The Secret of White Stone Gate by Julia Nobel

Author:Julia Nobel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2019-12-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Thirteen Candles

Another week went by, and Sam still hadn’t gotten any information out of Brynn. He didn’t seem to be hanging around Brynn as much, which was making all of them nervous. He often didn’t get back to their room until Jack was asleep, so Jack couldn’t check in to make sure everything was okay. Lola was having almost daily problems at school, and Emmy was starting to panic. Even if they did clear Lola’s name, would the Order leave her alone? She’d probably be safer at Wellsworth where she had her friends around her all the time, but what if the Order found another way to get her kicked out? Jonas said he wouldn’t stop until Emmy gave up her dad. Even if Sam got the info they needed, it might not be enough.

One night, Jack and Emmy were playing a half-hearted game of Slap It when Natalie came into the common room. Jaya was holding her by the elbow, and she had a bandage around two of her fingers.

“What happened?” Emmy asked.

“She fell down the stairs,” Jaya said.

Emmy’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“Are you okay?” Jack asked.

“I sprained a couple fingers, and I hit my head.” She gingerly put her fingers on a purple welt on her forehead. “It doesn’t seem too bad, but the nurse said I shouldn’t play football for at least a week just in case. Mostly I’m just black and blue.”

Emmy stood up. “Let’s get you upstairs.” She and Jaya stood on either side of Natalie as she went up all four flights.

“Seriously, I’m fine,” Natalie said as she slowly sat down on her bed.

“How did it happen?” Emmy asked.

“It all happened so fast, I don’t really remember it.” Natalie pushed herself back with her good hand and leaned against her pillows. “It’s weird, though. I didn’t think anybody else was on the stairs, but I swear I remember somebody bumping into me from behind.”

Emmy’s mouth went dry. “Do you think somebody might have pushed you? Like, on purpose?”

“Nah,” Natalie said, “why would somebody do that? Either it was an accident, or I imagined it.”

Emmy didn’t say anything. The Order didn’t have anything against Natalie, but what was it Barlowe had said? Sometimes going after a loved one is more effective. She closed her eyes. The thought of the Order going after her roommate was terrifying. Wasn’t anybody around her safe?

Emmy helped Natalie get settled and then grabbed her design and technology textbook. She couldn’t afford to keep falling behind. She flicked on her reading lamp and was about to nestle into her covers when she saw something lying on her pillow. It was an envelope with her name on it.

Her fingers shook while she opened it. Whatever was inside couldn’t be good. She pulled out a piece of paper and began to read:

Sorry you’re struggling in mathematics. Your dad wasn’t any good at it, either.

It wasn’t signed. It didn’t have to be. Jonas was the only one who’d write her something like that.

Emmy tossed her textbook on the floor and curled up under her covers.

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