Free Rebel Magisters by Shanna Swendson Page B

“You should come with us on the governor’s trip.”
    “Me? I’m not sure I was invited.”
    “It didn’t sound like you were being specifically excluded, and if he really wants to take the children for their benefit, as he said, he can hardly deny you.”
    “Then I’d have to face him in close quarters for an extended time.” He shuddered at the thought.
    “Think of it as a test of your acting ability and your cover identity.”
    “It’s too bad it’s the wrong time of year for peak insect activity,” he said with a mischievous smile.
    “What trip is this?” Philip asked.
    “The governor is meeting with the local governments around the colonies, and he wants to bring the children,” Henry explained.
    “Oh, you should definitely go,” Geoffrey said. “It’s the perfect opportunity to make contact, and right under the governor’s nose.”
    Henry clapped me on the back. “Capital idea, Verity,” he said. “I knew there was a reason I hired you.”
    “I thought it was to keep a potential witness under your eye.”
    “Yes, but a witness who kept her wits in a crisis. That was also important.” Still beaming, he shook his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of it. This trip should be just what we need to start building an organization.”
    “And think of the intelligence you might be able to pick up.”
    “I’m counting on you to do that for me. You’ll probably have more access among the governor’s people than I will. I’ll just have to rearrange a few plans and then let the governor know that we’re definitely going. I suppose it would help if you can talk Flora into coming along without sulking.”
    “I believe you’ll find her resigned to it.”
    “You’ve already pulled off a miracle!”
    “I merely reminded her that a prolonged absence is unlikely to change her situation.”
    “Oh? Is the object of her affections unavailable, or perhaps unsuitable?”
    “Both, I’m afraid,” I said, forcing myself not to glance at Colin, where he was energetically dancing in the middle of the room. “I suspect that what she needs most is a distraction.”
    “I never saw Flora setting her cap for an unsuitable type.”
    “Oh, but the person you can’t have is a very romantic figure.” I’d said it as a joke, only a second later realizing that it was true for me, as well. I thought of Flora as a child, but she wasn’t quite a year younger than I was. I waited for him to respond, hoping he wouldn’t notice the full implication of what I’d said, but his focus on the mission came to my rescue.
    He was too busy thinking ahead. “I can’t wait to see the governor’s face when I tell him. And I suppose I’d better send messages to my friends.”
    “Meanwhile, we’ll see what we can stir up here in the city,” Philip said.  “Some of our friends may have other friends, and so forth.”
    “But be careful,” Geoffrey said. “We have to be absolutely certain who we can trust. One word to the authorities, and we’re all doomed.”

 
Chapter Six
     
    In Which
    We Create a Symbol
     
     
    “What we need is a symbol like that red ribbon the Mechanics wear,” Philip said. “Once someone’s been vetted and sworn an oath, they get the insignia, and then we’ll know who’s truly a part of the group.”
    “What do you suggest?” Henry asked.
    Philip fished around in his pockets and came up with a small key, the sort that might be used to open a jewelry box. “It’s a symbol of how sealed our lips have to be.”
    “We all carry keys,” Geoffrey said with a wry smile. “That doesn’t narrow it down much.”
    “If you will forgive me, Miss Newton,” Philip said, and he pulled the new blue ribbon out of my hair. With his pocket knife, he cut a small section off it and tied it to the key. “And there, we have a symbol. But I think what we should do is get multiple keys that fit a particular box, and that’s the test for which keys are genuine, as a further security