by Anna, Vivi
“Stonehenge?” Rhys inquired. “How could there be a door there? Makes no sense.”
“You’re thinking too literally, brother.”
Skylar lowered the rapier and stepped back and sheathed it into Rhys’s cane. “I apologize for nearly killing you.”
Caroline chuckled. “Oh, I assure you I was in no danger of dying.” Her eyes went black as pitch and just as foul.
Jovan shuddered, as did Skylar, who was now pressed against him.
“So we have our destination,” Rhys said. “Now let’s get this bloodletting business done and be on our way.”
“I agree.” Jovan stripped off his jacket and handed it to Rhys. He then unclipped the cuff link at his left wrist and started to roll up the sleeve of his shirt.
“But you cannot go to Stonehenge without the key.”
Jovan paused. “But you sai
d you’d given the key to Sebastian.”
“I did. But it has come back. It always returns when its work is done.”
“Then do you have it?”
She shook her head. “It did not return to me. But I know where you can find it.”
Chapter Fourteen
Frustrated, Rhys slapped the paper flyer down on the table with his hand. “The exhibition? Is that woman serious?”
“I’d say so, yes.” Skylar brought her cup up to her mouth. They were back at the Davenport town house taking tea. It was very late and they were all a bit punchy. Some more than others.
“What does she think we’re going to do? Walk into a 990,000 square-foot building and just magically stumble upon this key?” He turned toward Jovan, who was staring out one of the parlor windows and rubbing at the bandage around the crook of his arm. “This was damn well not worth the price of your blood.”
Jovan had yet to turn from the window. “Maybe not, but it’s all we have to go on.”
“Forget the key. I say we just go on to Stonehenge. Maybe we’ll find Sebastian holed up in some village with a wench and a child, happy as can be.”
“But what if we don’t?” Skylar asked. “What if this is our only chance to get this key and we pass it up?”
Jovan turned. “I agree. We have a limited window of opportunity and we should take it.”
“How?” Rhys asked.
“The fair opens tomorrow. We’ll attend and look for this key. Then we’ll figure out how to acquire it.” Jovan came over and sat in one of the vacant chairs.
Skylar noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the pallor of his skin. “You need to rest,” she said to him.
“We all do.”
fonernd “I’ll see what I can do about getting us tickets. They’ve been sold out for weeks now, but Lord Effington owes me a favor. But for now I’m going to retire.” Rhys gave them a quick nod then left the room.
When he was gone, she gestured to the finger sandwiches on the plate in the middle of the table. “You should eat. You look as pale as the moon.”
Jovan selected one and took a bite but she could clearly see he had hardly the energy to chew and swallow it.
When he was finished, she set her hand on his. “Come now. I will put you to bed.”
One eyebrow went up at that. Obviously he still had enough vigor to harbor lustful thoughts.
“I said put you to bed not take you to bed.” She shook her head at him.
“You can’t fault a man for his wishful thinking.”
She helped him to his feet. “Oh yes, I can.”
He leaned on her as they mounted the stairs to the third level, which was already lit up by one of the lanterns mounted on the wall. Rhys must have lit it when he’d retired. Skylar led Jovan to his room then helped him to his bed. This proved to be a mistake as he pulled her down with him as he lay back.
“Jovan,” she protested as she pulled and twisted out of his grip.
“Stay, Skylar. Stay with me.”
“It’s not proper that you even ask me.”
“Damn propriety! When have I ever done anything proper? I thought that’s what attracted you to begin with?”
She didn’t respond.
“I don’t care what should and shouldn’t be done, I want you to stay with me. I need you to.”
Her resolve softened. Oh, who was she kidding, it was never strong to begin with, not when it came to him. Her heart had leaped when he’d asked her to stay. It was only her stubbornness and arrogance that automatically refused.
She gazed down at him, taking in the vulnerability and fragility she saw in his sunken face. It wasn’t often that Jovan allowed someone to see such things in him.
Lifting her hand, she lightly traced a finger down his cheek. “I want to resist you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want to be hurt again.”
He raised his hand to her face and swept a curl from her brow to tuck behind her ear. “I won’t hurt you, Skylar. I just want to hold you, if only for a few hours. I won’t ask for more than that.”
His touch was soft and gentle but full of yearning. And it spoke volumes to her. More than any words could at that moment.
“Yes. I’ll stay with you.”
She lay on her side as Jovan snuggled in behind her. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her tight to his body. She could feel the heavy thump of his heart against her back, and his breath along the curve of her neck. She felt safe, and secure. And loved.
“I came for you that day,” he mumbled against her skin.
“I know, my father told me.” She stroked her fingers over his hand.
“But you’d already gone.” His voice was barely audible. “No note…no nothing…”
Soon his breathing hisont evened out and slowed. Then he was asleep. Skylar lay still awhile, contemplating him and their renewed partnership and whether she was strong enough to survive it. She wanted to tell him that yes, she’d left him a letter, one that begged him to come for her. When he didn’t come, something inside her had died. It wasn’t until years later that her father confessed that he’d taken the note before Jovan could read it. By then it was too late. Their relationship had truly ended.
The ring she wore pinged ever so softly. It was the council calling her. They obviously wanted to know what was going on. They’d likely heard about the chase through the streets and the disturbance at the cemetery. But she didn’t want to face them, not now. She wanted her time with Jovan to last a little bit longer. Sighing, she shut her eyes, forcing her mind on other things, until she too fell into a deep, surprisingly peaceful sleep.
* * *
The next morning they were greeted in the parlor by Rhys with three tickets to the opening of the London World’s Fair. After a bit of breakfast they all donned their walking best and took the carriage to Hyde Park.
When they arrived, there was already a long line of arriving carriages. Skylar looked out the side window to see a steady stream of people crossing the massive park. Families, rich and poor, that would never have mingled, nudged against one another. Derbies and top hats, frock coats and dress coats, polished shoes and scuffed boots, the men led the way. Behind them came the ladies resplendent in their wide hoop skirts and brightly colored hats, with matching gloves of every imaginable color. They all jostled together to enter the iron-and-glass building nicknamed the Crystal Palace, which was constructed to house the fair.
The structure was breathtaking and worth the price of the ticket on its own. She’d heard the queen herself was to officially open the Fair. She wondered what other marvels would be inside. Certainly enough to make the goal of finding the key nearly impossible. She brought her scrying mirror with her so she could hopefully see where the key was located. How to acquire it would come later.
After parking their carriage, they entered the building and were awestruck by the spectacle inside. In the lobby a huge stone fountain was bubbling with water, and large elm trees loomed overhead. Skylar had never seen anything like it.
She glanced at Jovan to see a twin look of
awe on his face. “It’s quite spectacular, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “The wheels of industry are turning ever so quickly.”
“How are we to find this key?” Rhys asked as he took in all the exhibits in the two-tiered structure.
It would certainly take them the better part of two days to walk the building and investigate every display for something as innocuous and small as the key. They needed a better method of searching.
“Find me a private spot and I can use my mirror.” She patted her leather satchel.
“Much easier said than done,” Jovan responded.
And it was true. The exhibition was swarming with people from all walks of life. Gentlemen and ladies mingled with dockworkers and house servants. Every nook and cranny and alcove had an occupant milling about, taking in the splendor of the various exhibits.
“Then I suppose I’ll do it out in the open.”
“That’s against council law,” Jovan said with just a hint of smugness. He probably loved toba/p>
“A lot of things we’ve already done are against council law. Why stop now?”
He grinned at her and she couldn’t stop the lift of the lips. She was too tired to fight against it. Fight against him.
“Let’s walk,” Rhys suggested. “We’re sure to find a suitable spot eventually.”
Walk they did, straight down the middle of the pavilion. They passed several courts along the way. The French court displayed several porcelain sculptures and bronze decorations that were reduced versions of works by Michelangelo. The Russian court boasted furniture made from a bright green mineral called malachite. Many pieces Skylar coveted. If only they had time to shop. It wasn’t until they came to the East Nave and the works of the Zolvarian that they found a perfect private spot. Behind a huge zinc sculpture of a warrior on a horse called The Amazon was an empty place perfect for secret viewings.
Skylar took out her mirror. “I won’t be but a minute.” She left Rhys and Jovan to stand guard on the other side of the massive structure.
Once alone, she pricked her finger, smeared it on the four corners and invoked the incantation. Within seconds she saw an image materialize in the glass.
Not an image per se, but words. Day & Newell. Tucking her mirror back in her bag she came out of the secluded spot. Rhys and Jovan were sitting of the bench waiting for her—on opposite sides of course.
“Well?” Jovan asked.
“Day & Newell.”
Rhys frowned. “Does that mean anything to you?”
“Must be a company that has an exhibit here.” She spotted an attendant making his rounds. She stopped him. “Excuse me, sir?”
He tipped his head to her. “Yes, milady. What might I do for you?”
“Day & Newell. Do they have an exhibit here?”
“Why, yes. A security exhibit. It’s upstairs in the West Nave.”
“Thank you.”
They made their way up the stairs to the exhibits of industry and future technology on the second level. Here they heard the constant chug-chug of steam, which powered the various machines on display. This was also where they found the security exhibit from America, Day & Newell.
When they approached, a great debate was going on about one of the locks the company had on show. Surprisingly, quite a number of gentlemen crowded around were either involved in the debate or eagerly watching it. Some of the gentlemen were handling a sampling of locks and keys laid out on the tables.
They had no way of knowing which one of them they needed.
“That’s an awful lot of keys,” Skylar said.
“We’ll have to take them all and sort it out later.” Jovan said.
“How do you propose to get them?” Rhys asked, looking around. “Perhaps a diversion would suffice.”
“It would be better and easier if the building were evacuated.”
Skylar wheeled around to gape at him. “Are you mad?”
“I thought that’s what you liked about me. You keep mentioning it.” He gave her where the that devilish grin of his. The one that never failed to incite something deep inside her belly.
“How in hell are you going to do that?”
Rhys waved his hand around. “There are thousands of people here, and if you say a fire I’ll knock that stupid head of yours.”
“Of course not a fire.” Jovan sniffed. “What do you take me for?” He had his hand out before Rhys could respond. “That was not an invitation.”
“How else can we instigate an evacuation?” She went to the railing of the second floor and looked down. Jovan joined her.
He pointed to the bronze statue of a raging bull in the Italian court. “A rampaging animal perhaps.” He glanced over his shoulder to look at Rhys. “You could do that, right? An animal illusion?”
Instead of answering the question Rhys simply said “Rats.”
Jovan pushed away from the railing. “Excuse me, dear brother, but I’m positive you just said rats?”
“I did.” His eyes lit up. “A rampaging animal would be too violent and destructive but a pack of vile rats, a huge pack of rats, would insure everyone would leave the building and quickly.”
“You can do that?” Skylar asked. She’d never seen Rhys use magic. She’d assumed he didn’t possess as much power as Jovan or Sebastian. Obviously she’d been wrong. To create illusions was indeed powerful. Not every sorcerer possessed such a talent. Jovan didn’t.
Rhys nodded. “It’s a difficult illusion, to be sure, and I haven’t done one in a long time. There are so many variables involved but I should be able to hold it until everyone is out of the building.”
“If you need extra power, you can siphon it from me. I have an affinity with nature. Maybe it will help you contain the illusion.”
“Thank you.”
Jovan didn’t look happy at that. “He better not have to touch you or anything.”
“Don’t be foolish, Jovan,” she mocked him. “We will only be holding hands.”
Rhys joined in on the fun. “Unless I need more power, then a kiss might be in order.” Jovan scowled until Rhys clapped him on the back. “Don’t be so sour. It’s only a kiss.”
When Jovan’s frown only deepened, Rhys laughed. And Skylar did as well.
“Where will you be when all this happens?” she asked him.
“In the building, hiding in plain sight. The moment everyone is clear, I’ll snatch the keys before anyone notices anything amiss.”
“Good luck then.” Rhys nodded to him, then started toward the railing.
“Be safe.”
Skylar looked at Jovan. “Yes, you as well.” She set her hand on his arm.
He leaned down and pressed his lips to her cheek. “Stay close to Rhys. If anything should happen, get to the Davenport town house.”
She nodded, then went to follow Rhys. Before she reached him she glanced over her shoulder for one last look at Jovan, but he was already gone.
She joined Rhys near the railing. He had stripped off his leather gloves and was rubbing his hands together vigorously.
“Have you done an illusion this grand before?”
He shook his head. “I haven’t done one since we were children. I used to create large spiders and scare the bejesus out of Jovan.” He smiled.
She smiled as well. “He’s still afraid of spiders.”
“I know.”
Rhys continued to rub his hands together in front of his face, then he turned them, touching the tips of his fingers to his brow, then back to rubbing again. He did this several times and turned his hands outward, moving around as if sweeping the floor around him, until Skylar could see several black shapes forming near his feet.
“They won’t actually bite, will they?”
He shook his head. “It’s just an illusion. They aren’t real.” He moved his hands again and again. “Get ready to move.
After another few minutes Skylar could hear the unnerving chatter of a thousand teeth gnashing as one.
Rhys
flicked his fingers in front of him, releasing the squirming, writhing pack onto the ground.
It wasn’t long until the screams of women and children filled the building.
Chapter Fifteen
It took over an hour for the entire building to be evacuated. Jovan had to move around to avoid being detected. The moment he knew he was completely alone, he returned to the Day & Newell exhibit to retrieve the keys. But when he got there, he realized it wouldn’t be as easy as that.
The security experts had cleverly installed a protection system for their display. It was nothing like Jovan had ever seen, and he’d broken into and stolen things from the wealthiest of society. They employed clever ways to protect their valuables, like hidden safes and rooms, but this was something entirely new. And remarkable.
The locks and keys were housed in a secure glass display case. But it was not the lock that was the issue—he could deal with that with a flick of his hand and one spoken word. No, it was the intricate beams of light that crisscrossed around the base that was the conundrum. There was no way he could open it and grab the keys without breaking a beam of light. He suspected doing that would trigger some type of alarm.
He was going to have to float the keys out one by one through the light maze.
Sliding off his coat and setting his walking stick aside, Jovan studied the box. He could flip the lock open on it easily enough, but lifting it slightly and guiding the keys out was going to be difficult. After taking a deep cleansing breath, he spoke the word “Aperio.”
The telltale clicking sound of a lock disengaging told him he’d succeeded. Extending his right hand toward the case, he concentrated hard on the lid. Slowly, ever so slowly, it lifted and steadied at an inch wide. Now he had to split his concentration and lift the first key to float it out the narrow opening.
Raising his left hand, he focused on one of the long skeleton keys. It lifted and floated toward the opening, just brushing the edge. Jovan drew it through and under a beam of light. He let it drop near his foot, and then focused on the next one.