The Seeker - Isobelle Carmody [50]
“He was assigned to th’ dryin’ rooms,” Matthew said. “We’re spread too thin over too many jobs. It was like this last year, too. It seems like a big fuss, but wintertime is really a killer in the mountains. Ye ken that stranger that Sly Willie brought to th’ kitchen yesterday? Well, I saw him talking to Rushton later in th’ day,” Matthew said.
I scowled, certain the overseer had reported our friendship to Madam Vega. On the other hand, it seemed likely to me that his conversation with the stranger had only concerned the broken plow I had heard him mention to Louis some days before. I said so to Matthew, who looked disappointed. I could not help but think crossly that there were more than enough mysteries and plots at Obernewtyn without longing for more.
“So what happened in th’ doctor’s chamber, or don’t you remember?” Matthew asked at last.
I drew a deep breath and told Matthew that I had only been questioned. “The doctor is too busy to be bothered with me at the moment, but he plans to get back to me later.” I glanced around to make sure no one had come close enough to hear us, adding, “Madam Vega made it very clear that there would be unpleasant consequences if I talked about my visit. I think that must be how they shut up people who only go there once. As for those the doctor treats, well, maybe Dameon is right about hypnosis.” In fact, I was no longer convinced hypnosis had been used on anyone. Madam Vega had told me to forget about my visit to the doctor, at the same time exerting her coercive ability. A normal person given that command would simply obey her and forget, but my own abilities had deflected her. I could not speak about any of this to Matthew without mentioning my own talent in this area. I would eventually do so, I promised myself, but not yet.
“What else happened?” Matthew urged.
“Madam Vega asked me to keep a watch for Misfits who were unusual.”
Matthew paled. “Us?” he gasped.
“People like us. I’m sure she didn’t suspect me. My being here is a mistake according to her. The doctor only wanted to see me because they believe my tainted-water ruse, and he was curious about the effect of the accident.”
Matthew laughed incredulously. “What is he like?” he asked.
I frowned. “He is defective,” I said. “And he is the Master of Obernewtyn.”
Matthew stopped working and gave me a look of disbelief. “He can’t be. It’s against Council lore fer a defective to inherit.”
“Exactly why they wouldn’t want us talking about our visits to him,” I whispered fiercely.
“But … then who is runnin’ Obernewtyn?” Matthew asked.
“Madam Vega and …” I stopped, uncertain of the relationship between Alexi and Madam Vega. And she was careful to humor the doctor. Clearly she did not want to alienate him.
“Madam Vega an’ who?” Matthew prompted impatiently.
I swallowed. “There was an older man in the doctor’s chamber, called Alexi. The doctor—Stephen Seraphim—called him his assistant, but he didn’t act like anyone’s assistant. He acted like he was the master and he could barely be bothered with the doctor. Madam Vega fussed over him as if he was important. I think they are in league, and they keep the doctor as a sort of tame pet.”
“But what about the treatments?” Matthew asked. “Surely a defective …”
“The doctor spoke of treating Cameo, and from what he said, he treated Selmar, too. But Alexi talked as if he was involved as well.”
“Maybe they are both treating her in different ways,” Matthew said. We fell silent as we passed another baling team.
I thought of the questions Alexi had asked me before losing his temper. Then I thought of Madam Vega instructing me to keep watch for Misfits that were more than they seemed, and a chill ran through me. “Matthew, what if they thought Cameo was like us and hiding it?”
“But why would they care?” Matthew asked. He gave me a quick warning look, and another couple passed behind us. When they were out of earshot, he leaned close and said softly, “We have to get away from here.” I knew he was thinking of Cameo, and nodded.
The bell for midmeal rang, and I joined Dameon while