The White Assassin (22 page)

The Nightshade brothers stood behind him for a moment, listening to his shameless flattery. “Oh, I do say, Lali’s sausages are as good as or better than anything I ever had when I lived in that Topsider’s gourmet restaurant. I told you all about that, didn’t I? Why, Lali’s a master chef…. What? You say you’ve gained weight, Missus Nelson? Why, you’re as fit as a fiddle—still turning heads as a great-grandmother!”

Vincent cringed. Then he leaned down, tapped Oberon on the shoulder with the scroll, and grinned broadly.

Looking up from his meal, Oberon gave him a greasy smile. “Well, as I live and breathe, the famous Nightshade brothers, fighters for freedom and equality among all rats—the heroes of our time!”

The others smiled admiringly at them. Vincent nodded, but quickly turned to business. “Oberon, there is something my brother and I need to talk you about.” He tapped him again on the shoulder, this time making sure he saw the scroll. “A Council matter, if you please.”

Oberon’s eyes widened. He dropped his fork to his plate, biting
his lower lip, clearly panicked. “Oh … I see …,” he said uneasily. He noticed all his supporters staring at him. Quickly his bravado returned. “A Council matter? Of course, I’ve always got time for that, young Nightshade.” Trying not to look nervous, which succeeded only in making him look more nervous, Oberon awkwardly stood up, knocking the table with his belly in the process. “I’ll be back momentarily. Duty calls, dear friends.”

Glaring at him, Vincent motioned to the table where the other young Council members were seated. “This way, Councilman.” Hesitantly, Oberon obeyed.

“I did
not
have prior knowledge of this, I swear,” said Oberon, pushing the parchment away as if it were diseased. “I’m innocent. You must believe me.”

Victor and Suttor sat on either side of him while Carn, Vincent, and the girls scowled at him from across the table.

“Then why did you run when you heard Oleander and me coming?” demanded Clover.

“I didn’t know who it was. I only knew I had to get out of there, and fast. I was just leaving the Council Chamber. I heard footsteps coming and I was worried it was Juniper. He’s been spending so much time going over the resident logs, anything and everything, to determine who the traitor might be. I reasoned it
must
be him, up and at it early once more. I didn’t want him to see me. I was worried he’d guess what I was up to. The moment I heard footsteps I knew I had to run.” He looked down guiltily at his belly. “At my size, there are few rats I could outrun without a good head start.”

“Why were you looking for this? How did you know it even existed?” asked Vincent.

“I didn’t know for certain. It was Cole and Juniper—their actions, their words. It was very suspicious. Those two are open books. It was easy to tell they were hiding something. That day before Council when everyone was gathering, Juniper was talking about the serum to Cole—its effects—and suddenly Cole shot him a look. I wouldn’t have thought twice about it, but I
know
that look. I receive it from my wife quite often—a look that plainly means ‘Shut up before you ruin everything.’ When they saw me coming, Juniper said softly, ‘It’s safely in Brimstone.’ Cole nodded, and the conversation quickly ended. I didn’t think much of it at first, until I realized what Juniper meant.”

“What did he mean? How did that lead you to this?” asked Carn.

“The Council has a map of Brimstone.”

“Brimstone?” asked Victor.

“Yes, it’s Trillium City’s original name from the old days. The map was taken from Killdeer’s War Room. We kept it because it shows the location of the old city museum. New maps do not. Rumor has it that early city documents are still kept in the old museum, an endless archive of history—perhaps
our
history—but we needed to worry about our future before delving into the past. In other words, Nightshade had to be built. So the map was stored in a closet with stacks of other old documents, piled randomly on a shelf, waiting for someone to organize them—a perfect hiding place, for who would want to go through mounds of dusty old papers? Long story short, I knew Juniper and Cole were keeping something from the rest of us. I remembered how they were so furtive when they mentioned Brimstone that day, so I went looking for whatever was ‘safely in Brimstone.’ I was determined to find out what it was before anyone else. Sure enough, that document lay hidden inside the folds of the Brimstone map. I thought I could use it to give me a leg up in the upcoming
Council election. If the Chief Citizen and Deputy Chief Citizen were keeping secrets from us and I was the one to publicly expose them, well, perhaps I’d be elected to a more important position. Maybe one day I’d be Chief Citizen.”

“Perish the thought,” muttered Carn.

Vincent shook his head. “So you had no idea what information the parchment contained before you stole it?”

“That’s right,” said Oberon. “And when I realized how scandalous it turned out to be, I decided to confront Juniper and Cole myself. This information could change everything for me, but even I have my limits. Think what you wish, but I don’t want Billycan to be the reason I win an election. He’s tainted—vile as a plague. That will never change.”

“Well, Councilman, on that we can agree.”

“Elvi, should you need him, the guard is just down the corridor. And the moment you feel uncomfortable, fearful in any way, or if something simply doesn’t feel right,
please
leave immediately.” Juniper took Elvi’s paw. “I realize you want to do this, but you will not disappoint me if you’ve changed your mind. In fact, now that I’ve thought things through, perhaps this was not a good idea. I know your intentions are good, but—”

“No, Juniper. I’m going to do this,” said Elvi confidently. She was so small she had to crane her neck to smile up at him. “Facing Billycan will be no different from what once was my daily life in Tosca. I talked my way out of many a tangle back there. Billycan is smart and cunning, you’ve all said so time and time again, but so am I. And I really do think I may learn valuable information. Sugar does catch more flies than vinegar. Maybe it works on rats, too.”

“I’m so sorry for what you went through on that island. How
you survived, I’ll never know. Sheer will, I suppose.” He patted her paw. “Now Elvi, I promised Maddy I’d be back for a late breakfast with the children, but I think I should wait here for you instead. She’ll understand.”

“Please, Juniper, go be with your family. You’ve spent little time with them since your return.”

“All right.” Juniper unlocked the outer door to Billycan’s cell. “Here,” he said, taking the key from around his neck. “This unlocks the outer door, along with the door to his cell, so guard it well. Be sure to lock up tight when you leave. You can return this tonight at Council.” He gave her one last look, his expression a mix of admiration and unease.

Elvi slipped inside.

Except for a small candle, the cell was dark. Elvi’s heart began to race as the scent of the white rat hit her nostrils. She wasn’t quite sure if it was fear or just nerves, but it was hard to concentrate.

Suddenly something moved in the back of the cell. She saw two long, white feet descend to the ground as a darkened figure arose from the bed.

“Juniper?” said a voice. “Is that you?”

Frozen in place, Elvi could not answer.

The white rat approached. “Oh,” he said, taken aback by the sight of her. He cocked his head curiously and stared fixedly at her. “Who are you?”

“I—I’m Elvi.”

Smiling politely, Billycan moved closer. He held the bars. “That’s a pretty name,” he said. “Elvi, if you please, there’s a torch over there. Juniper keeps matches near it.” He pointed to the door. “Would you mind?”

“Ah—y-yes,” stammered Elvi, backing up toward the torch affixed to the wall. Shakily she picked up a match and lit it. The room filled with dim light and shadows, highlighting Billycan’s elongated features.

She expected to see a monster, fierce eyes of shifting reds and a maniacal grin of yellowed teeth. Instead she beheld a creature very different from what she’d imagined. The demented leer was instead a calm and hopeful smile, and his eyes had a gentle quality about them—almost kind.

“That’s better,” he said, stepping back so that he could take a look at her. “You’re a rather small thing, aren’t you? A friend of mine, someone I knew back when I was little, was small like you.”

Regaining her confidence, she regarded Billycan’s wounds. She spoke softly. “What happened to you?”

“I was gouged by a wild boar, of all things. Can you imagine? Juniper says it’s a wonder I’m alive.”

“Indeed,” said Elvi. “From what I’ve heard, no one’s too surprised you’re still alive. In fact, many think you have supernatural powers.”

Taking a step closer, Billycan chuckled. “Powers, me?” He looked around the cell. “If I had any sort of powers I wouldn’t be in here, would I?” He changed the subject. “Your voice … it’s unusual. Where are you from?”

“I’m from very far away. A place called Tosca. Have you heard of it?”

Shaking his head, Billycan sighed. “No. It does not sound familiar. But you …” He leaned toward her, sticking his snout through a gap between the bars. “I … I know you.” He cocked his head. “I have no idea how I know you, but your face is familiar.”

“I doubt very much you know me,” replied Elvi evenly. “Look at me again, closely. Concentrate on my face.”

Billycan stared into her eyes. They were a beautiful black, sloped like diamonds. He bowed his head, busying himself with his claws, clearly uncomfortable with her gaze. “Maybe I’m wrong. In my head, one face seems to blend into the next. I’m not quite sure of anything.”

Pulling a stool up to the bars, Elvi took a seat before him.

“Aren’t you afraid of me?” asked Billycan. If he wanted to, he could reach out and grab her at any moment.

“From what I’ve been told, there is no longer a reason to fear you, but I’ve an inkling you know far better than others. So you tell me.
Should
I fear you? I hope that’s not the case.”

“It seems there was a time in my life when there was some good in me.” He smiled. “Or perhaps I simply hadn’t become my true self. I’m not sure who I am right now, or even who I need to be.”

Elvi tapped her head. “You have knowledge. I think deep inside, you know who you are—you just need to remember. It’s all locked away under layers of memories. If you concentrate, you can remember everything.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Close your eyes and think back, Billycan. Unmask your identity. Go back to the swamp. Start there. Why were you there? With whom were you working?”

Billycan closed his eyes, going over the parts he
had
remembered. Three years in the swamp, he thought. It had all been so easy … the escape, the night Killdeer died … the beginning of his plan to attack Nightshade and claim it for his own … the trips back to Trillium to meet his informant, to collect the stolen blueprints and maps that showed him every inch of Nightshade City.

“Billycan, do you remember who helped you? Please, tell me if
you know anything at all.” She spoke urgently. “I must know. It could change everything.”

Grasping the bars tightly, Billycan opened his eyes. He remembered! Everything flooded back, not just bits and pieces. There was no longer any doubt in his mind. He knew the conspirator. He knew all about little Julius. And with his memories, his spirit reawakened. He needed to act. If he wanted something, he’d have to take it by force. Once again Dorf was right, and this time the stakes were higher than ever.

His chest heaving, Billycan was transformed, no longer the pitiful excuse for a rat he’d been since Juniper injected him with the serum. He knew what he had to do. His body began to shake as his eyes narrowed, their calm hue shifting to red slashes. He homed in on the little gray rat before him. He
did
know her!

Elvi saw recognition dawn on Billycan, and then a look she’d seen many times. It was the look Toscan creatures had given her seconds before they attacked. She had come prepared, though. Used to danger, she always came prepared.

Swiftly jumping from her stool, Elvi backed away from him. She reached for the dagger hidden in her cloak and doused the light.

The entire Belancort clan sat at the table having a late breakfast of Juniper’s famous bitonberry porridge. It was not famous because it was delicious, but because it was the one dish Juniper could create without burning down the Belancort quarters.

“Eat up, now,” said Mother Gallo to Julius as she wiped porridge form Nomi’s whiskers and nose. Nomi sneezed in response. “If you want to be big and strong like your brothers and father, you must
eat.”

Julius pushed his porridge around with his spoon, a gloomy expression on his face. “I’m just not hungry, Mother,” he said.

“Not hungry,” said Juniper. “But you’re
always
hungry. What’s the matter?”

“Why hasn’t Texi come by?” asked Julius, staring into his bowl. “Doesn’t she like us anymore?”

“It
is
always more fun when she’s here,” added Hob.

Juniper and Mother Gallo looked around the table at the boys. Even Tuk, the oldest, seemed glum.

“So you’re all a bit lonely without your Texi, are you?” asked Juniper. “Hob’s right. It
is
a little lackluster without her cheery face round here, isn’t it?” They all nodded.

“Is this about the other night?” asked Tuk. “Is she upset with me because I wouldn’t let her take Julius for a walk?”

“Oh, no, dear,” said Mother Gallo. “She’s just been a little out of sorts lately, but she’s doing much better now.”

“Is she mad at me?” asked Julius. He’d seen Texi nearly every day of his life. Even a few days without her felt like weeks.

Mother Gallo leaned toward her youngest son. “My dear, Texi could never be mad at you. She loves you very much. How about this. Papa is meeting with some of the Council later today, and I was going to stop by and visit with Lali, but what if instead I drop Nomi off to play with Lali and her boys and you and I go to the library? Gage and Hob need to run off to their lessons, but Tuk has some extra time before his first lecture. He can tell Texi, and maybe if she’s not too busy she can meet us there.” She smiled at the others. “You and I can spend the whole day with her, and then tonight we can all have supper together. Tuk, would you mind asking her, darling?”