Incarceron Part 72

She was close to him.

"If you can smell it, the drops must be traveling to you, mustn't they? Perhaps you can touch me now. Try, Finn."

Her hand was close. He put his own around it, closed his fingers. They pa.s.sed through hers and there was nothing, not a warmth, not a sensation. He sat back, and they were silent.

Finally he said, "I have to get out of here, Claudia."

"And you will."

She knelt up, her face fierce.

"I swear to you, I won't give up. If I have to go to my father and beg him on my knees, I'll do it."

She turned.

"Alys is calling. Wait for me."

The circle went dark. He sat huddled there till he was stiff and the room was unbearably lonely; then he got up, shoved the Key into his coat, and went out, running down the steps into the library, where Gildas was pacing irritably forward and back, Blaize watching him across a table spread with food.

When he saw Finn, the thin Sapient stood.

"Our last meal together," he said, spreading a hand.

Suspicious, Finn eyed him. "Then what?"

"Then I take you all to a safe place and let you resume your journey."

"Where's Keiro?" Gildas snapped.

"I don't know. So, you're just letting us go?"

Blaize looked at him, his gray eyes calm.

"Of course. My aim was only ever to help you. Gildas has persuaded me that you need to travel on."

"And the Key?"

"I must do without it."

Attia was sitting at the table, her hands clasped together. Catching Finn's eye, she shrugged slightly. Blaize rose.

"I will leave you to make your plans. Enjoy your meal."

In the silence after he was gone Finn said, "We misjudged him."

"I still think he's dangerous. If he's a Sapient, why doesn't he cure that pox he has?"

"What do you know of the Sapienti, ignorant girl?"

Gildas growled. Attia chewed her fingernail, then as Finn reached out for an apple, s.n.a.t.c.hed it first, and bit it.

"I taste your food," she said indistinctly. "Remember?"

He was angry. "I'm not the Winglord. You're not my slave."

"No, Finn." She leaned across the table. "I'm your friend. That means a lot more."

Gildas sat down.

"Any news from Claudia?"

"They failed. The gate led nowhere."

"As I thought."

The old man nodded heavily.

"The girl is clever, but we must expect no help from them. We must follow Sapphique alone. Now, there is a story that tells how ..."

His hand reached to the fruit, but Finn grabbed it. His eyes were fixed on Attia; she half rose, pale, and suddenly choking, the apple stalk dropping from her fingers.

As he jerked forward and caught her she crumpled, her fingers tearing at her throat.

"The apple," she gasped. "It's burning me!"