Read Online The Guild Conspiracy by Brooke Johnson - Free Book Online Page B

remained seated, a solemn, dead silence weighing on the room.
    Petra stopped in the center of the chamber, standing tall and proud amidst their stern gazes, her chin held high. Whatever their decision, she had done as Julian asked. She had designed his war machine, cooperated with his plans, and submitted the design to the Guild. He could not punish her for the council’s decision, not when she had done exactly as she was told. Any engineer worth his degree could see that the war machine was viable—­mistakes notwithstanding. That had to count for something.
    Behind her, the doors to the council room opened, and Officer Cartwright slipped quietly back inside, rejoining the group of redcoats at the edge of the room. He met Petra’s eye as he took up position among the other soldiers, offering a brief smile before assuming the statuesque posture of his fellows.
    Vice-­Chancellor Lyndon cleared his throat. “After due consideration, the council has deliberated on the quadruped project and come to a decision,” he said slowly, his gaze sweeping the full perimeter of the hall before settling on Julian Goss. “As proposed, we have considered Miss Wade’s application and have thus decided to accept the quadruped project for immediate commission.”
    Petra’s eyes widened, a wash of relief sweeping through her. She could hardly believe it.
    â€œHowever . . .” Lyndon continued, his gravelly voice suddenly heavy.
    Her smile faltered.
    â€œIn light of Miss Wade’s past misconducts and questions of her allegiance to the Guild and the Empire,” he went on, “the council has deemed her unworthy of joining the Guild and therefore rejects her formal application for Guild placement.”
    â€œWhat? No . . .”
    Petra turned toward Julian, sitting relaxed in his chair with a satisfied smile on his lips.
    So this was his plan . . . He never intended to let her be a member of the Guild. All he ever wanted was his war machine. And now he had it.
    â€œBut you can’t just take the quadruped,” she said, turning back toward Lyndon. “You can’t accept the project without also accepting my application. That’s not how this works.”
    â€œThe council’s decision has been made,” said Julian. “The Guild has accepted the quadruped for immediate development, and you are denied Guild membership. There will be no further discussion on the matter.”
    â€œBut you can’t do that!” she said, curling her fingers into fists. “The proposal is my application into the Guild. You can’t accept one and not the other.” She glared at Julian and approached the vice-­chancellor. “Don’t let him do this,” she pleaded, gesturing toward Julian. “He can’t just take my designs and refuse me the right to be on the project. I designed the quadruped. It’s mine .”
    â€œIt is the Guild’s property now,” said a sallow voice—­one of Julian’s toadies, Mr. Pelletier. “The council has the authority to accept or reject applications as we please, and we have decided that you are not fit to work as an engineer for the Guild.”
    â€œNot fit?”
    â€œGiven your . . . history.”
    Julian glared down at her from the lofty council bench. “The decision is final, Miss Wade.”
    â€œNo, it isn’t,” she said, gritting her teeth. “If I can’t be on the project, if you reject my application to join the Guild, then—­then you can’t have the quadruped. I withdraw the project from consideration.”
    â€œPetra,” said Lyndon, suddenly sitting forward in his chair. “If you withdraw your project, then—­”
    â€œNo,” she said, silencing him with the darkest of glares she could muster. “I know my rights as a student. The Guild cannot develop the quadruped without my consent. Those are the