Page 54 of The House of Quiet

Chapter Forty-Six

A Deadly River

River has no idea what Nimbus is doing.

She wants to go after Arrow, but how is Nimbus talking? And why is he talking like that? First he was saying what Iron was saying as she was saying it, which ought to be impossible, and now he’s saying things about Iron that River doesn’t understand.

Until she does. He’s the smartest person in the whole house.

“He’s a mind reader!” River gasps, not even having to fake much amazement.

That’s why poor Nimbus was lost. His ability was so strong that he couldn’t distinguish between his mind and other minds.

Something changed, though. River can’t worry about that now, because she’s too busy trying to hide the rag she’s soaking in ether.

“She’s served her purpose,” Nimbus says, his tone still cold and clinical. “She’s expendable. Her erratic tendencies make her more of a liability than an asset at this point.”

“Who’s saying that?” Iron demands. “You’re making that up! You’re trying to trick me.”

“And she stole my best pen,” Nimbus adds.

Iron’s face goes blank with shock. “You couldn’t know that. No one could know that, but…” She flexes her fingers, murder on her face. “I’ll show them who’s expendable.” She turns and flings open the door, her back to the room.

Dawn picks up the poker near the fireplace, swings, and connects with the side of Iron’s head with a sickening thunk. Iron drops to the floor.

“Oh, well done,” River says, shocked.

“She’s not dead!” Dawn squeaks defensively, pointing. Iron’s still breathing.

River feels Dawn’s terror and exhilaration. It’s hard to focus on her own thoughts with Dawn’s emotions running all over them. If River’s going to help, she needs to be fully in control.

“ Should we kill her, though?” Dawn asks. She looks at River, and her fear spikes. None of her friends have the ruthlessness required to murder an unconscious girl. And River wouldn’t put that on any of them.

“No, you already took care of her. You and Nimbus saved us.”

Dawn beams. There’s a flood of pride and happiness, which River also has to push aside. “Now I need you, Nimbus, and Lake to go hide. Get somewhere safe.”

“Out of earshot,” Lake says. “Just in case.”

River doesn’t understand that one, but apparently Nimbus does. He blinks, trying his hardest to look at her. His eyes almost focus. “Make sure Forest knows who and where he is when he wakes up,” he says. “It’s important.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“But I can help more,” Dawn insists. “I want to help.”

“You already have. Now it’s time to let us protect you, because you deserve to be protected. Do you understand?”

Dawn nods, tears in her eyes. She throws her arms around River in a hug, then gestures for Lake and Nimbus to follow her.

When neither of them can quite manage it—Nimbus looks like he’s about to fall asleep on his feet, and Lake seems to think the wall no longer exists as she bumps right into it and then scowls in frustration—Dawn huffs and takes them both by the hands.

Lake tugs back. “We have to hide on the first floor. Because of the fire.”

“Well, that’s not ominous,” River says. “Lake’s right, though.

You should hide in the kitchen so you have an easy exit through the pantry.

” But then River has an idea. A dangerous one that keeps her from rushing to save Arrow.

But she trusts that Nimbus had good reason to warn her about Forest waking up, and she trusts that her beloved can take care of herself.

River has to stay here and accomplish the tasks only she can.

“One last thing before you go, Dawn.” River retrieves the ether-soaked rag and holds it out. “Please press this to my face until I pass out, and then immediately remove it.”

“What happens if I don’t immediately remove it?” Dawn asks, curious.

River lies on the floor. “I’ll die.”

Dawn does as she’s told. The last thing River sees is a very worried expression staring down at her.

And then River’s in a dark space, pulsing with pain. The dream is fractured and lurching, because the sleep of the dreamer isn’t a real sleep. But it’s enough of one. Instead of Forest, River sees Iron, spinning in a slow circle, fists clenched, trying to find her way out.

A short detour won’t hurt anything. Not if River’s quick.

Iron sees her and screams. She puts her hand on River’s arm. Nothing happens. Iron takes a step back, fear bleeding into the rage on her face. River takes a step forward and smiles. In here, she’s the one with power.

“I told you what I was going to do to you,” River says. “And I keep my promises.”