The Clockmaker and the Pirate - EVERMORE BOOK 1

Chapter 30-- The Rivoli Castle, 7 August 1650

this chapter's lowkey really dark.. you've been warned

My heart begins to race the second Mitch leaves me. I feel my throat tighten and my hands begin to tremble. I can't remember the last time I was so terrified.

Even when Kirstin had a knife to my throat, I wasn't this afraid. That was just my life at stake. But this, I realize, is much more important. Much more than my life is at risk here. The lives of scores, possibly hundreds could be saved if we could somehow turn Captain Lewis back into Princess Rose.

If I think about it for too much longer, I'm certain I'm going to throw up. I scan the ballroom nervously with wide eyes looking for something to calm me down or distract me.

My ears lead me to the orchestra music. Yes, perfect. The melody is so soothing that I can practically feel my heart rate decreasing. I suppose I've always had a love of music, and perhaps this is the reason why; even in this terrifying place, there is something familiar.

There are four musicians. One of them is playing the cello, and the other three are playing violins. No; two of them are playing violins. One is playing an instrument that looks like a violin but is slightly bigger. I don't know the name of that instrument, but I quickly decide I like its tone: so rich and low and melodic.

The instrument players, I discover, match their instruments. Of course, the musicians are all wearing masks, so it's impossible to see their faces, but nonetheless I am able to gather enough information about each of them. The violin players are both tall and lean and fair-skinned, matching the high-pitched melodies that their instrument produces. The player of the unknown instrument is darker, more Italian looking. And the cello player is the darkest and roundest, and I smile because of the resemblance to the instruments.

I watch each of their fingers as they dance gracefully on the fingerboards, creating a silky smooth sound that appears almost effortless. Then I take note of how each of the musicians hold their bows, and quickly notice that the violin players and the player of the unknown instrument -- viola! The word comes to me as bits of panic leave -- hold their bows slightly differently.

But as I turn my attention to the cello player's right hand, my entire body stiffens and my throat tightens once more. Oh no. Oh no.

He doesn't have a right hand.

In its place, carefully intertwined with a short, wooden cello bow, is a glimmering, silver hook.

"Oh my god," I whisper to myself as my head starts swimming. "Oh my god!"

K.O. He's here. He's alive.

It's him. The skin tone, the body type, the cello playing, the hook. It all adds up. I don't know how I didn't see it before.

I don't know how or why he's here, and honestly, I don't really care, either. He's alive!

Has he seen me or Mitch or Avi? Has he seen Lindsey? Has Lindsey seen him? I'm going dizzy now. It's all so much at once.

At that moment, he clocks me staring at him. I can't really tell all that well because of the mask, but after a second, I see his lips curl up slightly and he gives me a swift nod.

What are you doing here? How are you alive? I mouthe.

I doubt he reads my lips, for I'm aware that I'm rambling and mouthing quickly, but he takes his left hand off his cello for a moment to put it over his lips. Shhhhhh. Later, he mouths back to me, returning his left hand to the fingerboard and resuming the song as if nothing had happened.

My first instinct is to run to Mitch and inform him of the good news. But then, as I spot him across the ballroom, I remember everything, and my attempts to distract myself from the situation at hand become all for naught.