A Gathering Tempest by Catherine Jones Payne

Author:Catherine Jones Payne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fathom Ink Press
Published: 2017-11-19T00:00:00+00:00

Two days later, Alexander’s fingers still ached from the hours he’d spent weaving the nets at Lucas’s shop. His fingers trembled whenever he picked up a scrib, but he’d felt a sense of accomplishment when Lucas plunked more money into his outstretched hand. The evening he’d spent with his new naiad friends had been full of more joking and laughter than he’d experienced in years.

When he arrived at school exhausted, he dragged himself into class instead of waiting on the schoolreef for his friends. He sank into a hammock at their usual table.

When the students filed into the classroom, his spine tingled at the eerie, unnatural quiet. Rhea and Kora slumped in their hammock chairs and folded their hands so tightly their knuckles went white. Caleb just stared at the door.

Jade was nowhere in sight.

“What’s the matter?” he whispered to Kora.

She glanced up at him, her eyes wide, and hissed, “You haven’t heard?”

Terror pounded in his chest. Where’s Jade?

Kora’s chin trembled. “Nico was killed last night. They think the naiad liberationists did it.”

Alexander dropped his scrib on the table and stared at Kora.

Lord Nico. Killed.

He could taste the revulsion welling up in his mouth. All at once, he swept his tablet back into his bag.

Rhea gripped his arm. “What are you doing?”

“I’ve got to go see Jade.” Emotions rushed over him in quick succession—anger, horror, fear, loss—but one stood above them all: concern for Jade.

Rhea’s eyebrows arched. “I doubt they’re in the mood for company.”

“I need to see if she’s okay.” He yanked away from her.

“It’s alright.” Kora reached out and patted Rhea’s hand. “Jade will want to see him.”

Just as Professor Plutarchus entered, Alexander fled from the classroom and swam onto the schoolreef. He paused, and his whole body shuddered, his gills pulsating in shallow, rapid movements.

Then he pushed down his overwhelming emotions and hurtled down one canal after another until he reached Jade’s house. He drew himself up and knocked softly on the door.

George answered, fatigue etched on every line of his face. “I guess you’ve heard?” he murmured.

“Yeah.” Alexander shifted. “I wondered if I could help at all. If maybe Jade wanted to see me.”

A soft smile played on the edges of George’s lips. “I’m sure she will. Lady Cleo’s gone to discuss the matter with the king, so their Aunt Junia and I have been trying to cheer up Jade and Benjamin as best we can. Come on in.”

Alexander followed George into the house and stopped short in the front room. George held up his hand for Alexander to wait and disappeared toward the back of the house.

A horrible thought suddenly hit Alexander. Lord Nico’s death meant that he couldn’t count on the money he’d promised. He was sure Lady Cleo would honor it if he told her … but no, he couldn’t do that. He wouldn’t do that. The money didn’t matter. Not after this.

But maybe he’d have to quit school after all.

Jade appeared on the other end of the room, her chin trembling. She darted into his arms.

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