Firebrand by Antony John Read Free Book Online Page A

figured it’d give Eleanor a jolt . . . make her realize she’s still part of this colony.”
    He didn’t need to tell me that it hadn’t worked. It was obvious from the way his shoulders slumped, eyes half-open as he stared through the porthole. It wasn’t hard to imagine that he was picturing Hatteras Island, two days’ sail away but still so fresh in his mind.
    â€œWhat did they do to her, Ananias?”
    He tugged at the neckline of his tunic. It was clean, but damp from sweat. I was sure he hadn’t slept well.
    â€œThe second day, before the pirates threw us in the hold, Dare took her away from me. When she came back, she’d changed.”
    â€œHe hurt her—”
    â€œNo. The pirates did that to her when Dare wasn’t around. He was furious about it, but . . .” He shook his head and turned away from the porthole. “I should check on Alice.”
    By the time he reached the door, I was standing too. I pressed my foot against the door, keeping it closed. “But
what
?”
    Ananias didn’t try to force the door open. “I don’t think Dare laid a finger on her. She was gone such a short time. He even treated her cuts and wrapped a bandage around her arm. No, I think he
told
her something and it changed her world.”
    â€œDare is our uncle, Ananias.”
    He gave a wry smile. “Yes. Alice told me that too.”
    â€œDon’t you see how that would’ve changed things for Eleanor?”
    â€œNo, I don’t. I see why it would’ve changed how she felt about
me
. But what about everyone else? Eleanor hasn’t spoken to anyone in days.”
    â€œMaybe she doesn’t know who to trust anymore.”
    â€œNeither do I. But I’m still eating. Still talking.” He stared at my foot until I eased it away from the door. “It must’ve been something else, and I need to know what. Her father trails after her all day, but she won’t talk to him. He told me straight up to stay away from her, but I won’t. I can’t.”
    He left the cabin and I lumbered after him. After a full day on my back, every muscle was stiff. My head hurt too. All the same, it felt wonderful to emerge on deck. The wind was fresh. For a moment, I just stood there, drawing deep breaths, reminding myself that we were still alive.
    While Ananias took over the wheel, Alice led me to the starboard rail. To the north, a long gray band ran along the horizon, hinting at land. Alice pointed toward it. “See anything interesting?” she asked.
    â€œLand. Also, your element is weakening. You wouldn’t have needed to squint on Hatteras.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Everyone’s element is weakening, Thom. Are you having second thoughts about this voyage?”
    â€œAre you?”
    â€œNo.” She pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and unfolded it. It was the map from Dare’s cabin. “We’re going to reach Sumter, and we’re going to make a better life there.” She lowered her voice. “And in the meantime, you and Rose can start exploring life without an echo.”
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?”
    Alice raised an eyebrow. “Come on, Thom. Let’s not pretend. Back on Hatteras, I felt close to you. We needed each other. But things are going to be different from now on. Anyway, we both know how you feel about her.”
    â€œA couple days ago I almost killed her, just by touching.”
    â€œYes. And last night, you didn’t hurt her at all when you touched. Or was there another reason she looked flushed when she left your cabin?”
    I was too embarrassed to answer that.
    â€œI’m just saying, our elements are weakening. You know as well as I do what that means for you both.”
    I was still bright red, but Alice wasn’t watching. She was poring over the map again. “The sun is rising directly behind us, so that land is