Page 13 of The Secrets of Roan Island

Shemaiah opens his mouth to protest, but I already know the argument he’ll make.

"She won’t touch her wine again after what happened last night. Drugging her won’t be easy,” I say.

“You don’t know that.”

“Believe me, Shemaiah, she’s careful. And she’s trouble. We need to get rid of her.” For more reasons than one. My main concern isn’t how Miss Rose would handle a new moon party, it’s what my father might do to her. And with my growingattraction, what I might do if she’s near during one. I’m not sure I’ll be able to control myself.

“Father insisted she stay until we can misdirect her research. She’s too close.”

“Father”–I straighten once more, shaking my head–“didn’t just bring her here for that.”

“Why, then, did he do it?”

I glance at the metal door in the back of my lab, the one that leads to the only part of the house my father has never been. “Additional insurance.”

“He found out?” Typical Shemaiah, to know what I’m not saying.

A nod is enough to tell him everything he needs to know. We had planned to make a move against our father this week. That won’t be happening now.

“And dressing her in Zarah’s things…” We both know Ruby’s wardrobe is a warning. A reminder of who really has the power here.

Shemaiah hums, an annoying habit, and motions toward the microscope. “Have you discovered anything?”

I sigh and rub my eyes wearily. “The blood remains unchanged.”

His hand comes to my shoulder. “I know you want to save them, but–”

“There’s a solution.” My muscles harden. “I just have to find it.”

“Have you searched all of the library?”

“The library? There’s nothing there.”

“No. The Under Library.”

“I’ve been through it. Again and again.”

“Probably needs another set of eyes.”

I hear what he isn’t saying. A set of researcher’s eyes. A recommendation to use our father’s leverage against him.

“Impossible.” I return my attention to the microscope, hoping my brother will get the message and leave. Bringing Professor Rose into the Gate House would be worse than my father bringing her to Roan Island. It would be like taking a hunting dog to a rabbit’s den and trying to keep them from discovering the rabbits.

“You’re probably right. There’s too much to lose.”

My brother’s tone makes me examine him more closely. “Yes. Our lives.”

Shemaiah nods. “Hmm.” He backs out of the room. I know he has more to say but is choosing to withhold it. Just before he leaves, he calls back, “Don’t be late to dinner this time, yes? In fact, you should probably escort our guest. Don’t want to see what kind of mischief Jafeth gets up to. Or Father, for that matter.”

9

Ruby

“And that, Miss Rose, was how Noah earned the nickname Lord Professor,” Jafeth says, finishing a story that had me laughing about their boyhood adventures.

“And doesLord Professorstill command everyone with his intellect, then?” My gaze shifts to where Noah sits fingering the stem of his goblet of wine. He frowns at Jafeth, clearly annoyed by the story, but when he meets my gaze, his scowl eases by a degree or two. My heart skips at having the full attention of the enigmatic man.

“Come now, Lord Professor,” I say quietly, leaning toward him. “Would it hurt you to laugh at yourself?”

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