Castle Ever Dark by Sara Knightly

Author:Sara Knightly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Portal Publishing LLC

Twenty-Two

York broke into a huge smile as I walked back over with Cora.

He stood and wrapped me in a hug again.

“Have a nice talk. I’ll be back soon,” Cora said, disappearing inside the doors off the terrace.

I pulled away, sank down into the chair beside him, and took in his every detail. His brown eyes studied me back. The freckles on his nose were fading and his face was longer.

“I just can’t believe you’re here!” He shook his head in disbelief. “When I saw Jack on Loon, I assumed the worst.”

I felt a pang of worry; did he know something about Jack that I didn’t? “Why?”

“I don’t know. Just seeing him ride Loon like she was his, and knowing how much she means to you. I snapped.”

“Oh.” I breathed out in relief. “Jack’s taking care of her for me when I can’t see her.”

York looked surprised. “You’re friends?”

I blushed. “Yes. Why? Don’t you like him?”

“Sure, everyone likes Jack. But I wouldn’t say he’s my friend. He’s in charge of us.”

“The Transposers?”

He froze. “You know about us?”

I nodded.

“You knew I was here?”

“Yes. I’ll explain, but first, tell me what happened to you after the Count’s Tournament. When I left Windermere, they told me you won! I didn’t know you were brought here too. How did it happen?”

“That was all kinda a blur. Mr. Mallon said the Count needed someone with my skill set, that I’d earn more at the castle. They even send money to my parents when I do well in the lab. A lot of money.”

I paused, the realization setting in. “Oh my gosh . . . you like it here.” All this time, I naively thought York was aware that he was being used. But he wasn’t.

York looked at me strangely. “Of course! You know I couldn’t wait to get away from my father. Right after I got pulled out of the Tournament, Mr. Mallon arranged it all with the castle. It was the best day of my life.”

I clamped my lips shut. How was York not aware of how he was being used? Even I wasn’t completely sure, but I knew whatever Dr. Ply was doing to him and the other transposers was harmful.

“Why did your father agree? He hates the castle.”

“My mom insisted. I’ve never seen her so determined. I think she thought she was doing me a favor by getting me away from my father. He was really angry, but no matter what he said, she wouldn’t back down. Then it was done, they said goodbye, and I went with Mr. Mallon.”

I felt sick. If York’s mother knew what she gave York over to . . . something so much worse than her husband . . . it would destroy her.

“I just figured you went back to the Taylors and were fine. Why are you here?” He sounded confused.

“Dr. Ply needed an assistant. He chose me because of my father.”

“What?”

I leaned in, even though no one was in the garden. “My father secretly worked for Dr.

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