Page 86 of The Tree of Spirits
“Kato. You’re going to send the celestial globe to Kato,” I realized.
“Well, the General will be more willing to believe it if it comes from Kato rather than from me,” he said. “And it looks like Kato will be back tonight.”
I followed his gaze to the TV, which was cycling through clips of a white Knight—Kato—leading the other Knights in battle. Words scrolled across the bottom of the screen.
Victory in the Park.
Fallen district reclaimed.
Operation: Free Gaia is a success.
Knights returning home.
Then the camera jumped to an interview with some Government official in a suit, holding a press conference in front of the Diamond Pyramid, a prominent building in the Government’s exclusive Paradise district.
“After three long days and nights of intense fighting, the Knights have defeated every last Cursed One in the Park,” he told the reporters and cameras. “Some of the Knights will stay behind to patrol the area while the Fixers stabilize the buildings and make the district suitable for human habitation. But the majority of the Knights will join in our soldiers’ continuing search for the Rebels.”
“Hopefully not for long,” I said. “Once they realize the Rebels aren’t responsible for the missing Apprentices, they’ll call off the search for you. And focus their efforts on the real threat.”
Conner snorted. “I think you’re seriously underestimating the General’s stubbornness.”
“No, I’m not. But surely in the face of all this evidence?—”
“All we can prove is we aren’t the Templars, Red. The General still hates us for rebelling against the Government. And he will still make every effort to bring us in for that.”
“Hey, that’s not a very positive attitude.”
“Ok, how about this? I’mpositivethe General will make every effort to hunt us down.”
“You’re hopeless.”
A devious spark lit up his eyes. “I never pretended that I wasn’t.”
I circled around the kitchen island and started pulling out drawers.
Conner watched me. “What are you doing?”
“Looking for something I can use to make a snack. I’m starving.”
“There’s some spaghetti in the pantry,” he told me.
“Great. Thanks.” I pulled out a box of spaghetti and a big pot.
“Try not to burn the water.” He winked at me.
I rolled my eyes. “Funny.”
He took a bow. “I live to serve.”
His bright words were followed by a sudden darkness that rolled over the windows, blocking out the evening light. A moment later, I heard the deafening roar of thunder. The trees outside started rattling violently in the wind. Rain hammered the windows like nails. The temperature plummeted in an instant.
“Well, that is certainly ominous.” I rubbed my hands up and down my arms, trying to warm them.
But Conner didn’t seem bothered. “Na, storms like this happen all the time around here. No need to worry. But, just in case, maybe we should upgrade that snack to dinner. It’s not safe out there for you. Stay here tonight, at least until the storm has settled down and the Watchers are no longer hunting you.”
I wondered which of those two things would come first.
“Ok,” I agreed. “I’ll stay. But just for tonight.”
