Island of Graves by Lisa McMann Read Free Book Online Page A

related. I’ll check and get the book back to you.”
    â€œThanks,” said Alex. “Anything else to add, Simber?”
    â€œNo, thank you.”
    â€œAll right, then. Moving on. Brainstorming time. How can we get Gondoleery out of the palace alone?”
    The group members thought.
    â€œIs there a Purge coming up?” Carina asked. “That would get her to the Commons.”
    â€œNot for a while,” Florence said.
    â€œWhat if . . . ?” Samheed said. “No.” He fell back into his thoughts.
    â€œShe must go out now and then,” Sky said. “Does she still have a house in Quill? We might just have to keep watch for a few days and see if there’s any pattern to her movements.”
    Carina narrowed her eyes. “But does she go anywhere without a driver? I doubt it.”
    â€œLiam told me where to find her house in Quill,” Alex said. “But he also told me that while there is sometimes glowing coming from the windows, it disappears if she answers the door, so we might not find anything there. Worth a look, though.”
    â€œWhat if . . . ?” Samheed said again, eyes lighting up, but then he slumped. “No.”
    Everyone but Lani snickered at him.
    Lani, who had been quiet all this time, closed her eyes. “Hang on,” she murmured, then nodded sharply, as if she’djust figured out a very difficult equation. “I’ve got it,” she said, eyelids flying open.
    â€œTell us,” Alex prompted.
    Lani gathered her thoughts a minute more, then began. “If Gondoleery doesn’t go anywhere on her own, I’ll simply disguise myself as one of her drivers. When she decides to go somewhere, I’ll drive her in this direction to the desolate area of Quill instead. You guys can be waiting, and we’ll . . . we’ll put an end to her reign right then and there,” she said. “Now,” she added, sitting up triumphantly, “knock some holes in that plan, why don’t you.”
    â€œSeriously?” Samheed asked.
    â€œYes,” Lani said.
    â€œWell, for starters, you don’t know how to drive.”
    Lani’s mouth fell open. “Minor detail. How hard can it be?”
    â€œSecond,” Samheed continued, “how will we know when you’re coming with her? Are we just supposed to lie in wait for days? How will we recognize you if you’re disguised as a driver?”
    Lani’s chin shot up. “I don’t . . . Wait. The gargoyles. That’s where Matilda comes in. We’ll have Charlie with us,and Matilda can let us know when Gondoleery’s going to go somewhere. She can follow Gondoleery out the door, and I’ll sneak her into the back of the vehicle when Gondoleery’s not looking. Then Alex can take Charlie through the tube and get to you, and you’ll know precisely when I’ll be coming.”
    Alex rubbed his chin, listening and thinking.
    Samheed’s face turned skeptical. “Okay, but aren’t most of her drivers men?” he asked.
    â€œSo?” Lani replied. “When I said disguise, I’m talking full-blown impersonation. I’ll become not just a man, but a specific man she’d recognize.”
    Sky looked up. “Maybe Liam could help. I bet he knows some of the drivers.”
    â€œYes,” Lani said, growing even more excited. “Yes, that’s a great idea. He could help me with the disguise.” She looked from Alex to Florence for approval. “What do you think? I think we have something here. There are a few minor issues, but nothing we can’t overcome.”
    â€œI like it,” Carina said. “It’s not too complicated, and nobody else gets hurt.”
    â€œIt’s a little complicated, though,” Simber argued.
    â€œYeah, like whenLani crashes a vehicle she doesn’t know how to drive,” Samheed said.
    Sky elbowed him.