Page 98 of The Last Necromancer
"Just the royal family? Not the government, prime minister, or those you care about?"
"I don't care about anyone. I can't afford to."
I halted but he continued. His stark words spun in my head. How could he not care about anyone? Even I'd cared about Holloway, right up until I learned he wasn't my father. In the gangs, there'd always been a boy or two that I'd tried to look out for, simply because I liked their company and didn't want to see them harmed. And in recent days, I'd come to care for Seth and Gus. And Fitzroy, although he didn't seem to want me to.
Perhaps it made it easier for him to do his job if he didn't care. A job that involved protecting England and the royal family from people like Frankenstein, who could do them harm using supernatural methods.
I frowned at his retreating back until he disappeared into the house. Something Frankenstein had said nibbled at the edges of my memory. I'd been so distracted with his declaration of fatherly love, that I'd almost forgotten it. But now his words came flooding back. I wracked my brain, until I finally remembered.
'They think anyone who isn't like them is unnatural, wrong. If that were so, then you would be a monster, and you're not…'
A monster. To some people—perhaps many—I was little better than the creatures Frankenstein had created. I'd been of service to Fitzroy and the ministry, but now Frankenstein was dead and I was no longer needed. What if the decision about my future wasn't merely a matter of whether I would stay on at Lichfield?
What if Fitzroy needed to decide whether I—a necromancer, an abomination—should be allowed to live?
CHAPTER 16
I slept late. I wasn't sure how I'd managed to fall asleep at all, with so many thoughts buzzing around my head, but I felt refreshed enough to confront Fitzroy in the morning. If he refused to give me a direct answer about my future, then I would sneak away from the house and never go back. His avoidance of my questions seemed to be his way of not saying something he knew I'd dislike. I would take his silence as a sign this time, instead of finding out his intentions too late.
I opened the door to see both Seth and Gus in the corridor, leaning against the wall opposite.
"'Bout bloody time you woke up, sleepy head." Gus's craggy face creased even more with his grin. "We were thinkin' we'd have to check if you were still alive."
Seth thumped him in the arm then stepped toward me. I was swept up into a hug before I knew what was happening. He let me go, only for Gus to take over. He took longer to release me, and I had to gently shove at him before he stepped back again, a slight flush to his cheeks.
"Who're you calling sleepy head?" I teased him. "You two would have slept through the end of the world last night."
"We had a good reason." Gus grinned again. "Hear we missed all the action."
"You did."
"You saved us," Seth said, his eyes glistening. "We owe you."
"I think Fitzroy exaggerated." I laughed. "I'm not really sure who saved the day, but everyone's alive, and that's all that matters."
"You'll have to tell us the full story," Seth said. "Death told us so little."
"Ain't too chatty this mornin'," Gus said. "Committee's here."
My heart dove. I wouldn't get an opportunity to talk to him alone until after they left, and that could be hours. His decision might also be swayed by them. Or perhaps not. He'd been adamant that he alone made all the ministry's decisions. Whether that would work in my favor or not was yet to be determined.
"Is Holloway still in the cellar?"
Gus shook his head. "Death took him this morning." At my raised brows, he added, "Fitzroy handed him over to the police."
"He'll be charged with attempted murder against Cook," Seth added.
Not me. Was that because I wouldn't be at Lichfield for much longer? Or was there another reason?
I couldn't fathom it all. Not without knowing where my future lay.
"Where is the committee convening?"
"The library."
"It seems I'll have to wait to speak to Fitzroy. Would you mind bringing me up something to eat? And some fresh water for washing too. Thank you." I touched their arms. "I'm so glad you two aren't any worse for your ordeal."
"Wouldn't want my pretty face smashed in, eh?" Gus chuckled as he walked off.
