Clocks and Daggers (The Thief's Apprentice Book 2)

by Sara C. Roethle

  Ephraim glanced at Liliana, as if tempted to lean across her once again, then simply snatched the folder of papers out of Arhyen’s grasp.

  Arhyen was about to steal it back, when Liliana caught his eye. “You said you found other information?” she questioned.

  He nodded. The black soot on her face accented her blue eyes. He had the urge to wipe the soot away, but resisted. “Yes,” he replied. He considered checking the doors and windows for spies, but Hamlet obviously knew he’d ventured into the costumery, and surely he knew why. There was no use being secretive now. “I believe I found the creator of Hamlet’s mask,” he explained. “Unfortunately, Hamlet is aware I found the shop, so that may soon be a dead end.”

  “Still worth looking into,” Ephraim muttered, his eyes intent on the papers in his lap. “These grave-robberies have been occurring for months,” he continued, finally raising his gaze to glance at Arhyen. “None have been reported, which means the graves must have been filled back in before anyone noticed. If this information is correct, there are roughly two dozen graves missing their occupants.”

  “Who would need that many bodies?” Liliana interrupted, her voice hitching in fear.

  “Our contact claimed he saw surgical equipment in the building he was hired to guard,” Ephraim replied. “I imagine if we can find that building, perhaps we’ll have our answer.”

  “We should set up another meeting,” Liliana agreed, her voice now steady. “Perhaps he could lead us right to the people Hamlet is trying to find.”

  Ephraim nodded. “We will also show him the coin. He may recognize it.”

  Arhyen calmly listened to their conversation, then nearly jumped in his seat when he realized something he’d forgotten. “That will have to wait until tomorrow,” he interrupted. “We have a meeting at midnight.”

  Ephraim and Liliana both turned to stare at him. He went on to detail his encounter with the woman on the carriage, ending the explanation with the production of the note.

  Ephraim plucked the piece of paper from Arhyen’s grasp. His eyes quickly scanned the words. “London Bridge?” he questioned. “It’s not exactly a secure meeting place.”

  “I believe that’s the point,” Arhyen explained. “At first I thought the woman was an LN informant, but then I met with Hamlet. There would be no reason for him to set up a meeting at midnight, only to corner me in an alleyway. The note must have been from one of our contacts, afraid to meet at a location of our choosing.”

  Ephraim nodded. “Well the note didn’t say anything about coming alone, so we’ll all go. Even at midnight there will be travelers crossing the bridge, so it should be safe enough.”

  Arhyen glanced at Liliana before he could stop himself.

  Her eyes narrowed. “You’re not going alone, and I know you won’t leave me here without Ephraim, so we’ll all go together. I can protect myself.”

  “I know that,” Arhyen replied, thinking back to her being kidnapped by Viola. Liliana had gone willingly to save Arhyen’s life. “I’m more worried about you sacrificing yourself to save one of us,” he admitted.

  Her expression softened, but she did not argue.

  Ephraim snorted. “Well you cannot fault the girl for that. You would do the same. Well, for her at least.”

  Arhyen scowled. “That’s beside the point.”

  Ephraim handed Liliana the folder, then stood, dismissing Aryhen’s obviously futile argument. “I’m going home to change,” he announced. “I’ll return within the hour and we will venture to London Bridge early. I want to map out the location before our hosts arrive.”

  Aryhen opened his mouth to argue out of instinct, but Ephraim was right. It might be a waste of time to go so early, but if Liliana was coming, he’d take every precaution available to him.

  Not bothering with further goodbyes, Ephraim made his way around the sofa toward the door. Aryhen and Liliana both turned to watch him. After unlatching each of the locks, he turned to glance over his shoulder, his hand resting on the doorknob. Aryhen watched as his eyes met Liliana’s. “Don’t give up on the smoke bombs,” he encouraged. “You’ll get them right soon enough, even if you have to burn Aryhen’s apartment down in the process.”

  Aryhen expected a surprised gasp from Liliana, but she only smiled, fully comprehending the rigid, pointy thing Ephraim referred to as his sense of humor. Now if only she’d smile at him like that.

  Chapter 4

  Arhyen lifted the curtain covering the small kitchen window to peer outside. Full darkness had fallen, leaving him with little to see. There were no street lamps in his area of London, which was how he normally liked it, yet tonight it made him uneasy. Anyone could be waiting out in the darkness, and he’d never see them coming.

  He let the curtain fall as the bathroom door creaked open. Liliana emerged in a wash of steam, illuminated by the bright light of the bathroom, paired with the more gentle light of the bedside lamp. She wore her black trousers and button-front shirt, meant for ladies of the equestrian crowd, but perfect for late night stealth. Her damp red hair had already been twisted into its customary bun, leaving her pale neck bare.

  Not noticing him right away in the dimly-lit apartment, her eyes scanned the room. Finally landing on him, she visibly startled as she realized he was already watching her, then relaxed. “Ephraim is quite late,” she commented, peering past Arhyen toward the partially-covered window as she walked toward him. “I hope nothing has happened to him,” she added, reaching his side.

  Arhyen lifted the curtain again, and they both peered out into the darkness. “He’ll be here,” he assured. “It would take more than the London Network to eliminate the great Ephraim Godwin.”

  She rolled her eyes up to him, a playful smile on her lips. “That statement would be more comforting without the apparent sarcasm in your tone.”

  He couldn’t help his grin. A few weeks ago she wouldn’t have even recognized sarcasm, let alone have a clever retort. He let the curtain fall and stepped away from the window, moving to wait on the sofa.

  Liliana followed, taking a seat beside him, smoothing her trousers beneath her legs. She turned her blue eyes to him. “Who do you think we’re meeting tonight? It isn’t some elaborate plot of Hamlet’s, is it?”

  He shook his head, though he understood why she might think Hamlet was somehow manipulating them. He’d done so before, putting them on the trail of Victor Ashdown, using Liliana as bait for Clayton and Viola, and even framing Arhyen for murder. “I don’t believe it’s him,” he soothed. “He made his intentions quite clear during our meeting. My guess is we’ll be meeting someone with either a vendetta against the LN, or with some other interest in uncovering its secrets.”

  “Or it’s someone like Viola wanting to steal my blood on the false belief it can be refined into liquid emotions,” she countered.

  He frowned. “Which is exactly why you shouldn’t come.”

  She raised an eyebrow at him. “You really think it’s someone after my blood?”

  He sighed and slouched down against his seat. “No, but it’s not a risk I like taking.”

  “I’m your partner, not your ward,” she replied, a smile softening her words.

  He would have liked to argue with her. She was his partner, and a highly capable one at that, but he still felt like it was his job to protect her, not the other way around. He was supposed to be watching her back, and keeping her safe.

  “Yes you are my partner,” he sighed. “I apologize for attempting to keep you out of danger.”

  She nodded her acceptance. “It’s alright. It’s not that I don’t appreciate you looking out for me, but I’d like to be able to earn my keep. It’s difficult for me to be the object of caring.”

  Because it’s so unlike anything you’ve ever known, he thought. Out loud he said, “Just promise me there will be no self-sacrificing tonight. You don’t know how many times I’ve relived the moment you left with Viola inside my mind.”

  She frowned. “I cannot p
romise such a thing.”

  He sighed. One human trait Liliana had not picked up was the ability to tell comforting lies. He opened his mouth to ask her to do just that, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  Liliana stood. “That must be Ephraim.”

  Arhyen forced himself to remain seated while she answered the door. She would not appreciate him taking her place on the slim chance their visitor was not Ephraim, but instead someone who meant her harm. She was more comfortable protecting him than the other way around. Upon opening the door, Ephraim’s familiar voice filtered into the room. Arhyen let out a sigh of relief.

  “Dratted, yellow-bellied, boot-licking, scobberlotcher,” Ephraim grumbled as he entered the room. He wore his same outfit from earlier, a charcoal three-piece suit topped by a tan overcoat, though a fedora no longer covered his short blond hair.

  “What’s this about scobberlotchers?” Arhyen asked, remaining on the sofa.

  Liliana shut the door behind Ephraim and locked it. “What’s a scobberlotcher?”

  “The Captain of the Watch,” Ephraim growled, stepping further into the room. “I ran across him on my way here, and he had the audacity to claim my work of late has been subpar and lazy. I have perhaps had less time to focus on my assigned cases, but I have not been lazy a single day in my life.”

  Arhyen smirked. “Not since birth I imagine.”

  “Precisely,” Ephraim replied haughtily. He glanced around the room, then over his shoulder to Liliana. “Are we ready to go? I’ve acquired a carriage for the evening.”

  Liliana nodded excitedly and Arhyen bit his tongue. It was not his place to keep her out of danger. Perhaps if he kept telling himself that, it would eventually begin to feel like the truth.

  He stood and began gathering his things. His satchel had been freshly equipped with some of his remaining smoke bombs, extra blades, and a small lantern. He had no idea what this meeting might entail, but he wanted to be prepared.

  “Let’s go,” he sighed.

  Normally a mysterious, late-night meeting would be the kind of adventure he was always up for, but tonight was different. There was a portentous feeling in the air, and a nagging worm in his gut telling him to just stay inside where it was safe.

  Not noticing his unease, Liliana opened the door, and she and Ephraim ventured out into the night. He hurried after them, hoping his anxiety was merely him being overprotective of Liliana, though he doubted it. His gut had never led him wrong in the past, and he didn’t see why it would start now.

  Liliana hurried through the darkness with Arhyen and Ephraim. She wore what she thought of as her stealthy nighttime boots, muffling her footsteps even more than the men’s. She couldn’t wait to see the carriage Ephraim had acquired. She’d never ridden in one before. She’d never had any need to, since she’d spent the entirety of her previous life in or around her father’s compound.

  Her thoughts almost made her trip. She really needed to stop thinking of Fairfax Breckinridge as her father. He’d been her creator, and her master, and that was all. She should not miss him, and occasionally wish he were still alive. She forced her thoughts away. She was her own woman now, and would never obey a master again, despite her origins.

  They turned down a dark street, and a large, angular shape came into view. A shape that did not normally reside on that particular street. The carriage. They slowed their pace as they approached it, and Liliana observed the conveyance in the darkness.

  It was larger than she’d expected, similar in shape to a normal carriage, but with an exterior that appeared to be made out of metal. It was difficult to tell since the entire thing was painted black, save the circular symbol of the Watch done in gold over the door.

  “Where are the horses?” she questioned.

  Ephraim stepped toward the vehicle and produced a key to open the door. “It’s coal powered,” he explained.

  He opened the door and stepped inside while Liliana and Arhyen waited on the street. Moments later, a rumbling sound emanated from within the carriage.

  Ephraim peeked his head back out. “Fortunately the boiler remained warm enough while we were away. We should be able to leave shortly.”

  He withdrew back into the carriage, leaving the door wide open.

  Liliana glanced at Arhyen, wondering if they were supposed to climb inside now, and was surprised to see distaste clear in his expression.

  Not noticing her gaze, he mumbled something that sounded like, “Coal powered monstrosity,” then stepped forward to peek inside. Once he’d had a good look, he stepped back and held out a hand to her. “Up you go,” he instructed.

  She hurried forward and took his hand, steadying herself as she climbed the metal steps up into the carriage. Ephraim stood near the back of the conveyance, shoveling more coal into the boiler before sliding the hatch shut with a loud screech. In front of the boiler were two rows of uncomfortable looking metal benches, made to fit three people apiece, lined up behind a central seat with a large wheel within reach.

  Finished with the boiler, Ephraim moved to the front seat behind the wheel while Arhyen shut the carriage door. Not wanting to be caught standing if Ephraim suddenly urged the carriage into movement, Liliana plopped herself down in the center of the first bench. Arhyen double-checked that the door was latched, then sat beside her.

  “You know this isn’t exactly a covert way to travel!” he called to Ephraim over the rumbling sound of the boiler.

  Not seeming to hear him, Ephraim fiddled with a few knobs near the wheel in front of him. Lights mounted on the front of the carriage suddenly bathed the cobblestones ahead of them with their dim yellow glow, then the carriage lurched into motion.

  Liliana gripped the seat beneath her for dear life, hoping the carriage would not move nearly as fast as the one train she’d ridden in. She watched as Ephraim turned the wheel in front of him, and the carriage obeyed by turning in the same direction down another street.

  “While it might not be the most inconspicuous mode of travel,” Ephraim announced, keeping his gaze on the street ahead of them, “it will be assumed by any late-night passersby that we are on official Watch business. No one will bother us, and we’ll stop a few blocks away from London Bridge to continue on foot.”

  “And everyone will know just what direction we went in,” Arhyen murmured, quiet enough that Ephraim did not hear.

  They rounded another corner onto the Market District’s main street. Liliana’s jaw dropped. Had they really made it there so quickly? The coal carriage was marvelous. She had no idea where London Bridge was, but imagined they would arrive there any minute. She gazed out the small window mounted in the door at the passing street lamps, then was suddenly wracked with nausea. Why was she so dizzy?

  She turned a questioning gaze to Arhyen, knowing her discomfort was likely clear on her face.

  “You look a little . . . ” he trailed off, frowning at her in the dim light.

  She clutched her stomach and hunched over, feeling like she might lose her supper. What on earth was going on? As an automaton, she could not contract illnesses, and was quite unfamiliar with the feeling of stomach upset.

  “Might want to stop for a moment!” Arhyen called out to Ephraim.

  The slowing of the coal carriage was an immense relief. Once all movement had ceased, Arhyen stood and opened the door, then took her hand to guide her outside.

  She almost felt better as the cool night air hit her face, though she still felt like her stomach might expel its contents. “I’m not sure . . . ” she began as Arhyen guided her to the edge of the dark street.

  They’d passed through the Market District fortunately. No street lamps illuminated the quiet space around them, nor were there any passersby.

  “I believe you’re ill from the motion,” Arhyen explained softly, placing a gentle hand on her back while she attempted to recover. “It can happen on trains too.”

  “Like what happens to those out at sea?” she asked, then quickly covered he
r mouth with her gloved hand.

  “This way,” he whispered, guiding her toward the side of a darkened shop.

  She forced her feet to move forward onto the wooden planking in front of the store. She had a feeling Arhyen was attempting to guide her past it, but they had not moved soon enough. She stopped and hunched over. Up came her supper to splatter across the wooden planks. Arhyen’s comforting hand remained on her back.

  “Oh no,” she groaned. She felt much better, but had made a vile mess right by the small storefront. Worse, she’d done it right in front of Arhyen. At least Ephraim had remained within the coal carriage.

  She wiped at her mouth with her glove, and was prepared to return to the carriage, when something made her shoulders tense. It wasn’t a noise, or movement caught out of the corner of her eye, just a general feeling of unease. Instinct? Yes, that was what she’d call it.

  She looked up into Arhyen’s sympathetic eyes, gently reflecting the moonlight beneath his bowler cap. “I feel as if someone is watching us,” she whispered.

  His eyes widened just a hair, though he did not glance around. Instead, he seemed to relax. His head shifted minutely, as if listening for sounds of approach.

  After a moment, he met her gaze, then flicked his eyes to the right, toward the narrow corridor dividing the nearby shop from the next.

  Liliana tensed. She had a few daggers concealed beneath her clothing, but was unsure if she should draw them yet. For all they knew, they were just being watched by more LN spies who would not impede them from going about their business. Something told her this instance was different though, and whoever was hiding between the buildings meant them harm. Yet, how did they know where to wait in ambush? The stopping of the coal carriage was complete happenstance.

  While she was internally analyzing the scenario, Arhyen had casually moved a few steps toward the divide between the buildings, pretending to look for something he’d dropped. Apparently they wouldn’t be leaving without finding out who was watching them.

  She eased the fingers of her right hand beneath her left sleeve and withdrew the dagger from the sheath strapped around her wrist. If anyone suddenly charged Arhyen, she would guard his back.