Copper Veins(42)

Lopez blinked, then he composed himself. “Yes, yes,” he murmured, then he swept his arm to the left. “Forgive me my manners, you must be exhausted from your ordeal. Our accommodations are rough, but please avail yourselves of all we have to offer.”

I followed Lopez’s outstretched arm and saw a couple cots lined up against the tent wall. I didn’t know if he meant for us to sit or sleep, but at that moment I didn’t care. I plunked the manila folder on the table and claimed a cot—a moment later, Sadie scooted in beside me. As we pulled the rough green blanket up to our chins, I heard Lopez asking someone to fetch us a meal. Little did he know we only wanted to sleep.





18


When I woke I had no idea where I was, only that I was no longer exhausted. Apparently these resistance folks had decided to let the three of us sleep off our recent captivity and drugging. At least, I guessed they’d left us alone—I hoped either Sadie or Max had had the sense to keep watch.

I rolled over, noticing only then that the cot I’d been lying on was about as comfortable as broken pavement, and saw that Sadie was already awake. “I really need to pee, but I am not going out there alone,” Sadie declared.

“Good morning to you, too,” I mumbled. I looked at the other cot and saw that Max was still sleeping. Thankfully, Jerome was nowhere in sight. “Do you know where the facilities are?”

Sadie wrinkled her nose. “There are no facilities.”

My own nose wrinkled in solidarity. “Well, it has to be better than the bucket we had at the prison. And we have blankets,” I said, holding up the threadbare fabric.

Sadie grimaced. “Good point.”

With that, we exited the tent, blinking in the bright sunlight. After taking care of business as quickly as possible, we returned and found Max sitting up and yawning.

“Any idea if we can get a shower?” he asked as he stretched.

“I’m thinking that’s not too likely,” I replied. “This resistance seems to have amenities right out of the Stone Age.”

Max grunted, then he raked his hand through his hair. “We alone?”

I shrugged. “As far as I can tell.” Which meant “beware the possible listening devices.”

Max nodded and continued, “Have either of you gotten the impression that this operation might not be up to big-league potential?”

I looked to Sadie, who gave the barest of nods. If this resistance was as strong as Dad and Jerome had said, why were they living in the woods like animals? I hadn’t seen a single piece of technology, unless you counted the kerosene lantern perched on Lopez’s desk, and I didn’t. In my book, technology involved wires and plastic and microchips, not a fuel source that had been discovered ages ago.

“Maybe they have more camps,” Sadie ventured. “Maybe this one is off the grid so people can hide, like Jerome said about the cave.”

The cave that was probably a trap. I didn’t speak my thoughts aloud, but based on Max’s expression he was thinking the same thing. Before I could suggest that we get out of there ASAP, Lopez himself strode into our tent. Following him was a tall woman with blazing gold eyes, dark hair, and features reminiscent of Mediterranean Europe.

“I’m glad to find you all awake,” Lopez said, his form silhouetted against the sunlight. I guessed it was close to noon, which meant that we’d slept for eight or nine hours on something reminiscent of a bed. That was the best thing that had happened since we’d decided to take that stupid trip to Moose Lake. “Allow me to introduce my right hand, Aregonda.”

The woman—Aregonda—inclined her head, and the three of us did likewise. After a not-at-all awkward pause, Aregonda stepped forward and addressed Sadie. “We are very, very happy that you have found us, Inheritor,” she declared. “Please, let us know how we can assist your cause.”

Sadie blinked and scooted back on the cot. “I—I don’t have a cause. I just want to get back to the Otherworld.”

Aregonda’s forehead wrinkled. “The Otherworld? But you are needed here, Inheritor. Others of copper—”

“Are you of copper?” I interrupted.

Aregonda frowned, but answered, “I am, though I have other talents as well.”

And here I’d thought I was the only Elemental who dyed her hair. “Any idea why others of copper have been sending gifts to the Whispering Dell?” I pressed.

“To show our allegiance,” Aregonda replied.

“Allegiance to whom?”

Aregonda’s frown deepened. “Why, to the Inheritor. Who else would we ally ourselves with?”

“Oy,” Sadie muttered, rubbing her eyes. “Can’t someone convince these people that I don’t lead anything?”