The Black Key Read Online Free PDF Page B

think Bellstar is like?” Olive asks. “I wish there were pictures.”
    â€œIt must have been very wealthy,” I say. “They built hundreds of ships to find this island.”
    â€œWhat happened to them?”
    â€œThe people?”
    â€œThe ships.”
    I trace my fingers over the faded letters on the page. “I don’t know,” I murmur.
    Suddenly, the arcana buzzes in my hair. I’ve long revealed the secret of the arcana to the other girls—it was too difficult to hide it after a while. I pull it out now and the silver tuning fork floats a foot away from my face.
    â€œHello?” I say. Raven perks up. We never know if it will be Lucien or Garnet on the other end.
    â€œWell?” Lucien’s voice is tense. “How did it go?”
    I smile. “It was fine. The usual. That’s all of Southgate down. Just three more holding facilities left.”
    â€œWith only about a month to go until the big day.”
    My stomach squeezes in nervous anticipation. My thoughts fly to my sister again. A month is such a long time.
    Hold on just a little longer, Hazel. I’m coming.
    â€œHow is the Jewel?” I ask, which is pretty much always code for, How is Hazel? So when Lucien begins to ramble, I’m immediately on edge.
    â€œInsane, as it always is when the Auction approaches,” he says. “Of course, it’s worse this year, since the lower circles are in such turmoil. But you’d think the royalty don’t read the papers. The Lady of the Hail can’t stop boasting about her post-Auction night dinner—it sounds like she’s preparing twenty courses, if you believe her, which I don’t. She’s sent the Electress a hundred invites. And now I have to oversee a shipment from the House of the Flame. Spiced meats, some saffron, and fresh cream from their dairies in the Farm. It’s due to arrive tomorrow. As if saffron is something I need to be worried about right now. Meanwhile, there have been three more arrests in the Bank—one was quite a close call, I thought they’d captured one of my associates—and another bomb went off in the Smoke, which I certainly didn’t sanction—it was poorly made and full of shrapnel so now that quarter is being levied with food restrictions. Even the Regimentals are feeling the pinch. And meanwhile—”
    â€œHow’s my sister?” I interrupt.
    He pauses. My heart stops as he doesn’t say anything.
    â€œLucien,” I say, “what is happening?”
    â€œNothing,” he says. “Nothing I feel you need to worry about.”
    Raven is sitting up, her dark eyes fixed on the arcana.Sil has put down her whiskey.
    â€œWhy don’t you let me decide what I need to worry about,” I say.
    â€œI have a . . . suspicion. It’s not confirmed but I feel that the Electress is planning an . . . accident. For your sister.”
    â€œWhat?” I jump up as if I can run to Hazel right now, as if I could protect her. I have to protect her. “You work for her, find out what she’s planning and stop it!”
    â€œI do not know if she is even planning anything,” Lucien says. “All I know is that the more enthusiasm the Exetor expresses for this engagement, the more furious she becomes at it. She has made some comments that lead me to believe—”
    â€œShe’d do it just out of spite,” I say. “She’d do it to get back at the Duchess.”
    â€œYes, but you see—”
    â€œUgh, these people!” I throw my hands up in frustration. “Don’t they get that she is someone’s sister, someone’s daughter, someone’s friend?”
    â€œNo,” Lucien says dryly. “And I think you’d understand that better than anyone.”
    His words cut but not as deeply as the thought of Hazel being assassinated. I thought I would have time. Time to get to her, to free her. Time to