Island of Shipwrecks Read Online Free PDF

said. She knew Ms. Morning would be mad if she found out what had happened at the palace with Aaron and Gondoleery Rattrapp. It had been reckless of Meghan to go there alone, and she could have gotten killed. “I just, um, went for a walk like my brother often does. When he’s here, that is. Obviously.”
    Ms. Morning, seemingly distracted, accepted the explanation. She looked at Gunnar. “I’m still not sure what to think about Eva Fathom. Do you believe what she said? That she was on our side?”
    â€œI do,” Gunnar said. “Marcus told me about the plan he had with Eva to fake his death and take control of Aaron. It all backfired when Marcus and you took the tube to my house in Quill and Aaron was there. That unfortunate turn of events was out of Eva’s control.”
    â€œBut all that time she knew you and I were being held captive! She knew and she didn’t do anything about it!”
    Haluki smiled grimly. “She let me know you were there. I don’t know if I would have survived without that information.”
    Claire Morning looked at her hands. “But why wouldn’t she rescue us?”
    â€œI don’t know for sure,” Haluki said, “but I believe she was doing the best she could under the shocking circumstances. She couldn’t help us, not with the others there. Not without risking everything.”
    He scratched his chin thoughtfully and went on. “She had to prove her loyalty to Aaron so he would tell her things. She’d been the one keeping us informed since she went back to work as Secretary. Matilda can only hear so much from the closet where Aaron stashed her, and then only what happens in the office. Eva was our second set of ears. She stopped Aaron from doing a number of very stupid things. I just wish . . .” He trailed off, thinking of the old woman. “I will miss her. She was a good woman, and we need to let Carina know that. I’m sure it broke Eva’s heart to keep the truth from her daughter. But she did it for the sake of Artimé.”
    Ms. Morning frowned. “How did she keep us informed? She hadn’t been on the premises for months until she came rushing in here the other day.”
    Meghan listened, holding her breath. She didn’t know any of this, and she felt very important to be a trusted part of this conversation.
    Gunnar glanced sidelong at Meghan. His look told her this was a secret she should keep. “Eva had a confidant. Someone she met with regularly to exchange information. I am quite sure that person will vouch for her.”
    Ms. Morning sat up, indignant. “Why doesn’t he or she come forward, then?”
    â€œBecause he’s on the ship,” Gunnar said in a low voice.
    â€œYou mean Alex?” Ms. Morning asked.
    â€œIt must be,” said Meghan.
    Gunnar Haluki looked down.
    Mr. Appleblossom, silent all this time, brows knit together in concentration, soon leaned in confidently and looked at Meghan. “The confidant would not the head mage be—for who else but Sean Ranger? It is he.”
    Meghan gasped. She looked at Ms. Morning, whose lips parted in wonder. They both turned to Haluki.
    â€œIs it?” demanded Ms. Morning.
    â€œMy brother?” asked Meghan.
    Haluki’s silence gave no answer. But Meghan thought his eyes said yes.
    â€œWell what about Liam Healy, then?” Ms. Morning asked after a while. “Eva mentioned him. That he was on our side. I hardly believed it, but now . . . I’m not sure what to think.”
    â€œLiam’s loyalty is something I know nothing about,” Haluki said gruffly. He hesitated, looking carefully at Ms. Morning. “I only know how poorly he treated you.”
    Ms. Morning looked at the grass. “Don’t worry,” she said bitterly. “I haven’t forgotten that.”
    Meghan, sensing tension, looked anywhere but at Haluki and Ms. Morning. As Meghan craned