The White Assassin (13 page)

“I see,” said Juniper blankly. He examined Billycan’s face, his eyes. Their fiery red hue seemed somehow muted.

Billycan dragged himself off the bed. Every muscle ached, but he needed to get a closer look at his jailer. The rat’s manner didn’t seem hostile. Billycan clutched the bars of his cage for support. “You’re tall like me,” said Billycan. “Why, we’re nose to nose. Most rats are smaller than I.”

“Yes,” said Juniper evenly.

Cocking his head, Billycan peered at the rat’s face. Part of it was riddled with scars, deep ones. He focused on the ragged leather patch. “What happened to your eye?”

Juniper snorted. “I suppose you don’t remember that, either.”

“Remember what?” asked Billycan.

Wearily rubbing the bridge of his nose, Juniper tried to decide if Billycan truly couldn’t remember. Don’t trust him, he thought. Maybe the serum had no effect on him after all, and this was
a clever ruse—but Billycan’s eyes, his stance, even his tone of voice had changed. “Never mind that for now. It will all come back to you soon enough.”

“All right,” said Billycan.

Reaching behind him, Juniper took a small burlap sack from his stool. “Here,” he said, holding it out to Billycan. “Take it.”

Billycan hesitantly reached for it. “What is it?”

“It’s something to eat,” said Juniper, “dried meat. You must be famished. You haven’t had food in a while. We were lucky to get enough water and broth in you to keep you alive.”

As he took the sack, Billycan abruptly grabbed Juniper’s paw in a rigid hold. Juniper jerked backward, easily breaking free of Billycan’s weakened grasp.

Juniper snarled, grabbing his spear from behind him. He should have known better! What possessed him to drop his guard even for a moment? He grabbed Billycan by his injured shoulder and thrust the spear under his chin, ready to draw blood. “Do not test me, rat! Stand back!” he growled, sneering at Billycan, teeth bared.

“I’m sorry!” said Billycan, drawing back. He grunted as his shoulder throbbed in pain. He held out his paws in a beseeching manner. “I wasn’t trying to harm you, I give my word. I only wanted to shake your paw—for the food. Like you said, I’m famished. I … I only wanted to
thank
you.”

Juniper threw the spear to the ground. He cursed in frustration. Exhaling, he paced the small room, trying to reclaim his temper. He eyed Billycan. His ears and tail were limp, his face showing no anger, just curiosity and confusion. An image of Vincent came to mind. At that moment, Billycan reminded him of Vincent, the day he’d first stumbled into Nightshade City—a lost, lonely boy.

Billycan looked anxiously around his cell. “Why am I here? What have I done?”

Juniper ignored the questions. “Do you remember the Catacombs?”

Twitching his whiskers, Billycan pondered the name. “The Catacombs … that’s a strange name. No, I don’t remember that place. Should I?”

Texi raced past the library and dining hall, nearly falling as she barreled around a turn. Her entire body trembled, she was so sure they’d catch her this time. She gasped. She could hear them gaining on her, their feet thundering through the powdery dirt. They’d been after her all morning. Her feet aching, she couldn’t outrun them much longer. Finally she reached the corridor.

Swiftly she ducked into the first doorway she saw and tried to catch her breath. She gasped. They were so close now. Texi shrank into the doorway’s darkest corner, hoping it would hide her gingery fur. She covered her mouth, trying not to make a sound.

Two figures tore past her. She waited a moment, then cautiously looked down the corridor. They were gone. Without a moment’s hesitation she flew down the passageway and stopped at a door, banging on it, her chest heaving in panic. “Let me in!” she cried. “Please, please, let me in!”

A moment later the door opened upon the worried face of Mother Gallo. “My dear,” she said, “come in, come in. What in Saints’ name is going on?”

Texi ducked under Mother Gallo’s arm and slipped into her quarters. “I must hide!” was all she said. Quickly she threw a quilt over herself and fell into a heap by the fireplace.

Resting her paws on her hips, Mother Gallo shook her head. “Dear, anyone can tell there is a rat quivering under that blanket.”

“Not if I don’t move,” said Texi in a muffled voice.

Suddenly the door burst open. Mother Gallo shrieked in surprise.

“Where is she?”

“Where is who?” asked Mother Gallo, trying to block the two rats’ view of the lumpy quilt.

“There!” said the other, wiggling a digit at a slender tail peeking out from under the blanket. “Get her!”

The rats easily bypassed Mother Gallo and jumped on Texi. She screamed. Her attackers broke into wild laughter. Texi tried to hold the blanket over her, but Julius tickled her feet and little Nomi tugged on her tail.

“Come out, Texi!” called Julius as Nomi crawled under the blanket.

Clearly captured, Texi revealed herself.

“We always find you!” said Julius triumphantly.

“You surely do,” replied Texi, tousling Julius’s white fur. “You’re far too quick for the likes of me!”

Mother Gallo inspected her two youngest children. Nomi, now nine months old, plopped herself on Texi’s lap while Julius began making silly faces at them. Nomi giggled madly, gripping her round belly in a fit of merriment.

It had been as much a surprise to Mother Gallo as it was to Juniper when she realized she was once again expecting. Life had turned out to be a funny thing. Just three years ago she was a widow, reluctantly working for the corrupt High Ministry of the Catacombs in an effort to feed her boys and keep them out of the Kill Army’s grasp. Now she was a member of the Council, married to Juniper Belancort,
Chief Citizen of Nightshade and the lost love of her life whom she’d thought dead for all those years. Now he was head of their family: her older sons—Tuk, Gage, and Hob; Nomi; and of course Julius, the little white rat found abandoned in Killdeer’s compound.

Nomi took after Juniper in every sense. She had bushy, violet fur and a loud laugh that could not be ignored. Mother Gallo watched her daughter pounce on Julius, squealing in delight as he wiggled his snow-white ears, stuck out his tongue, and rolled his red eyes around in his head.

“Mother Gallo?” called a voice from the open door.

“Clover!” yelled Julius. He sprang from the floor and raced for the door. With both paws he grabbed Clover by the arm and pulled her inside.

“Well, hello there,” she said.

“Hello, dear,” said Mother Gallo. “Come in, come in. I’m just about to make us all some lunch, and you’re just in time to rescue poor Texi.”

“I see,” said Clover, smiling as Julius ran back to Texi, nearly tackling her. Clover leaned in to Mother Gallo, lowering her voice. “We must talk.”

“Texi, would you mind the children while Clover helps me with lunch?” asked Mother Gallo. “What is it, dear? What have you heard?” A shiver suddenly ran through her. “Have you seen him?”

“No, nor do I want to. Vincent said he’s still recovering from his wounds, barely stirring. It will be days until the serum works, and everyone is already growing impatient, especially with the side effects. Virden said it may cause him to lose much of his memory—temporarily, that is. According to what we know of the serum, once his memory returns he’ll gladly give up all we need to know. He’ll talk quite willingly, revealing any other allies he might have who
were going to help him attack Nightshade. And we can find out who gave him the city blueprints—the traitor. Juniper has called an emergency Council meeting for tonight.”

Mother Gallo exhaled wearily. “I’m relieved he has finally been captured, but terrified to have him in that cell, right under my children’s feet.” She nodded toward Julius. “He must never find out about Billycan. Julius is our boy in every way. He’s the complete opposite of Billycan. His love knows no bounds.” She put her paw to her chest. “Even now, that monster still rules us. I’d sooner take my own life than allow that fiend anywhere near my boy.”

Clover took Mother Gallo’s paw in hers and spoke gently. “We’re all eager for this to work, especially Uncle. He seems so distant, his mind someplace else.”

“I’ve noticed,” replied Mother Gallo. “Clearly something is bothering my husband. His face wears a troubled expression day and night since his return from the swamp.”

“We’ve come so far from those ghastly days back in the Catacombs.” Clover glanced over at Texi. “Look at her. It’s hard to believe she was enslaved by her own brother, serving Killdeer night and day, while her horrible sisters tormented her.” She smiled. “Now, though, she’s happy, contented. How she dotes on the little ones as if they were her
real
family. What I’m trying to say is that this city is our family—every citizen in Nightshade. Billycan has always been a deadly threat to us, but now he’s locked up. He can never hurt another soul.”

“If that’s true, then why do I feel as if there is more danger to come?”

Rats were gathering in the Council Chamber. Since its founding three years back, Nightshade City had become a thriving metropolis, and the Council had grown with it, from its core group of Juniper, Cole, Virden, and the twins to now include
all
the rats who had played a key
role in defeating the High Ministry and those who had helped build Nightshade. Elected officials had been chosen by the citizens for their many good works throughout the city.

Someone knocked on the chamber door. Mother Gallo smiled as she opened it, knowing who it was.

With an elegant sweep of her paw, a diminutive gray rat pulled back the hood of her black cloak and entered the chamber. “Hello, my darling Maddy,” she purred in her smoky accent. Born in Trillium, Elvi had fled the Catacombs during the Bloody Coup, jumping a cargo ship headed to Tosca Island. After over a decade in the desolate and perilous Toscan jungle, she found her way home, and the Nightshade rats had welcomed her with open arms.

Elvi hugged Mother Gallo. “And how are you tonight?” She smiled thoughtfully. “Happy to finally have your Juniper back safe and sound, yes?”

“Yes, indeed,” replied Mother Gallo. “But Elvi, you’re late
again.
Come in, dear. Juniper should be here shortly.”

Elvi stepped to the side, revealing a rickety old cart with three steaming teapots on it. “Ah, yes, but I have a reason for my tardiness tonight. I come bearing gifts!”

“Your wonderful Toscan tea,” said Mother Gallo, clasping her hands. “What a brilliant way to celebrate everyone’s homecoming from the swamp.”

“I stopped by your quarters on the way,” said Elvi. “All is well. Texi already has the little ones asleep, and the boys are busy with their studies.”

“My goodness,” said Mother Gallo, suddenly alarmed, “I hadn’t thought of Texi … the news and all. You didn’t mention anything …”

“Oh, no, dearest, I would never do such a thing. That’s something we should do together. It could upset Texi dreadfully. She’s told me horrible stories about him. I can only imagine what she endured day in and day out.”

“Yes, I don’t quite know how she’ll take it, knowing he’s here in Nightshade. She was under her brother’s and Billycan’s control for so long—not to mention those wretched sisters. They were absolutely horrid to her. She’s come so far from those dark days, and has been such a help to me, especially with Julius. Never have I seen a three-year-old so clever and full of life, but Texi manages to keep him in line. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

“Young Julius is a clever rat, just like his father,” said Elvi, weaving her arm around Mother Gallo’s as they made their way to their seats at the Council table. “And don’t worry about Texi. We’ll break the news to her together when the time is right.”

Vincent sneered in Elvi’s direction.

Clover raised an eyebrow. “What was that for?” she whispered. “You’re always giving her funny looks.”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “There’s just something about her. Something I don’t trust. Something in her eyes. I just can’t figure it out yet.”

“Something in her eyes, that’s what you’re banking on these days? She’s done absolutely nothing to earn your suspicion.”

“She appeared out of nowhere, for starters, just after we ousted the High Ministry,” said Vincent. “Don’t you find that even the slightest bit odd? She claims to be this long-lost rat, this
Elvi.
How can we be sure? Everyone thought she died in the Great Flood. And she’s always covered in that creepy black cloak, like she’s hiding something.”

Clover rolled her eyes. “Mother Gallo, Juniper, and the rest of the older Council members know and trust her. They were all childhood friends. Mother Gallo said she and Elvi were inseparable when they were girls. Instead of being so distrustful, you should be pleased that the life of a good rat was saved. And as for Elvi’s cloak, that’s the Toscan way. It shaded her from the brutal sun. She lived in the jungle for over a decade. Pardon her for not dressing more to your liking.” Vincent tried to retort, but Clover kept on talking. “Furthermore, she’s been nothing but kind to everyone since she arrived—especially Texi. It’s awfully nice of her to spend so much time with her.”

Vincent
was
thankful for that. Clover and Texi shared a room in Nightshade City, and before Elvi arrived he could never visit Clover without having to endure Texi’s constant chattering, always tagging along behind them. It was nice to have some peace and quiet. “I guess you’re right,” he finally said. “I suppose after growing up in the Catacombs it’s hard to trust anyone.”