that?’
‘You can’t tell anyone this. Not yet. Not until I say. Promise.’
She nodded, hesitantly, not sure that she wanted to know Rollo’s secrets.
‘When I went to the Grave Council meetings I got to know things. I listened to how they talked. They made lots of loud, empty noise most of the time but when they wanted something, their voices changed. Each time they talked of Ixion – how depraved the place was and what they could do to stop us coming here – their voices were loud and empty. At first I didn’t think much about it. Then one night when Father and I were walking home with Councillor Jarvis and Councillor Mison, someone called to them from the shadows. My father hustled me away but I saw who it was.’
Retra waited.
Rollo’s stare grew intent, as though he was trying to force the memory to life before them. ‘It was a Riper. At least that’s what I thought he was. I had to come here to be sure.’
‘That can’t be.’
‘It is! I saw Modai there,’ he said hotly. ‘And now I know that the emptiness in the councillors’ voices was real. They pretend to be angry about Ixion – but they aren’t, not really. It’s a game.’
‘What do you mean – a game?’
‘I don’t know but I’ve come here to find out why the Ripers are visiting Grave. There’s some tie between the two places that nobody knows about. I plan to tell the Youth Circle about it.’
‘What can they do?’ Retra felt suddenly exhausted, as if the energy that she’d gained from petite nuit had burned through her already.
‘They’re the ones who represent us to the Guardians. They’re specially chosen, and they get extra privileges for it. Look, there’s one of them there.’
Retra followed the line of Rollo’s pointed finger to a guy sharing a single armchair seat with a girl. He looked much the same as anyone.
‘They have a circle tattoo on their temples.’
In the dim light it was hard to see, but Retra had noticed circles on others. ‘What sort of privileges do they get?’
Rollo shrugged. ‘Not sure exactly except that they get to go everywhere except the forbidden places, and they don’t need to rest as much as we do.’
‘Don’t they burn out quickly then?’
‘’parently not. Ripers tweak their adrenal glands to give ’em extra time with no deficit. But they have to pledge their service to Ixion.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘Being good citizens. Not like the gangers. Telling the Ripers if they see people breaking the rules.’
‘If they serve the Ripers then how will they help you?’
He shook his head glumly. ‘I don’t know. Who else is there to go to?’
Retra didn’t know what to say to him. ‘When will you tell them?’
‘Soon. I wanted to find my way around before I open my mouth.’ He grinned, cheering up. ‘I’m loud but I’m not stupid. Will you come with me to the Circle? You can tell them about how things are for you in Grave; how evil the Council are.’
‘Perhaps,’ said Retra. Kero and Krista-belle hadn’t sounded impressed by the Youth Circle. ‘But not now, I have somewhere else to go.’
‘Another club?’
‘No.’ Should she tell Rollo what she was doing? He’d seen something important in Grave. Maybe he should come with her; learn more about Ixion before he went to the Youth Council. ‘It’s a meeting. I’ve been invited to become a member of the White Wings.’
‘You! In a gang?’ Rollo made no effort to hide his astonishment and disbelief.
‘You’ve heard of them?’
‘I’ve been resting at Goa. Place stinks of mould, and there’re vines growing in through the cracks in the walls: giant roaches come in on them. Or so someone said. I couldn’t relax, waiting for one to land on my face. Anyway, that’s where the Wings mainly hang out. They’re way cool. Especially Kero. Word is he can take anyone in a fight except for Dark Eve from the Cursed League.’
‘I wouldn’t know about –’
‘Take me to the meeting!’
Retra felt uncomfortable. ‘I’m not sure –’
‘Why not?’ Rollo gave her a wounded look. ‘I told you about the Council and the Ripers.’
‘It’s just that …’ She started to defend herself but trailed off when she saw his gaze drift across her shoulder and his eyes grow wider.
‘Look at those hot pants,’ Rollo gasped.
Suki was standing behind Retra, alone, pretending not to see them.
‘That’s Suki.’
‘You know her?’
Retra nodded.
‘Well, for Grave’s sake, Retra, introduce me!’
Retra got up and went over to Suki with Rollo at her heels.