by Lexi Ostrow
Though she was torn about her choice, she returned to her desk and sat. Before her lay plans to weaponize steam engines. It would not be worthy of a spell, but it would be the first start. Travel at night on steam trains was possible due to their speed, but if they could be for militant protection as well, well, it was where she had chosen to start.
Canons were too heavy. Guns too hard to aim and fire when a train was at top speed. Which meant she needed to harness the electrical skills she’d seen Benjamin work with in order to create a large form of their gun. It would discharge once full, but an alarm would need to sound so it could be aimed correctly as not to cause harm.
The sky turned from orange to pink and then to a pale purple as she tapped her ink-dipped quill onto the parchment. The only logical solution was to create an insulated box, and she couldn’t remember the blasted name Benjamin had used, and run it along the exterior of the car. It would be mean rebuilding every engine, but it would be worth it if, in three years, they could attack as well as defend from a safe distance.
The sudden zap of electricity outside the guild drew her attention. Her eyes focused on the darkness of the sky, and she lifted her skirts with a curse to race to the window. Her palms landed on the cold glass in time to see Benjamin discharging the weapon they created together, dropping a vampire to the ground.
“Benjamin!” she cried into the glass and pounded on it, not realizing it would distract him.
He looked up, and another creature appeared from the night, slamming him back onto the ground.
Her shoes slipped on the tile floor as she skidded, trying to get close to her desk. Slamming her hand into the communication lever, she screamed when she missed and heard the guild come to life with a panic of its own.
“Levi! Tell the guards to go. Get them to him now!” Tears streamed down her face as her breath caught in her throat. She moved through the chamber and activated the lift, all while her heart threatened to rip from her chest. “Benjamin.” Her nose burned as tears fell at the mention of his name.
You’ve done this. As with the communication lever, Raven missed the lift control in her rush to send the doors closed and the lift down. The sound of gunfire rang out, echoing in the lift as the doors shut.
The guards had made it out. It hadn’t felt as if a minute passed, everything moved so quickly, and all she could focus on was Benjamin. “Please, don’t die.” Hot tears raced down her cheeks, and she was thrown sideways as the lift reached the bottom floor.
Her hand hadn’t left the lever, and she smashed it down, forcing the doors open. The light above the sanitation chamber was lit. Please, let him be in there alive.
Closing her eyes, she sucked in a deep breath of air and waited for the minute to up.
Chapter Seventeen
His hand stung, but he was alive. Benjamin sucked in a deep breath of air through the mask, coughing as he did so.
He was alive, and two men lay dead, their bodies being drained because the device had not recharged quickly enough for him to help them as well.
Benjamin didn’t know why Raven hadn’t let him in, or if perhaps she hadn’t been there at all so close to dark.
The door swung outward, confirming she was present.
Raven was stunning, more so now than ever. Her hair was tied up into a twist of sorts, and a deep purple gown hung to the floor. She hadn’t bothered with a petticoat or skirt, and the dress showed off more of her form than was customary, even by society’s new standards. Her cheeks were wet with tears and smudged tracks of the silly face paint she need not wear. Two angry pink marks were the only remainder from her injury, the black stitches having been removed since he last saw her. Her eyes were wide with fright.
“Benjamin!”
Her arms were around his neck, but a moment later and her lips pressed against his, her mouth almost colliding with the mask as he tore it off and dropped it to the floor. There was nothing save for the woman in his arms.
And then she was gone, and his face stung from the crack of her hand.
“What are you doing here?” The panic in her eyes was gone, anger shone brightly from her bright green eyes, and he worried he’d have had better luck with his attackers.
“I came to see you. It is an urgent matter from my esteemed guests. It could not wait.”
He noticed the moment she looked around and saw he had entered alone. Her mouth opened in shock, and she raced passed him into the still open chamber. She wouldn’t be concerned with it locking, that occurred the moment the filtration began. No, Raven was realizing she’d lost guards. Hurriedly, she exited, pushed a button, and the doors secured.
“I ordered them to their death.” Her lashes closed, and tears slipped down her cheeks. “I couldn’t lose you. I didn’t even think.” She was flustered, not forming coherent sentences. “I don’t even know who went.”
A guard stepped forward then, the only one who had not ventured outside.
“Henry and George, Lady Raven.”
She nodded, her eyes still closed. “I will tell their families.” When her eyes opened, all that filled them was ferocity. “You. You caused their deaths. Had you gone home when you were told you would not gain entry, none of this would have occurred!”
“Do not blame me for your actions. You were here. You knew how close to dark it was, and still, you ordered them to keep the doors locked. When they went in as the sunset, I was held at gunpoint . . . gunpoint!” His voice, like hers, was echoing off the open corridor.
“You are lucky I cannot order you out.” The words were filled with venom, and she turned to speak to her guards. “No one is to go out. No one is to leave their posts. I want all guards brought down to the entryway. They may very well try to gain entrance, and while the lock is sturdy, I do not want to risk it. Don your masks arm yourselves, and we will wait.”
“Raven, you cannot stay here.”
“Benjamin, this is not your concern.”
He’d been quite a lot this night – hopeful, nervous, terrified – now he was furious. Without thought, his hands wrapped around her bare arm, squeezing hard as he tugged her toward the lift they had used at the end of the hall.
She fought him, her hands attempting to pry his off. He would not be moved. Still holding her with one hand, he threw the lever and opened the door. Using his body, he maneuvered her inside.
“Don’t you dare do this, Benjamin Abbott.”
“Save it.” He snarled and closed the door before lifting the lever for the lift to rise up to her office.
She struggled against him, throwing her body against his as she tried with all her might to flail her arms enough so that she might shake him off.
“Raven, enough.”
“You do not command me!” The heel of her shoe struck into his boot.
“Fucking hell!” He readjusted his grip and swung her around, so she was before him, staring into his eyes. “You are lucky those stitches have been removed, or else you might shake them loose with these attempts!”
That seemed to still her, just as the lift opened to her work chambers.
“Out.” He could feel her slight resistance as she tried to push her forward. “Why?”
“I do not like to leave my men in danger.”
“Your men are well paid and well advised of what their jobs entail.”
“I’ve already cost so many their lives.”
“Adding yours to the list will do nothing. Think, Raven.”
Her gaze burned into his, and he could see some of her panic slipping away. The fury remained as her eyes narrowed at him in the same fashion they had when last they stood together.
“I was going to tell you.” The words slipped out, and he felt foolish. “That very day, that very moment the courier arrived.” There was no need to offer more insight into what he spoke.
“It does not change the lie.”
“It changes everything.”
“Please, explain to me how claiming your cousin’s identity and sleepin
g with me would have been made better by apologizing?”
“I did what I did to protect my guild – just as you were trying to stay with your men down there. I had never intended to find myself enamored with you. I should have known better, considering the second I saw you, I was entrapped by your beauty, even covered in blood as you were. Alas, I did not. I am human.”
“You did what you did to protect yourself and earn my trust.” It was as if she had heard nothing of his feelings.
“Yes, there was that as well. I did not lie about anything more. I even told you the truth your family would not even share with you.” He heard the desperation ringing in his tone, and he did not enjoy it. He wanted to pull back and let her come to him, but he did not know if he could. “Raven, please.”
“Benjamin, God, I do not even know with whom I speak!”
“You do.” He loosened his hold on her, content that she would not put herself in harm’s way. “You spent time with me. My name was all I spoke falsely.”
He let his mouth slant over her eyes. It was feather-light, yet when she did not bang her fists against his chest, he allowed his arms to encircle her, tugging her close. At once, their breathing matched, and the kiss deepened. All that mattered was the woman in his arms and making her realize that what flowed between them had the potential for greatness.
Raven leaned against him, encircling her arms around his neck, and for just a moment, she gave into him, opening her lips and taking their kiss even deeper.
“Benjamin,” his name was barely more than a whisper, but she had placed her palms upon his chest and leaned her head back from his. “I cannot do this. Not with you.”
The words were as piercing as the vampire’s fangs would have been. Tears glistened in her eyes, and he understood there was no pushing her. If he and Raven were to be something, it would be when this mess was done, and he could court her properly.
“For what it is worth, I am deeply sorry. Had I known how you would be, I never would have continued the charade.”
She nodded, wiping at the tears on her face. “Tell me, why have you come? Why did I lose good men this night to bring you in?”
The pain in her eyes was awash with anger. She was so different from the woman he met days ago. Gone was the compassion and curiosity. Her hands wound around herself as if holding her back from him, and it hurt more than should have been possible.
Moving to take her hand in his, the burn hissed as he was no longer acting in anger to keep her safe, helping him to oversee the agony. “Agh.” He clutched at his hand, releasing it only to seek the soothing aloe in his pocket. “Please,” he passed it to her, and she opened the jar before he held his hand out for her dollop some on. The cooling sensation was immediate. “Thank you.” He reached for the small jar and lid, closed it, and returned it to his pocket. “Our device works, well, it works in both manners. A wonderful defense item, and a beastly burn if you are not careful.”
Some of the hardness left her features. “It worked?”
“Aye. It is all that allowed me to survive.”
“I would be lying if I did not tell you I am far happier you are well than that the weapon worked.”
“Yes, well, prepared to be elated. I have spoken to the mages. They know how to bring life to the heat bulb.”
Her eyes widened. “Sincerely?”
“Very. I have but to acquire two things. I could have gone to the king first, to come with a decree. I do not want things to be that way, Raven, and I would say by the way you kissed me, you do not either.”
“We are putting that behind us. Speak your peace.” An edge had returned to her voice, but it did not drain the joy from her eyes.
“I need steam engines from you. At least one. We are to affix the bulbs to the trains as they move fast and are far reaching.”
“Bloody hell.”
“What?” her tone concerned him. “Did the engines suddenly cease to work?”
“No.” She shook her head, her expression unreadable. “I thought to use the trains as well as a weapon.”
His smirk was unavoidable. They truly were one half of a whole. “Then, this is not a problem.”
She leaned against the wall and dropped her head back. It was improbable they had both desired to use the trains to defend humanity. And yet, there you are. She wanted to hate him, wanted to make everything business, but she did not know if she had the stamina to do so.
It had only been a mere moment she had shook with fear and then rage, both at his doing. Kissing him had not been acceptable, but she had needed the small comfort. Looking at him, seeing the disarray of his attire and the nearly bloody scratch on his neck, she knew she had to stop being Raven Nightingale and start being the leader of the Steam Guild.
“No. I was angry when I said I would not work side-by-side and angrier still when I refused to open the door. This is not about myself, and this is for the world.” She meant the words but was dismayed by the hurt that strangled her. Her anger had led two men to their deaths and nearly Benjamin as well.
“Raven.”
She knew by how he said her name where he was headed.
Holding up her right hand, she took a small step back. “Don’t.”
The hurt in his hazel eyes was as real as what she suffered from. It would be so easy to listen to him and believe. Nothing is easy anymore, do not let your heart get you hurt once more.
“I understand. I am ashamed of this, but I do not recall if I said that before the king and queen. I was remiss. I am sorry for everything, but not for saving you. Whether you want to trust me again is your choice. I witnessed your talent and your compassion. I will give everything necessary to bring a little bit of light back into this dark world. To your world.”
As had happened each time she’d been with him, his charm and composure helped him say the perfect words.
“What do you need from me? Our trains are all in use – and we only have one in the train yard that belongs to us.” The one I would have used if your plan didn’t already have approval from the mages.
“At least one train. I do not believe the king will let me modify the existing ones until we can prove this works.”
“This train runs on private tracks. It is ours to test and change as necessary, but I am not certain how much use the small track will give.” It was the truth. The king would need to halt transport for a night as their track went straight out of London proper and then back in again.
“We will have to find a sick then. I am certain people still go out in folly and find themselves sick. Perhaps one will come forward. Your mother did what was best, and perhaps there are others who will as well.”
“It is a shame none have ever captured one of the ill.” The words slipped out at the mention of her mother. “To test it on them.”
Who’s the monster now?
“I am not certain that would bring any safety to those within the walls, but I do agree it would prove useful in this time of need.”
She did her best to ignore the way she’d wished for people to injure, even if it were the sick. “I presume you will need metals to reinforce the old train to see that it is safe for night travel. If you have your guild fund a portion of it, I will make certain it is added post haste.”
He nodded, and she could see he bit his lip, stopping him from speaking again. Go on then, what could you be hiding? What more could you be hiding?
They stood, staring into one another’s eyes with the darkened city just outside the window for what felt like an eternity. Her lips still tingled from his kiss, and her heart still beat too quickly in her chest from the fear of almost losing him.
He is not yours to lose. He might have been once, but that is past. Remember yourself, you are not a damsel, and he is not your knight.
Chapter Eighteen
In all his life, there had been nothing as complicated as watching the way Raven watched him. He could still feel her in his arms regardless of how brief the dalliance had been. Now her bri
lliant green eyes were cast in shadows. Her arms hugged her chest, and he was not even certain she knew how defensively she stood.
“It could still work.” He was not speaking of the train.
“Benjamin.” Her voice was stern, the look in her eyes entirely unforgiving.
You’ve ruined everything. He was going to save the world, and the one person he now wished to see enjoy it would have nothing to do with him.
“Raven, I understand I broke your trust.” He took a step closer, risking sending her fleeing away. “It was, is, unforgivable. I had no way of knowing what I would feel for you. I did not even believe we’d work together and create anything of use.” He reached out, and she flinched but did not pull away. He let his fingers dance over the pale pink marks of fresh skin on her neck, a reminder of what she was to him and how fragile she was. Even if she does not wish to accept it. “Yet, it all came to be. I am astounded by you, from your superb mind to the way you only laugh when you are delighted. We worked brilliantly together, and I will be bold enough to say I believe we could find love.”
At his words she stepped back, saying nothing, but stepping just beyond his reach. So he continued.
“I had absolutely nothing to think on when you had the idea. I was scared to tell you the truth and lose you. I want to court you, Raven. I want to see where we could go. It would be everything you wanted it to be for the guilds, and we do not have to tell them the alliance was forced.” Of course, save for the fact, his council knew, and he’d bet her board did as well.
Her eyes closed and remained that way. He could see the wheels in her mind turning, and he wished he knew what they turned about. Finally, she sighed, letting her shoulders sag, and opened her eyes.
“I should have seen the signs. There were so many small moments when I questioned your leadership – not who you were, but simply how you led your guild. I am a fool, but I am the one who encouraged anything betwixt us.”
