City of Light & Steam

by Lexi Ostrow

  The room began to swirl, and Raven forced herself to take a lungful of air.

  “Who stands before me?”

  Christopher, or whomever the man was, looked at her, but he was little more than a blur as she took in the pain in his gaze.

  “Benjamin Abbott. Current eldest in the Abbott line as my cousin was murdered for his blood some time ago. We kept it a secret to keep our power.”

  Her safety mask cracked against the tile as it slipped from her hand due to her grip loosening in shock. Her knees threatened to drop her to the tile floor as she relived moment after moment from the past week. How he insisted on surnames, how he hardly interacted with his guild despite seeming so damned charming. Why his home did not appear to befit his station, why his office was so humbling the first time. Her throat burned, and tears squeezed their way out of her eyes as she slammed them closed.

  “You lied to me. About everything.”

  “No. Not everything.” Christopher, no Benjamin, leaned forward and attempted to touch her, but she stepped away. “You met the real me. I merely used my cousin's name to gain your trust because I wanted the alliance as badly as you did.”

  “You wanted me.” The bitter taste of betrayal ran hot in her mouth, and she suddenly understood how her family felt nearly a dozen years prior.

  Benjamin’s head hung, his voice almost swallowed by the floor. “I did, but I wanted to make a difference. I told you everything except my true lineage.”

  Again, he stepped forward, his fingertips grazing her wrist as he reached out. His eyes were dry but filled with pain. She looked into his beautifully colored eyes and saw nothing of the man she’d lain with. He was a devil in his own right, preying upon her and offering her nothing he could genuinely provide.

  Not everything, the words echoed in her mind, and she tore herself away from him, stepping far closer to the ruling couple than decency called for. “Your Majesty, the Electric Guild has not chosen to work with the Steam Guild do to real mages in their ranks. Mage’s who you should have been told about with magic that could have eventually helped save us all.”

  “Do not be ridiculous, young lady. Please, remember your stationing and who you stand before.” Queen Renee almost sounded as if she were begging.

  “I know how it sounds. I understand we stand before you as a bickering pair, but I assure you. I am not speaking falsely in order to hurt this man.”

  “Raven,” Benjamin’s tone had an edge to it she had never heard – because she’d likely never known the true man.

  “Go to his guild. Order him and see for yourself.”

  “Lady Nightingale, that is enough!” The words were an octave lower than the last time the King Clearance had shouted, but his command still rang loudly in the barely filled chamber. “Whatever has transpired, this is over. You speak of lunacy, and you will adhere to my command to work with the Electric Guild because, as I see it, this man is inherently the new Guild Master because I dub it so.”

  Tears exploded, blurring her vision completely. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she was uncertain who to address and who to curse. “As you command it, but I will no longer remain here. I will never do business with this man. My guild may, but I will not.”

  Riding out the wave of fury, she turned, narrowly avoiding crashing into Benjamin, and stormed out. She would have exited the way she came, but she had no intention of wasting time in a purification chamber or putting the mask on as her face was wet with tears. Nor was she able to turn around and grab it where it fell. She would worry about that when the time came to return to her home or the Steam Guild.

  So she did the most feminine thing she had ever done, she fled from the man who had betrayed her into the palace weeping like a damsel in distress.

  Benjamin could feel his body attempting to split itself at the seams. Almost the entirety of his being was screaming at him to go after Raven. The hurt in her eyes had been so raw that when it had shifted to anger, he’d known he’d lost her. He wanted desperately to race after her, to block her path and make her understand. She had grown to be incredibly special to him in such a short time. Had he only moved faster, decided quicker, he would have been able to tell her the news himself, and it might have softened the blow. How it came out made him appear to be a cad because he had been revealed by another.

  Go after her. Benjamin had known there would be trouble the instant he arrived to find her already before the royal couple. He’d practiced a speech on the carriage ride over, mentally, of course. He had the entire engagement rounded down to a mere sentence. He had hoped to say his peace and have her too distracted to question him, and then anticipated her anger would die down.

  Go after her. Once again, it was Christopher’s voice in his head.

  But you have your alliance, and you are meeting before the king and queen. Do not make another foolish action. Closing his eyes, he forced back the pain that threatened to tear in him half. Raven Nightingale was gone, and he always knew it was a possibility when or if the truth was revealed.

  Turning away from the entry door, he focused his attention back on the rulers of London. The pair had opposite looks on their face, and it was apparent at least one of them favored Raven’s response. The king’s face had softened slightly from the angry slash of features he had borne while sharing Benjamin’s secret. Now, it was mere displeasure that sat in on his face, from his scrunched brow to his pursed lips. Queen Renee was an entirely different picture. Her arms crossed haughtily over her chest, and she looked down her nose at him.

  She’s going to lay into me and then argue with her husband over my appointment.

  “Are we through with the skullduggery, I should have a word with you about your actions.”

  For the second time in as many moments, Benjamin felt the blood drain from his face. The man had just given him the promotion of a lifetime, it wasn’t likely he would take it away, but it was possible.

  “Yes, your Majesty.”

  “You masqueraded as your cousin, covered up his murder?”

  “That is correct. It was not mean to cause harm. We had simply wanted to establish a new Guild Master. Three years prior, the Steam Guild lost their leaders to the same fate. For as long as I can remember, the goal has been to outperform them. Admitting we suffered the same fate was unthinkable.”

  “So you let the known world, or at least our country, believe he was alive and well.”

  Despite the king not punishing him as a father would his son, the situation felt remarkably similar.

  “Yes.”

  “And you allowed yourself to be entangled in some way with the Steam Guild.” A dramatic sigh passed from the king. “I had hoped the lot of you would not need to be forced together. I have known of the wars and scant rows betwixt your members, but I had hoped there was no need for you to work together for a solution because I did not wish to intervene in such a childish squabble.”

  “I humbly disagree.”

  “Yes, that is why you sought the woman out with a lie.”

  “No. Lady Nightingale came to the Electric Guild.” He itched to mention that he saved her from the brink of the same fate that so many other arrogant leaders had suffered, but it was not pertinent. “My initial intent had been to masquerade only long enough to find out what she wished for.”

  “Many businessmen do this to suss their rivals out.” The queen spoke with very little tenderness. “That does not account for the outburst we witnessed. The very woman who went to you for aid declared rather loudly that she would never work with you.”

  “My dear, I believe you are losing sight of the situation.”

  “I have lost sight of nothing. A woman raced out of here as quickly as she could when she learned of the falsehood. This leads me to believe more was played out than a request.”

  “What happened in the privacy of my guild is not a royal matter.”

  “It is if it damages the world.” Queen Renee fixed her amber stare on his so hard he worried she would find
a way to wound him with it.

  Blowing out a deep breath, Benjamin’s shoulder sagged as the weight of the situation fully bore down upon him. His lie had not meant to go so far – and it was compounded by the relationship of sorts they had manufactured in the last three days.

  “We were working on a plan to bind our guilds. She believed me to be my cousin. Her plan was political, and she requested I court her to align our businesses.”

  “That is wise.” King Clearance stroked his beard as he leaned back in the throne. “It would also indicate she felt you were trustworthy and capable of being a husband in some fashion. Women don’t make such a suggestion for political reasons, not even my dear wife.”

  The queen scoffed and stood from the throne. “I am taking my leave. Someone needs to return Lady Nightingale’s mask.” With a swish of her blue gown, she stepped down from the pedestal and scooped up the mask. “Your actions were not meant to bring harm, but you’ll find even under my husband’s command, your guilds will work best if you give them a reason too. Apologize to her properly.”

  She’s going to get a hell of a lot more than a proper apology if she’ll take my visit. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “Now then, we must have discourse on an entirely different subject matter. Magic.”

  “Her claims were false. We have no –”

  “You have lied to me once this day. I suggest not doing it again, or you will find yourself in the dungeon.”

  Blowing out a deep breath, he thought a small apology to his family. “It is not quite what you believe. When the vampires rose, a trio of men approached both guilds.” He set his mask on the floor and wrung out his hands, hoping to dispel the nervous energy racing through him. “We were told they had magic, and they were not believed. A challenge was offered – a spell to guide a device if we could create it, as their powers were energy driven, they could not create something from nothing. Once more, our guilds denied them.”

  “I presume at some point in your tale their claims were accepted, or we would not be where we are.”

  “Yes, sire. I do not know which side accepted the offer, but both guilds worked tirelessly on creations. Both took them before the mages and explained their idea to them. It was then the mages did as they foretold they could. The steam engine was created, a little of their magic helping the designer to see a flaw that caused issue, as was the first communication device. I would rather not share how they helped my guild, as we all must have our secrets.”

  “Why have I not been informed of these . . . creatures? How come they have not done away with the toxic air or the beasts themselves?”

  “I cannot speak for why you were not told. I can only say that we were trying to save the world. Each mage had performed feats that weakened them, only three spells remained. Their magic can only help bridge problems and create energy – they cannot simply wave a wand as Merlin does in tales.”

  “Three spells.” The king clucked. “If I commanded you to bring them to me?”

  “I would not. I know it would mean my life, but I honor the sacrifice they promise to give by continuing to protect them.”

  “Locking you away does not aid my cause. For the moment, they may remain your secret. There will come a time when this will no longer stand. Be prepared to surrender or end your days as a traitor to the crown.” The king closed his eyes for a moment. “You are dismissed. See to it the rift is mended, and all our minds are working toward something to destroy these creatures beyond letting their blood dry out.”

  Blowing out a breath he had not realized he held, Benjamin nodded, muttering something he couldn’t even make out because his thoughts were so jumbled. He lifted his mask and looked between the door to the courtyards and the one to the rest of the castle.

  You’ve

  You’ve waited too long. If you find her now, she will know she was not the priority. Give her the space she would have had if you’d told her the truth yourself. Gripping the mask, he forced his feet to walk toward the glass chamber and slid the mask on, locking it into place as his hand lay on the handle.

  Raven would forgive him. The alliance meant too much to her. In time, she would allow the transgression to not affect her. She was a brilliant woman, and he would wait. For now, he had a greater errand.

  He had to find a way to barter with the mages to create something with their magic that would allow their weapon to work. Something to show Raven he was the man he claimed to be, even if his name was different.

  At some moment, saving the world became a secondary notion. Raven had taken hold of his heart as often was the case with newly courting couples. Raven Nightingale suddenly mattered more than his heat bulb, more than finding a way to destroy the vampires himself. He needed her by his side, they’d proven they were better together, and if he enlisted the mage’s magic, he might be able to woo her back.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Crashing into the interior sterilization section door of the guild, Raven let out a curse. Pounding her fists against the wooden wall, she screamed, letting out all the anger she could not in the public eye.

  Tears streamed down her face, and she felt the skin on her right hand split along the side as she thrummed it into the wall.

  “Damn him!” Her body sagged against the back wall, barely holding herself up as the door before her swung outward, letting her into the guild.

  “Guild Master Raven!” Two young girls shouted simultaneously as she tumbled from the chamber, mask, and eyewear, still adorning her face.

  “I am fine,” she gritted out the words as she tore the safety devices from her face. “I need to speak to the board.” She looked to the girl with blonde hair. “You are Worker Dade’s daughter, are you not?”

  “Yes. My father has returned —”

  “Not necessary, I was merely making certain I knew with whom I was about to charge this task.”

  The young girl’s eyes brightened and grew wide. It was not every day Raven gave orders, and it was likely this young girl saw her as somewhat a hero as the first female Guild Master. She had once had such a sunny disposition when she’d thought she would wed and have a family of her own.

  “Go to the communication quarters and call the board members. Tell them they are to come post haste. I do not care for excuses. They come, or they will have their position stripped away.”

  A dash of panic shone in the girl’s eyes, but she nodded and raced away.

  “I apologize for not knowing you by sight. You are?”

  The brunette flushed. “I am a first year. I have no parentage here. Merely skill with my hands.”

  The thought was almost enough to brandish away some of her fury at Benjamin Abbott. “I am glad to hear it. Please find Levi Stratham Stratham and see to it that he meets me in my workspace.”

  “As you wish, Guild Master.” The girl hurried away as her mate had moments prior.

  Raven could hardly think around the pounding in her skull. Every moment of her time with Christopher – with Benjamin – assaulted her with the force of a starving person. His smile, the way he looked away embarrassed when she would comment on something he needed to adjust, the heat in his eyes every time he looked at her, but mostly, his smile. Even now, when she wanted to throw him into the Thames, she couldn’t stop seeing his smile.

  He’s worse than what you fight to destroy. She caught sight of herself in a looking glass hung on the wall, an angry snarl sat where hours before hope had been lifting her to smile.

  Forget him. It was so much simpler thought than done. He was everywhere. Even in the hall with her as she had a memory of showing him her guild’s accomplishments. Get on with it.

  Biting her cheek, Raven forced herself to walk the corridor to the lift. Members of the board would soon be arriving, and she had yet to determine what to say to them.

  “Tell them the alliance will never work. Let them know of the Electric Guild’s betrayal.” She growled as she pulled the lever and swung open the doors. “Right, save for the de
cree from the king that will force you together.”

  She flipped the lever to send the lift up and crashed her back against yet another wall. There was no time to wallow on the betrayal, yet it was all Raven could think on. She had suggested a proposal. Had the king not interrupted, it was very likely she would have made a fool of herself.

  “His entire guild lied for him, stayed the course for him.” Raven wasn’t sure if she was impressed by the loyalty or outraged. “Both.” She decided as the lift stopped, and she opened the doors to exit.

  Unsurprisingly, Levi was already in place. He wore his concern for her like a mask, and when she dropped into the chair, he spoke before she could.

  “Are we to turn in our knowledge to the Electric Guild? Did the king deny us funding? Raven, what in the bloody hell just happened that you called me here – no that you had some poor apprentice call me here.”

  “He lied.”

  “The king lied?” Levi gasped as confusion lit his face. “Lied about what?”

  “No, Levi, Benjamin lied.”

  “Who in the bloody hell is Benjamin?”

  “Exactly.” She slumped in the chair, brooding.

  “Raven, I’m finding it incredibly difficult to follow along.”

  Her eyes closed as she took in a deep breath of air. “Benjamin is Christopher. Christopher Abbott is dead, murdered a few weeks prior. Benjamin was his cousin and felt it necessary to step into the role of Christopher to hid the truth to see what it was I had come for.”

  “While I am quite against falsehoods, and much of the Electric Guild, I am uncertain as to why you are so distraught. You did not want the alliance.”

  “I am distraught because the alliance would have been the right step.”

  Levi’s eyes traveled over her as if he were attempting to sniff out the lie, and then he merely sat in the chair across from her. “I feel as if I am missing a detail or two. Perhaps your oldest mate does not deserve such information, but I hope you speak the truth to the board. I was also informed they are arriving.”