Soul Singer_Iron Souls, Book Two

by Becca Andre

  To Briar’s surprise, Perseus’s gaze shifted to her. “I see. We will discuss it. Kali.” Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked away.

  Kali spared everyone another frown, then wordlessly hurried after him.

  “What just happened?” Briar asked.

  Grayson faced her. “I’m negotiating your protection.”

  “I don’t need any. I’m not having those Scourge on my boat.” She sure as hell wasn’t putting up with Kali’s mouth, and Perseus made her nervous. She didn’t trust him not to shoot Grayson at some point.

  “Farran will now be coming after you.”

  “What do you mean he’ll be coming after Miss Briar?” Eli demanded.

  “He knows she holds my leash,” Grayson answered.

  “I hold your construct,” Briar corrected. “You don’t have a leash.”

  “You put her in danger?” Eli demanded, closing the distance between him and Grayson.

  “Eli.” Briar tried to step between them.

  “If you had a shred of decency, you would leave,” Eli continued to Grayson.

  “It’s not that simple,” Grayson shot back, sounding just as angry. “She holds my construct.”

  “That excuse is growing thin. Be a man. Take your metal trinket and leave.”

  “He can’t,” Briar cut in. “That’s why we’re going to Cleveland. His ferra friend is going to show me how to undo it.”

  Eli rubbed a large hand over his face. “No gentleman would put a lady in this kind of danger.”

  Briar tipped her head back and growled her frustration at the sky.

  “That’s why I’m trying to secure protection for her.” Grayson sounded just as frustrated.

  “You really think these Scourge can protect her?” Eli asked.

  “They are not entirely human and have been trained from birth to take down the inhuman. When Farran returns, they will take care of him.”

  “You’d allow them to kill one of your own?” The skepticism was heavy in Eli’s tone.

  “If I felt differently, I would have already joined ranks with Solon.”

  Eli’s eyes narrowed as he studied Grayson.

  “Are you two about done?” Briar asked. “We need to—”

  “I don’t want to go against you, Miss Briar,” Eli cut her off, “but if we can’t get rid of the ferromancer—this ferromancer,” he gestured at Grayson, “then maybe these Scourge can keep you safe.”

  “They can,” Grayson spoke between clenched teeth.

  “Then I say we let ‘em aboard,” Eli finished.

  “You two agree on something? Well, I reckon hell just froze over,” Briar said. “Fine. I’ll go along, but we’ve yet to see if they’ll be joining us.”

  “I’m sure they will,” Eli said. “You are a magnet for inhuman freaks.” Eli headed back to the boat, bumping Grayson’s shoulder with his own as he passed.

  Grayson glared after him.

  Briar sat at the table across from Molly. They were both dressed for bed, their hair wet from their respective baths. It was a chore to drag out the tub and heat the water, so Briar had taken the opportunity to grab a bath, as well. It had been a quick one. Contrary to Grayson’s reassurance that Farran wouldn’t attack now that he thought they had Scourge with them, she wasn’t confident enough for a leisurely bath.

  The boat had been tied up for the night, a good four miles north of Roscoe. She hoped that Darby had decided to return to his home stretch on the southern section of the canal, but two hundred dollars was a huge draw. Not to mention, the satisfaction of taking her down. She figured he’d chase after her for that reason alone. But Darby was a concern for later.

  “It’s a lot to take in.” Molly lowered her teacup, and it rattled against the saucer. “Even after everything I saw.”

  “I know,” Briar agreed. “I felt the same, though my introduction was more gradual than yours.”

  “So Andrew is…dead?” Molly whispered. She clasped her cup in both hands, maybe for warmth, or maybe just holding it steady.

  “Soulless, but Grayson insists that it’s the same thing.”

  “I knew Andrew would let nothing stand in the way of his ambitions, but this…” She shook her head. “Who would even consider such a thing?”

  “I guess it’s a form of immortality.”

  “Why live forever if you’re not alive?”

  “I don’t get all the finer points. You can ask Grayson about it if you need a better explanation.”

  Molly looked up from her teacup. “He’s really a ferromancer?”

  “Yes.”

  “But he’s nothing like the other one. That… thing.”

  It was Briar’s turn to study her tea. “Ferromancers devolve. Over time, their flesh is replaced by metal. They lose their humanity, becoming things.”

  “And Grayson knows this?”

  “He’s known since he was a child. The females of his race, the ferra, lock away the male children. To control them and attempt to delay their devolvement, they cut out their hearts.”

  “What?” Molly stared at her with wide eyes. “You don’t mean—”

  “Yes, I do. They literally cut them open and take out the heart. A ferromancer will instantly replace the organ with a metal one. The ferra then place the heart in a construct that the ferromancer has created. It becomes an automaton.”

  Molly just stared at her. Briar knew it was a lot to take in, but it was time Molly knew the whole truth.

  “I’ll show you.” Briar touched the necklace that encircled her throat. “Lock, I’d like to introduce you to Molly.”

  A pause, then she felt a burst of static around her neck. A slight weight settled on her shoulder accompanied by a questioning whirr.

  Molly sprang to her feet. “Dear God.”

  Lock huddled a little closer to Briar’s neck.

  “It’s all right,” she told him, reaching up to rub her finger beneath his chin. “Molly has never seen a construct.”

  Lock’s whirr suggested surprise.

  “Most people haven’t seen one,” Briar explained. “Especially one as beautiful as you.”

  Lock straightened on her shoulder, and she could see him spread his wings in her peripheral vision.

  Briar laughed. “Stop showing off.”

  Molly took a step closer, a hint of a smile on her face.

  “Molly, this is Lock, Grayson’s construct.”

  Lock hopped down to land on the table.

  “You mean he’s made from…” Molly continued to stare at Lock.

  “Grayson designed and built him, but yes, his animation came from Grayson’s own heart.”

  Lock leaned over to look in Briar’s teacup.

  “Grayson still has the scar down the center of his chest,” Briar added.

  “Jesus,” Molly whispered.

  Lock snorted and jerked his head out of the cup, a drop of tea hanging off his nose.

  “Careful.” Briar wiped the tea from his nose. “These are my aunt’s teacups. I don’t want them to get broken.”

  Lock’s wings drooped at the chastisement.

  “Don’t pout.” Briar rubbed him beneath the chin once more.

  Molly returned to her seat, still watching Lock with a mixture of amazement and concern. “Grayson made this?”

  “He built him when he was just a child.” Briar smiled as she watched Lock. “Grayson’s incredibly talented at mechanical design—and not just because he’s a ferromancer. He wanted to be an inventor, converting ferro-technology into something everyone can use. But that was before Solon forced his final casting on him.”

  “What’s a final casting?”

  “It’s when a ferromancer comes into his full
power—and kicks off his devolvement. At some point, Lock will become a permanent part of him once more. The ferromancer you saw tonight has already assimilated his construct. Grayson said it was a wolf, hence the name Lupus. Ferromancers are named for the form their constructs take. Grayson’s ferromancer name is Drake.”

  Molly’s hand came to rest atop hers, and Briar realized that she had been rambling.

  “I’m sorry,” Molly said. “I know you like him.”

  “We’ve become friends.” Briar shrugged.

  Molly squeezed her hand. “I like him, too. Though the ferromancer thing is going to take some getting used to.”

  “He’s no different from any other man, at the moment.”

  “How long does he have?”

  “I don’t know exactly, but I don’t think it’s very long. I guess dragons devolve quickly. That’s why he wants me to take him to Cleveland. He’s giving himself back to the ferra,” she finished in a whisper.

  “He told you that?”

  “Yes. I tried to talk him out of it, but after seeing Farran…” She shook her head. “It’s the responsible thing to do.”

  It wasn’t until she spoke the words that Briar realized she truly believed that. Sure, she had a few ferra-like talents, but what could she really do to help Grayson? Hell, full-blooded ferra had been trying to save the males of their race for who knew how long. Though she had vilified them, she wondered if that was fair. Unless the ferra were born as monstrous as the males would become, it must be horrible to watch the men they care about die.

  A worried coo came from Lock, who gazed up at her with concerned eyes.

  “No, Lock. Don’t summon him. I’m just a little sad. He can’t fix this.”

  Lock’s answering whirr was mournful.

  “That’s life.” She stroked a finger along his glossy cheek. “There are some fights you can’t win.”

  Lock snapped his jaws.

  “I’m not giving up,” she answered with equal heat. “I’m just…” She didn’t know how to finish that.

  Molly moved around to sit down beside her and pulled her into a hug. “She’ll be all right, Lock. She just needs a hug.”

  Lock lifted his head, the whirr that followed assertive.

  Briar’s cheeks warmed with the image that popped into her mind. “No, Lock.”

  “He just suggested Grayson do the hugging, didn’t he?” Molly asked, a smile in her voice.

  “He’s an automaton made from the heart of a child. He doesn’t understand.”

  Lock snapped his jaws again.

  Molly chuckled. “He appears to understand better than you think.” Molly squeezed her. “You can confide in me, Briar.”

  “About what?”

  “Grayson.”

  “I just told you everything.”

  “You told me everything about what it means to be a ferromancer, but you told me very little about the man… and how you feel about him.”

  Briar pulled back. “He’s my friend.” She scrubbed a tear from her cheek. “And as a friend, I care about him, just as I care about every member of my crew.”

  “All right.” Molly got to her feet. “I won’t pry.”

  Briar stood, as well. “Molly, I—”

  Molly held up a hand. “No, I’m serious. This is your business. Just know that I am here if you need to talk.”

  She opened her mouth, a denial on the tip of her tongue, but stopped. No need to appear too defensive. Molly would probably read something into that, as well.

  “Thank you,” Briar said. “Come on, Lock. Time to get some sleep. Tell Molly good night.”

  Lock gave her a happy whirr and flew to Briar’s shoulder.

  “He is adorable,” Molly laughed. “Good night, Lock. Good night, Briar.”

  A wave, and Briar ducked into her alcove. She dropped onto her bunk, her body so exhausted from this over-long day, and closed her eyes.

  It was late, or more accurately, early, but sleep was elusive. Briar lay staring up at the ceiling. She had asked Grayson to sleep on board tonight. Had he made his pallet on the deck above her? Was sleep elusive for him, as well?

  A soft whirr, and Lock rubbed his cheek to hers.

  “Tell Grayson good night,” she whispered.

  A happy coo answered her.

  “Thank him for sleeping on deck and tell him I’ll get him an iron dolly to cuddle with next time.”

  She wasn’t certain how that would translate. She knew Lock’s communications weren’t verbatim, but—

  A burst of amusement washed over her, followed by the sensation of how uncomfortable it would be to roll over on an iron dolly.

  Briar stilled. Lock wouldn’t have come up with that on his own. Grayson had answered her.

  With a questioning whirr, Lock nudged her. Was he puzzled by her reaction or waiting for a response to send Grayson?

  “Tell him to get to sleep or I’ll get him an iron porcupine instead,” she whispered.

  An instant later, she felt another burst of amusement followed by the sensation of fingers pricked by the thorns of a rose bush.

  She grinned. “Yes, mind the thorns.”

  The sensation that followed was a complicated impression that the prick of the thorns was worth the gentle brush of cool rose petals and their fragrant scent. It was an innocent image, a simple pleasure, yet her cheeks warmed.

  “Tell the Gray Dragon to go to sleep,” she whispered.

  The image that followed was a magnificent silver dragon, his great wings folded and curled up in sleep.

  Briar smiled. “Which one of you sent me that?” She brushed a finger along Lock’s glossy scales and rolled over onto her side. “Good night, my fearsome dragon,” she whispered to the little automaton.

  With something like a purr, he curled up beside her. Briar closed her eyes, finding comfort in Grayson’s humor and Lock’s affection. The despair retreated, for now.

  The teakettle’s whistle was accompanied by a knock at the cabin door.

  “Come in,” Briar called out. She and Molly were up and dressed, though the sun was just beginning to turn the eastern horizon pink. The day started early on the canal.

  The door opened, and Grayson stepped into the room. “Good morning,” he greeted them. His blue-gray eyes met hers, a smile already on his lips.

  Lock let out a squeal and flew from his place on the table to Grayson’s shoulder.

  “Good morning,” Briar greeted him, carrying the kettle to the table.

  Molly added her greeting, though she was watching Lock rub against Grayson’s cheek.

  “Someone is happy he doesn’t have to hide anymore,” Briar said to fill the silence.

  “So he tells me.” Grayson gave her a knowing look.

  “I’m going to take the coffee out.” Molly gathered the tin mugs and the blue enamel coffee pot, then left the cabin.

  “So, which of us is your fearsome dragon?” Grayson asked once they were alone.

  Briar blushed, realizing that Lock must have sent that, too. “Lock, of course.”

  Grayson smirked. “Of course.” He crossed to the stove and took down the cast-iron skillet. “You’re getting really good at that.”

  “All I do is ask Lock to relay a message.” She shrugged. “I’m not sure how well he translates it.”

  “He’s only the conduit.”

  She looked up. “What are you saying?”

  “You’re starting to figure out how to use our connection.” He gestured at Lock who still sat on his shoulder.

  She didn’t know what to say.

  “I met a soul singer once. She didn’t need to capture a piece of my soul to speak to me. It scared the hell out of me. Of course, I was just a child.” He shrugged.
“That’s how I recognized what you could do—through the violin.”

  “I don’t know what I’m doing.” Dear God, what if she accidentally shared something private?

  “You’re learning. It just takes practice.”

  “Why do I need practice? You’ll be severing Lock in a few days.”

  His expression sobered. “I’m not the only ferromancer in the world. Maybe you’ll need the skills again one day.”

  “I very much doubt it.” She walked toward the door. “I’ll go get the boat underway. We can get a few miles in while you make breakfast.”

  “Aye, aye.”

  She glanced back, but he had already turned to the stove.

  Molly returned to the cabin before anything else could be said. “Coffee served.”

  “Thank you,” Briar said. “I’ll leave you two to breakfast.” Forcing a smile she didn’t feel, she left the cabin.

  The morning passed in the usual, smooth routine she expected from her crew. After breakfast, Grayson joined Zach on the towpath. Briar was pleased to see them getting along, but she still found it strange that her wooden boat, floating on the water, made Grayson uncomfortable. Even if he wasn’t devolving into a monster who needed to be turned over to the ferra, he wouldn’t want to remain here. No wonder he preferred to work for a transportation system that ran on iron rails.

  She shook her head in an effort to dispel the melancholy. Gathering the clean breakfast dishes, she carried them back to her cabin for storage.

  Molly was already inside putting out the fire in anticipation of the heat of the day. She straightened with a smile as Briar sat the basket of dishes on the table.

  “You look happy,” Briar said.

  “I am happy. Eli said the eggs were perfect, and Jimmy claimed those were the best fried potatoes he’s ever eaten—making me swear not to tell Mildred, of course.”

  “Breakfast was exceptional,” Briar agreed. Grayson had told them that Molly had manned the stove, and he had been relegated to slicing potatoes.

  Molly’s grin grew.