Plague of Mybyncia by C.G. Coppola Page B

turns to me with hopeful eyes. “We can
continue our conversation once you return.”
    Reid locks his arm with my free one, pulling
me away from Kendal and towards him. “Possibly. Sampson said it’s
important so it might take some time. If anything I’ll have Qippert
give us the rest of the tour.”
    “Thanks,” I offer a last look at a surly
Kendal before Reid leads me away. I try not to concentrate on the
fact that we’re touching—actual skin on skin—but I can’t help it.
God, he smells good. I’ve missed it. I want to stay here, drowning
in his scent forever but I know I can’t. Not right now, at least.
When we’ve made a good distance, I swallow my nerves. “What did
Sampson want?”
    “Nothing,” he keeps his attention straight in
front of us, directing us through the thicket of socializing
Mybyncians. “You looked uncomfortable and I don’t trust that
guy.”
    “Have you seen Pratt or Mae?”
    “I thought they were with you,” he glances at
me.
    “They were, until Kendal’s friends offered
them a tour,” I scan the room, suddenly queasy. “They’ve got to be
here somewhere.”
    Reid tightens his hold, leading us to the
center of the hall where Sampson, Clarence, Chancellor Keller and
Qippert all chuckle at a blushing Tucker. Sampson sees us coming
and, judging by Reid’s worrisome glare, he ceases the conversation
immediately. He approaches us with concerned eyes. “What is
it?”
    “Who’s Kendal?” Reid asks Chancellor
Keller.
    “Who?” Sampson frowns.
    “The chancellor’s assistant,” I say.
“ Kendal .”
    Chancellor Keller, Sampson, Clarence and
Qippert all frown at one another before returning a befuddled look
to me. The chancellor finally shakes his head with an anxious
frown. “No. No, Kendal is not my assistant.”
    “Then he works with you? Helping keep the
queen’s affairs in order?”
    Again, he frowns. “I—where is this coming
from? How do you know Kendal?”
    “I don’t.”
    “But he seems to know Fallon.”
    “What do you mean?” Sampson asks.
    “He said he was giving her a tour on the
chancellor’s request.”
    “No…” Chancellor Keller shakes his head, “I
asked no such thing. He is not my assistant, nor does he work with
me in any regard.” He frowns further, worry seeping from his brow.
“What did he say exactly?”
    “Where are Pratt and Mae?” Clarence glances
around me. “Weren’t they with you?”
    “They were .”
    “Is this something we should be concerned
about?” Sampson asks.
    “Possibly…” Chancellor Keller scans the hall
with great urgency, his eyes frantically searching.
    “He had two friends…Gring and Lolan… or
Lolin, I think. They paired off with Pratt and Mae.”
    “When?”
    “A few minutes ago.”
    “What else was he saying?” Chancellor Keller
returns his focus to me, “Anything he wanted to know?”
    “Where we were staying. East or West
Wing.”
    The chancellor exhales with a great, anxious
breath. “This cannot be happening.”
    “What?” Clarence frowns.
    He looks up, tapping Qippert’s shoulder,
“Would you mind retrieving Salva? Let her know we have a
situation.”
    Qippert takes off through the crowd
instantly.
    “What’s going on?” I ask as he leans into
Sampson, exchanging fast, heated whispers. They don’t hear my
question, too engrossed in their own dialogue, Clarence about to
join in. He stops, turning to us first.
    “Reid, stay with Fallon. You too, Tucker.
Don’t leave her side but find Jace and the others. I need you all
together, got it?”
    We nod, Clarence following behind Sampson and
the chancellor who have disappeared into the crowd.
    “What’s happening?” Tucker turns to me.
    “I don’t know…” I replay the events,
including the chancellor’s reaction. “This miyon came up and
introduced himself as the chancellor’s aid. Said he sent him to
answer any questions we had.”
    “Anything else?” Reid asks.
    “He wanted to know what wing we’re