The Secrets of Roan Island

8. Noah

8

Noah

“ W hat’s going on with the woman?”

I don’t bother looking up at my brother’s intrusion, remaining bent over the eyepiece of a microscope staring through the lens at the crimson blot on a petri dish. This sample is worse than the last, a disheartening realization that makes me all the more irritated. I use a narrow dropper to add a deep red liquid to the sample already under observation. The combination bubbles and smokes.

“Why aren’t you with her?” I snap, giving my brother a scathing look.

Though lights are currently dim for my experiment, they still illuminate my brother clearly. Shemaiah leans his shoulder against the doorframe, his long dark hair tied at the back of his neck, though a lock has escaped the leather. He looks as put together as he always does. His starched white shirt is crisp, the gray cravat perfectly folded. In contrast, I’m certain I look how I feel, wrinkled and tired. “I told you not to leave her.”

“Jafeth is there.”

I scowl. “And you think that’s better than her being alone?”

Shemaiah pulls out a pocket watch, the chain attached to one of the buttons on his burgundy vest.

“She’s not alone.” He snaps the watch face shut. “And you haven’t answered my original question.”

“I haven't.” And I don't intend to.

“You want her.”

I want to lie, but Shemaiah will suss it out. He always does.

“I’m… curious,” I hedge.

It’s a truth, but it doesn’t reveal the level of desire, which presently both unsettles and infuriates me. I spent most of the day experimenting, which usually steals time from me due to my intense focus. But today, the clock ticked by like a clogged artery, my thoughts always returning to what happened in the hallway, thinking about that snatch of lace kissing her thigh. Even now, I can feel my heartbeat quicken. I look down into the eyeglass, hoping to hide my reaction. “It doesn’t matter. We need to get her to leave before the new moon.”

Shemaiah’s steps tap on the concrete floor as he moves closer. “And why is that? Since when have the new moon parties—or who attends them—ever bothered you?”

"Do you think she would appreciate the debauchery of a new moon? Or stay quiet about the guest list?”

Shemaiah opens his mouth to protest, but I already know the argument he’ll make.

"She won’t touch her wine again after what happened last night. Drugging her won’t be easy,” I say.

“You don’t know that.”

“Believe me, Shemaiah, she’s careful. And she’s trouble. We need to get rid of her.” For more reasons than one. My main concern isn’t how Miss Rose would handle a new moon party, it’s what my father might do to her. And with my growing attraction, what I might do if she’s near during one. I’m not sure I’ll be able to control myself.

“Father insisted she stay until we can misdirect her research. She’s too close.”

“Father”–I straighten once more, shaking my head–“didn’t just bring her here for that.”

“Why, then, did he do it?”

I glance at the metal door in the back of my lab, the one that leads to the only part of the house my father has never been. “Additional insurance.”

“He found out?” Typical Shemaiah, to know what I’m not saying.

A nod is enough to tell him everything he needs to know. We had planned to make a move against our father this week. That won’t be happening now.

“And dressing her in Zarah’s things…” We both know Ruby’s wardrobe is a warning. A reminder of who really has the power here.

Shemaiah hums, an annoying habit, and motions toward the microscope. “Have you discovered anything?”

I sigh and rub my eyes wearily. “The blood remains unchanged.”

His hand comes to my shoulder. “I know you want to save them, but–”

“There’s a solution.” My muscles harden. “I just have to find it.”

“Have you searched all of the library?”

“The library? There’s nothing there.”

“No. The Under Library.”

“I’ve been through it. Again and again.”

“Probably needs another set of eyes.”

I hear what he isn’t saying. A set of researcher’s eyes. A recommendation to use our father’s leverage against him.

“Impossible.” I return my attention to the microscope, hoping my brother will get the message and leave. Bringing Professor Rose into the Gate House would be worse than my father bringing her to Roan Island. It would be like taking a hunting dog to a rabbit’s den and trying to keep them from discovering the rabbits.

“You’re probably right. There’s too much to lose.”

My brother’s tone makes me examine him more closely. “Yes. Our lives.”

Shemaiah nods. “Hmm.” He backs out of the room. I know he has more to say but is choosing to withhold it. Just before he leaves, he calls back, “Don’t be late to dinner this time, yes? In fact, you should probably escort our guest. Don’t want to see what kind of mischief Jafeth gets up to. Or Father, for that matter.”