Drawings of lines and charts filled the book, but Reece was at a loss to know what any of it meant. A funnel drawing marked the center of the page. “Is this a depiction of a vortex?”
“Yes, but not the one you saw. This one arrived near the river. Several people saw others sucked in. It was a busy area, but only a handful of people saw the event.”
The door shut and both men turned to find Elizabeth in trousers, a blouse, and a long coat. Her sword strapped tight to her leg, she was prepared for anything. “Good afternoon, my lord.”
“Miss Smyth, I’m so pleased you’re here.” Shafton waved her over.
Her eyebrows rose comically, and she looked to Reece.
He shrugged and imitated Shafton’s excited waving.
“You see here, Miss Smyth. This thing you experienced has happened before. Twice that we know of, here in London in the last few weeks.” The way he said it left the end open.
Reece squinted at the lines and numbers on the page, trying to make sense of it. “And it happened at some earlier date as well?”
“Yes, so you see.” He pointed to a string of numbers.
Elizabeth took the chair behind the desk, turned the book, and studied the page. “What do all of these numbers mean, my lord? Are they dates?”
“Yes. My, you are as clever as I had heard.”
If her eyes got any wider, they would pop from her pretty face. “Um, not so clever that I can decipher the remaining numbers.”
“Of course not. It’s a code of my own.” He rounded the desk. “Here, let me show you.”
Reece stared down at the book over her shoulder. “Lord Shafton, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you quite so enthusiastic.”
“I tell you, Foxjohn, I’m on to something here. With your help, we might find a pattern. We know next to nothing about the enemy other than how to kill his soldiers.”
Many in The Company considered Shafton a villain in the battle against the demons. Lillian and Dorian discovered recently that he was responsible for allowing the demons into the world of men. Yet when he had asked Lillian about the incident, she had laid the blame with the demon master. She said Shafton had been young and arrogant, but the demons would have found a way in regardless of his actions. He had been a pawn in the opening of the initial gate. The fact remained, the demon world withered, and they needed a new realm in which to live. Nothing would have stopped them.
No one hated Shafton more than Lillian did. If she could have blamed him, she would have. According to Lillian, if not for Shafton’s dedication to correcting his error, when the demons found a way into the world, there would have been no Company to hold them off all these years. The possibility of where the demons would be without the opposition of The Company sent a chill up his spine.
If Shafton had clues to the goals of their enemy, they would help them sort it. “Explain all of these numbers and drawings to us, my lord, and we will tell you everything that occurred both in the park and at the school. Perhaps together we can make some strides.”
Shafton flipped pages and showed them page after page of recorded incidents of demons coming into the world and leaving as well. He had notes on the use of gates as opposed to these funnels of swirling air. He also had notations about the occasions when vortexes pulled humans in. He noted the date, weather, moon cycle, and a dozen other astrological variables.
Elizabeth stood up and went to the door. “Garvey?”
The butler stepped through the door an instant later. “Yes, miss.”
“Can you have a couple of footmen bring the blackboard from the training room?”
“You want it brought into the study?”
“If you would, please.”
“As you wish, miss.”
“Since Mr. Foxjohn’s progress has been so swift and I didn’t use it, we shall put it to good use now.”
“What are you doing, Lizzy? Are we going to have a musical lesson?”
Her smile made his heart pound. “I have an idea that may help us put all of his lordship’s fine notations into some perspective.”
Four footmen were needed to move the heavy piece of slate.
Garvey gave direction until the board was in place. He handed Elizabeth a chalk stick and bowed out of the room.
She went to the board and drew a long line from left to right down the middle of the board. At one end, she jotted the opening of the first gate.
“Brilliant.” Shafton rounded the desk with his book in hand and joined her at the board. He read out each incident with the corresponding date.
Elizabeth wrote each one along the line she’d made and drew a line vertically for each event.
When completed, they all stood back and examined the timeline.
Shafton tossed his book on a chair. “It is likely we have missed events from time to time.”
Reece followed the lines as they mounted and grew sporadically through time. Just before, and for a time after the ascension, the events had no space between them. The activity gapped for months before a steady increase. “There is no sense in worrying about that, my lord. You have compiled all we know, and now it is clear the events have had increases and lulls over the years.”
“Something else is clear.” Elizabeth put down the chalk stick. “They are building to a bigger event in spite of the master’s condition or because of it. Shortly after the ascension, there were a few months of quiet, but the incidents have steadily increased since then.”
“My lord, your daughter mentioned you have a theory about the weather. She said you noted a pattern of some kind?” Reece asked.
“Indeed.” He grabbed his book again. “See here. I’ve noted the increase in rain and thunderstorms. I believe it corresponds with the increase in demonic activity.”
“Now we must also fear the weather. Will this never end?” Elizabeth collapsed onto a settee.
Shafton sat beside her. “Do not lose hope, my dear. We are making progress. Besides, without hope, we truly will be lost.”
Reece picked up the book. The weather notes included locations on many pages. “How do you know what the weather is in all these locals, my lord?”
“I receive notification via post from local folk. Usually, the vicar in an area is willing to send me anything of interest.”
“And this note here from three days ago near Richmond?”
“Yes, that notice arrived just this morning. They’ve had terrible thunderstorms for several days without any relief.”
“Strange, we are so close yet the weather has not reached us.”
Elizabeth sat up. “Tally. Do you think they have her there?”
“I think it is worth a look, don’t you?”
Her nod may have appeared a mild response, but her hands shook and her eyes brightened. “Can we go immediately?”
“Tally is one of the women who was to be sacrificed with you, Elizabeth?” A scowl marred Shafton’s face.
“Yes, she’s gone missing.”
“When was that?”
“Three days ago.”
Shafton marked the timeline with Tally’s name. “You two had better get going. It will be dark in a few hours. Do you mind if I remain here and consider our new tool?”
“Not at all, my lord. Make yourself at home.” Reece turned toward the door but stopped. Wide-eyed, Carlotta waited in the doorway.
“You’re leavin’, sir?”
He approached and handed her into the room. “Miss Smyth and I have some business to take care of this afternoon, but be assured, you are safe here. I have footmen at every door. No one will bother you here.”
“I ’eard you mention Tally, miss.”
“Yes. She’s gone missing. We are going to try to find her, Carlotta.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders slumped. She’d dressed in a simple frock likely borrowed from one of the servants. She’d lost a lot of weight since they’d first encountered her, and her stay in Bedlam had left her
wane and sickly looking.
“Maybe you should go back to bed. You have been through quite an ordeal.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ve ’ad enough of bein’ in bed. I ’ave terrible dreams.”
Shafton cleared his throat. “I do not believe I’ve had the pleasure of making this lady’s acquaintance.”
Reece had his doubts about introducing an earl to a woman of ill repute, but he bowed. “Forgive me, my lord. I am remiss in my duties as host. Miss Carlotta, this is David Clayton, the Earl of Shafton.”
Shafton stepped forward and bowed. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Carlotta.”
Carlotta made an awkward curtsy. “Pleasure’s mine, mi’lord. If you would, mi real name’s Connie Mewborn. Carlotta is just a name I made up years ago.”
“And a fine name it was too, but Connie is a much finer name, if you do not mind my saying so.” He threaded her hand through his elbow and led her to a chair facing the blackboard. “Perhaps you might like to help me with a few problems we are trying to work out this evening, Miss Mewborn. While our friends are out, I could certainly use the help.”
“Oh, ’ow can I ’elp?”
“Well, we have created a timeline. Perhaps you can add your experiences to the story, and we can go over the results.”
“I’ll do mi best.”
Reece and Elizabeth rushed out of the room.
“Do you think she should be out of bed, let alone working?” Elizabeth worried her hands and looked back at the study door.
“It may be the best thing for her. For months, people have been telling her everything she sees is untrue. Even Dr. Barns thought it necessary to put her in an asylum like a madwoman. At least with Shafton, someone will take her seriously.”
“What if she is mad?”
“I still do not see any harm.”
“Well, at least she will have company. I’ll just ask Matilda to check in on them from time to time and make sure Connie does not over do it.”
She ran to the servants’ stairs. It was a rare thing for a person to rush from an earl’s company to that of a maid and be comfortable in both settings. Elizabeth straddled the lines of class better than anyone he’d ever seen. She would do well in The Company.
* * * *
It might have been wiser to go to the office first and gather some additional hunters, but Reece was not convinced their theory held any weight. They might arrive in Richmond and find nothing but some rain. Still, Tally deserved their full attention, and they would follow what clues they had. They headed southwest out of the city.
“What do you know about Richmond?” Elizabeth secured several throwing knives, a dagger, and her sword for the third time.
“It’s on the Thames and there is the palace. Perhaps that’s a good place to start. The old property is not currently in use.”
“Do you think Demons are using a royal palace without anyone noticing?”
“I do not know, love, but it would not surprise me.” He took her hand from the hilt of her sword and kissed her knuckles. Perhaps they should have brought more people. How would he protect her? His legs were still weak and his endurance nowhere near hunter-ready.
She pulled her hand away and checked the throwing knives strapped across her chest. “No, I suppose not. Demons have no regard for anything and the master is obsessed with royalty.”
“At the moment, his focus appears to have changed. He has unfinished business. Maybe you should not be on this assignment.”
“Reece, if you are going to treat me like a child, we are going to have a problem working together. I can take care of myself. You would do well to remember that.”
He stared out the window at the countryside. “I know you can. I’ve seen you in action, and you are a superb fighter. That is not the issue.”
“What is then?”
“You are the target of the master at this time. We are heading into a situation that might very well be handing you directly over to the master. I do not like it.”
She cocked her head. “We will just have to be very careful.”
He turned away from the view and captured her gaze. “I could not bear to lose you. I will not tolerate you taking unnecessary risks, Lizzy.”
The way her head tipped to one side made her look even younger. “I have no wish to become a pawn in the master’s game. I will endeavor to keep out of his clutches.”
“See that you do. Though, I often feel we are all merely pieces on his chessboard.”
The hour grew late when they reached Richmond and headed toward the river.
“Stop. Driver, stop the carriage.” Elizabeth held the side of her head and searched outside the carriage window.
“What is it, Lizzy? We still have a few miles before we reach the palace.”
“He’s close. I can feel him.”
The carriage slowed to a stop, and they jumped down. They were in a park-like area with tall trees and fields. To the north stood a church and graveyard, and to the south, a village.
“There.” She pointed at the church.
The rumble of wheels on the road pulled their attention back in the direction they’d come. A dark vehicle barreled toward them. Reece pulled his pistol from inside his coat. He called to the driver. “Stay low and out of harm’s way.”
Elizabeth drew her sword.
Had it not been so drizzly they might have noticed the driver’s shock of blond hair much sooner. “Good god, Thor. You gave us a start. We thought we had demons on our heels.”
“No. Just me, oh and Mr. Douglas.”
Thaddeus Douglas jumped from the carriage. “We went to your house, and his lordship told us where you were headed.”
“What did you want that was important enough to send you chasing across the country after us?”
The Scot shrugged. “I received a very unhappy note today from Dr. Barns about the state of Bedlam. I wanted to hear the account first hand and meet your houseguest. The earl wouldn’t let me near her. Protective like she was his own daughter, he was.”
“She’s been through a lot. I’m sure Shafton just wanted to make sure she would not be harmed by an inquisition,” Elizabeth said.
Reece had a dozen questions, but Thor interrupted. “Why are you stopped here?”
“The church, I think the master might be inside that church.” She pushed wet hair off her face.
“Bloody hell and the two of you were going to go in there alone?”
Reece had run the London office for years before this young upstart arrived. “I do not answer to you, Mr. Douglas. I think it important you remember that fact at all times.
Thaddeus’s neck burned bright red.
“However, when we left London, we did not have any notion of confronting the master himself. We came to see if a young woman is a captive in the area. She went missing three nights ago, and we are seeing if her whereabouts corresponds to weather patterns Shafton has been tracking.”
“Weather?”
“I think we should go and take a look. Tally might still be alive.” Elizabeth started forward on foot.
“Thor, the three of us will go take a look. Once we’re inside, bring the carriages forward in case we need to make a hasty retreat.” Reece jogged forward to catch up with her, and Thaddeus followed.
None of them made another sound. No light came through the church’s arched windows. The stone crumbled, and the bell hung crookedly in the tower. The memory of the horrible place where he had first found Elizabeth punched him in the gut. It too had been a holy place abandoned by humans.
“This church is not in use. I read a report from Dorian and Lillian about this type of thing,” Thaddeus whispered, but his voice shook and his pace quickened.
The small graveyard next to the church was overgrown, and a few of the stones had fallen over.
“It is not a good sign that this is an abandoned holy place.” Reece had read the same report and jogged t
o keep up. Whiffs of sulfur permeated the air and grew stronger as they drew closer.
“You two, see if there is a back entrance.” Thaddeus headed for the front.
Elizabeth rushed toward the big Scott. “I think we should remain together. We’re not a big enough team to split up, and we do not know what we’ll find inside.”
Split between knowing she was right and a surge of jealousy, Reece had to quell the unreasonable emotion. “We stay together.”
They skulked around to the back of the church. Weeds and saplings grew rampant in the area. An eerie quiet settled on the place with no chanting or other signs of demon worship.
The hair on the back of Reece’s neck stood on end. “Lizzy, how is your head?”
“The pain continues, but I am fit to fight or flee.”
Pushing through the tall grass, they rounded the gray stone church. The sun dipped below the tops of the old English oaks casting shadows across the building. Three steps and a landing led to the back door.
His legs already ached more than he’d like to admit. His shoulder gave him a pang of pain, but he ignored it. He’d been worried about Elizabeth, but in truth, he was not quite battle ready.
She touched his arm. “Are you ready for this?”
Was this sense she had for the master extended to him as well? “I will do my best.”
A grin, which tightened his chest and his groin, spread across her face before she turned toward the door.
The old latch lifted without trouble. In the silence, the low click resonated like a hammer struck an anvil. The hinges squealed with lack of use. The stench of death and filth blasted from the open door, leaving no doubt demons had taken over this church. She only managed a few inches before she needed help to get the heavy door to move.
Reece saved his energy and allowed Thaddeus to push the door. Ego had no place in this business.
The room they entered had no lantern or candle. With the windows blocked, all light fled, and the three hunters walked into complete darkness. No sound guided their way.
He reached out until his hand landed on the heavy, long coat she wore. He felt for her shoulder and hoped this new connection with the master would lead them where they needed to go and not get them all killed.
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