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knew who my children were, or their mother. That is a heartache that will never leave me.”
    Cocking his head, Billycan reached out and grabbed Silvius by the wrist. “Did you know a female named Lenore?” he asked urgently. “She was my mother. Did you know
her
?”
    Silvius exhaled. “The lab was very much segregated. The females were kept far away from us males and the children. I’m sorry, my boy,” he said, seeing the hope in Billycan’s face. “I did not know her.” He smiled weakly, patting Billycan’s paw. “Though I wish I had.”
    Billycan bowed his head and closed his eyes. He laughed softly. With this new way of being, this new life, came much suffering. In some ways he wished he had his callousness back. When nothing mattered but getting what he wanted, life was less painful.
    â€œAjax, you must take the reins of this kingdom right now,” declared Silvius. Ajax’s jaw dropped, his black skin turning a pasty gray. “You can do this, lad. You must.”
    â€œBut why now?” asked Ajax.
    â€œBecause Billycan leaves the island tonight,” Silvius replied. “I’m certainly old.” He laughed. “I may even be crazy, but the stakes are too high for us not to do
something
. We must at least try to warn the rats of Nightshade, unless they’ve already come to a bitter end.”

CHAPTER SIX
Fear
    W IPING SWEATY PAWS ON HIS COAT , Duncan nervously wheeled around a corner. He looked down the dim corridor and listened. The only sounds he could hear were indistinct whispers coming from behind the large metal door of the prison corridor.
    Heart pounding, Duncan looked through the barred window of the door and knocked. A moment later his brother arrived.
    Suttor smiled. “Duncan,” he said cheerfully. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œWell,” said Duncan, “I just thought I’d stop by and say hello. We never seem to see each other anymore. I brought you some tea.”
    â€œThanks!” said Suttor, surprised and pleased. He scratched his head. “But you hate this place.”
    Duncan looked around nervously. “I—I just don’t like it here. It’s a bit creepy.”
    â€œKar dislikes it even more than you,” said Suttor. “At least you two get to work with Lali in Bostwick kitchen, though I’d hate all that cleaning up after dinner. I’ll take creepy over cleaning anytime. Besides, it’s not so bad down here, gives me time to read and to think, a little peace and quiet . . . when the prisoners aren’t grousing, that is.”
    Through the small barred window, Duncan looked down the corridor. “Aren’t there any other guards?”
    â€œDon’t worry. The doors are bolted tight,” Suttor replied, “made of the thickest ironwood. Even the cells are lined with it, so the prisoners can’t dig their way out.” He nodded to a cell door. “Each prisoner has a small window for food, just the perfect size for a single dinner plate, no more.” A rat cursed from inside his cell. Suttor grinned. “The old Kill Army majors can whine and complain all they please, start a right fuss if they like. They’ll never get out.” He snickered, then lowering his voice, said, “Even old High Major Foiber, he’s the one always swearing, but I’d swear too if I had that frightful hairless skin.”
    â€œJuniper seems to have thought of everything,” said Duncan, his confidence growing. “What would you do, though, if one of the prisoners took ill? Some of the majors are getting on in years, especially High Majors Schnauss and Foiber. How can you help them if they’re all locked up?”
    Suttor snorted. “What do you care about those old codgers? Rats like them tend to live forever! No rest for the wicked.” He leaned in to the tiny window. “There’s a metal cabinet right