Good Bones (Wayfarer's End Book 2) Page 2

  “Did it sound, perhaps, like a child’s birthday party?”

  Leo beamed his terrifying smile.

  Phineas had no idea what a child’s birthday party was supposed to sound like. His parents weren’t the type to throw parties and he hadn’t socialized with many other kids.

  “Maybe,” he said, drawing out the word hopefully. It was not a good sign when Leo pretended to be nice.

  “Boy, if you’d paid attention, you would know tonight is the anniversary of the creature’s birth. Of course, It can’t age now, but I can see how someone as sentimental as my dear, dear cousin would want to throw It a party.”

  Leo’s smiled dimmed. A frown creased his forehead. He reached into his pocket reflexively and pulled out an intricately carved silver flask. He spritzed a cloud of cologne into the air over his head. The tangy smell of spices and oranges floated toward Phineas. He wrinkled his nose, fighting the urge to gag.

  “She doesn’t look dead,” Phineas blurted without thinking. He instantly regretted opening his mouth. Leo’s gaze snapped to him again, riveting him to the couch. “I mean, it looks human,” he amended, digging his fingernails into his arm and willing himself to shut up.

  Leo raised his eyebrows. “You feel sorry for the creature,” he said in surprise, slipping the little flask back into his pocket. “I didn’t see that coming. I fancied any child of Nina’s would have a naturally strong stomach for this work. Oh well, can’t be helped. You’re the right age to lure the monster out and that’s what you’ll do, feelings aside.”

  Phineas’ stomach clenched, he was certain to throw up any minute. Leo sickened him and he wanted nothing more than to get as far away from the man as possible.

  “I have all the paperwork,” Leo added carelessly. “You’re welcome to read the research yourself. Starved to death by a murderer; found raving by police, conveniently sent to a private facility rather than a government one. A facility, I might add, whose psychologist happens to now have ties with my formidable cousin. The creature was adopted by a mysterious aunt and uncle. All the facts fit the profile of a Nzumbe cover-up, Phineas. I’ve seen the scenario many times. The fact that the little monster never goes out in public is a dead giveaway.”

  He leaned back on the couch and stared up at the ceiling. “She’s the youngest,” he said with a far-off, dreamy look. “I’ve only heard accounts of adult Nzumbes until now. A child Nzumbe is a first. Which makes this particular creature an incredibly rare and valuable item for my collection.”

  Phineas listened, wide-eyed. Had all those bad things happened to the girl? She was younger than him and tiny. He couldn’t imagine going through any of that. He also couldn’t imagine turning her over so Leo could torture her, no matter how much she annoyed him. He stood slowly and pretended to yawn.

  “Good night, then,” he said in what he hoped was a casual voice. “I guess I’ll shower and get to bed.”

  Phineas never saw the blow coming. Leo’s fist smashed into his face, sending him flying back into the far wall with a crash that jarred his entire body. His head cracked against the floor. For a second, the world went black.

  I’m dying, he thought bleakly as he lay gasping fish-like for air. Everything hurts. His lungs pumped hard and then, with a gasp, he could breathe again. Air roared in and out of his mouth like a freight train. Tears stung his eyes and he pressed a hand tightly over his face. He wouldn’t give Leo the satisfaction of seeing him cry.

  He sat up with a moan and propped himself painfully against the wall, his throbbing cheek pressed against the cool surface. The inside of his cheek was raw and torn from where his teeth had gouged the skin. His mouth was full of a bitter, metallic taste. Blood. He couldn’t believe he’d actually been hit, just like in books and movies. The reality was a nasty shock. His parents might have neglected him, but they certainly hadn’t hit him. Worse than the pain was knowing Leo could do whatever he liked and there was nothing Phineas could do to stop him.

  He sent a side-long glance to where Leo sat waiting on the couch. The man casually rolled the handle of his black cane back and forth between his fingers, his face blank and serene.

  Phineas turned helplessly toward his parents. His dad was pressed up against the far wall with a hand over his eyes, whimpering, but his mother sat poised the edge of her chair, her back rigid, and her gleaming eyes fixed on him. Her expression was unreadable.

  “Mom,” Phineas said in bewilderment.

  She pressed her lips together and inhaled deeply. “Get up, son,” she ordered in a clipped voice. “Sit on the couch and listen carefully.”

  Phineas was too overwhelmed to argue. Why wasn’t she outraged Leo had hit him? Why didn’t she and his dad step up and defend him?

  He pulled himself slowly upright and limped gingerly to the couch.

  As soon as he lowered himself painfully onto the cushions, his mother started in on him. “You’re not a child anymore,” she said deliberately. “You’re almost a grown man. You have to realize you have responsibilities to your family and to the business that feeds and clothes you. As a family, we have been hired to help Leo hunt down a creature. We were paid fairly and we promised to fulfill our contract.”

  I never promised anything, Phineas thought bitterly, and I’ve certainly never been paid, unless she’s counting the crappy clothes she forced us to buy so we’d blend in better. He knew better than to open his mouth, though. He looked at his muddy, wet socks and said nothing.

  “You’re the best one for the job, son. The creature’s not old enough to be smart and wary. You could get the monster to trust you. You only have to bring it close enough so Leo can make his capture.”

  “Mom,” Phineas said desperately. “I’m telling you she’s not a Nzumbe. I’ve seen her and she’s human. Can’t you just go look at her yourself without taking his word for it?”

  His mother narrowed her eyes and pressed his lips into a thin, angry line. “I would not be so presumptuous as to doubt Leo’s word, Phineas. He knows more about this than any of us. And besides, he doesn’t want a human girl; only a Nzumbe. So, when you have her captured, if by some fluke, you were right, then we’ll just let her go. No harm done.”

  Phineas glanced at Leo, but the man gazed at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts.

  Why doesn’t that lunatic do his own dirty work and get the damn thing himself. But he’d already pieced out the answer on his own over the months his parents worked for Leo. For some inexplicable reason, Leo was desperately afraid of his cousin, Louisa, the woman who watched over the creature and kept it safe. That’s why he needed Phineas to lure it away from her watchful eyes. He didn’t want his cousin knowing he had anything to do with the kidnapping.

  “Don’t you understand, Phineas? If you can’t do this for us then Leo will need to ask us to return the money he’s paid us. We won’t have a home or a job or any way to live at all. Can’t you see the pain you’d be causing by not cooperating?”

  From the corner of the room, Mr. Miller cleared his throat in a series of sharp, nervous coughs. His wild gaze darted around the room and finally came to rest somewhere on the carpet at his wife’s feet. “Or,” he said in a low, trembling voice. “I suppose we could always give back the money?”

  Phineas looked up hopefully. “Yes,” he said, relief flooding him. Maybe there was a way out of this after all. “We could give back the money. I’ll get a job and we could—”

  He stopped abruptly when Leo speared him with another piercing look. The words died in his throat and he gulped, staring at his hands lying helplessly in his lap.

  “We’re much too far along for giving money back, I’m afraid. Here is what is going to happen, boy. You are going to make friends with the creature. You are going to get it to trust you, and then you are going to bring it to me. You are going to do it or I will make you watch while I break each bone in your precious horse’s body. One. By. One.”

  Phineas clutched his throat, choking in horror. How had Leo known?


  Leo flashed another blinding smile. “Oh, I know all about him. I know you sneak over there and spend all sorts of time with him when you should be watching the creature for me. But I’m not an unreasonable man, Phineas. You do this one, small thing and I’ll make sure you and your horse live happily ever after. You’ll have enough money to buy him, live on a farm, and go to school. Exactly what you’ve always wanted.”

  He laughed at Phineas’ bleak expression. “Don’t look so surprised. I know what makes you tick, boy. The dreams you keep secret. You can have it all, Phineas. One tiny favour and all you’ve wanted will fall into your lap.”

  Phineas’ body was cold and clammy, like he was about to throw up. His hand shook as he reached up to touch his throbbing cheek. He had no doubt Leo would follow through with his threats. The man had told enough stories about his capture and dissection of creatures to prove he was a cold-blooded killer who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

  “Time’s up, boy,” Leo said, rising smoothly to his feet. He put his bowler hat on and picked up his cane with a jaunty flick of his wrist. “Should I bring you back a hunk of delicious horse steak, then?”

  He took a step toward the door.

  “Stop,” Phineas squeaked.

  “What’s that, boy? Speak up.”

  Phineas cleared his throat and stared miserably at the floor. “I’ll do what you say if you don’t hurt him. I’ll get the monster for you.”

  “Hmmm.” Leo purred deep in his throat. “I think you’ll have to say please, first. I enjoy when people beg. It’s invigorating.”

  Phineas choked on rage and despair. He hated Leo more than he’d hated anyone in his life. He would not be forced to beg by this . . . .

  “No? Then I’ll start with his ears and work my way down.”

  “Okay, stop,” Phineas cried. “Please, then. Please leave him alone. I’ll do whatever you want.” He crumpled in defeat.

  “Good lad. You’ll start first thing tomorrow,” Leo said approvingly. He paused at the front door and peered cautiously outside before lifting the silver flask out of his pocket and spraying a cloud of cologne above his head again. With a jaunty smile and a mock salute, he clicked his heels together and waved his hat and cane in the air like a demented Mr. Peanut before disappearing into the night.

  Phineas sagged back on the couch, numb with shock and exhaustion. The inside of him was hollow—like all the good parts had been scooped away, leaving only an empty, useless shell. He didn’t hear his mother and father leave the room. He didn’t hear anything but the breaking of his heart.

  First Birthday

  Even with my eyes closed, I could see the light. The warm glow from hundreds of flickering candles surrounding me on all sides, dancing on the back of my eyelids. Rich smells flowed over me—beeswax and flowers—and from the kitchen, spices and the aroma from the feast Louisa spent half the day cooking. The mingling smells wrapped around me in a warm hug, reminding me I was loved. I slowly opened my eyes and stared around in amazement.

  We hardly used the formal dining room. Since we didn’t have any real guests yet, we usually ate together at the big kitchen table. Tonight the plain room was transformed into a glittering, magical wonderland. The table was set with heavy white and gold plates and ornate frosted wine glasses with dark purple stems. Vases of dried orange, red, and yellow fall leaves were mixed with fresh ferns and flowers, all tied with coloured twine. Bunches of fragrant cedar and pine were arranged across the mantel. Pine cones dipped in bronze-coloured paint lay heaped around the room. Combined with the flickering, golden candles, it seemed I’d stepped into a fairy wood.

  “Do you like the decorations, honey?” Aunt Sandra put her arm around my shoulder and beamed in excitement. She’d wound her long black hair into a complicated braid on top of her head and wore a pair of pearl tear-drop earrings. Her usual paint-stained overalls had been replaced by a short, feathery blue dress. She reminded me of a woodland princess; she fit in with the magical room perfectly.

  “Yes,” I breathed. “It’s so beautiful.”

  I glanced down at my jeans and plain black sweater and crossed my arms awkwardly over my chest. My family had sure gone to a lot of trouble with this room. I probably should have said yes when my aunt offered to buy me a dress.

  “Cara,” Aunt Sandra said quickly. “You are perfect the way you are. It’s your birthday and you can celebrate how you want. We can even take down the decorations if it makes you happy.”

  “No,” I said hastily. “Don’t take anything down. This is amazing. I can’t believe you did all this for me.”

  They’d been working on my birthday celebrations for days and gave me strict orders not to peek. Caleb had been beside himself trying not to give anything away. He was not good at keeping secrets from me, so I’d had a pretty good idea of what had been going on, but still, the final result was amazing.

  “Of course we did,” she said, giving my shoulders a squeeze. “It’s not every day my favourite niece turns fourteen, after all. Sit down and I’ll be right back. We’re going to bring in the cake first so Caleb doesn’t burst with excitement, and then we’ll have dinner and presents.”

  She pushed me further into the room and disappeared quickly out the door. The chair at the head of the table was wound with copper-coloured silk scarves and had peacock feathers attached to the back. I was sure the seat was meant to be mine. On closer inspection, there were beautiful carved wooden cards at each place setting. I picked up a pale, smooth disc with my name ornately burned into the front. Running my hands over the soft wood, I shook my head in wonder, unable to believe how my fortunes changed in such a short time.

  My last birthday at the institution had been a lonely, dismal affair which ended with me locked in my room having a screaming fit. Although, maybe some of it had been my fault. I’d been angry and feral back then and in no mood to celebrate. Before then, my birthdays had been a bit hit and miss with my dad. Sometimes there was cake and small presents or a trip to the movies, but other times he plain forgot or didn’t have the energy to do anything special. On my final birthday with him, he’d given me a necklace that had been my mom’s when she was alive. Reaching up, I felt the small, silver wings nestled against my collar bone.

  Shrugging off any lingering dark thoughts, I sat at the table with a thump. Today was not the day to dwell on the past; it was about enjoying this amazing party that everyone worked hard to put together. After all, who knew when I’d get a chance to have another one? My good luck could run out at any time.

  “Happy Birthday!” Caleb squealed and launched himself at me. He wore a silvery cape over his shoulders and a crown on his head. He beamed and caught me in a tight hug. His words tumbled over each other so fast; I could hardly make sense of them. “Close your eyes, its coming. It’s huge! I helped decorate. It’s awesome.”

  I laughed and closed my eyes as I heard feet heading toward the door.

  “Happy Birthday to you!” They sang for me. Just like birthdays on T.V. or at the movies. Excitement churned in my belly. I could hardly contain it. I opened my eyes. Louisa grinned at me, followed by my aunt and uncle. Martin stood against the wall, bashful and red-faced even though he knew everyone in the room. Petra and her dad—the Head Interrogator—beamed at me from the far end of the table. Mrs. Smith was dressed up in a sweater set and extra sparkly glasses. The only one missing was Henry, my best friend and teacher. He’d been tired more and more often lately and didn’t feel up to a party. Caleb’s sullen dad, Armin, followed a few steps behind the others. He didn’t sing, but he nodded to me politely enough and was not dressed like he was heading to a funeral for once. That was probably as festive as he got.

  Louisa pushed a trolley in front of her. On top was the most beautiful cake. Four squares stacked precisely one on top of the other, each layer getting smaller the higher the tower rose. The sides were wrapped in delicate yellow fondant. Winding and cascading across its surface in intricate patterns were a series of life-l
ike copper-coloured vines. Delicate branches wove and curled their way to the top in undulating lines. The effect was magical and I found myself leaning in to capture the carefully sculpted details. At the very top, fragile poured-sugar flowers unfurled, their translucent petals catching the light from the candles so they resembled living, breathing flowers.

  “Oh, thank you, Louisa,” I breathed. “It’s beautiful.”

  Louisa smiled, bending to kiss the top of my head. Tears welled in my eyes.

  “Blow out your candles, Cara,” Uncle Pete said with a grin. “Don’t forget to make a wish.”

  I sniffed, pulling myself together, studying the cake to consider my options. What do I wish for? I have everything I could want already.

  My thoughts shifted to Henry, who looked so frail when I’d brought him breakfast that morning and I knew what to ask for. I blew out the candles on the cake in one swift, strong breath. I want them to find a cure for Henry so he can stay with me forever.

  The candles didn’t flicker; they went out all at once as if they’d been snuffed. The scattered beeswax candles around the room shuddered and dimmed as if my breath circled around the table, touching them all. Rain sleeted against the window—icy fingers tapping on the glass. I shivered, a cold chill prickling across my skin.

  “That was weird,” Petra said in an odd voice, staring out into the night. “There must be a draft in the house somewhere.”

  Louisa looked sharply at the window, but her voice was calm when she spoke. “Places everyone, it’s time for our dinner.” She walked over to pull the shade down with an abrupt tug, blocking us from the weather outside. Instantly, I was warm and at ease again.

  Dinner was wonderful, as always. Louisa made all my favourite foods, down to the crepes stuffed with goat cheese, pears, roasted hazelnuts and maple syrup drizzle I loved so much. There were candied sweet potatoes, whole roasted chicken, and soft herbed bread which melted in my mouth. Each dish was tastier than the next and pretty soon I was so stuffed, I could hardly move.