Page 18 of The Isles of the Gods
“Exactly,” I agree. “The church feels this is the moment, and our religious duty would also be profitable, so we find ourinterests aligned. If we work together, we have both the money and the means.”
Jude shakes his head slowly, still struggling for words. “You’re going to start awar. You’re going to kill Leander?”
Ruby lazily lifts one brow. “Oh, you’re on first-name terms with His Highness? I was under the impression you didn’t get along.” She casts an idle look at me, and my blood freezes in my veins. I’msurethey didn’t. I confirmed it. The prince forgot about Jude. Nobody helped after his father died.
“We don’t get on,” Jude says, but his struggle is obvious. I guess it’s still kind of a walk from not liking a guy to dumping him in the ocean.
“Listen,” I say, waiting until he looks across at me. “This is happening, Jude. If you want to think about it this way, you’re not causing it. You’ll just be there. The parties involved would like verification he was aboard the ships.”
Jude and I look at each other, and I keep my face calm as I study the blood on his cheekbone. Let him think. He’s not stupid—he understands he’ll die if he says no. So, not being stupid, eventually he nods.
“Can I say goodbye to my mother?” he asks softly.
“You won’t be doing her any favors if you tell her where you’re going.”
“Understood.”
Ruby sets her champagne glass on the low table beside her, and we both jump a fraction as it clicks against the wood. “Laskia, are your things already aboard?” she asks.
I nod, fighting to keep back my smile. Calm. Professional. Ready for this.
“Good,” she says. “Take Jude home to see his mother and then to the ship.” She turns to Sister Beris. “You will meet them aboard?”
“I am ready,” she agrees, as calm as if we’re off to the market to pick up fish for dinner.
I rise to my feet, and a beat later Jude does the same besideme.
“Have fun, you two,” Ruby says. “And Laskia, don’t forget to bring me home a souvenir.”
I wink. “I’ll get you something nice.”
This is it. It’s happening. Graduation day.
Jude doesn’t say a word as we leave Ruby’s rooms behind, heading along a quiet hallway. He doesn’t speak until we’re out in the alley once more and I’m shoving my hands into my pockets, silently wishing my coat wasn’t already on the boat.
“Have you ever killed someone?” he asks quietly.
“First time for everything,” I reply, making my voice stayeven.
“It’s not what you think it’ll be, getting up close to blood. When it’s actually happening, when it’s all over you, when it’s not just an idea anymore…”
“Maybe that was true for you. It won’t be for me.”
He shakes his head. “It won’t get you what you want.”
I snort. “I’m pretty sure his big sister’s going to be upset, Jude.”
“She will be. Butyourbig sister knows there’s only so much room at the top.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I snap. Then I stop and force my voice into calmness again. Ruby rarelysnaps, and never just because someone’s needling her. “Ruby’s my sister. It’s a little different, I think, to your rich boarding school friends not having room at the top for the bastard.”
“If you say so,” he replies, eyes straight ahead.
“Shut up. Or we’ll go directly to the boat, and your mother can wonder why you disappeared.”
JUDE
The Tenements
