Or would it be Director Clemeny Spencer?
If I lived.
I would live. And I’d have that damned faerie’s head on a pike. Firming my resolve, I turned and headed back into the city.
Chapter 25: Always Toward the Danger
Grand-mère was humming as she worked in the garden. The rich scents of soil filled the air. Though it was still cool, the trees in Vesta’s Grotto had already bloomed with chartreuse-colored leaves and pink-and-white blossoms.
“What are you planting?” I asked as I approached.
“Oranges and lemons!” Grand-mère exclaimed, nearly tossing her trowel into the air. “You nearly scared me to death. Why are you sneaking around like that?”
“I’m not sneaking.”
“Well, you didn’t have to come up on me so light-footed.”
“Sorry. Occupational hazard. I’ll tromp next time.”
Grand-mère muttered under her breath in French then paused to study me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing…well, no. That’s not true. Not nothing.”
Where to start?
Grand-mère set her hand on her chest. “Oh, my Clemeny, don’t tell me you’ve called it off with the professor now. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you. I’ll need to pay a visit to Quinn. You have to get sorted out—”
“No, Grand-mère. Everything is fine between myself and Professor Spencer. There was an incident at work.”
“Incident?”
“A number of agents were injured…including Agent Greystock.”
Grand-mère set down her tools and began pulling off her work apron. “Where is she?”
“You can’t do anything right now,” I said, setting my hand on her arm. “She’s at Buckingham. Her Majesty’s people are seeing to those who were hurt.”
“And Harper? And Agent Hunter?”
“Agent Hunter was wounded as well, but he’s recovering. Harper is there with the others.”
Grand-mère frowned heavily. “I’m glad you’re all right. Do you know what happened?”
“There was an attack on the agency headquarters. We’ll be handling it.”
“We? Oh, no, my girl. This sounds very dangerous. You can’t go. Tell them you have a fever. Yes. That should work. Tell them you can’t come because you have a fever.”
“Grand-mère, I can’t tell them I have a fever. I—”
“Yes, that is exactly what you’ll tell them. You’ll stay here in bed. You look tired anyway—”
“Grand-mère, I can’t tell them I have a fever because Her Majesty promoted me to director.”
At that, Grand-mère stopped. She stared at me for a long moment. Clapping the dirt off her hands one last time, she linked her arm with mine, then we headed in the direction of the house.
“I’ll make you a filet. Whatever you need to do, my dear, you’ll do better with a little meat in your stomach. Eliza always told me you’d replace her one day. And now…well, if Her Majesty has faith in you, I won’t get in the way. But I’m not sending you out there to fight on an empty stomach.”
“I hardly have time—”
“Come.”
“Yes, Grand-mère,” I replied with a grin.
My grandmother pinched my cheek but said nothing more.
* * *
After Grand-mère felt reassured I was adequately fed, she let me go.
“I still say it’s too cold for the steamcycle,” she said, shaking her head, her hands on her hips as she watched me top off the fluids on the cycle.
“I’m not disagreeing. It's just that Harper has the auto and the agency transport is compromised.”
“And where are you going, exactly?”
“Glastonbury,” I replied.
“Again?”
“Yes.”
“And just what’s in Glastonbury that’s so important?”
Druids. Gateways to the Otherworld. The mythical land of Avalon. Probably a few monsters.
“We expect our mark to be there,” I said.
Because I was going to make sure he followed me there.
“Stay in the grotto until I get back. Don’t wander about the city right now. It isn’t safe.”
“But I’m expected at Saint Clement Danes.”
“Send a note. I know, tell them you have a fever.”
“Clemeny.”
“I’m not joking. Stay in the grotto.”
Grand-mère sighed. “All right. When you see Eliza, tell her I’ll come to her as soon as I can.”
I nodded then kissed Grand-mère on the cheek. “Be safe,” I told her.
“You too. I love you, my Clemeny.”
“I love you too,” I said then slipped on the cycle
Grand-mère shook her head. “You’re going to freeze.”
“It’s only until I get to the airship.”
“Airship! Don’t forget the ginger.”
“Never,” I said with a grin then turned on the cycle. It heaved and knocked as the pipes warmed then let out a puff of steam. Pulling down my goggles, I gave Grand-mère a wave then headed across town to Temple Square.
In my rearview mirror, I watched Grand-mère close and lock the gate to the grotto.
Assured of her safety, I pulled the amulet out from under my shirt and let it dangle from my neck.
“All right, Melwas,” I said to the absent prince. “Come and get me.”
* * *
I pulled the steamcycle into Temple Square. The place was busy. As soon as one of the wolves spotted me, he rushed into the hall. Lionheart exited immediately thereafter.
“Clemeny,” he said as he moved to meet me. “We just heard.”
I nodded. “Red Cape headquarters was attacked,” I said. “Several agents were injured. Melwas was after something.”
“Did he get it?”
“Unfortunately.”
Lionheart eyed the pendant. “That’s new.” He reached out to touch it but pulled his hand back. “What is that?” he asked, a low growl in his voice.
“A faerie gem. And the last piece of the device Melwas needs.”
“Why is it hanging around your neck?”
“Because I’m about to take an airship back to Glastonbury. I’m hoping Melwas will follow.”
Lionheart frowned. “I understand that Conklin was in on the attack.”
I nodded. “Unfortunately. Acwellen and two of his pack brothers are dead.”
Lionheart frowned. “The city is upside down. The packs and every other damned thing are stirred up.”
I nodded. “The Red Capes are coming. I asked them to give the Templars leeway.”
“Very good. I’ll inform Blackwood then get my things.”
“I thought…you’re needed here.”
“Victoria put a noose around your neck. There is no way I’m letting you out of my sight.”
“Richard,” I said, taking his hand. “I’ll be all right. Agent Rose, Constantine, and the Pellinores will come with me to—”
Lionheart set his hand on my cheek. “I know you’ll be all right, but Clemeny…”
I knew him well enough to know he still blamed himself for what happened to Bryony. But I wasn’t Bryony. And there was someone else to consider.
“I must go. I have to get this out of the city. Richard, I know you want to be with me, but Jericho… We can’t leave him alone, not with so much danger everywhere.”
Lionheart inhaled slowly as he thought over my words. After a moment, he nodded. “I will come with you to the airship towers.”
“I need to be there soon.”
Lionheart pulled out his pocket watch. “I’ll talk to Blackwood now.”
“Where is Jericho?” I asked.
“In the garden pretending to study,” Lionheart replied, pointing over his shoulder. I turned toward the garden while Lionheart headed to Middle Hall. I could hear the sound of a ball bouncing even before I arrived. The book and notepaper lay forgotten on a bench not far away. Picking up the forgotten tome, I read the title aloud, “The Adventures of King Arthur and His Knights.”