The Hidden Twin by Adi Rule Page B

could have your pick of young gentlemen! Why this goon?
    â€œCertainly, we’ve met,” Zahi says, his face blank. “It’s good to see you, Miss Fairweather. I’m glad you could attend my little gathering.” He extends a hand and I curl my fingers around his briefly. Then his features lighten in the faintest hint of a smile. “It seems I must apologize, and admit my utter embarrassment that you took my invitation as a request to work in the gardens today.”
    â€œOh, no,” I say, forgetting Bonner for a moment. “I just … I really like the uniform.”
    Zahi laughs.
    â€œI apologize, Your Excellency.” Bonner takes my arm a little roughly. “I’m taking her home to change right now.”
    â€œAs she wishes,” Zahi says, “though, really, my friends, it is unnecessary.” He glances at me. “I thought I heard shouting.”
    I try to look baffled. “Shouting?” My best chance is to steer him away. I cannot hope for help, and I certainly can’t risk exposing my identity to the Empress’s own son. I can deal with Bonner on my own.
    â€œNo shouting here,” Bonner says. Flaming lout.
    â€œWell, I’ll let you two enjoy the garden, then.” Zahi gives us a polite nod and takes his leave, joining a group of enthusiastic young ladies on the shady lawn outside.
    I look daggers at Bonner, whose little eyes are wide.
    â€œYou’re … you’re not her,” he says.
    Damn. No, no, no. I try to keep my voice steady. “What are you talking about?”
    â€œYou’re not Jey Fairweather,” he says.
    â€œOf course I am.” I swallow. “Look at me. Who else would I be?”
    â€œYou have blue eyes .”
    â€œDon’t be silly,” I say calmly. “I’ve always had blue eyes, don’t you remember?” Tamping down my revulsion, I put a hand to his face in a gesture of affection, but he pulls away sharply.
    â€œWhen she said she had a sister, I—”
    My chest gives a jolt. “She said she had a sister?”
    â€œYou are a bloody twin,” he cries, gaping at me like a fish.
    My brain boils. “What did she tell you about me?”
    â€œWhere is your mark, twin?” Bonner snaps. “Where is the priest’s scar on your forehead? Don’t lie to me.”
    My heart is racing. I look into his eyes. “Please,” I whisper. “For Jey’s sake, please forget you ever saw me. Okay? I’ll leave town. I’ll never come back. I promise. Please, I would never hurt anyone.”
    He blinks at last, and frowns. Please, Rasus, let me have won him over. I’ll never ask for anything else again, I promise.
    When Bonner speaks, his words are low and careful. “I’ll keep your secret from these good people here today. What you need to do now, girl, is put your goggles back on and pull up that bandanna.”
    I do so, relief flooding my veins. “Thank—”
    â€œNow, you come with me,” he says, grabbing my arm. “And if you disappear, I’ll go to your house tonight and break your sister’s neck while she sleeps.”

 
    seven
    When Bonner and I leave the grounds of the Copper Palace, we pass Zahi Zan and one of the pretty girls—the one dressed in buttery yellow—sitting on a stone bench next to a fountain. She laughs and throws her head back; he is making stupid faces. Neither of them notices us.
    It’s not as though I’m being kidnapped or anything.
    The trek back across the Jade Bridge is a mixture of trepidation and annoyance. Bonner doesn’t say where we are going, but all I have to do is ask myself, Where would I take a redwing if I captured one? So of course we are heading straight toward the crowds of High Ra Square and the Temple of Rasus.
    Bonner squeezes my arm with his sweaty fingers as though he is physically controlling me. Even without my redwing blood, I could