Chapter Eighteen

CAS

I stepped out of the elevator and headed for the lobby, accompanied by six other Keepers.

“Our gear’s packed up in the back of the truck,” said Nala, walking alongside me. She pushed her curly hair and tied it behind her back with a stretchy band. “Do you need anything else before we leave?”

“Nay, I have all my things.”

“Cas! Cas – there you are.” Michelle came running out from the closing elevator doors next to the one we had taken. She zipped up her purple jacket as she jogged towards me. Nala waved at Michelle, nodding as she turned to leave.

“Don’t take too long. We’re leaving in ten minutes.”

I caught Michelle by her arms before she could run into me.

“Take it easy, Michelle,” I grinned at her. “Are you here to give me a kiss goodbye before I head off to the repair shop?”

“Where’s the prince?” Michelle was acting nervous. She held onto my elbows, whipping her hair back and forth like she was trying to conceal her face.

“He’s not here. I haven’t seen him all morning.” I frowned, recognizing the genuine panic in the dilated blues of her eyes. “Is everything all right? What are you still doing here? I thought you had work today.”

“I’m taking a sick day today.” Michelle tugged hard on my elbow, pulling me next to the plastic plant behind the receptionist’s counter. “I tried calling you all night, but you weren’t picking up.”

“Aye, sorry about that. I was knocked out cold for the evening. I didn’t get up until Botu came pounding on my door this morning. What’s the matter, Michelle? You’re all shaken up today.”

“I woke up around three in the morning last night. You were still asleep, and I thought I’d go back to my room to make us some food. I picked up these delicious curry noodles from the store...sorry, I’m getting distracted. The door to Prince Jethro’s suite was open, and I overheard him talking to someone on this weird circular device – I think he called it his communicator.”

“You really shouldn’t be listening in on people’s private conversations, but keep going.” I crossed my arms, spreading my feet apart. “Who was he talking to?”

“It was a woman. She had an unusually deep voice and a long, sharp face, but she was still pretty.”

Michelle could have been describing anyone. “What was her name?”

“Long teal hair with a red robe...” Michelle slid a closed fist over her forehead, flicking her eyes toward the ceiling. “Kyra? Kenya? Something with a K, that’s for sure.”

“Kaiva?”

“Yes! That’s it.”

“That can’t be right.” I shook my head. My mouth suddenly felt dry. “That’s the name of the Thortonese leader.”

Michelle nodded her head. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but it sounds like they’ve been working with each other for a long time. Jethro knew they were coming for the Doomstone. In fact, I think they plotted the whole thing together.”

“You have to slow down.” I looked back to make sure that none of the Keepers could overhear our conversation. “I can’t throw around wild accusations like this. Jethro is royalty, after all. Taking action without having any concrete evidence would be unwise, to say the least.”

“I know, Cas, but you need to listen to me.” Michelle stepped toward me, her nails piercing into my thumbs as she gazed up at me. “I know it sounds crazy, but that’s what I heard.”

“I’m listening to you.”

Michelle nodded, letting go of my hand. “Kaiva and Jethro aren’t the only ones involved. Jethro is tagging along during Tate’s speech at City Hall tomorrow, where he plans on using the Doomstone – and yes, I know what the Doomstone is.”

“At City Hall? Why would he go there?”

“I don’t know why. I just know what he’s going to do. I feel like something horrible is about to happen.”

Splynter slunk out from behind one of the decorative pillars, his pipe dangling in his mouth. “You better listen to her, boy.”

“Have you been hiding behind a pillar this whole time?”

Michelle looked at the Keeper, then back at me, her shoulders lowering with relief.

“I knew something wasn’t right with that pompous jackass.” Splynter swayed drunkenly, patting down his pockets and looking for another drink. “He’s an absolute disgrace to the royal family.”

“Where’s Jethro?”

Splynter shrugged nonchalantly, ambling past us with a foolish grin.

“Botu!” I turned around, flagging him down by the front doors. Michelle followed closely behind me. “Have you seen Jethro?”

“Aye, but I don’t think he’s returned yet. I saw him getting into Mr. Sheen’s car this morning.”

My shoulders slumped down, and I felt like all the air had gone out of me. I had been counting on the fact that Michelle had misconstrued the situation, but that was beginning to look unlikely. The first problem had been when he made a move on Michelle when he was the only one I’d confided in about her, outside of Splynter. I didn’t have a chance to confront him about his aggressive behavior yet, and now Michelle had added to my burden.

I knew I needed to talk to Jethro about his liquor consumption, but I never imagined he would ever involve himself in something as stupid as staging the theft of the Doomstone. That called for actual planning and suggested he had put some thought into his plan.

“Where is the Doomstone? Are Ganu and Zyrene still looking after it?”

My questions were answered when Ganu, Zyrene, and Todrin came out of the elevators. The trio headed for the dining room until Botu whistled at them, calling them to us. I strode towards Ganu.

“If you’re here, who is guarding the Doomstone?”

“Relax, Cas.” Ganu raised his palms, taking a step back from me. “Prince Jethro has it. He came to our room this morning and said we could have the day off.”

Nala stuck her head through the front door, snapping her fingers. “Are we having a party over here? Come on, Cas. I said ten minutes. Let’s get moving.”

“We have some business to take care of first. Send a distress signal to Keeper headquarters – code bira. We’re going to need back-up.”