to her knees, and clutches the boy in her arms as he nearly bowls her over, running into her embrace. “Mikey, you’re alive!” She holds him at arm’s length and brushes his hair from his eyes. “Are you hurt?”
His bottom lip quivers as he shakes his head.
The Professor pulls him into her arms again. “Oh, Mikey, I missed you so much.”
I nod to the guard, and before she has a chance to notice, Mikey is snatched from her.
“No! No! Let him go!” she screams, racing after the guard as he pushes the boy through the palace doors. Guards block the way and the Professor attempts to chase after the Marauder. Mikey’s wails become faint as the door slams shut.