Page 27 of The Tree of Spirits
“And yet you’ve not caught a single one!”
Kato folded his hands in front of him. “They aren’t so easy to catch.”
“Or maybe you’re protecting them.”
Bracing his hands against the edge of the General’s desk, Kato leaned in toward him. “If you really think that, then send another Knight after the Rebels. And lock me up with all the other traitors.”
The two of them locked stares. But it was the General who blinked first.
“Go,” he said, waving his hands. “And take Miss Winters with you.”
Kato moved toward the door. I followed him.
“One more thing, Kato,” the General said, just as we were about to leave.
We turned around.
“Don’t test my patience. I expect you to catch those Rebels soon. If you don’t, I’m going to have to rethink your position in the Castle.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less of you, General,” Kato replied, his face impassive. Then he closed his helmet and led me out of the room.
CHAPTER 8
KNIGHTLY POLITICS
“Thanks,” I muttered to Kato as we departed the Black Obelisk, heading toward the train station. At least it wasn’t raining anymore. But it was getting pretty dark outside.
“Thanks? For what?”
“For covering for me. Again.”
“Hey, it’s no problem.” Kato extended his arm, inviting me to enter the train first. “But you do know the General is out to get you, right? He’s watching your every move, Seven. You should really try to keep a low profile.”
“I alwaystry.”
He pointed at the TV inside the train. Clips from today’s ‘Pandemonium in the Park’ episode were cycling on constant repeat. “Thatis not low profile.”
I felt my cheeks warming. “Hey, I didn’t cause that. The Brothers did.”
“Brothers?” he repeated, his voice echoing more than usual in his helmet. “As in the Brotherhood of Earth?”
“Yeah, apparently they’re the ones who sent Cursed Ones after the Chosen.”
The metal handgrip groaned when his hand closed around it a little too tightly.
“From your reaction, I take it you heard about those incidents,” I said quietly.
“Yes.”
“The Brotherhood was also behind the Cursed Ones’ attack on the Garden,” I said. “You might want to let the General know. I mean, I would have told him, but he was in such a mood. He probably would have branded the tip a confession and punished me for it.”
“Probably.” Kato’s fingers drummed across the shiny, slightly-dented metal handrail. “Where did you get your information on the Brotherhood?”
This time, it was I who gripped the handrail. “I’d…rather not say.”
“Why not?”
“Because I made a promise,” I said, hoping that was enough for Kato.
