I turn around. Nothing. “Do you think Gramps will know we’re all right? I don’t want him to worry.”
He nods. “I think he’ll know.” He glances over at the viewport again. “We’re not alone.” Though low, his voice is assured, as if there’s never any question about anything he says. “It’s a security check.”
No. I check again but can’t spot any indication of a nearby vehicle. Please, God, let him be wrong! And then Oscar appears.
“My dear lady, we appear to have been graced with the good company of a security vessel,” he announces.
Oh bloody hell. This is it. So soon, too. My pulse races.
“It’s just a routine check,” Ari explains, taking in my expression. “They’ll need to see the Explorer Permit Gideon said you’d applied for. I had to leave for London in a hurry and don’t have anything.”
“No, you don’t understand. . . .” I gulp, my eyes widening. “I don’t have anything either.”
He straightens, his face concentrated on my words.
“I applied for the permit, but—” I hesitate.
I trust Ari with your life, Gramps had said.
“Captain Sebastian told them to deny me. I never told Grandpa. I’m afraid we’re traveling illegally. . . .”
Ari lifts his chin and cocks his head, thinking.
“My lady, there is a priority communication request,” Oscar says.
Here we go. Ari and I both stare at each other with what must be the same faltering expression. I gesture to him to move out of sight.
I accept the security officer’s communication request.
A voice infiltrates my vessel as a face appears on the screen. The officer asks for my papers. The official is irate in the wake of the attack and follows her request with quick-fire questions, hardly giving me time to answer.
Keep calm. I reach inside one of the walnut cabinet drawers and take a bendy, translucent card out. It’s my old membership card for Clio House, the historical-reenactment hall. Why am I even doing this? Because having security forces chase me should be a very last option.
Okay, my trembling hand is most definitely going to give me away. I hold the card up against the scanner by the screen and give the officer my best smile.
Seconds later, she shakes her head. Oh hell.
“I’m afraid that doesn’t seem to be registering as a working permit, Miss McQueen. You are in a submarine, so I assume you are traveling long haul. I’ll need to see papers or a permit that allow for that. Let’s try one more time, shall we?”
Let’s bloody not. My legs quiver. I stare at her. “That’s because it’s an old permit. I do have a new one, but I can’t find it just now. . . .”
The officer watches me closely. My legs nearly give way. Stay calm, dammit.
Her eyes narrow and then recognition breaks through her expression. “You’re Leyla McQueen! The London Marathon champion?”
I nod, sighing in relief. That’s right—I’m a champion!
She straightens. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to accompany me back to the Mayfair Hangars, Miss McQueen—under the direct orders of Captain Sebastian.”
Oh God.
I end contact immediately, and Ari rushes forward.
“Oscar, speed up. Now!” I shout. “And register security forces as primary hostile bodies.”
“Yes, my lady!”
Ari nods. “And we should stay on course; if backup doesn’t arrive in time, then we have a good chance of losing them without straying from our route.”
“That’s what I’m hoping!”
The Kabul thrums into maximum life and hurtles through the water, its nose piercing the current and frothing the surrounding waves. We must lose them immediately; it’ll prove harder to outrun security when there are more of them.
“My lady, I detect four more security vessels on our tail.”
Argh!
Ari rushes into the viewport, peering out. “Oscar, fire on them!”
“No, wait!” I shout. “We don’t attack preemptively, only defend. Keep going, Oscar, and ensure all defense systems are active!”
The craft shudders.
“Oh, calamity! We appear to be under attack, my dear!” Oscar announces.
“Okay, rise! We need to rise, Oscar! Keep going until the security vessels fall away!”
It’s the only way. Though the security forces’ crafts are hefty and advanced, they’re still not submarines. No matter how sturdy submersibles are, they’re no match for the turbulent higher waters.
They turn out to be far more determined and resilient than I’d anticipated, but eventually we rise high enough for them to drop away.
“Stay at this height for another league, Oscar, and remain on course at full speed.”
I wring my hands. So . . . Captain Sebastian has put a security alert out for me. Why? Because he suspects I’ll be searching for Papa? What possible reason could he have for trying to stop that? I wish I knew what was going on!
Ari joins me, looking out into the waters.
The chase—and knowing I have to evade all authority vessels from here on—has left me feeling on edge and I move away.
I grab the brolly Theo gave me and slump into the cushioning sofa with Jojo. I want to know exactly how to use the weapon, just in case. Ari leaves the saloon.
I’m familiarizing myself with the brolly when Oscar reappears, his expression mildly concerned as he plays with an ornate ring on his finger. “My dear lady, I’m afraid a change to the trajectory is in order. Leaving via Dartford Tunnel is no longer feasible. Due to the Anthropoid attack on the city, its border-crossing points just closed. Nobody is to leave London for at least twenty-four hours. Instructions?”
My heart sinks and I sit up. “What on earth am I supposed to do now then? We need to cross the borders tonight. Security is stretched this evening, so we’ll never get another chance like this! I must get out of London tonight!”
“Epping Forest,” says Ari, striding back into the room. He has his target board and knives with him. “It’s the least guarded route. Everywhere else is crawling with border patrol, and all security forces will have received the same instructions from Captain Sebastian. The forest is a back door over the borders—which is why it attracts all kinds. But it’s your only option if you want to cross tonight. The sooner we reach King’s Lynn, the better.”
No kidding.
I tense as I absorb his words. Anywhere but Epping Forest, Tabby had said. But security is only going to increase going forward, so I must leave London tonight. I don’t have any other choice. I swallow. “I’m not turning back. We cross via the forest.”
Ari nods in agreement and I’m left wondering what he’s prepared to see us through, just so he can return home as soon as possible.
He hangs his target board in the saloon and stands far back, ready to take aim.
I chew on my lip. “What about when you miss the board? Jojo’s running around in here.”
His brow furrows. “Why would I miss the target?”
He holds a blade in each hand. The muscles in his arms bulge every time he draws his hands back and aims. A certain energy radiates off him. The knives never, no matter how far back in the saloon Ari stands, miss the center of the board. I wish I could look away.