The White Assassin by Hilary Wagner Page B

bad.”
    “Oh dear,” said Dorf. “What have I done? This is going to be harder to undo than I thought. You’ve got things a little muddled. What I’m trying to say is—”
    Billycan suddenly hissed, hearing the lab tech’s footsteps nearing his cage. “He’s coming for me! I don’t want the shot today, Dorf. I don’t want it!”
    “I know, lad. I know you don’t. But right now, be like those great Trillium founders you so admire. Be brave and strong. Be fearless, a true leader.”
    “Well, hello there, Billycan,” said the lab tech as he stretched to the top row of cages. “How are you, big boy?” The man unlocked the cage. “Time for your daily, but let’s not cause a fuss.”
    Billycan uncoiled his body and stopped shivering. “Leaders are afraid of nothing,” he said, stiffening his jaw. He stepped forward, refusing to flinch as the gloved hands came at him.
    “You were a good boy today,” said the man. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, or out of you in your case, but you’re as calm as a kitten.” The lab tech hoisted Billycan up into his cage and locked the door behind him.
    Quickly, Billycan scurried up to the wire window. “Dorf, are you there?” The familiar sting of bleach suddenly hit Billycan’s nostrils. He looked down into Dorf’s cage. It was empty, pristine, as if no rat had ever lived there. The smell of bleach always meant a rat had left the lab—forever.
    “No, no, no,” whimpered Billycan, “not that smell. I didn’t even get to say good-bye … no.”
    Billycan crawled to the back of his cage and slumped in a corner, coiling his body into a circle. He noticed the same femaleas before, the one with the chestnut fur, looking at him from the opposite row of cages—staring. Billycan dragged himself to the door of his cage. He nodded at Dorf’s cage.
    Her eyes shifted toward the empty cage. Slowly, sadly, she shook her head. Billycan understood. He’d always wondered what happened to the rats that had gone missing every time he smelled bleach, hoping maybe they’d been taken to another part of the lab or maybe even set free. The female confirmed what he already knew deep down. The smell of bleach meant death. Dorf was dead.



CHAPTER EIGHT
A New Council
    “ L OOK” SAID VICTOR .
    Juniper and Vincent watched as Billycan opened his eyes.
    Sluggishly, the white rat sat up on his cot and looked around. He turned toward the wall of bars that lined the front of his cell. Three rats, two black and one an unusual raisin shade, sat on stools, holding steel spears and staring at him. “Where am I?” he asked feebly. No one answered.
    His muscles throbbing, Billycan lay back down. Who were these rats? Why was he locked up?
    “Boys,” said Juniper, “go for now. Leave me with him.”
    Billycan’s ears perked. He recognized that voice. It was the same one from the truck.
    “But we should stay here,” said Vincent, “for your protection.”
    “Even Billycan cannot escape this cell,” Juniper replied. “All four walls are barred. Unlocking the door is his only way to freedom. He will never escape, and he will never again be able to hurt me or any creature.”
    Vincent would have protested further, but something in Juniper’s demeanor gave him pause. It was clear Juniper wanted them to go. He was obviously agitated. His gaze kept shifting back to Billycan as if he couldn’t wait for Vincent and his brother to leave. “All right,” said Vincent, “but Victor and I will be waiting for you right outside the door, and the moment we sense trouble we’re coming in—no arguments.”
    Juniper smiled. “You’ll get no arguments from me. Now off with you both.”
    Vincent could tell the smile was forced, but all the same he’d abide by Juniper’s wishes. He turned back to the cell, glaring coldly at Billycan.
    Billycan craned his neck, trying to get a good look at the black rat. He had strange eyes, green like emeralds. The rat turned abruptly and left the room,