“I wouldn’t put it past the Society to have someone buried under the sand here waiting for us,” Miss Chen muttered.
Still, there was a hint of smile on her face as she nodded to me. Mr. Hale had removed her family from London, through a portal and back to her home in America. They were beyond the Society’s reach, for now, and Miss Chen would be joining them.
As soon as she had her revenge.
“Is it really you?” Miss Grey was running through a portal, grabbing Rose’s hands and pulling her into an embrace. “I thought…”
Rose nodded and began explaining everything in broken pieces. I had been able to send Miss Grey only the briefest of letters before now.
Another portal crackled open. “Good God, where are we, the sun?” Mr. Kent shouted.
“No,” our whole group answered in unison.
He shot me an apologetic look. “That one was meant to be rhetorical.”
I found myself nervous as I scanned the group. Everyone was here, waiting for me to start. Mr. Hale and Camille were flanking a nervous Rose and a protective Catherine. Miss Chen was lounging on the sand, as comfortable as ever. Miss Grey was still staring at Rose in wonder and Mr. Kent was smirking, per usual.
I cleared my throat. “Thank you, everyone, for coming. I have asked you here to see if you will help me find the head of the Society of Aberrations.”
Silence. To most, this was not a surprise. But Miss Grey went pale and began to wring her hands.
“They claim to be a part of the government, but then they lie to us about our missions and justify horrible acts by claiming it’s for the sake of the country. We cannot continue working for an organization that punishes us by hurting or even killing the ones we love. We don’t know their motivations or intentions and neither does Captain Goode—he is simply following orders from a head who has no powers. And I believe I know who that is.”
Catherine sighed.
“The Earl of Atherton,” I said firmly.
“Or,” said Catherine, “it could be one of these men.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a sheaf of paper.
“Mr. Kent and Evelyn learned that two previous heads had been the Earl of Hartwell and the Duke of Fosberry. I knew the names were familiar, but then I found that both men held the same position: They were each appointed as the Under Secretary of the Home Office.”
“You suspect a link between the Home Office and the Society?” Miss Grey asked.
“I do.” Catherine nodded vigorously, sending her spectacles sliding down her face. “I think when someone performs well in that position, he is promoted and appointed to be the head of the Society of Aberrations. There are a number of men here—all highly connected, all distinct possibilities.”
“Including,” I began, pausing for emphasis, “the previous Lord Atherton.…”
“As well as the Marquess of Herrington, the Marquess of Overstone, the Earl of Somers, the Earl of Warrington, and—well, the Duke of Harlowe.”
We all looked at her at that one. “The Duke of Harlowe is…,” I said.
“Not open to new ideas,” Mr. Kent filled in, rather diplomatically. It was impossible to imagine the aging, stubborn duke leading a society of people with extraordinary powers.
“Well, all right, I admit he is unlikely, but the others are possibilities. They could certainly be the head,” Catherine said.
“Or Lord Atherton,” I added.
“But that doesn’t make nearly as much sense,” Catherine said. “Why would the young Lord Atherton be appointed for the position just because of his father?”
“Inheritance,” I answered. England’s answer for most important roles in society. “Besides, he told me he had an important duty to the British realm.”
I looked at everyone in turn. No one seemed to think that was noteworthy.
“Realm! No one says realm! No one except the head of the Society of Aberrations, who used the very same word in an order to Captain Goode!”
They stared more.
“Plenty of people say realm,” Mr. Kent finally said.
“Who?”
“Why, lawyers, politicians, immortal men from the fourteenth century…”
“Evelyn,” Miss Grey cut in softly. “What do you plan to do with the head, whoever it may be?”
“We will convince him to step down.”
“And he will politely apologize and stop?” Camille asked, her words thick with sarcasm.
“Well…” I hesitated. “I think we should simply abduct him if it comes to that.”
A heavier silence than before fell.
“Evelyn—” Miss Grey began.
“I like it,” Miss Chen interrupted. She flashed her teeth in a vicious grin. “Why shouldn’t we? You all don’t know the half of the things he’s made me do these past months. I say we tie him up.”
I could almost see the visions of violence running through her head.
“Or, Mr. Kent, you could … influence him,” I said stiffly, but he was already grinning like a little boy just handed an afternoon free from his tutor.
“Influence him, yes, surely, Miss Wyndham—now you couldn’t possibly mean blackmail—no, no, I’m sure you didn’t mean that.”
I glared at him. “Extenuating circumstances.”
“Ha!” He grasped his cane and raised it into the air. “I knew it.”
“If we could return to the matter,” Miss Grey was saying. “Evelyn, this seems extreme.”
“And the Society’s methods aren’t? We know they will punish us. We know they are forcing powered people to join them, and we know they have imprisoned those who didn’t deserve it. We have only so much time before Captain Goode realizes Mr. Hale is masquerading as his brother.” I tried not to let my panic infuse the words, but it was true. We had to figure this out soon, or someone would get hurt.
“I think we should go confront Lord Atherton,” I said.
“Except that it is very possible it’s not him,” Catherine interjected firmly. “I think we should focus on the things we do know. We know the head could be—or at least be connected to—any of these men, not just Lord Atherton.” She gestured to the papers she held. “We know it’s someone who does not have a power. We know it’s someone influential in London society. We know he probably held this position in the Home Office. And we know it’s someone very clever.”
“So clever that he pretends to be the most boring, unimaginative man in all of London to hide his true identity,” I countered.
“And what do you mean to do?” Catherine asked. “Go knock on the Athertons’ door, all of us, and just ask? Take him from his own house while servants look on? What if you’re wrong? What if there’s a bodyguard? The Society will find out what you’re trying to do.”
True, it was not exactly the most elegant plan.
“Well, what do you suggest?” I asked her. Everyone turned and she cleared her throat, pink and nervous at the sudden attention.
“Your ball.”
“My … ball…”
“It’s the most obvious reason for all of us to be together, and it will be much less conspicuous. Your mother will have invited only the top of London society. You can look to be sure that the other men on this list are invited and we can quietly have Mr. Kent ask our potential suspects the correct questions. When we identify the head, he won’t be able to do anything in the middle of a ball because he needs to keep these powers a secret. Then, at the right time, Mr. Hale can even bring us somewhere quiet.”
A breeze swirled sand around us as everyone considered Catherine’s suggestion.
“I have to say, that seems very sound,” Mr. Kent said, throwing me an apologetic smile.
“And when is this ball?” Mr. Hale asked, frowning.
“In two nights’ time,” I said slowly, warming to the possibility. It was a good idea. We could corner Lord Atherton at the beginning and whisk him away early without anyone noticing. I could be sure these other men were on Mother’s list as well.
“I know two other gentlemen who may have information about the bodyguard, too,” I said, remembering Arthur and William. “I will visit them tomorrow. If there is a guard, Miss Chen, we may need you to create a distraction.”
She flashed that wicked smile again. “Excellent.”
“I will agree to none of this unless Miss Rosamund is kept out of harm’s way.” Mr. Hale stepped forward.
Camille sniffed and delicately stood at his side, her head held determinedly. “She is the highest priority. I will stay with her.”
“I agree. Camille, after disguising Miss Grey, whom my mother would recognize, you should stay with Rose and Catherine at Catherine’s house, just in case something goes wrong.”
My stubborn friend opened her mouth to argue. “I can—”
“Please, Catherine,” I said, glancing pointedly at Rose. Rose would not be comfortable with Camille at all and I suspected Catherine’s presence would make it far more bearable. And she could keep an eye on Camille, making sure she didn’t abscond with Rose.
Catherine took in the stiff-necked way Rose was looking at her former captors. “All right,” she agreed.
“Good,” I said. “Mr. Hale, we’ll need you to check in periodically so you can take Lord Atherton—or yes, whoever the head of the Society is—off to a more remote location. Camille will stay with Rose and Catherine the whole time but of course you can go back and forth easily.” He sighed but finally gave a reluctant nod.
“I suppose it’s not the worst plan,” Camille mused.
“That’s everyone here,” Mr. Kent said. “But I believe Mr. Myles would want to be included.”
Miss Grey hesitated. “He is so young.”
“But so helpful,” Mr. Kent countered. “He could get anyone out of a tight spot. He proved that at the prison.”
“He did,” I said reluctantly. But I couldn’t forget his injuries from today. I didn’t want to force or coerce him into anything. I’d give him the choice and, if he wanted to participate, assign him a safe task. “He could watch from the floor above and deliver messages if there is an emergency. Is there anyone else?”
There wasn’t. And if anyone had any Sebastian suggestions, they had the good sense to keep it to themselves.
“It’s settled, then. I will work out the details and timing tonight. Mr. Hale, you will deliver letters with the plan to everyone?” He nodded. I felt a tiny bud of hope springing up beneath my bodice.
“But what then?” Rose said suddenly.
Everyone turned to her and she immediately looked like she regretted speaking.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
She swallowed and drew closer to Catherine. “What happens to the Society after he isn’t running it?”
I looked around to see if anyone else had an answer.
They didn’t.
“Well, I think we should let people decide if they still want to work for them, of course. And if enough people wish to stay, then we will have to find some common ground for what we want to do with the Society.”
Camille did not seem to like the idea. “They are evil,” she said, and gave a loud huff.
“Yes, but they could be not evil,” I said, annoyed. “I think Captain Goode could be perfectly fair if he had better guidance.” I looked at Miss Grey. “And Miss Grey, you seem to work very well with him. You could be that guidance.” One line in her forehead softened as she took in the possibilities.
“And, Rose, I’d trust your judgment on all of it the most.” I said. “You’d be integral—”
“No,” Rose said, then bit her lip and looked downwards.
“What do you mean?”
An awkward silence prevailed. She refused to elaborate and no one knew what to say.
Mr. Kent finally broke in. “I think these are questions we can address after speaking to this head—whoever he may turn out to be.”
“We have plenty we need to do before the ball—but we will certainly discuss it at length,” I said, nodding at Rose.
I sighed. There was too much to do in too little time. I had to talk to Oliver, find William and Arthur, and disinvite Mae from the ball.
And keep Sebastian away from all of it.
“I will send you all messages tonight.”
I shooed everyone else through the portals, asking Mr. Hale to give Rose and me a moment. “You can stand over there,” I said, pointing him farther down the hot sand. I waited till he was far, far away, and there was no chance we would be overheard.
“Now, tell me what you’re thinking,” I said, taking her hand.
She scrunched her nose slightly, blue eyes full of worry and a flash of anger. “How can you think keeping the Society together is a good idea?”
“Because with the right people in charge, we could do good things,” I said.
“I just…” Rose turned away, blinking back a tear. “I just want to be with Mother and Father. I want to go back to how things were, home and safe in Bramhurst. Not running around with these … these criminals!”
“But you couldn’t wait to leave before!” I said, slightly stunned. “This is a way for us to use our talents.”
She bit her lip and mumbled, “Your talent.”
“Dear, your talent can be put to great use.”
She pulled away. “Yes, I can make people do terrible things because they think they love me!” She swiped her hand under her eyes and closed them, speaking very tightly. “Within a day of finding me, you’ve brought together so many of these people to fight this terrifying Society. Everyone’s suddenly putting themselves and their families in danger. I don’t even know if my family truly loves me or if it’s just this terrible thing inside me. Like how I took credit for what was clearly your skill with all our patients back in Bramhurst.”
I was overflowing with excuses, gasping that she could think that, so I didn’t think I was terribly convincing as I tried to reassure her. “Rose, dearest, we love you for who you are. These powers don’t even begin developing until we reach about fourteen. We—Mother and Father and, Lord, even Robert!—we’ve loved you since you were born. You’ve been dear to us for ages—it isn’t your power.”
She had her back to me now, her thin shoulders trembling. I came up behind her and pulled her into a hug.
“I love you, Rose. For who you are, who you have been, and who you will be. It has nothing to do with your power.”
“But you don’t know that,” she whispered.
“I do. And as soon as we figure out what to do with the head of the Society, I will have Captain Goode remove your power and I will prove to you that I love you despite it.”
She sighed. “I just don’t trust these powers or these terrible people. Do you really think it’s a good idea to keep the Society running?”
“They aren’t all terrible. And we can do so much good—we can help people all over the world. That’s what you always talked about doing.”
“I … The last time I tried to help someone…” Rose’s voice cracked and she pressed her lips tightly together. “I wish we could run away.”
I stared out in the same direction she did, my head on her shoulder, my heart torn from how much she’d changed. She was the decisive one, the one who always did what she thought would help others, the one who should have been pushing us to fix the Society of Aberrations and do some good. A fresh stab of anger for Camille and Mr. Hale and Dr. Beck hit me, making me plan elaborate tortures for what they did. For how they hurt her.
Rose’s body stiffened in my arms. Mr. Hale was walking toward us, apparently our time alone was up. �
��I hate him,” Rose said softly, but with conviction.
“I do, too.”
“I want him to pay, after all this is done. He should be arrested.”
“We will figure something out. I promise. Just give me two more days.”
I held her tightly by my side as we crossed back through the portal.
Two days.
Two days and Rose would be safe. For good.
Chapter 18
ARTHUR AND WILLIAM’S gambling house was ablaze with electric lights. The floors gleamed, and the pockets of gentlemen playing French hazard, roulette, and baccarat were fanned out across the large room. Spots of color here and there signified the ladies present, and as I observed them, I was glad to have picked the right dress, for once.
“This is a dream come true, Miss Wyndham,” Mr. Kent said. “You inviting me to a den of iniquity.”
“So glad I could help,” I said.
The crowd was noisy and genial. I carefully looked around to see if I could discern anyone else with powers. Of course, nothing was obvious. But we did discern the man who looked to be in charge of the place, pacing the room and scrutinizing all the tables and guests closely.
“Hello, sir,” Mr. Kent said, stepping into the man’s path. “Would you happen to know where we might find your proprietors?”
“I do,” he said stiffly, answering Mr. Kent’s question to its bare minimum.
“Will you escort us to them?”
“No. Not at the moment,” the man said. “They are busy.”
“They are friends with Miss Wyndham here,” he said, gesturing to me. “I’m certain they will wish to see her immediately.”
“They have many friends, sir,” the man replied. “And they will see them when they aren’t busy.”
Mr. Kent looked annoyed for a moment, before he covered with a smile and I knew what was coming. “Very well. But before we go, what is the most horrible—”
“Thank you, sir,” I said, seizing Mr. Kent’s arm tightly and pulling him away. “We will wait for them.”
“We’ll be waiting all night,” Mr. Kent said, once we were out of earshot. “If the staff at these places don’t recognize you, they aren’t going to take you to their bosses. They are rather careful with strangers.”
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