Page 36 of Dead Wrong

“If you wish.”

“It can’t be true.”

“Of course not. Madame Greene wouldn’t stand for it. Not even from her own daughter.”

Rounding the corner of the hall, I spotted the two mortal staff members murmuring back and forth as they polished a set of vases. They subtly bowed their heads in my direction as I passed. The entire chateau had been abuzz all morning, whispers of some bombshell secret being passed back and forth like the exchanging of currency. I knew not who or what the target of the rumor mill was that morning, but the mention of my sister piqued my interest.

“Pardon me,” I said, halting my pace and turning back to the man and woman dressed in simple emerald-shaded finery. They bowed deeper, exposing the crowns of their heads. “I’ve been hearing tittering conversation all morning. Would you be able to provide me with a bit of context regarding the topic?”

The woman was the first to straighten, her eyes wide. “You mean, you don’t know, Your Grace?”

“Know what?” I questioned, my patience already drawing thin.

“It was all over the papers this morning. They’re running a smear campaign against Lady Lynette. Saying she’s a sympathizer of the Rebellion and that she’s looking to bring an end to the conflict as soon she succeeds the madame.”

“We know it’s all balderdash, of course,” the man chimed in, running fingers over the thick mustache that covered his lip. “There is no way the Lady would ever think of supporting those brutal savages.”

I nodded along, my stomach tightening from the news. “Right, what nonsense. They’ll print anything these days if it moves papers.”

“Right you are, sir,” the woman replies, giving another bow of the head. “It’s a shame, really, all this violence from the minority. Most of the Unseen are very well-mannered, like the ones who work here.”

The man nodded, rubbing at a stubborn bit of dirt on the vase. “They’ve been trained appropriately, that’s for sure.”

“Is there something else you need, Your Grace?” The woman looked at me once more, her brow raised.

“No, my apologies. I’m running late as it is.” I flashed them a quick smile, which earned another round of bows before I continued my path down the hall.

Lynette a traitor? Surely, there must be some mistake. But why would someone be spreading these rumors? Her ascension to our mother’s role won’t happen for at least another two years—once Mother’s two-hundredth birthday arrives. Would the other houses be vying to sow distrust this far ahead of the ceremony in an effort to steal Mother’s role?

No, the idea was ridiculous. The politics of the Adored are a discipline in the art of subtle persuasion. None in their right mind would publish something lambasting Lynette like this unless….

Unless it was the undeniable truth.

Abruptly changing direction, I moved with renewed haste towards the west wing of the chateau, hoping I’d be quick enough to catch my sister.

Outside of Mother’s office, I hesitated, then gave the door a gentle knock. I checked the watch in my pocket, silently counting back the minutes.

Perhaps I was too late? Mother and Lynette must have already left for their commute into the Magi City.

But then the doors swung open—the outline of an Unseen shimmering as it moved out of the way—and I stormed into the room. Lynette was sitting at the end of the long meeting table, her unbound red curls falling to obscure her face as she wrote with a feverish pace along the page of parchment.

“Hello, brother of mine,” she greeted me without looking up from her work. “If you’re looking for our mother, she’s already retired to her quarters to make ready for our trip.”

I took a steadying breath, doing my best to appear calm. “No, you’re actually the one I wished to see.”

She looked up at me then, brushing the curtain of hair from her face to reveal a quizzical expression. “Is something wrong, Tobi?”

I approached the table, glancing over my shoulder in the direction of the Unseen standing in the corner of the room.

“Harris?” Lynette addressed the Unseen. “Would you mind returning to my quarters and selecting a few outfits for me to choose from? Your sense of style is simply unmatched.”

The Unseen materialized fully—a man with oblong ears like a hare and nostrils made of long slits. “Yes, Your Grace.” He bowed, then pulled the heavy door open before exiting.

“Speak freely, Tobi.”

“You are aware you’re at the center of the entire estate’s gossips this morning, yes?”

Lynette rolled her eyes, snorting out a laugh as she dipped the point of her pen into the inkwell beside her. “Is that what this is about? You’ve nothing to fear, dear brother. I’m not some rebel sent to spy on your bedding rituals if that’s what you’re afraid of.”

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