Page 84 of The Art of Exiley

“Mom, she has serious health issues.”

“This project is being run out of a medical facility with some of the smartest doctors and scientists in the world. She’s going to be okay.”

What project? What facility? None of this has anything to do with anything I thought I knew about the Families.

“You need to explain to me why this is happening.”

“I can’t, Ada.”

“Fine. I’ll ask Kor.”

“No!” For a moment my mother looks genuinely scared. I can’t fathom why. “Listen to me, Ada. I’m not going to tell anyone about this conversation, but Kor would. He’s young and gaining influence, and he trusts the Oculus and the Grand Master implicitly.”

“Are you telling me that Kor is part of these kidnappings?” It feels impossible that my soulful, idealistic best friend could have anything to do with this.

“Of course he is, Ada. And if he thinks you’re a risk to the mission, he’ll tell the rest of the Oculus. Counselor Avellino is calling the shots in New York right now, and you know he’s not your best advocate.” Alfie’s father, the Families’ lawyer, is definitely not my biggest fan. He’d been insufferable when interrogating me after Italy and had been one of the strongest voices trying to keep me ignorant of anything remotely confidential. “If the Oculushas any concerns about you, they’ll bring you home immediately. But youneedto stay at Genesis.”

I want to scream, but I can’t risk Georgie or anyone else hearing me.

“You can’t expect me to do this without telling me anything. Mom, the Makers have aphotoofyou. Which means that you’re at risk, and so am I if they figure out we’re related. If you can’t tell me what’s going on, I need to come home.”

“Ada, your safety is what’s most important. You’re safest where you are. Please don’t do anything stupid!”

“I’m not stupid!” I’mnot. I’m ignorant because they haven’t been telling me anything, but I won’t stand for this anymore. I refuse to be a pawn.

“Ada—”

I end the call and storm out of the room. The only way I’m going to find answers is if I get them myself.

“I’m going to New York,” I announce to Georgie.

“What? How?”

“I’ll get on the Atlas and go.” I need to confront the Inner Chamber or the Oculus or whoever in person and make sure Hypatia is okay.

“You can’t. Didn’t you hear? There’s a lockdown.”

“What do you mean?”

“Due to the abductions, all Atlas service has been suspended. No one’s allowed to leave Arcadia.”

I throw my hands up and growl.

“Maybe you should talk to Master Loew about it,” Georgie suggests.

“No way! He can’t know about this!” The mere thought of Michael knowing about my betrayal ties my stomach in knots.

“Why not? He’s your friend, and he’ll know what to do.”

“He’ll never trust me if he realizes I’m related to the people in that picture.” And then I start crying and admit what I really should not. “Georgie,maybe I was wrong and they are the ones who took her. If they did, there has to be a good reason, but I need to help her.”

“Maybe it’s some kind of mistake?”

“I have to find out. Until then, please, promise me that you won’t say anything to anyone.”

“Of course, I would never.” She walks over to me and wraps me in a hug. I sink into the comfort of her support, forcing myself to take some deep breaths and to think logically.

I need to get home to help Hypatia, and I need to make it clear that I’m not coming back to Genesis until they explain everything to me. I can’t keep helping them if my own actions are putting my friends in danger. But first I have to figure out how to get off this gravdamn island. And I know exactly who can help me.

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