The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees

Author:Jordan Lees
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: S&S Books for Young Readers
Published: 2024-05-28T00:00:00+00:00

BENJAMIAH BARELY SLEPT. All night his belly was a snake pit. What little rest he got was fleeting, full of slithering, coiling shadows and the hissing of snakes. He woke exhausted, Nuisance the nightjar twittering above him.

Benjamiah studied the happy bird. Why had Nuisance chosen him? Who did Nuisance really belong to? Staring into his small button eyes, Benjamiah felt again that twinge of some impossible connection. If Benjamiah really tried, if he really allowed himself to believe in magic, could he cast Nuisance the way Elizabella cast Emba?

His mind was drawn back to the dreaded Magimmaculum. Were they really going to do this? What if they were wrong about Edwid’s drawings? Their only guide was Elizabella’s brute-minded determination. As if sensing his fear, Nuisance fluttered down and nuzzled Benjamiah with his beak. Benjamiah was shocked by how much better it made him feel.

Elizabella arrived in Benjamiah’s room, looking fresh, composed, and well rested.

“We can’t take him,” said Elizabella, gesturing to Nuisance. “He’ll have to stay here.”

The nightjar seemed offended, cocking his head and loosing a sorrowful skirl.

“I’m sorry,” Benjamiah said, scratching his feathers. “She’s probably right.”

Still, Benjamiah would miss him. Being apart from Nuisance felt wrong. And, to make matters worse, Elizabella now held out a shabby doll of lifeless gray, smaller than a real poppet and devoid of any character or features.

“You can’t go without a doll,” said Elizabella. “Everybody has one.”

Benjamiah took it from her. “Where did you get this?” he said, wrinkling his nose. “Is this a real poppet?”

“Of course not. There’s a toy shop along the street. Nobody will pay any attention to us, so don’t worry. Besides, it’s not like you can do anything useful with your real poppet.”

Muttering grumpily, Benjamiah attached the toy poppet to his hip. Nuisance, mortally offended, squawked and fluttered off to sulk. Benjamiah wanted to apologize, but felt sick with nerves.

“You look tired,” said Elizabella.

“You don’t.”

“Slept like the dead,” she said. “Are we clear on the plan?”

Benjamiah nodded, then sat on the bed, taking a deep breath.

“You don’t have to come,” she said.

“You can’t do it alone,” said Benjamiah.

“I’ll work something out.”

“I’m coming.”

“Fine,” said Elizabella. She stood with her hands on her hips, studying Benjamiah. “We don’t look shabby enough.”

Without warning, she ripped the breast pocket off Benjamiah’s waistcoat, and loosened seams here and there. She used soot from the fireplace to grubby up his skin, clothes, and shoes. She did the same to herself.

“Don’t lose your despectacles,” she said. “Children who live in orphanages don’t have pretty brown eyes. If anybody sees yours… Well, just don’t let anybody see your eyes.”

Benjamiah had no response, save for an awkward swallow.

Seeing his terror, Elizabella said, “We can do this. We have Emba. And we’re clever.”

Benjamiah nodded, pushing the despectacles as tight as he could against the bridge of his nose.

They walked in silence to the Magimmaculum, the streets eerie and empty. A few stars were scattered across the sky, not yet swallowed in the gathering dawn, arranged in constellations alien to those Benjamiah knew so well.

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