“I want to adopt them all,” I said, wiping my eyes as we walked away.
“You’d need a mansion in Rise to fit them all,” Quinn said matter-of-factly. “Does Fancy Pants own a mansion?”
“No, we live in Way.” Already my mind was spinning, wondering if we could somehow get the children to Rise. I couldn’t see Parnaby agreeing to that, though. He relied heavily on the rich people of Rise for donations to help the slums, but transporting a bunch of children from the slums to Rise wouldn’t sit well with everyone. People like Raynard, who already felt Parnaby was taxing them too severely, were used to a certain way of life, and they would never agree to the mixing of the three sections. It was because of people like that, with their harsh prejudices, that Dusk was split into three. I might be able to help the slums, but I couldn’t unite the city. Even Parnaby wouldn’t be able to do it, not unless he used his magic to convince everyone to accept it.
We turned a corner and Vernen’s arm shot out, preventing me from going any farther. “Vernen?” His face was set in a frown as he stared at someone who was making their way toward us. Instead of answering me, he grabbed me by the arm and pushed me toward a doorway, ignoring my protests as he shielded me with his body.
“What’s going on?” Quinn asked, and she was promptly shushed by Vernen.
I strained to see over his shoulder. This was so unlike him, and my heart began thudding in fear. The figure grew closer, and I stifled a gasp when I realized it was Raynard who was about to pass us. It was as if I had summoned him from my thoughts because what else would explain his presence here? He may be a councilor of Dusk, but I was certain he never traveled this far south. Why get his hands dirty when he could hire someone to do it for him?
As he walked by, he turned his head and looked straight at me, our eyes locking. But there was no glimmer of recognition, and he continued on his way as if we didn’t even exist. Vernen let out a breath, and I was surprised to see sweat coating his face despite the cold. “Vernen?” I asked softly.
“What the heck is going on?” Quinn stomped her foot in indignation. “Was that someone you know? He looks like he’d be friends with Fancy Pants. You could tell by the way he dresses and carries himself, like he’s better than everyone else.”
“He’s a councilor. And he’s not a nice man,” I added, remembering our two horrible previous encounters.
Quinn looked confused. “What’s he doing down here? He was probably up to no good, if you ask me.” She flashed a dangerous smile. “Let’s follow him! I bet we can find out!”
Vernen grabbed her by the collar before she could run off. “No.”
“But—”
“We don’t want to be any part of that,” he said.
But what was that? I stared at Raynard’s retreating form until he turned the corner. Like Quinn, I wanted to follow him, to see what he was up to.
It couldn’t have been anything good.
I LAY IN BED, STARING at the ceiling. After our encounter with Raynard, we had returned to Way, separating from Quinn and heading home. I hadn’t been too surprised to find the house empty, but as the hours ticked by, I wondered where Leonid was, and when I’d see him again. Worry gnawed at me. No matter how hard I tried, it was impossible to forget that blank expression on his face as he left the kitchen under Parnaby’s orders. I knew that wasn’t Leonid’s fault, but it still hurt.
I was also bothered by what had happened after we left the orphanage. What was Raynard doing there? Could I ask Parnaby about this, or would he sneer and tell me to mind my business again? He had, after all, called me a terrible spy. I wasn’t in the mood to repeat that conversation.
But even more disturbing than Raynard’s sudden appearance was the fact that he had looked right at me and didn’t even acknowledge me. He saw us. The streets were narrow, and he was only a few feet from where we stood in the doorway. I hadn’t had my hood up, so my red curls would have been like a beacon. Maybe he simply hadn’t recognized me. I would believe that if it hadn’t been for the look on Vernen’s face after Raynard walked by. Why had it been so strained?
Had Vernen done something to prevent Raynard from recognizing us?
Terror crawled over my skin like insects. I didn’t want to believe it, but pretending like it didn’t happen wouldn’t help anyone. If Vernen was starting to show signs of magic…
I needed to stop this, but the question was, how? Was Vernen even aware of what he was doing? What if it was just happening? I didn’t want to frighten him. What if he told Leonid, who in turn told Parnaby? He wouldn’t hesitate to kill Vernen, even if my theory was wrong.
I would keep quiet for now, I decided. But I would watch Vernen closely, and if I saw any signs of magic…
Then what? Did I take Vernen and flee Dusk? My stomach dropped at the thought of leaving my home, and I prayed it wouldn’t come to that.
Another hour passed before I heard the front door opening. After lighting a candle, I crept to my door and opened it, listening to Leonid slowly climb the stairs. He paused outside of my room, his face drawn and waxy in the candlelight. I felt a surge of anger toward Parnaby. Leonid was exhausted, swaying on his feet as he stared at me. “Come in,” I whispered, not wanting to wake Vernen. Taking Leonid by the hand, I guided him into my room and had him sit down on my bed. I set my candle down on my dresser before sitting next to him. “Are you all right?”
He tiredly rubbed a hand over his face. Stubble dotted his cheeks, and his hair was wild and pointing in every direction. “I needed to see you.”
I felt a surge of happiness at his words. “Me too—”
“I need to tell you we can’t do this any longer,” Leonid said, speaking over me. I stared at him dumbly. “Parnaby was right. You’re a distraction. I’ve been trying to work on the case, but I keep thinking about you. I can’t do that. I have to focus on the crime, not on you, Irina. So we need to stop this. You can stay here, but I’ll move into Parnaby’s mansion. This is better for everyone.”
“Better for everyone?” I repeated, my words hot with anger. “Who is everyone, Leonid? Us, or Parnaby? Did he tell you to say this? Did he tell you to come here and have this conversation with me? Is he threatening you?”
Leonid shook his head. “No, this is me. But he’s right. Everything he said was right. You’re a distraction.”
“Stop saying that!” I grabbed his hand, squeezing it between both of mine. “We made a single mistake, but that doesn’t mean we have to punish ourselves over it! We don’t have to separate, and you don’t have to move out. Please, Leonid!”
“I…” His voice broke off, and he looked at me, really looked at me, for the first time since he entered his room. His eyes were confused. “What was I…? What did I just say?”
“Leonid?” Tears burned my eyes, but instead of wiping them away, I squeezed his hand harder.
“Lark.” He blinked once, twice, and suddenly he seemed more like himself. “Why did I…?” Cursing softly, he reached for me with his free hand, pulling me into his arms. “Lark, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Those words… I didn’t mean them. I don’t mean them. I don’t want to leave you, not now, not ever. Why would I say that?” His voice caught, and I was shocked to see he was having trouble holding back tears. “I hurt you. You’re crying.”
“No, no, it’s all right.” I let go of his hand to wipe my eyes, and then I reached up and brushed away the ones that trickled down his cheeks. “You’re tired, and you don’t know what you’re saying.”
“I felt so foggy,” he said shakily. “Then, somehow, you broke through the fog and I can’t—I can’t believe I said that, Lark.”
“It’s all right,” I repeated, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him close, so his head rested on my shoulder. “I’m not angry with you. You surprised me, that’s all. But I know you didn’t mean that, so I promise you I’m telling the truth when I say I’m not angry. It wasn’t your fault. None of this was your fault.”
Pa
rnaby. My fury grew hotter by the minute, and I forced myself to control it, lest Leonid see it on my face and think it was directed at him. How dare Parnaby try and compel Leonid into leaving me. How dare he!
“Can I stay here tonight?” Leonid whispered in my hair. “I promise I won’t do anything, but I need to hold you, to make sure you’ll still be with me.”
“I will always be with you,” I said. “And of course you can stay. Come on, let’s get these boots and that jacket off.”
The bed was small, but neither one of us complained as I curled up next to him, resting my head on his chest. His arm went around me, pulling me closer, and he whispered a sleepy goodnight before falling asleep. I watched him, too unnerved to sleep. I’d never seen Leonid look so lost before. Would this happen again and again until Parnaby finally succeeded in breaking us apart?
Jae, I need you, I thought desperately, not even certain he would answer me. I need you to protect Leonid.
I already did, little bird, he answered.
My eyes widened. That was you?
That was both of us. When you touched him, my magic broke through the magician’s.
I lifted my left hand, staring at it in wonder. Jaegger was right. After I’d held Leonid’s hands between mine, clarity had returned to his face. So, what, I need to touch him for the rest of his life? I don’t think he’d mind that, but it would get awkward.
I will work some subtle magic on him, to prevent the magician’s manipulations from affecting him, he promised. But you still need to tread carefully. If the magician discovers what I’ve done…
He didn’t need to finish that sentence.
I need to find the amplifier. The thought of betraying Parnaby made me sick with fear, but what choice did I have? Leonid, Vernen, Jaegger, and me—I needed to do whatever it took to keep us safe.
I MUST HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP at some point, because when I next opened my eyes, sunlight was streaming through my window. Leonid was lazily winding one of my curls around his fingers, but he paused when he saw I was awake. “Morning,” he said softly, propping himself up on one elbow so he could lean over and kiss me.
“Did you sleep?” I asked after he pulled away.
“This was probably the best sleep I’ve had in months.” Leonid raised a single brow. “I think we need to make a tradition of this, Lark. We can use my bed since it’s bigger—”
“Leonid.” I did my best to give him a stern gaze, but it was hard when my mouth was twitching. It was such a relief to see him joking after what had happened only a few hours ago.
“What?” Leonid went back to playing with my curls. “I seem to recall someone was very eager to return home the other day, and I assumed it was to—”
I elbowed him gently, and he responded by pinning me down and kissing me long and hard until we were both breathless.
I think, at that point, I wouldn’t have told him to stop. And I think he realized this because he slid off of me and sat up in bed, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to fix the mussed locks. I sat up as well, leaning against him.
“Lark, about what I said last night—”
“I told you I’m not angry,” I said, tilting my head back so I could see his face.
“I know, and that’s a huge relief. I don’t know what I would have done if you’d been, although I wouldn’t have blamed you,” Leonid admitted. “But I think… I think Parnaby did something to me to make me act that way.”
I held my breath, saying nothing.
“It’s hard to explain, but I think he used magic on me?” Leonid frowned. “Maybe he used something similar to what Bantheir used on you?” Letting out a growl of frustration, he slammed a fist against the bed. “I sound crazy, don’t I?”
I took his hand in mine, cradling it in my lap. “I don’t think you sound crazy at all.”
He stared at me. “So you believe me?”
“I do. When you left the kitchen that day, you looked like you were fighting against his orders,” I recalled. “And you didn’t even acknowledge me when you left, and I know you, Leonid. I know you wouldn’t do that.”
He nodded slowly, processing my words. “I knew what I was doing, but just like last night, I couldn’t control myself. I had to listen to him. But I don’t know what I did to stop the spell.”
“You must have seen how much you were hurting me, and you fought against the compulsion,” I said, the lie out before I could stop it.
“I suppose that makes sense.” Leonid exhaled slowly. “I don’t like this, Lark. I know we made a mistake, but Parnaby had no right to do that to me. To us. I’ve followed all of his orders, and I slip up once, and this is how he treats me?” His brows furrowed together. “We can’t let him know that we’re on to him. We have to pretend like his magic is still working on me.”
“So we have to avoid one another,” I said numbly. “You’re not even supposed to be here, right? How come you came home after he told you that you couldn’t come back until you solved the case?”
“Because Elyse, who was spending the night there yet again, found me passed out in one of the rooms in the mansion.” Bitterness coated his words. “I was following Parnaby’s orders until my body gave out on me. She must have gone to Parnaby because when I woke up, he was telling me to go home and get some rest. He seemed disappointed that I hadn’t been able to last longer without sleep. I’ve always respected him, but I swear if I see him right now, I will punch him in his face.”
“You’re not the only one,” I muttered.
“We’ll have to spend our days apart. I’ll keep investigating, while you visit the slums. How did that go, by the way?”
I opened my mouth to answer him, but my stomach growled loudly before I could. Leonid smirked, and I shoved him. “Be quiet!”
“I didn’t say a word!” he protested. “But your stomach has the right idea. I’m going to wash up, and then we can continue this conversation over breakfast. How does that sound?”
“It sounds perfect.” I kissed him before sliding out of bed and making my way downstairs to the kitchen. By the time I had scrambled a bunch of eggs, toasted some bread, and brewed some tea, Leonid appeared in the doorway, freshly washed and shaved. He was wearing plainclothes, not his uniform, and the first two buttons on his shirt were undone, showing off his collarbones and a wide expanse of skin. I stared long enough that he noticed, raising his brows.
“Like what you see, Lark?”
“Oh, be quiet,” I grumbled, blushing. I went back to the stove, but he caught me around the waist and planted a kiss on the top of my head.
“I’m so glad I fought the magic,” he said hoarsely.
I swallowed against a sudden lump in my throat. “Me too.”
I FILLED LEONID IN ON my trip to the slums over eggs and tea. He smiled as I talked about the children, a wistful expression on his face. “I wish we could do something for them,” he said before taking a bite of his toast.
“Me too. They all deserve a family to love and raise them. I can’t bear the thought of them living on the streets, or crammed together in a run-down orphanage. Or even squatting in an abandoned building like Quinn and her friends.” A familiar ache tugged at my heart.
“Maybe we can organize something in the spring, when the weather is nicer,” Leonid mused. “Bring the children up to Way, and invite couples who want children but can’t have any to meet them.”
My mind started racing with ideas. “That would work. People could come from Rise, and I bet they would fall in love with them. They were so sweet, Leonid.”
“You could have a magic show,” Leonid suggested. “And any money you raise could go to the orphanage.”
“They do need a new roof.” My fingers itched for a piece of paper and ink. I needed to start jotting down ideas!
Leonid watched me, smiling. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“I am. At first, I was scared about returning there, but the image I had in my mind wasn’t nearly as bad as w
hat I saw. Yes, they’re poor, and yes, they’re struggling, but we can help them. I want to help them, Leonid,” I said.
“And you will.” He paused to take a sip of his tea, his smile slipping away. “I suppose we should be happy that some good came from Parnaby trying to separate us.”
“Hmph.” I pushed my eggs around on my plate with my fork, no longer hungry. “Have you made any progress with the case?”
“Not as much as I hoped. West identified the poison—it was a powder, like we thought. It dissolves instantly, which is why no one saw it before they drank.”
“So then it had to be one of the servants,” I said. “Right?” I thought again of poor Wilson, and how distraught he’d been while describing what’d happened. Were those emotions real, or was he just an extremely good actor?
Leonid’s eyes took on that familiar faraway look, the one that told me he was listening to his instinct. “It wasn’t them. I talked with all of them, but there was no motive, no reason. They loved working at that home. They were paid well; their living quarters were nicer than most homes in Way…” Leonid shook his head. “Now they’re out of work and homeless. You should have seen how frightened that made them, that uncertainty for their future.”
The Burning Chaos (Smoke and Mirrors Book 2) Page 10