The Island (The Island Series #1)

Chapter 10

ONCE WE’VE crossed the manor grounds littered with tents and huts, we spot Andy standing by the oak in front of the house. He beckons us, putting a finger to his battered lips when he pulls us inside one of the huts. It belongs to Pete and Tim, but they’re over at the northern beach catching fish.

“What have you two told Ben this morning?” he asks tensely.

“Nothing,” Mara replies with a grin. “We kindly told him goodbye before trotting off into the woods holding hands.”

“We might have provoked him a little bit,” I admit honestly.

Andy’s eyes dart to Mara. “Well, congratulations. Ben finally pulled it off. He’s made his case with Saul – probably been nagging him for so long that our great leader couldn’t stand it anymore. So he arranged your wedding party. Scheduled it for tonight.”

The world stops spinning. Mara gapes at Andy, and I swallow painfully. We were joking about this – we didn’t think Saul would actually do this.

“Yes, you heard me. Saul wants you to marry Ben.” Andy looks at Mara grimly.

“But – he can’t do that,” she cries out in fear. “It’s against the rules.”

“You do realize Saul hasn’t been a big fan of the rules for quite some time,” Andy comments.

Mara turns pale as a sheet and plonks down on the rickety bed in the corner. “What am I supposed to do?” she wails. “I can’t marry Ben. The minute he officially becomes my husband tonight...” She doesn’t finish, but the implication is clear. A blow to the head isn’t going to stop him this time around.

Andy takes her hand. “Escape to Newexter,” he urges her. “Hide there until the situation here has changed. Once we’ve confronted Saul with the things we’ve learned…”

“But where?” Mara asks in a shaky voice. “I can’t rely on the parents. And the villagers of Newexter will send me back instantly when they discover I’m not married, because as long as I’m not, I belong here.”

I suddenly have an idea. “Go to my mother. She won’t send you back. I’m sure of it. She doesn’t agree with the things that are happening here either.”

“But…” Mara starts to object.

I take the necklace from my pants pocket. Grandmother’s note is tucked away in the cracked walnut once more. “Give her this and tell her to read the note. I’m telling you, she won’t hesitate to take you in after that. You can even tell her…” I stop for a second. “That we need the parents’ help over here,” I finish softly.

“Where’s The Book?” Andy asks.

I pull it out of my underpants and hand it to him.

“You should go right now,” I tell Mara. “Once you’re at the gate, start running and keep running until you reach the village. If no one sees you leave, Ben will only find out you’re gone when he’s stood up at the altar tonight.”

“Okay.” She nods and gets up. Her eyes drift to Andy, who pulls her into his arms and kisses her so passionately it makes me blush.

Then she’s gone and I’m alone with Andy.

“Tonight we’re going to strike,” Andy says with a stern look on his face. “I’ll focus all attention on myself and tell everyone what Saul has done.”

“What’s your plan?”

“Colin will help me. He’ll distract Saul’s buddies. They always stand guard on opposite sides of the manor house portico where Saul does his speeches, so no one can get to him. But I want to get Saul away from there and stand on that very spot myself. So I can show The Book to the youngsters. So I can read from it.”