The Cerulean (The Cerulean Duology #1) - Amy Ewing Page 0,121

there, to lease Boris to enrich the soil on their farms. Good thing that tree is small enough to be moved fairly easily, he’ll need to be replanted quite a bit. From there you’ll head to the Gulf of Windsor, where Errol can be rented out to replenish the waters around the coast. The girl’s blood can be sold anywhere along the way, but we’ll need to be careful with the pricing. You’ll leave soon after the final production. Hubert has assured me my train will be ready as quickly as possible. I’ll expect daily reports once you are on the road. You will make yourself available to Kiernan over the coming days; he’ll teach you about each creature and what it needs in terms of care, and what it is capable of. You will attend him both in his laboratory and at the theater. The Arboreal should be easy as long as he doesn’t throw any more punches.”

Leo was overwhelmed by all this information, but his father didn’t seem to notice.

“The mertag can be difficult,” he continued. “He has a certain sort of defense mechanism that left one of my other men with third-degree burns and the loss of three fingers on his left hand.” Leo hadn’t realized Errol was dangerous. “And we already know the girl likes to try and run. I’m making sure Kiernan is well stocked with anesthetic of the strongest grade. That blood of hers burns it off like it’s nothing.”

He leaned back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the desk. “You’ll have to perform the same demonstration as you did at the party, of course—her blood must be seen to be believed. You may cut yourself or have James Roth do it, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m sending him along as my auctioneer of sorts. His handsome face and celebrity status should do nicely. The blood must be priced high enough so as to be exclusive. We don’t want to drain her dry. Janderson will pack for you—you may take him with you, if you wish. I know how you enjoy the trappings my money provides.” He checked his pocket watch. “That will be all.”

Leo tried not to show how dazed he felt. His father was sending him across Kaolin—that had never been the plan, had it? Or maybe it had and Xavier was only just now deigning to tell him.

“What?” Xavier asked, and Leo realized his shock was showing. “You’ve always wanted to be a part of the business, haven’t you? Now you are. Don’t disappoint me.”

“Yes, Father. I am eager to start this journey.” Leo had to do better. He had to leave this meeting with more information that he currently had. But he couldn’t just come out and say, Oh, by the way, whatever happened between you and my grandmother?

“What about Braxos?” he asked.

“What about it?”

“You are sending ships there. I only wondered why you would not send me on that voyage, when you have Kiernan and James Roth here taking care of the creatures.”

Xavier’s thick eyebrows rose a full inch up his forehead. “Send you? To Pelago? My god, Leo, you sound like your sister.”

Too much, Leo thought. You’ve gone too far. Roll it back.

He laughed heartily. “My apologies, Father. I suppose all the talk of riches and women and fountains of youth got me excited. But you are right, this new venture is more important.”

Xavier stroked the place where his beard was shaved to a point. “It is,” he agreed. “I’m afraid you’ll miss Agnes’s wedding. Though I assume that won’t be an issue for either of you.”

He chuckled and Leo followed suit, as he always had before. “No,” he said. “I won’t be heartbroken to miss that.”

“I should think not.”

It occurred to Leo then that his father might actually enjoy the hostility between him and his sister.

Xavier took out another stack of papers and began to read through them. When he saw Leo was still there, he frowned. “That will be all. Kiernan is expecting you in his lab this afternoon at three.”

Once Leo was out of the study, he climbed the stairs back to his bedroom and sat down heavily in the chair at his vanity. His father had planned to send him away, to be cut up over and over, to sell Sera’s blood bit by bit. To rid himself once and for all of his Pelagan son. It made perfect sense, now that he saw things clearly. The island was where Xavier’s real