The Iron Bells
Page 24
Chapter Nineteen
I open the door to the back room of the pub and shuck off my raincoat. It’s pouring buckets out there, but at least the weather is good for keeping the Inquisition presence sparse on the streets. As I strip out of my wet jacket, Dham hands me a bar towel so I can dry off a bit. I smile a thanks, then take a seat.
It’s our first meeting as a team. I know Dham and another young man from the British arm of the Resistance named Michael, but the rest are strangers to me. We introduce ourselves, and I meet Sergei from the Russian front, Anatole from Greece, and Lyle from France. We’re a regular cavalcade of nations sitting in this room. The only one missing is Trick.
Ryland comes in, bone dry. He must have been here for a while. I wonder if the other teams meet here or if Ryland just decided to come early to make sure the meet point was clear of Inquisition bugs and soldiers. Probably the latter.
He comes straight to the point. “A number of teams have been formed, each with a different objective. Three teams will make a combined assault on the Gate--this team is one. However, this team will have one member who isn’t currently present.”
Ryland’s eyes catch and hold mine. I take a deep breath. Here it comes. The reveal that we’ll be the team traveling with the demon. “Your team will be the advance guard, and, as such, you will be responsible for the guide.”
There are several moments of silence as the rest of the team comes up to speed on what this means. I see the realization dawning on several faces. Dham seems relatively calm, but the Russian and Greek envoys look none too happy.
“You would have us work with a demon?” Sergei asks angrily, rising halfway out of his chair. Anatole nods.
Ryland frowns, slashing his hand to indicate quiet. “This team member is vital for the success of this mission. I expect you to accept it as such and follow Amaranth’s directions regarding it.”
All eyes turn to me. I stare at Ryland, understanding that he has placed me in charge of dealing with any and all fallout relating to Trick and the problems he might cause. Well, I had blackmailed him to come on this mission; I shouldn’t be surprised to draw the short straw. Although he has done me a favor--he’s enabled me to look out for Patrick in an official way, and I bet he did it on purpose.
I give Ryland a faint smile. His face is stone. “What’s our target?” I ask, wanting to move the meeting along rather than get sidetracked on the finer points of practical demonkeeping.
“The Gate is located here, in London. More precisely, at Christ Church Spitalfields.”
Another outburst from the small group. I look to Dham. His brow is furrowed--Spitalfields means nothing to him, but to a Londoner, Christ Church has a somewhat sketchy reputation.
I think of the rubble of what was once Christ Church. It was rumored that there were rooms hidden among the catacombs there, rooms that were once used for Black Masses during the age of Bloody Jack. Nicholas Hawksmoor, the man responsible for Christ Church Spitalfields was also known as the “the devil’s architect” because his churches were supposedly full of occult and pagan significance. I suppose it makes sense that the Gate would be housed in the ruins of such a place.
“The other teams have been told of this location?” Dham asks, his fingers idly tracing the knife scars on the table.
“The three going in and the Sweeper teams have all been informed, yes. We have several diversionary teams, but they do not need to know the exact location. This information is being held in the strictest confidence. Secrecy is key to this mission. If one team is compromised, the other teams will still be able to achieve their objectives.”
“What is our objective?” Anatole asks.
I look at Ryland, mulling over his words while he answers Anatole. Yes, compartmentalization is all well and good, but a few people in the upper echelons of the Resistance have to know the entire plan. What if one of those people were compromised? What would happen then?
“Amaranth will be responsible for the guide and for leading your team in and out of the tunnels. Michael will handle the demolition. Dham is a Ringer--he’ll be one of the lines of defense against anything demonic you run up against. Sergei, Anatole, and Lyle, you three will guard the explosives until they are set. Once you’ve gotten through, set the charges and return the way you came.” Ryland looks around the table, meeting everyone’s eyes. “Understand?”
When we nod, he manages a slight grin. “Good. We’ll meet again--I’ll send a message with the details.” He turns to me and Dham. “I have a special assignment for you two.”
He waits for the other members of our team to leave the room and then turns back to us. “We’ve got a pickup.”
I nod, knowing what kind of assignment he means. I’ve run pickups in the past; it’s easy work and not too dangerous.
Dham looks confused. “Pick up what?” he asks.
“There are some items that have been smuggled into key locations. I need you two to go and retrieve one of them.” Ryland is all business. He’s still angry with me then.
“Sure,” Dham replies. “When and where?”
“Two days time. I’ll send more later, but be ready.” Ryland turns on his heel and walks out of the room.
Dham sits still for a moment, then turns to me. He searches my face for a moment, then he says, “Okay, what the hell is going on with you two?”