Concealed

by Christina Bauer

  My fingers itched to empower an incantation. This mansion was one of the few that didn’t have any Fantomes in residence. Still, that didn’t mean they weren’t lurking nearby. The Vicomte was known for sending Fantomes to remote places on a whim. I couldn’t take the risk.

  All my previous Amelia encounters had ended with me being shown the door and quickly. Afterward, I always had to find house servants and secretly interrogate them. It was painstaking work, not to mention nerve-wracking. At every moment, I could have been detected.

  The woman at the gate began to turn away.

  No, no, no.

  There was nothing left to do but say who’d sent me. Not that it had ever helped before.

  I cupped my hand by my mouth and raised my voice. “I know Veronique.”

  The woman paused. “Who?”

  “Mademoiselle Veronique Adeline Josephine de Haverville. She’s the one who told me to find Amelia.”

  Seconds passed. The woman turned around and eyed me carefully. “How would you know our Veronique?”

  A weight lifted off my chest. Our Veronique. This was the first time anyone had shown a glimmer of recognition when I mentioned that name. “She’s in dire trouble.” My voice wobbled. “Please. This is life or death.”

  The woman stepped closer and cracked open the gate. Leaning out, she scanned the thin street outside the mansion. All the rickety wooden buildings appeared deserted. No one was walking along the rutted road. She stepped back inside. “You’d better come to the garden. My Lady will want to see you.”

  My knees turned rubbery beneath me. At last, a Lady Amelia who knew something and was willing to talk. I only hoped she wasn’t as crazy as Bartley had claimed.

  The servant marched off across the cobblestone courtyard. “I’m Clothilde, by the way. Close the gate behind you.”

  I slammed the massive thing shut and followed Clothilde toward a massive mansion made of rose-colored marble. Clothilde strode up the front steps and yanked the mighty door open with ease. The front entrance led to an elaborate reception room made of shining wood. The arched ceiling was painted with images of a family coat of arms—a longsword wreathed in red roses. Strange. I’d never seen a crest like that before. I scanned the space around me. It was even stranger. No other servants seemed to be about. A mansion this large should be full of them. “Is Amelia the only lady of the house?”

  “Save your questions for her.” Clothilde led me through a warren of passageways that led to a lush garden. Flowers burst from their small plots of ground, a riot of purple, pink, and green. Scaled trellises arched through the air. It couldn’t have been more different from the gray, cramped look of the town.

  Lady Amelia sat on an overlarge wooden swing. She had the face of a doll, what with her porcelain skin, wide eyes, and bow-shaped mouth. Long curls spiraled over her shoulders. Her dress was the large-skirted variety that all the Royals seemed to favor. Its pink satin was the perfect shade to highlight her bright red hair. She looked up from the small leather book on her lap. “What’s all this?”

  “Your Ladyship, someone to see you. Says she knows Veronique.”

  Amelia shooed the servant away with her fingertips. “Thank you. You may go.” She closed the book, and a whirring noise filled the air. The volume was covered in tiny gears that had clicked into place, locking the book up tight. I’d known how Royals were obsessed with new machines and odd fashions, yet I’d never seen anything like that book before. Perhaps this contraption was of Amelia’s making? She was a master machinist, after all.

  “I’d like to stay at your side, my Lady.” Clothilde shot a wary glance in my direction. “You’ll want to be careful what you say to this new girl. Especially what you show her, if you catch my meaning.” Her frown deepened with the word “show.” What could Amelia have to share? I decided to save that question for later. “This one says she’s a lady, but she’s fresh off the farm.”

  I suppose I could be insulted. Even so, Clothilde’s words made me feel a little more confident about Amelia. The girl had clearly inspired her servants to care for her welfare. That had to count for something.

  Amelia waved her dainty hand. “I’ll be fine.”

  “As your ladyship requests.” Clothilde turned back toward the house.

  Amelia scooted over, making room for me beside her on the swing. “You may have a seat.”

  “I’ll stand, thank you.”

  Amelia stared at the path that led to the greenhouse. “Clothilde’s not gone far, you know.”

  “Good.”

  Amelia narrowed her pretty blue eyes. “You fear for my safety?”

  “No, I’m pleased to see that someone else does.”

  “Well said.” She folded her hands neatly in her lap. “Who are you?”

  “A friend of Veronique’s.”

  Amelia’s eyes widened. “Do you know where she is? She disappeared.”

  “No, I don’t. That’s why I’m here. I’ve been trying to find her. Can you help me?”

  Amelia drummed her fingers atop the metal gears of her book. Her mind seemed just as sharp and interlocked. She wasn’t replying. Yet at least I could be certain she wasn’t insane. She exhaled a long breath. “How could I help you? I don’t know where Veronique is.”

  “You may know something that can assist. May I ask you a few questions?”

  “If you must.” The wary look in her blue eyes said she might not answer, however.

  Still, I couldn’t believe my luck. This was he furthest I’d gotten with any Lady Amelia. Sad to say, I hadn’t planned much past getting through the front door. I eyed the girl before me carefully. Veronique’s last words were for me to find someone named Amelia. Still, was this the person she’d really meant? And even if it was, how much could I trust this stranger?

  “What you know about Veronique?”

  “Almost everything.” Amelia kicked her foot against the ground and began to gently swing. Her features softened as she talked about her friend. “Vee loved yellow gowns and handsome boys. She was clever with anything that had gears; not that she’d ever let you know it. The girl was selfish and shrewd. Even so, you’ll never meet anyone with a stronger heart.” Amelia looked up at me through long lashes. “Your turn. What do you know of how Veronique disappeared?”

  It didn’t feel right sharing too much. After all, I’d only just met Amelia. I decided on an answer that was both truthful and vague. “She was taken.”

  “Now that’s an avalanche of information.” Amelia rolled her eyes. “Perhaps this will free your tongue. I’m a Necromancer.” She quickly lifted her arm. Her pretty features scrunched up in agony as a flash of blue light skittered across her palm. She shook out her hand. “Damn, that always hurts.” She lowered her voice to what was supposed to be a menacing level. “But don’t think I won’t use my power if I have to. I’ll get the truth from you, one way or another.”

  My mouth hung open for a moment before I was able to school my features again. I couldn’t believe it. Was it only a day ago that I was threatening thieves with the same logic? The gods have a sense of humor. “I admire your spirit, but that wasn’t Necromancy.”

  “That’s what you think.” Amelia lifted her chin. “Answer my questions or I’ll strike you down.”

  I worked hard to hide my smile. You want to strike me down? Get in line. Still, her display did prove one thing. Amelia was desperate to find Veronique. I sat down beside Amelia on her swing. “You can’t go around showing off blasts of blue light like that. You’ll get dragged in by the Fantomes. In fact, I’m amazed they haven’t pulled you in already. I thought anyone with Necromancer power was drained ages ago.”

  “I was adopted by the Vicomte, same as Veronique. All of us so-called children have Necromancer power. We use it to build things for him.”

  This supported my theory about how the Vicomte planned to take in Necromancer magick with a device. Having machinists with some Necromancer abilities would only help him figure out how to take in p
ower from a totem ring. I leaned forward. “And you used some of your magick to build the clock tower.”

  “Precisely.”

  “It still doesn’t explain the risks you’re taking right now. I’ve heard stories about the Vicomte and his adopted children. Most of them came to a nasty end.” Like Veronique.

  “I’m the only child he actually adopted. His sole heir. And I have magickal wards that protect me from him. Otherwise, he’d have sent me away ages ago.” Her gaze turned pleading. “That’s what happened to Vee, isn’t it? He sent her off.”

  The question hung in the air. What happened to Veronique? My Necromancer training was clear on this point. Evade all straightforward answers, even to another Sister. Yet I wasn’t feeling very logical today. My heart wanted to trust Amelia. After seeing Rowan leave again, I desperately needed someone I could rely on in this mission.

  I’ll tell her the truth.

  “I was once a captive of the Midnight Cloister. Veronique was imprisoned there with me. The Mother Superior at Midnight meant to kill us, yet she didn’t. I escaped. The Vicomte took Veronique away.”

  Amelia’s lower lip wobbled. “And what’s he doing with Vee? Are the rumors true? Is he draining her?”

  My soul ached for Amelia. She desperately wanted to find her friend. I knew just how that felt. “He’s trying to. But we can get to her first.”

  Amelia fiddled with the gears on the cover of her book. When she spoke again, her voice was low. “But you don’t know where he’s keeping her.”

  “I was hoping you might know something that could help find her. How well do you know the Vicomte and his court?”

  “I’m the Vicomte’s first and only child, in the legal sense, anyway. He’s my Daddy Dearest.” The words “Daddy Dearest” dripped with venom. She leapt off the swing and paced a line on the garden path. “Veronique was my best friend until that heartless snake stole her away. I want her back. You’ve no idea how long I’ve searched with nothing to show for it. I’ll do whatever is necessary.” She paused and turned to me. “What else do you want to know? I’ll tell you anything.”

  “How familiar are you with the lands of the Royals? I’ve learned that the Vicomte is hiding Veronique and other Necromancers on the estate of one of his courtiers.”

  Amelia’s brows lifted. “Other Necromancers?”

  “Of course. Veronique wasn’t the only one taken.”

  That calculating look returned to Amelia’s doll-like face. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? You care for another Necromancer like I do for Veronique.”

  She is a clever one, I’ll give her that.

  “Yes.”

  “Who is it?”

  I sighed. “Why do you want to know? I’ve decided to trust you. Isn’t that enough?”

  “No, I want to understand what you get from all this. Most people hate Veronique. The gods know I certainly did when we first met. Why risk yourself to save her?”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose. This conversation kept digging me in deeper. Now I’d have to reveal everything. Taking in a long breath, I raised my left arm and pulled Necromancer power into my soul. The delicate bones in my left hand shone with sapphire-bright light. I made each bone glow in succession like fireflies. This was a trick only the most advanced Necromancers could manage. “I’m a Grand Mistress Necromancer. All Sisters and Brothers are my concern.”

  Amelia’s face turned slack with shock. “I’ve heard of you. You’re the one Daddy Dearest wants to meet. Everyone says you’re in hiding.”

  “I don’t want to be found. There’s a difference.” I lowered my palm and stopped the spell. “I wish to free as many of my fellow mages as possible. Some of them are my friends. Others aren’t. One is a child. Above all, I wish to save her. She’s an innocent.”

  Amelia nodded slowly. “All right. I understand. You said Veronique was being kept on Royal lands. What kind of estate are you looking for?”

  “Someplace large with a great dungeon. It would be a newer mansion, something built or rebuilt within the last five years. Any ideas?”

  “Two estates come to mind.”

  Excitement sped through my bloodstream. “I need access to look around those places. I can’t seem to get past the front door of any Royal. Can you assist me there?”

  She looked me over from head to toe. “I might be able to help.”

  Clothilde stepped back up to the edge of the clearing. “Would you like luncheon, Your Ladyship?”

  Once more, Amelia made shoo fingers at her servant. “I’m quite well, and the farm girl hasn’t tried to kill me yet. We’ll go to the cottage when we’re ready to sup.”

  I didn’t bother to hide my smile. Amelia had a lot of spirit. I was starting to like her.

  Clothilde curtseyed. “As you command.”

  Once Clothilde was gone, I returned my attention to Amelia. “How exactly will you help me?”

  “I can take you around the estates.”

  Disappointment weighed heavily into my bones. “That won’t work. The Vicomte has seen what I look like.”

  “As in, how you look now?”

  “In a way. I was dressed in Caster leathers when I went after the Tsar. The Vicomte was there.”

  Her eyes sparkled with interest. “That sounds like quite the tale.”

  “It’s the main reason the Fantomes want me, but it’s a story for another day. In any case, I don’t think the Vicomte could forget me.”

  Amelia laughed, and the sound was as lively as a bubbling stream. “You don’t know Daddy Dearest like I do. He doesn’t notice women, and if he did, he’d only have seen you as a Caster and an outlaw. Wait until I get you ready for court. You won’t recognize yourself. And Daddy Dearest will certainly never put two and two together. He’s not interested in people, you see. Only machines.” She twisted a lock of red hair about her finger. “I didn’t catch your name.”

  “Elea.” My stomach growled, and I realized I’d been standing outside for longer than I thought. “How about we discuss it over luncheon?”

  “I’d like that. Tomorrow, I can show you my laboratory. All of us children have one.”

  “You can’t show me now?”

  “It’s boarded up and covered in sheets. Clothilde and I will need all morning to open it up. Don’t worry. You’ll see it soon.” Her eyes narrowed. “In the meantime, there are a few taverns in town. Stay at the Autumn Arms. No one will notice you there.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Positive. I’d love for you to stay with me, but that would cause gossip. Best for all of us if we keep this quiet.”

  I scanned her carefully. “Best for all of us.” Amelia was risking so much for Veronique and me. “Are you certain about helping me? I’m a wanted criminal.”

  “Daddy Dearest merely wants to chat with you.”

  “Amelia.” I shot her a grave look. “He wants me dead.”

  “Don’t be silly. He wants everyone dead at some point. Besides, you’re my friend now. We’re off on a great adventure. Nothing more.” She slipped her satin-clad arm into mine and tugged me toward the house.

  With that, it seemed I had become friends with the Lady Amelia Masson. And I liked that feeling far more than I should have.

  Mother Superior would not be pleased.

  Chapter Three

  My tavern room held little more than a small cot, a side table, and my traveling trunk. The walls were made of rough-hewn wood. A small mottled window peeped out over a view of thin and winding streets. I’d come here right after my visit with Amelia, and the place was as discreet as she’d promised. The innkeeper barely looked at me when I registered. No one asked my name. It was perfect.

  Now I had safely moved into my room with daylight left to burn. That meant one thing.

  Time to prepare for my regular spell casting.

  I began by closing the shutters over my window. Sure, this tavern looked out over a set of isolated streets. Even so, I couldn’t risk anyone seeing the light
as I cast my magick. I finished with the window, opened my traveling trunk, pulled out a collection of rags, and set about plugging up every crevice I could find. After that, I double-checked my work.

  This is as safe as things will get.

  I was ready to cast my spell. Every day, I used magick to try and see Ada. It was a tricky affair because this particular spell reached out over time and space. If I wasn’t careful, it would act as a warning bell to the Fantomes. Casting it was risky, but I’d become desperate. I needed to see where Ada was kept.

  Trouble was, even though I cast this spell every day, I had yet to see anything useful. Sorrow weighed down on my shoulders. How much longer could I keep going? At some point, I had to admit it was hopeless, didn’t I? Rowan’s words came back to me.

  “Don’t give up. If anyone can find Ada, it’s you.”

  I straightened my shoulders and reminded myself of my power as a Grand Mistress Necromancer. The more I cast a spell, the better I got at it. Maybe this time, I’d see something that could help.

  Closing my eyes, I reached out to the energy and memories that lingered in this room. The air was thick with the history of those who’d been here before. Determination, weariness, passion… I pulled all that energy into my body and focused it into my left arm. The bones there glowed sapphire-bright with magick. After taking in a deep breath, I spoke the words for a seeing spell.

  In all spirit, there is power

  In these shadows, I find light

  Heed my spell, the whisper’s hour

  From the darkness, give me sight

  With a flick of my wrist, I released the energy from my hand. A blue mist appeared around the floor. Beautiful.

  The haze turned thicker until I was surrounded by an azure-colored cloud. With a snap of my fingers, the mist cleared away. Now, I no longer stood in the small tavern room, but in a long stone hallway that was lined with stout, metal doors.