Page 72 of Crewel (Crewel World 1)

‘And miss all the fun when Security realises why you’ve been visiting me every day?’ I tease.

‘I’d stay with you,’ he says in a quiet voice.

There are a million things I want to say to Jost at this moment, but the only thing that comes out is the question that’s been burning through my mind since he said the word revolution. ‘What are you planning?’

‘It’s not that simple,’ he says.

‘Forget it. It’s not my place to ask.’

‘I’m sorry. It’s just that . . .’ Jost pauses, struggling for the word.

‘You don’t trust me,’ I say. ‘It’s okay, you have no reason to.’

‘I trust you, Adelice. Please know that.’ He reaches over and cups my face, his palm searing my already warm cheekbone. ‘I thought I would never trust anyone again.’

‘You aren’t alone,’ I murmur, turning my head into his outstretched palm. He sighs.

‘I know,’ he says, but it’s more a confession than a realisation. ‘Ad, you aren’t the only person who knows why I’m here.’

It takes a moment for this to sink in, but when it does I whip my head up to meet his eyes. ‘How many people know?’

‘Now? Two. You and one other,’ he admits, lowering his rejected hand to rest on my leg. My nerves pulse along my thigh where he’s touching me.

‘Who?’ I ask, trying to ignore the tingle running through my lower half.

Jost shakes his head. ‘I’m sorry. That isn’t my secret to share.’

‘But you said I was the only one you trusted,’ I press.

‘I don’t trust this person,’ he says.

‘But you’re working together?’

‘No, we’re definitely not working together, but this person knows why I came to the Coventry.’ He pauses before adding, ‘It wouldn’t be a good idea for us to work together.’

‘But this person is a revolutionary?’

‘No,’ he rushes to answer.

‘But they know why you’re here? Will they inform on you?’ I feel confused by the vague turn this conversation has taken. I’m getting answers, but the kind that only lead to more questions.

‘I’m not worried they’ll tell on me.’ He looks away to signal he won’t say anything else.

I nod and try to think of a way to change the subject.

‘So where does that leave us?’

Jost pulls his hand away, and I rush to clarify. ‘I meant, what is your plan and how can I help?’

‘Sorry.’ He looks genuinely abashed for his reaction, and his hand twitches as though he wants to reach out again, but he doesn’t. ‘I don’t know.’

‘How’s that working for you?’ I ask, trying to lighten the mood.

‘The truth is I never had a plan,’ he confesses, his lip threatening to curl into a smile. ‘I came here to avenge Rozenn, and I’ve never known how I would do it. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity and then you . . .’

‘Fell into your cell?’ I offer.

‘Something like that. More like you mouthed off, and I dropped you.’