Kingdom of Cages(74)

Shond just tried to rob me. What am I going to tell Sadia?

By now, others had reached them. The whole world was floodlit by portable torches and lamps in houses turned up high. Chena lifted her head in time to see a flock of would-be rescuers skidding to a halt as they saw Nan Elle.

“Just stay where you are,” Nan Elle said to her, or maybe to them. Her fingers pressed against Chena’s skull. They were hard, but they were quick, running across her scalp. When she finished, she cupped one hand around Chena’s chin.

“Look at me,” she ordered. Chena obeyed. The dizziness was fading, but her vision was still a little blurry. “Good, very good.”

Nan Elle turned to the crowd. “Fell down the stairs,” she announced. “Got startled, poor thing.” As carefully as she had knelt down, Nan Elle stood up. “I need someone to walk her to her mother.”

“Well, I hope you’ll let me.” Constable Regan slid through the crowd. “Since you seem to have taken charge.”

Nan Elle chuckled. “Oh, no Constable. I would never dream of it.” She stepped away, but her black eyes focused on Chena, and Chena understood what she was not to say.

“Is there a concussion?” Regan asked Nan Elle.

“There does not seem to be, but her mother should probably wake her every few hours tonight to make sure.”

“Her mother is right here, thank you very much.” The crowd shifted, and the next thing Chena knew, Mom knelt on the ground beside her. “Chena, look at me. Look at me, Supernova. Are you hurt?”

“Hit my head,” said Chena, a little thickly. She swallowed and tried it again. “I’m okay.”

Mom ran her fingers along Chena’s scalp, just like Nan Elle had. “You’ll have an egg in the morning. Let’s get you home.” Mom stood and helped her up with both hands under Chena’s elbows. Mom, Chena noticed, did not even look at Nan Elle.

Chena stood unsteadily. Her head throbbed, but nothing spun and her stomach stayed still. She knew enough to know these were good signs. Mom didn’t let go, though. She held on to Chena’s elbows as they climbed the stairs to the catwalk and started toward their house.

I just can’t stop attracting crowds today, thought Chena ruefully. And stalkers.

Constable Regan walked along behind them. Mom glanced at him but didn’t say anything. He didn’t say anything either. He just paced along, about half a step behind them, all the way to their front door.

“Thank you for the escort, Brother Constable,” said Mom as she pushed the door open. Teal sat in the front room, hugging one of the pillows. She jumped up and ran forward when she saw Mom, but stopped as she saw Regan.

“Not at all, Sister,” he said to Mom. “I’ve got a few questions for Chena here, if you don’t mind.” Mom didn’t get a chance to say whether she did or not. Regan just stepped through the door after her.

“I fell,” said Chena as Mom lowered her onto one of the pillows. “I got startled, that’s all.”

“Right,” said Regan. He knelt on a pillow next to her. Mom didn’t sit. She hovered over Chena like she might have to snatch her daughter away from the cop. “And that’s all Nan Elle told you to say, I’m sure. Don’t get started down that road, Chena.”

“Look, if you don’t like her, why don’t you just arrest her? snapped Chena. Her head hurt, a low steady ache.

“Chena!” said Mom sharply.

“No.” Regan held up his hand. “It’s a fair question.” He let out a long sigh. “It’s also extremely complicated.”

Yeah, that’s what you all say when you don’t know what you’re doing. Chena did not say that out loud, however. Not with Mom standing right there. She just rubbed her temple, as if she could wipe away the hurt.

“I don’t shut her down because without her there would be no one who could help out with things like the nettle blight, or delivering babies, or potential concussions.” He gave her a smile that Chena thought was supposed to be warm and friendly but didn’t quite make it. “But I cannot and I will not let her make her own law.” All pretense of smile vanished from his face. “And I will not let anyone help her make that law. Do you understand me?”

Chena nodded and looked down at her toes. Mom shook her shoulder gently.

“There were two men. I think they were trying to rob me.” She lifted her eyes. “I never saw them.”

But I heard Shond. God’s own, I hope Sadia breaks him in two.

Mom’s hand flew to cover her mouth and she doubled over like she was going to be sick. “Why didn’t you tell me?”