by Linsey Hall
“What’s going on?” My sister’s voice echoed with worry. “The shop looks closed, and it’s breakfast time.”
Shit. The last bite of sandwich went down a bit hard.
Our friend Cass entered behind Claire, her red hair gleaming in the light.
This was the last thing I needed. Two concerned women. Three, if I counted Cass, which I should. She was like family, and if she got a whiff that Claire was concerned, she would be, too.
Claire wore her black leather pants and top, her dark hair pulled back from her face. It was her usual fight-wear. Cass was dressed in the jeans and leather jacket she considered a uniform. Both were splattered with something that looked like blood. There was no telling what they’d been up to. Either a demon hunt as part of Claire’s occasional gig as a mercenary or Cass’s work as a magic hunter.
“Connor? Are you all right?” Claire asked. “This is unusual.”
“Bridgette’s coming in,” I said, referring to the part-time staffer who worked Potions & Pastilles when we couldn’t.
“Yeah. But something is still wrong.” Claire’s gaze flicked to my new companion.
“This is Sora.” I gestured to her, knowing that it would distract Claire. I rarely brought women to P&P, which was essentially my home, and my sister was a bloodhound determined to find me someone to settle down with. Since Sora was my fated mate, Claire would be very interested to meet her.
“Hi.” Claire smiled widely and stuck out her hand. “I’m Claire.”
Cass stuck out her hand as well. “I’m Cass.”
Sora shook both hands, shooting a look between me and my sister. I could tell that Claire was going to want to settle down for a long chat, but we needed to get a move on.
“We have something we need to do,” I said.
Claire’s gaze moved to mine, and her eyes narrowed. “Something is wrong. You can’t fool me.”
No, I couldn’t. Not even with bait like Sora. But I could keep her busy.
“It’s important, and I don’t have time to explain,” I said. “Can you visit Orion and tell him we’re going to need two mounts?”
“Why do you need to go to the Fire Fae Court?” She frowned. “You hate it there.”
I couldn’t explain that I needed water from the Sacred Sea, a small, magical body of water hidden deep in Dartmoor. “I just do. I’ll explain it later. Please.”
She grumbled. “I don’t like not knowing, but I’ll ask Orion. Where are you going?”
That was another secret. I’d kept too many, and suddenly, I regretted it. It’d been easy for years, and since it had allowed us to focus on the challenges she faced, it had seemed like a good idea. But those secrets were about to become a whole lot harder to keep.
I hesitated briefly. “London.”
“Where I’m from,” Sora said, implying it was on a job for her.
I could have kissed her.
“Fine.” Sora looked between us. “Be careful.”
“Thank you.” I gave her a quick hug, then looked at Sora. “Ready to get out of here?”
She nodded, then turned to Claire and Cass. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too. You seem cool. We should have a drink sometime.” Claire grinned widely. It was obvious from the keen brightness to her eyes that she was ravenous for details. Sora wouldn’t notice, but I’d known Claire forever. She wanted info.
“We’re going now, sis.”
“Right. Of course. Go on.” She kept grinning, displaying an extreme lack of chill.
I looked away. It was the only logical option.
Sora reached for my hand, and I took hers, my fingers closing over her daintier ones. She was so much smaller than me that I couldn’t help but worry about her, even though I knew she was strong as hell.
“Bye, sis. Bye, Cass.” I chucked the transport charm on the ground.
The silver smoke poofed upward, glittering in the air. I envisioned the entrance to Fletcher’s Wine Bar, located near the Thames, and stepped into the smoke, letting the ether suck me in and whip me around. It pulled us through space, making my head spin slightly. Within seconds, my feet were on the cobblestone walkway outside of the bar. Sora appeared next to me.
Fletcher’s was one of the oldest bars in London, built into the storage tunnels beneath one of the mansions situated along the Thames. It’d been in the same family for over a century, and even though humans sometimes patronized the establishment, it was a common supernatural hangout. No obvious wings, horns, or fangs allowed, of course. Only supernaturals who could pass for humans.
“The Thames is just over there.” I gestured toward the embankment behind us. We couldn’t see the river, as it was hidden behind the brick wall and piled-up dirt that had been added about a century and a half ago, but it was there.
We stood in an outdoor alley, bordered by the embankment on one side and the bar on the other. A hostess stood at a podium near the door, her dark hair pulled neatly back into a ponytail. Though there was no sign that she was a Magica, I knew she was. They were the only ones who worked here.
“Are we going in?” Sora asked.
“Yes.” I strode toward the hostess, Sora at my side. When we reached her, I leaned close and said, “I’ll need the train as soon as possible.”
Her eyes flickered with knowledge and she nodded. “Of course, sir. I’ll find you a table while you wait.”
I could feel Sora’s confusion as the hostess led us into the bar. The place was a warren of tunnels and tables, and the bartenders manning the bar had the bored expressions of guys who were trying too hard. We followed the hostess through the dark space, the low, arched ceiling brushing the top of my hair. Tiny tables were cluttered around, each with a single, dripping red wax candle.
“It’s a shame this place has no atmosphere,” Sora murmured beside me.
I laughed low in my throat. Fletcher’s was one of the most charming places in London.
The hostess found us the best table in the place, situated in the very back. It was darkly shadowed and private, and would be romantic if not for the real reason we were here.
She sat us. “I’ll bring you the usual, sir. The train will be here shortly.”
She spoke quietly enough that none of the other patrons could hear, but Sora tilted her head as she listened, her brow furrowed.
The hostess disappeared, and Sora looked at me. “Train?”
I leaned close enough to speak right onto her ear, and she shivered. Heat raced down my spine, and I wished that we weren’t on a race for my life. I’d rather drink two bottles of wine with her here, sharing kisses and then a walk along the Thames. Followed by a night at the Savoy nearby.
I pitched my voice low as I spoke. “This is a bar, yes. But it’s also the entrance to a train station that’s located under the river.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“I’m not.” I leaned back and met her gaze, trying to let her see the seriousness of my expression.
The hostess arrived with a bottle of wine and filled two glasses. I hadn’t even bothered to ask what Sora wanted. Shit.
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask what you wanted. It’s a bit autopilot here,” I said when the hostess left, and I gestured to the bottle. “I don’t actually like this much myself. She just always brings it.”
The corner of her mouth tugged up. “We’re not here for the wine, anyway.”
“That’s the truth.”
“Why don’t you tell me more, then? Where the hell are we going?”
My gaze flicked around the room. I’d already said too much. Though it had been quiet, I couldn’t risk more. Not until we were on the train. The penalty for revealing the existence of the Arcane Order of Alchemists was steep—death.
I picked up my wine. “I promise I’ll tell you as soon as we get to the train.”
She gave me a long stare. “Fine. I trust you.” She looked around. “Anyway, I like an adventure.”
I took a sip of my wine, suddenly f
eeling exhausted. Fates, I hoped we could rest a while on the train.
We only had to wait about ten minutes, fortunately. I didn’t drink much of my wine. It’d take a hell of a lot more to mess me up, but I needed my wits about me. And I didn’t know how it would react now that I had the potion racing through my blood.
The hostess appeared like a ghost. “The train is ready.”
I nodded and thanked her, then stood. I left a tip on the table, but the wine was covered by the Order. Sora joined me, and we followed the hostess toward the only empty tunnel in the whole bar. A door said that it was storage, but there was nothing inside except another door and a guard at the far end.
The hostess led us toward the guard, departing as we reached him.
The man was huge—at least seven feet tall and as broad as a house. His magic sparked around him, tiny golden flecks that screamed threat.
He nodded his head at me. “Alchemist.”
Sora shot me a look, and I could read her thoughts. See! I knew you were an Alchemist.
“Terrence.” I nodded. I rarely visited the Arcane Order, but I’d seen him before.
He reached forward with his enormous hands, and I raised my chin, letting him press his fingertips to my temples. I could feel the tendrils of his magic seeping inside my mind, searching for any kind of threat to the Arcane Order.
He would find none. I’d joined willingly and respected their rules.
When he was finished, he lowered his hands and nodded.
I looked down at Sora. “He’s going to use his magic to check your intentions.”
“I don’t even know where I’m going.”
“For the best,” Terrence rumbled.
“You can still do your thing?” Sora asked.
“Always.” He reached for her, and she stood still as he touched her temples. I squeezed her hand, but she didn’t seem worried.
She trusts me.
It was a heavy burden. Even though I knew I’d never betray her, I couldn’t protect her from everything, no matter how much I wanted to. The idea made me want to climb out of my skin. Hell, I thought I wanted to follow her around for the rest of her life making sure she didn’t get hit by a bus, but I knew she wouldn’t tolerate that.
Terrence lowered his hands. “You’re fine. The train is waiting.”
“Thank you,” I said, nodding again.
He opened the door, and I stepped through, leading Sora into another tunnel. It was empty and dark, with only weak lamplight flickering over the damp bricks. The tunnel sloped downward, heading deep underground.
As soon as the door shut behind us, Sora spoke. “Right. You’re going to have to cough up the info now, buddy.”
I smiled as I led her down the tunnel. “Fair enough. I’m a member of the Arcane Order of Alchemists.”
“Never heard of it.”
“That’s the point.”
“Okay, that makes sense. Why are we going?”
“I’ll need a specific—and rare—set of tools to make the potion that will give me back my magic. They’re ancient and valuable, and thus, they are held by the Arcane Order. I need to get permission to take them. Then, we’ll go find the final ingredient for the potion that will cure me.”
“That will be on Dartmoor?”
“Yes. How’d you know?” Then I remembered. “Ah, you heard me tell my sister to go there.”
“Yep. So, what does the Arcane Order of Alchemists do?”
“It’s a group of the most powerful potion masters in the world. Highly secretive. The things that we have the ability to create could change the world—for better or worse. Much of it for worse.”
“Then why do you create it?”
“We don’t. Not normally. But if we were discovered for our skills, we could be forced to do great damage. And so we remain secret.”
She waved her hand around the tunnel. “Hence this whole thing.”
“Exactly. The location of the headquarters of the Arcane Order changes regularly. Only those who live there know where it is located. The rest of us come here and take the train. With any luck, the ride will be long enough that we can get a few hours of sleep.”
“Why don’t you live there?”
“I don’t want to.” We were nearly to the station, and I could hear the rumble of the old steam train. “They tried to force me to, but I wouldn’t leave my sister. Their only alternative was to give me my way or kill me.”
“And you’re too powerful and valuable to kill.”
“I like to think so. Also, I have powerful friends.” I exited the tunnel into the enormous cavern that contained the train. The room was dark and damp, and the train sat right in the middle. It was a beautiful black and red piece of the past, and though it was partially run by steam, it was also powered by magic.
Sora stopped dead in her tracks and gasped. “I can’t believe this was down here and I didn’t know.”
“Almost no one does.”
“Not even your sister?” she asked.
“I never told her.”
“Why not?”
“She would have wanted me to pursue it more, thinking it was my passion. She’d have felt guilty that I’d stayed with her.”
“To protect her.”
I nodded. “We needed to focus on what she was facing. I didn’t want to be anywhere else, anyway. But she already had guilt over me leaving our Court for her. She didn’t need this.”
“You should tell her.”
I almost said no. But Sora was right. Claire had fulfilled her destiny and saved our people. She’d found her fated mate. There was no reason for me to stay silent to protect her anymore, and the lies wouldn’t sit well with her.
“I’ll tell her when we’re done.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
I reached the entrance to the train, and the porter, Ryan, bowed to me. He was a skinny guy, with a flat-top hat and old-style uniform. Despite his unassuming appearance, I could feel the magic radiating from him.
“Alchemist.” His voice echoed with respect.
“Ryan.”
“The journey will be six hours. There is a sleeper car made up for you.”
I could have wept, I was so grateful. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept, and the potion coursing through me was enough to make me feel weak, despite the gift of my wings.
“Thank you.”
“Will you need two cars?” he asked.
I almost said yes, but Sora spoke. “How big is the bed?”
“Big enough for two.”
She looked at me. “Just sleeping.”
“Fine by me.” It’d take me longer to fall asleep if she were pressed up against me, but hell would freeze before I said no to that offer.
Ryan led us to an opulently decorated sleeper cabin. It was done up in the same red and black as the exterior of the train, the bed covered with a velvet duvet. I barely got my shoes off before I fell into the bed. Sora lay down, and I tugged her against me, wanting to feel her warmth.
As the train chugged out of the station, she sighed and curled up against my side. “This is moving fast.”
“Sixty miles an hour.”
“You know what I mean.”
I nodded. I did, and I liked it that way.
10
Sora
I woke to the feel of Connor’s warm chest beneath my cheek and the rumble of the train as it pulled to a stop.
I yawned, not wanting to wake Connor but knowing I had to. He’d seemed fine since he’d taken the potion, but his pale face and shaky demeanor had scared the crap out of me. He was so strong and powerful—the idea that anything could take him down was terrifying.
My mind drifted back to meeting his sister. I’d liked her right away. Same for the other girl, Cass. I’d barely spoken to them, but I’d felt…something. Like we could be friends.
“We’re here.” His voice was rough with sleep.
“You’re awake?”
“Yea
h. Felt us stop.” He pulled me close and pressed a kiss to my forehead, and I couldn’t help the surge of warmth that filled my chest.
This was nice.
Really nice.
I sat up, and he followed.
“Is it dangerous in there?” I asked.
“Not particularly. You’re with me, which means you’re fine while we’re inside. However…” He pulled his potion bag from the ether and dug through it, then retrieved a tiny bottle made of green glass and handed it to me. “Take that. It will make it so that no one remembers your face once you’ve left.”
“Wow.” I inspected the vial appreciatively.
“Try not to speak much if you can help it,” he said. “Not that you wouldn’t have something valuable to say, but it will give them less to remember.”
“So, I’m safe while I’m in there with you. But once I’ve left…”
“No guarantees. Especially if you’re not with me. But that potion will hide you. You’ll be safe after you leave.”
I nodded. “Secret societies are intense.”
“That’s the truth. I trust most of the alchemists, but there are a few who I don’t. And you just never can tell.”
“What kind of Magica are they?” I drank the potion, shivering at the bitter taste.
“Many are Fae. We have a gift for potions. But there are some witches and sorcerers as well. A shifter or two.”
He took my empty potion vial and put it in his bag, then stashed the whole thing in the ether. He tugged on his shoes, and I did the same.
“I trust that you can handle yourself in there,” Connor said. “I don’t think anything will go wrong, but you have my support to void the whole place if you feel threatened.”
I squeezed his hand. “Aw. You say the sweetest things.”
“What can I say? I like you.”
“More than your secret society.”
“Society of moody old alchemists, yes. The competition isn’t fierce. But I’d like you even if they were Amy MacDonald.”
“Who, the singer? You like?”
“Love.” He winked. “Now, come on. Let’s go face the beast and figure out the next step of this adventure.”
“I like going on an adventure with you. But it’d be better if you weren’t fighting for your life.”