Abigail Jones (Chronicles of Abigail Jones #1)

by Grace Callaway

  "No," I said. Then, "I need to use the convenience."

  Jack cast his eyes heavenward. "Lord, Abby, you and Mary Jane. Can't it hold? 'Tis a mob here, and it'll be a tight squeeze to get us by."

  "Not to worry," I said. "I saw it earlier. I know where it is. I'll be right back."

  "What? Abby, no—"

  But I let go of his arm and was instantly set adrift in the crowd. I followed the flow, letting the mob push me along toward the garden paths. Swatting away more than a few wandering hands, I heard Jack call out from a distance, "Ten minutes, Abby! Meet me by the pavilion, or I'll come find you!" The answer I shouted was lost in the roar of voices.

  Once I neared the main walk, the crowd thinned out a bit. The people here seemed united in purpose: they were lovers seeking a place for a tryst, or those seeking a lover. For the latter group, women dressed in bright, garish colors strutted their wares beneath the giant elms. Groups of men looked on, some of them approaching to haggle a price. As I watched, successful transactions led couples (and sometimes larger groupings) into the shadowy off-shoots of the main walk. I could only imagine what transpired in those dark veins insulated by dense hedges and towering branches.

  Drawing my cloak tighter, I scanned the dimness in front of me, wondering where I should begin my search. There appeared more than a half-dozen small paths winding from the main way. If I was Hux, which way would I choose?

  "Lookin' fer a good time, duckie?"

  Startled, I saw that one of the prostitutes had approached me. For there was no doubt of her profession—everything from her painted face to the low cut of her sateen dress declared her working status. To my shock, she was looking at me with friendly interest, her darkened lashes fluttering in a saucy wink.

  I flushed to the roots of my hair. "Oh no, I ... that is, I'm not—"

  "Not lookin' fer company? Or fer a diff'rent kind, eh?" With an indifferent smile, she tossed brassy curls over her shoulders. "I know a bloke who'd give a decent roll at a decent price. If you were to mention me name, o' course. I'll tells you where to find 'im, and I guarantee 'e won't disappoint. Why, 'e can't hardly sit on account o' the size o' 'is—"

  "I'm not looking for that sort of company," I cut in. "Truly. But I am looking for someone in particular. A tall gentleman, with blue eyes and black hair. He might have had female company. Perhaps you have seen him?"

  The whore's eyes narrowed. "'Andsome lookin' fellow, silverin' 'bove 'is ears? Carries 'imself like 'e owns 'alf the world?"

  Excitement sparked through me. "Yes. Yes, that's him. Did you see him, where he went?"

  "What's it worf to ye?"

  Fumbling in my cloak pocket, I pulled out a handful of guineas: the salary I had earned thus far and the sum total of my life's savings.

  "Here, take it all," I said, pushing the money at the woman, whose eyes had grown large as saucers. "Just tell me where you saw him."

  "Gor," she breathed. Her hands, housed in fingerless gloves, snatched the coins and made them disappear into her bodice. "'E was 'ere mayhap quarter 'our ago. Went that way." She jerked her chin toward the darkest path, the one at the farthest end of the main walk.

  "Thank you." I started in that direction, but the prostitute's voice halted me.

  "Is 'e yer sweetheart?"

  I gave a quick nod.

  "Then I'd stays away, if I was you," she said with a hint of compassion. "'E weren't alone, duckie. The good lookin' ones ne'er are."

  I took off in a run.

  Plunging into the narrow path, I found myself surrounded by walls of foliage on both sides. I had thought the gardens dark before; here, the dimness descended to a deeper level. The kind that obscured not only vision, but all the senses. The overhang of ancient trees shielded out the feeble glow of the heavens and sealed out the noise of the gardens. Only the fog of the Thames penetrated here, thick as pitch, its touch foul and clammy against my skin. Nonetheless, I pushed on, my hands held in front of me. All of a sudden, I tripped and barely caught myself against the hedge.

  "What the bloody hell—"

  A faint scratch, and a matchstick flared to life. The flame revealed a man, his features cadaverous beneath his top hat. His thin moustache curved as he saw me.

  "Greta, darling, it looks like we have company."

  The tiny glow of the match lit his companion's bare, pendulous breasts, cutting her face off in shadow. "More's the merrier," the female voice husked.

  Stumbling backward, I shook off the disembodied hand that reached for me. My breath scorched my lungs as I ran away as fast as I could. I heard voices, the snapping of underbrush behind me. Branches whipped my face as I traversed the uneven ground in panicked flight. I did not slow my pace, not until I was certain that the roar of my own blood was the only sound I heard. Only then did I stop.

  Lungs burning, I scanned the path behind me; my darting eyes found nothing but a gaping hole of stillness. Looking ahead, I saw a contrast, a subtle sheen to the air just beyond where I stood. A shimmer to the darkness so uncanny that I wondered if I was hallucinating, the way a prisoner might after too long in the hold. I took a few paces forward, and then I saw for certain there was something different further up. A lightness, an energy that hummed like a silvery blue glow ...

  I dashed ahead. Not a minute later, I came upon a small clearing, and the sight before me drew a desperate cry.

  "Get away from him!"

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Two Lilin were closing upon Hux, backing him up against a small gazebo. With their teeth bared, their hair whipping like twin hurricanes, the demons' power crackled through the air. I knew instantly that their strength was greater than that of the last one he had destroyed. Both turned at my voice, and I saw Hux jerk, his eyes honing in on me. The supernatural blue sizzled through me, and I did not know if I felt relief or panic.

  "Stay back," he yelled.

  The demons returned their attention to him, hissing and lashing out with their deadly weapons. Hux countered with the sword, slicing at the virulent tresses until thick hanks littered the ground like dead animals. His efforts made no difference. As I watched with horrified eyes, the hair grew back, longer, thicker, more lethal than before. I screamed as one tentacle caught Hux across the cheek. An oozing scarlet line appeared.

  "Delicious," one demon cooed. Her auburn locks whirled like a tornado of fire as she smacked her lips. "Your blood smells tasty, slayer. My sister and I will suck you dry before we kill you."

  The other Lilin seemed to grow in size, her pale silver hair lashing the sky. "I want to fuck him first. You will hold him down, Sister, while I take his seed." Her amber eyes glowed with hunger. "Then we feast."

  "Always have to have your way, don't you?" the red-headed demon said with a pout. "Just because you've a few centuries on me."

  The elder Lilin hissed, and her eyes heated to crimson.

  "All right, have it your way, then," her sister said, shrinking back. "We'll fuck him, then suck him dry."

  An unfamiliar rage stormed through me as the two closed in upon Hux. How dare they divvy him up as if he was some lump of prime meat for their taking? How dare they gang up upon my beloved?

  The anger filled me with a rush of power. I had to help Hux. Wildly, I scanned the ground for anything I could use as a weapon. A rock, a stick, anything ... My eyes hit upon the sack at the base of a nearby tree. Silver links glinted at the opening. Hux's weapons. Flying toward it, I pulled out the heavy chain and swung it clumsily at my side.

  "Leave him alone!"

  The demons turned again, startled as I by the vehemence of my tone.

  "What have we here—a little sparrow playing a hawk?" the one smirked.

  "At least I play fair," I said, "and not two against one. What would Lilith say to know it required two of her offspring to take care of one measly human?"

  "You dare use The Mother's name?" the red-headed demon hissed, taking a step toward me.

  My ploy was working. In all the visions I had experie
nced, the intensity of the Lilin's emotion had always outweighed their sense. Ruled as they were by their appetites, the demons were powerful—but easy to goad.

  "Queen of the Lilin," I drawled. "Or should I say, the Lily-livered?"

  "You will die for that!" The Lilin advanced toward me, leaving her blonde sister to deal with Hux. "I will turn you to cinder, watch the flesh melt from your very bones!"

  The flames in her eyes began to build. This time, knowing what to expect, I dodged out of harm's way. The stream of fire missed me by inches. I smelled burning ... and realized my bodice was on fire. In panic, I rolled over and over against the damp grass. I could hear the demon's wild laughter.

  "Now you taste The Mother's fire! See how you like that!"

  I came to my feet. Charred scraps drifted from my upper torso and fell like dead leaves to the ground. Thank God this time my chemise remained intact. I had no wish to battle naked a second time. "I couldn't say I'm all that impressed," I said, dusting myself off.

  The Lilin's mouth gaped. Her eyes, amber once more, caught upon my necklace. Darkening veins broke across her face. "The Mother's cross. You are the Betrayer, the Infidel, the Daughter of Disgrace! Paadma," she screamed at the other Lilin, "our Surreptitious Sister has been found at long last!"

  My gaze flew to Hux. I saw his eyes widen. In that instant of distraction, his blonde opponent snarled and leapt upon him. "Do not let her get away, Agrath!" She shouted as she tackled him to the ground. "I'll finish him off and come to your aid."

  "Hux!" I cried.

  I tried to run to him. An auburn rope lashed around my waist, yanking me back.

  "Give back what you stole Sister or you will pay," the Lilin called Agrath hissed.

  In panic, I tried to pull free of the shackling tresses. The pressure tightened around my midsection. Fighting for breath, I tried to think. The necklace. Focusing inward, I called upon its power. Energy flared at my center. The glow spread and began to emanate from my skin. I saw golden smoke curling around the rope that bound me, auburn strands burning away ...

  "By Lilith's teats ..." Agrath breathed.

  A blood-curdling scream rent the night. Agrath and I both spun in time to see Hux impale the blonde demon against the gazebo. She continued to scream and shake her head as his voice rose in chant. The deep Latin invocation stirred the leaves of the trees, and a rumbling shook the ground.

  "By the power of God Almighty, his son, and the heavenly angels, begone evil spirit. Begone Lilith!"

  Agrath gave a screeching cry. "Paadma! No!"

  A pulse of energy shot up the sword. The blonde Lilin screamed once again, and then slumped to the side. Still holding the hilt, Hux's eyes riveted to mine. I was blinded by beams of celestial blue, the brightness almost too much to bear. I shut my eyes as the aftershocks of violence jolted through me.

  Too late, I heard a rustling from behind. Turning, my vision still dotted by the dazzling light, I made out the flowing red hair disappearing into the trees.

  "Hux, quickly!" I cried, looking after her. "The other Lilin, she's escaping. We must—"

  I gasped as a vise closed around my arm. My head snapping back, I was forced to look up. Hux's eyes had faded to their normal color, but his expression was that of a vengeful god's. His molten fury razed my insides.

  "What the hell are you, Abigail Jones?"

  THIRTY-FIVE

  "Hux, please, you're hurting me," I gasped.

  His grip did not loosen. Without another word, he dragged me toward the gazebo, and I had no choice but to stumble behind. He grabbed me by the neck of my chemise and pushed my head toward the woman who lay as if sleeping on the grass next to gazebo steps. Freed from the evil force that had possessed her, she looked human once more. A line worried between her brows, and her head rolled from side to side, as if to escape a bad dream. Tears squeezed from my eyes and blurred my vision. "Hux, please don't. I—"

  "Look at her." The quiet, menacing tone smeared fear over my insides. "Look at what you and your sisters did to her."

  "No! I'm not ..." The words dried in my throat as I saw the disgust carved into his features. I reached out to touch his arm, and he flinched as if I was some terrible disease, some awful thing he could not bear to have near him. 'Twas my greatest nightmare come to life. He saw me as I truly was, and he was reviled.

  Swallowing tears of pain, I fought against the burgeoning hopelessness. "Please listen. I love you, Hux. And if you have any love for me—if these past weeks together meant anything to you—you will give me a chance to explain."

  Seeing the bleak set of his jaw, the quivering of his heavy shoulders, I realized the horrible conflict playing within him.

  He did love me—and he believed my soul belonged in hell.

  "Goddamn you, Abigail." Slowly, the grip on the back of my neck slackened. I saw his chest rise and fall in shallow movements, and the bitter torment on his face ripped at my heart. "Talk, then. Weave more lies for me—it matters not. Nothing does, not anymore."

  "I am so s-sorry," I said brokenly. "I wanted to tell you earlier, but I was afraid. And I did not know what I was myself until you inadvertently told me that night in the stable."

  "You expect me to believe that? You have possessed me since the first day I saw you, and, fool that I was, I let myself succumb to your power. I think I have always suspected what you are, but yet I let myself believe—how you must have laughed behind my back! You have played me like puppet, as Lilith did before you."

  Trembling, I took a step back from the hell-fire leaping to life in his eyes. The back of my legs encountered the steps, and I scrambled backward, clumsily, into the gazebo. He followed me, each step marked by the ominous jangling of the chain bulging from his pocket. "Go on, then. Do your best to convince me. Tell me what it is you wish me to hear, my sweet lying Abigail."

  "I have always known that I am d-different," I said on a stuttering breath. "That the women of my family carry a certain trait. An aberration that causes us to see terrible things. Visions of lust and carnage, the sort to make one think one is mad for no such evil could exist in reality."

  "Not bad," he sneered. "So you see things that others do not. You see fucking and killing in these visions you have. Are you certain, my darling, that you are not simply watching your own self at work?"

  My faltering footsteps echoed against the planks. "Up until that night in the stables, I never knew why I had those visions. For a long while, I thought myself mad. My own mother died in a lunatic asylum, driven to an early grave by the darkness that possessed her. I might have followed a similar path, had Aunt Agnes not protected me. She taught me to hide the madness, to control the trances with my mind so they would not take over my soul."

  "Enough with the lies!" he snapped. He continued to advance, his eyes narrow, glowing slits, his powerful body coiled and ready for attack. "Tell me why you came to my house. Did Lilith send you? Did the devious bitch instruct you to finish me off once and for all?"

  My shoulder blades collided against a column. I could retreat no further. But I didn't want to run, not anymore. I looked straight into the violent heart of the storm.

  "I never knew of Lilith until you first told me of her," I said. "I never suspected that I might be ... related to her in any way until that night in the stables. When you told me that only demons could read each others' minds." A shuddering breath escaped me. "Then I suspected what I was, but I could not bear losing you. Please believe me, Hux, I love you so much—"

  "Love me? Even if I was to believe this half-baked tale, by your own admission you have been lying to me for weeks." Looming over me, he set his hands on either side of my head. I was imprisoned by his large, muscled body and by my desperate need for him. "Fool that I was, I tried to court you. To seduce more than your body—God help me, I wanted your heart. Your trust." At his harsh, bitter laugh, I shrank against the wood. "All the while you have been deceiving me. Every kiss we shared, every moment of intimacy was a goddamned lie. With your delica
te snare, you've destroyed me more than Lilith ever could. That was her plan, wasn't it? To torture me, to have you rip out the remnants of my humanity—"

  My scalp rocked against the column in denial. "No. My love for you is real. I am not here because of Lilith. My ancestor was a Lilin, yes,"—I gulped as his nostrils flared—"but she broke from Lilith's fold. She did not want to be part of that evil."

  "A Lilin abandon her creator? Now why would she do that?" he said scathingly.

  "I do not know the entire tale, only that centuries ago one of Lilith's daughters betrayed her. She stole her mother's necklace because it offered a powerful protection. It shielded her against Lilith's powers." Hux's eyes shifted to the cross upon my bosom. Beneath his scrutiny, the exposed skin prickled with awareness. "Apparently the necklace also prevented Lilith from being able to track this daughter as she did all her others, and the Lilin thus escaped, never to return."

  "And you happen to be a progeny of this virtuous, renegade Lilin. How exceptional," he said acidly. Though I feared his dangerous mood, I could not help the shiver of yearning as he cupped the back of my neck. His thumb pressed lightly, deliberately over the leaping pulse in front. "For someone who claims to have recently learned about her identity, you know a lot of your family history."

  My breath hitched as his other hand came to rest insolently against the side of my breast. Beneath the thin linen, my nipples tightened and throbbed with aching need. It took an effort to regain focus, to speak. "I s-saw it in a vision tonight. When you left, I feared for your safety so I went to find the demon's hair ornament in the tower. You see, when I touch things that Lilin have touched, I can see into their minds ..." I bit back a moan as he fingered the cross, the sweep of his knuckles scorching my skin.

  "Go on."

  "I w-wanted to find out where you'd met her. I th-thought it might be the same place you'd go to hunt demons tonight. I came to help you ..." A whimper left me as he cupped my breast, his fingers tweaking the engorged point. "Hux, please—"