Lords of Trillium by Hilary Wagner Read Free Book Online Page A

himself to his feet, Ajax stretched his body, every muscle stiff after sleeping in a chair all night. He took a step back and stared at Billycan and Silvius, his eyes darting between the two. They’d both fallen asleep in their chairs inidentical positions, the left leg swung over the right, their arms folded neatly across their chests. Even their heads were in the same position, both upright against their chairs and leaning to the same side. But for the marked difference in age and the black scar on Billycan’s snout, he’d have had a hard time telling them apart. He cleared his throat.
    Billycan quickly roused, his red eyes coming into focus. He rubbed his brow and craned his neck. “Silvius and I were up most of the night, talking. He thinks Hecate had been poisoning him long before she took over Tosca, clouding his thoughts with something she put in the tea.”
    â€œIt makes perfect sense. She was always experimenting with herbs and plants from the jungle, testing her vile concoctions on unsuspecting rats,” Ajax said irritably. “By the way, where did you go last night?”
    Yawning, Billycan cracked his neck. “Nowhere. I was here all night.”
    â€œBut . . . I saw you. You stormed out in a rage. I reasoned Silvius had said something that set you off.”
    Billycan shook his head. “I fell asleep sometime after Silvius.” He picked up a map that had fallen to the floor at his feet. “I was studying this.”
    Ajax scratched his head. “Hmm . . . perhaps I dreamed it. Yesterday was a strange day, after all.” He looked at Silvius. “This is the strongest I’ve seen him in some time. After Hecate took control, she had him locked up in a cell, told everyone he’d gone mad with jungle fever, that we were in mortal danger if we allowed him to be free. I knew better—most of us did—but we were helpless against her henchmen. They threatened harm to our children if we did not conform.” Ajax snarled. “I should have been stronger. She blew into Tosca, weaseling her way into Silvius’s good graces. Before I knew it, it was too late.I’ve faced down jungle beasts all my life, but against her and her nasty band of rats I was helpless. We all were.”
    â€œYou were right to obey her. I doubt you’d be breathing right now, had you not. As for her tea, it’s clear now how she’s fooled Juniper and his Council.” Billycan gazed at Silvius as he slept. “I have to stop Hecate from whatever revenge she has planned for Juniper and the others before it’s too late.” He felt his throat, remembering the lab tag that had existed there for so many years of his life. “There’s something else I need to do . . . for me”—he nodded at Silvius—“and for him.”
    â€œYou can’t just pick up and leave, you know.”
    â€œYou Toscans are self-sufficient. You don’t need me to lead you.”
    â€œThe Toscans like having you. You bring them happiness, just as Silvius did in his day.”
    â€œ
You
should be leading them, not me. They’ve known you all their lives. They trust you.”
    Ajax bowed his head. “I was a makeshift leader, I suppose, after Hecate left, but I felt guilty about what she had done to us. I still do. I should have thought of a way to defeat her. Instead I allowed her to enslave us.” He sighed. “You remind me of Silvius, in more ways than mere looks. You told me the truth about your past, and though those who knew you then may disagree, you are kind. Generous.” He smiled. “If
you
are deceiving us, you’re a far better liar than Hecate ever was. I saw the cracks in her story from the very first day she arrived. With luck the Nightshade rats will have seen her true colors by now, too.”
    Billycan could only hope Ajax was right and Hecate had finally revealed the wicked rat she