Chapter 18: Adventure

I spent the rest of the evening trying to find an excuse to return to the part of the house where I'd left Jack, but found myself confounded at every attempt. While I was fairly certain Kate had nothing to do with the conspiracy, she was so wrapped up in what we had done she wouldn't leave me alone for an instant.

"Oh Burdie," she said, smiling like she really meant it as we toured the edge of the ball room yet again, "this is the very best night of my life."

And while I was happy to oblige my new friend, there were more important things stirring requiring my attention.

I did my best to keep an eye to the door, but didn't see any police arrive. It wasn't until I really thought about it that I realized how absurd the idea was in the first place. I'm sure Samuel would ask them to march up to his front door in the middle of a ball to pick up a prisoner.

I'd never felt so much the idiot. That meant another door, and knowing the size of this place, there had to be multiples of those. Which meant if I wanted to find out what was going on, I had to get back to the room.

It became increasingly apparent that I wouldn't be going anywhere without Kate, so I took her with me.

"Think of it as an adventure," I whispered to her as we crept down the darkened halls toward Jack.

"But the party..." Kate paused to look back over her shoulder, her smile finally slipping. "And I'm not certain Uncle Samuel would like us sneaking about his home."

"We won't be long, I promise." I yanked on her hand, dragging her with me. I had to take her, now. No telling who she'd run to tell if I let her go. I didn't need Georgina asking uncomfortable questions because her daughter had returned to her old, nervous ways.

I found the hall again easily, hesitated only long enough to check for guards. The corridor was empty. Heart sinking, I approached the door. A figure in a black hooded cloak emerged, glanced my way, before turning and running in the opposite direction. I lunged instantly in an effort to pursue and found myself stumbling in my horrid shoes.

"Bloody hell!" The familiar figure was already gone, escaped me. Now I knew my suspicions were well grounded. Whomever the person under the cowl, they were seeking Jack as much as I.

I entered the room where Jack had been held, not surprised to find it wide open and the place vacant. I stood there, starting down into the chair where Jack had sat, wondering what to do about it and if the person in the black cloak was friend or foe.

"Burdie?" Kate barely spoke above a whisper. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Why had I let Hugh lead me away? All of this felt very off. But I had no further recourse. As far as I knew, Jack was now in police custody and out of my reach.

I turned to her and smiled. "See? No harm done. Let's go back."

She smiled, nodding quickly. "Of course."

We emerged into the foyer just as Georgina spied us. She smiled and waved us to her.

"My dears," she said, "the hour is late. Shall we depart?"

Kate nodded instantly and I was about to as well, ready to shed my dreadfully painful shoes once and for all, when I spotted Samuel's two bullies slipping out the door. I moved to follow them without thinking, only to feel and hand on my arm and hear Georgina's laughter.

"Now, Burdie," she said, still giggling, "there are farewells to make. Really, you're so like your mother."

If I heard that one more time I was sure I would explode.

Farewells, it turned out, took forever. By the time we reached our hansom, at least another hour had passed. The moon hung low over the city, almost full, setting the dark in shimmering gray. I stepped aside to allow the other two entry into the hansom, taking a moment to myself. The hum of the party continued behind me, answered in the distance by the echoing activity of London.

"Time to go." Hugh had a hold of my arm and was pressing me toward the hansom door. I jerked myself free, more out of surprise than anything, but the shadows hiding his face did little to spare me the hurt radiating from him.

"Hugh, I..." There was little I could say, here on the curb outside the party with his mother and sister waiting on me. I could tell he was in no mood to listen anyway.

He stomped past me, now angry, his shattered ego cutting me on the way by. Bernard smiled a small apology.

He leaned toward me, voice a whisper. "You're lovely, my dear," he said, "to be so kind to him despite his fantasies." Bernard was clearly more attentive to details than his wife. I started to stammer a denial only to have the kind and gentle man squeeze my hand before following his tragic son to the hansom.

I sighed, a deep and mournful thing, before climbing into the carriage.

The ride was short and full of laughter, though I allowed Georgina and Kate to carry the conversation. My mind was full and I had so much to work through.

It wasn't until I arrived at my room, still struggling with what to say to Hugh, that I encountered him again. He stood waiting at my door, rigid and pale. I approached with trepidation, knowing I had to get this over with, but wishing he'd kept his damned feelings to himself.

Before I could speak, he jerked my door open. "It is my uncle's wish that you be carefully guarded while you are here," he said. "He has asked me to ensure you remain safe and escort you from now on."

So Samuel thought I was worth watching. How intriguing.

"That won't be necessary." I tried to walk past him, my anger boiling to the surface, caring less about his silly feelings now that I knew he was to be my keeper. And his uncle's spy.

Hugh caught my arm but this time when I tried to pull away he held me tight. I glared into his eyes, almost of his height, ready to defend myself if necessary. But instead of the threat I expected, he looked broken.

"Sleep well," he said. "Whether you like it or not, Auburdeen Hayle, I'll be watching over you." He turned and loped away in his awkward, long legged gait.

I actually slammed the door shut behind me.

"Have a nice time?" Sassafras looked up from his nap to fix me with a baleful stare.

I tossed my shoes at him, one at a time. "Oh, shut up, cat."

He stood and stretched as I struggled with my dress. I tried magic but, naturally, had as yet to be inducted into this particular little family's circle of safety. The idea of it actually made my skin crawl.

I collapsed on the side of the bed with my giant dress pooled around me, hating it, this house and everything about London all of a sudden. There was no way tears were to be involved in my self pity, but I reached into my bodice for my kerchief just in case.

My fingers met something stiff and slippery. I slid the small square out of my cleavage and found myself grinning in spite of myself.

It was some kind of calling card, shining black with clear white letters and an eye motif reminding me of Egyptian hieroglyphs.

The All Seeing Eye

Sees All-Knows All

He is Watching You

Vasek. He must have deposited it into my clothing at the party. So, he was watching me, was he? And was that fact meant to be reassuring? While I resented the implication, I appreciated the gesture. Surely it meant he hadn't given up on Jack either?

"What is it?" Sassafras examined the card when I set it on the bed beside me.

"Just a note from a friend." I had no idea why I thought of Vasek and his beautiful and frightening partner as friends, but I was taught to trust my instincts and those two felt trustworthy.

"Tell me you're staying out of trouble." Sass's eyes flashed.

"It's none of your business." I swatted at him with my kerchief. "Besides, I've been assigned a protector." I told him about finding Jack and Hugh's subsequent proposal, how Samuel told him to watch over me.

I expected my cat to jump to their side, but he instead mused it over a moment before humming a soft snarl under his breath.

"I admit, it all feels twisted," he said. "Samuel obviously thinks you're worth keeping under his fist."

I slumped in defeat. "It's just not fair," I said, hating the little girl wail in my voice. "Day and Ro wouldn't be treated this way." My brothers would have made short work of Hugh by now.

"Agreed." Did he actually say that? "And I think it's time you told someone who can do something about it."

"Mum." I spun on him, reaching for him, instantly scratching his favorite places while he tried to escape my diabolical plan to control him. Too slow, cat. He practically collapsed on his side with his head in my hand while I dug around in his mane for the itchiest spots.

"Your mother... is busy." A purr rumbled out of him. "And is thousands... of miles... away."

"She can help me decide what to do," I told him, using both hands now. "Please, Sass. Let me talk to her."

His amber eyes winked at me. "I would have done it without the scratches," he said, voice full of humor. "But thank you."

I pulled his tail gently. "Can you do it, here like this? Through the wards?"

He settled beside me in a more dignified position. "Yes," he said. "I'm not so much casting magic as I am channeling it. A moment." His lids slid closed as he concentrated. I stood up and paced as I waited, restless with the need to do something.

"Tweet?" Not Mum's voice. But still familiar and very welcome despite the hated nickname.

"Damon." I crouched next to Sass as the cat's mouth moved and my oldest brother's voice came out of it.

"Sis," he said. "Mum's in council. How's England?"

No time for that. "I need to talk to her," I said. "How long?"

"Longer than that cat can hold the connection." A new voice, same base, different pitch.

"Pharo." I pictured them both, one dark and broad, the other blonde and lean, probably standing in the sunny front room of the new house, dressed for riding no doubt. My jealousy and homesickness soared.

"Don't tell me you've managed to find yourself some trouble?" The amusement in Damon's voice made me want to smack him.

"Our little Tweet is a champion at that, brother," Pharo laughed. "Are you really surprised?"

"Listen, you two hooligans," I snapped, "this is important. I need to speak to Mum."

"Sorry, sis," Pharo said, "she really is busy."

I chewed my bottom lip, hearing at last the stress in his voice.

"How are things?" I almost didn't ask but needed to know.

"Tense." Damon's deeper voice told me. "Things are starting to shift. The coven is splitting. Olive made a last minute appointment of her own successor, but it's too late."

"It's a mess, Tweet," Pharo said. "Be grateful you're out of harm's way."

"Not bloody likely," I said. "I'd rather be there with you."

"We know." Damon sighed. "Listen, we have to go. Full session shortly, and Mum needs all the backers she can wrangle. But we'll tell her you need to talk to her. No guarantees when she'll be free, mind."

It was the best I could ask for. "Love you," I whispered.

"Love you too, sis," Pharo said.

"And me," Damon followed. "Take care. And for heaven's sake, Auburdeen-"

"Stay out of trouble!" They finished together, their laughter fading as they left.

Idiots.

Sassafras's amber eyes flickered open. He yawned, mouth gaping wide, sharp teeth flashing as his pink tongue rolled forward. "Satisfied?"

"Not really." I rested my chin on my fist. "I'm still on my own in this."

"Thanks," he said.

"You know what I mean."

"There is one other option, and I'd like you to consider it carefully."

I straightened up. "Go see Vasek?"

Sass swatted me with one paw. "Tell Georgina. Everything."

The idea the ineffectual woman could be of any help seemed ludicrous. "What, and make my life here even more miserable? She'll lock me in this room and throw away the key."

He settled his chin in his paws. "Or," he said, "she'll be concerned enough to investigate. But at the moment, as far as I can see, she's your only option."

Someone knocked on my door, quickly followed by Clara's entrance. "I'll think about it," I whispered to him, grateful at least I would be able to finally shed my gown.

Now if only I could shed my troubles so easily.

***