Revolution (Chronicles of Charanthe #2)

  Chapter 24

  Simeon came into the room, leaned over her shoulder, and whispered into her ear: “We have code word river.”

  Eleanor nodded and continued with her work, putting together tiny darts and dipping their tips in poison, as if there was no urgency to the situation. She hadn’t told anyone here about Lauren, and until she found out what had happened she didn’t want to have to answer questions. The guards and messengers didn’t know what any of the code words stood for, only what they needed to do. When she’d used it, someone would have swept Lauren away – ostensibly for her own safety – while others passed the message along to the Association’s council. Or in this case, directly to Eleanor.

  After a suitable pause, she put away her kit and carried Isabelle through to where Daniel was working.

  “I need to go to Almont,” she said. “Something’s happened.”

  “What?”

  “A code word just came in, an emergency shout from one of my network. You don’t need to know the details, but I have to deal with it.”

  “You should call the council first.”

  “It’s not necessary. This is an easy one, I’ll be back in few days. No-one else needs to worry about it.”

  “Eleanor–-”

  “No arguments. I need you to look after Bella.”