The Lantern's Ember

by Colleen Houck

  Jack looked up. “It doesn’t matter.” He paused, then continued, “I can’t love her. I won’t. It’s not my place. Ember belongs to the human world. She should be with someone like you. Someone she can inspire and help. Someone who’s not…”

  “Already dead?” Finney said softly.

  Jack nodded, and his pumpkin slowly lowered until it touched his shoulder, bumping against it as if to offer comfort.

  “I have no future,” Jack said. “My mortal life was sacrificed long ago. What I feel and what I wish are irrelevant.”

  * * *

  * * *

  Ember had woken to the sound of voices, and she slid the covers aside and padded across the thick carpet to the door. She was about to say good morning when she heard what Jack said.

  I can’t love her.

  I won’t.

  Quickly, she backed away from the door, pain and confusion muddying her thoughts. Had Finney been asking Jack if he would take care of her? It was just like her friend to consider her safety and comfort. But Finney hadn’t just asked for Jack to keep her safe. He’d asked if Jack could love her, and Jack had said no.

  Ember knew that she shouldn’t care. She’d told both of them that her intentions were to see the world, not settle down. But that didn’t mean she didn’t daydream of a boy who would hold her with tenderness and listen to her occasionally nonsensical ideas without laughing. One who would give her drowsy kisses, and, most important, look her in the eye instead of ogling her chest. She’d only known two men who’d ever been able to prevent themselves from doing the latter, and both of them were in the room next door.

  True, Dev hadn’t appeared to be overly fascinated with her bosom either, but he looked at her hungrily, and he was certainly interested in her power. Wasn’t she involved with Dev for the same reason? Taking advantage of his knowledge and ability to guide her through the mysteries of the Otherworld?

  Since she wasn’t looking for love anyway, what did it matter how Jack felt?

  But deep down, there was a secret part of her that cared very much indeed about the feelings the lantern might have for her, and that part mourned.

  Ember wondered if there was a spell to soothe the distress of heartbreak. But with no ingredients to make up a tonic, she decided to simply hold together the pieces of her heart by tightening her corset around it and finishing the bag of chocolates.

  Dressing as quietly as she could and concealing her feelings well enough by pasting a carefree smile on her face, she knocked on the door and breezed through. Jack and Finney were as affable as usual, and she was quickly distracted from her somber thoughts as Jack demonstrated the wonders of the ocean outside the hidden bubble in her stateroom.

  While Finney peppered Jack with questions, she only half listened because she was hyperaware of Jack standing behind her, pointing to one outcropping here and a remarkable fish there, his breath tickling her bare neck, the length of his arm brushing against hers, and his hand on her waist. She wished she had the gumption to put some space between them, but she liked being close to the mysterious lantern too much to deny herself the pleasure of his nearness.

  Then Dev stepped into the room, frowning at seeing all of them together.

  “I’ve come to escort you to the galley,” he said, giving Ember a stiff bow. “I’m sure you’re famished.”

  “Absolutely starving!” Ember said a bit too brightly, and rushed to take his arm.

  The group breakfasted on the ship’s stores, which included a bowl of hot porridge mixed with dried fruits and nuts, crisp biscuits with jam, and salted fish. They were also served a rather nice tea, which reminded Ember that she had yet to confront Dev about his particular brew.

  As she poured a mug for him, she said to Dev, “I believe I still have some of that tea you acquired for me. Would you prefer some of that since you’re not eating anything else?”

  He grimaced. “I should think not; thank you for inquiring.”

  “Not at all. May I ask why it is that you don’t wish to sample it?”

  “I don’t like the flavor. Besides, it doesn’t work on tamping down a vampire’s abilities. Even if there was such a thing, I wouldn’t want it. I like my abilities.”

  “And I like mine too,” Ember said with a tight smile. “In addition, I like my choices to be mine. Do you not also wish to be in charge of your own mind, Deverell?”

  The vampire frowned and glanced at Jack and Finney. The former was eating and the latter was stirring his porridge with a spoon, trying not to look at Dev. He hesitated before speaking. “Yes. I like to be in charge of my own mind. Where are you going with this, Ember?”

  She dropped her spoon with a clatter, dribbling tea over the edge of the saucer. “That tea you gave me had devil’s breath in it!” she accused him.

  “Devil’s breath?” Dev sat back in his chair, stunned. Then he slapped his open hand on the table. “Payne?”

  Jack interjected: “You, vampire, were the only one with something to gain.”

  Dev scowled. “Surely you’re not insinuating that I have been less than a gentleman where Ember is concerned.”

  “Well, surely I—” Ember started.

  “I’m not insinuating,” Jack answered Dev as he leaned forward, the chains of his pocket watches dangling in the air as he pressed his fingertips on the table. His pumpkin reared up behind him, grinning at Dev over Jack’s crown of white-blond hair. “I’m outright accusing.”

  Eyes narrowing, a dangerous fire rising in them, Dev shifted just a degree closer to Jack. Ember tried to interject, only to be drowned out by Dev’s growling. “Be careful when you accuse a vampire,” Dev warned. “We are honor bound to defend ourselves. And I assure you, if I was after Ember’s affection, which is something that is entirely outside the realm of your business, I wouldn’t need a drug to convince her.”

  Ember gave Finney a horrified, pleading sort of look, but the young man shrank back as if trying to make himself invisible.

  “Is that right?” Jack pressed.

  “That’s right,” Deverell replied.

  Ember was about to throw them both out of the submersible. Why couldn’t Dev give her a straight answer? And why must Jack take over like she couldn’t handle it herself? Then Dev rolled up a sleeve and Ember thought he meant to engage in fisticuffs with Jack right there at the breakfast table. Instead, he bit his wrist and held it out to Jack.

  “Vampire’s vow,” he said. “Taste my blood and know that I was never aware that Ember’s tea had anything in it except a suppressant for her power.”

  The two shiny drops of blood welled on his wrist as he held it out. Jack stared into Dev’s face, ignoring the offer.

  “If you won’t check, I will,” Ember said. Taking Dev’s wrist, she touched her tongue to a droplet. Finney went pale, and Jack looked even more hot under the collar than before. Once again there was a ringing in Ember’s veins and a cool confirmation of truth.

  “He’s not lying,” Ember said. “He didn’t know.”

  Dev pressed a napkin to his wrist and pulled down his sleeve, touching the cuff link to close the opening.

  “I’ll remind you, I’m a lantern,” Jack said. “I knew he wasn’t lying.”

  “Then why do you look like a vengeful angel about to rain down death and destruction?” Ember asked.

  Jack ground his jaw but refused to answer.

  Finney cleared his throat, his voice squeaking as he tugged on Jack’s sleeve.

  The lantern’s brows furrowed as he finally broke eye contact with Dev and turned to Finney. “What is it?” he asked.

  “Jack,” Finney said, trying to distract from the current tension. “If you wouldn’t mind, could you take a look at the gash on my head? I’m feeling a bit woozy. Check for suppuration. I wouldn’t want anything to get infected.”

  “If I had the proper ingredients, I could make an embrocation for you,” Ember said.
“One that would soothe your headache and speed your healing.”

  “I’d most appreciate it,” Finney replied.

  “There’s no need,” Jack proclaimed after examining the boy’s head. “It’s more of a bump than a cut. He’ll heal well enough on his own.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, there’s something I’d like to talk with the captain about,” Dev said as he pushed back his chair.

  “I’ll accompany you,” Ember said. “I’d like to ask her a few questions about our destination.”

  Dev stiffened, but nodded.

  Finney and Jack rose immediately and protested, saying they should stick together and that they also had many questions.

  “Nonsense,” Ember replied. “There’s plenty of time for you to finish your repast first. Besides, I assure you two, I can take care of myself.” She turned to follow Dev but then stopped and added, “Finney, be a dear and see if the galley has any ingredients we might acquire so we can restock my potions. We brought some dried pouches, but they might have the fresh items we need.”

  After glancing at Jack and just seeing a glowering expression, Finney replied, “I’ll take a look and bring the items to your room.”

  “Thanks, Finney,” Ember said. She graced him with a smile, pointedly ignored Jack, and followed Dev from the room. The door shut behind them with a resounding clang.

  “If you’re so mad,” Finney said to Jack after seeing the lantern trying to pierce the vampire with his gleaming eyes, “why’d you let her go?”

  Jack sighed. “I’ve been watching Ember since she was a child, and if there’s one thing I know about her, telling her no just makes her that much more determined to do whatever it is she wants, despite the danger to herself or the irritation it causes me.”

  Finney laughed. “She does have a way of getting under your skin, doesn’t she?”

  “She does, lad. She does.” He rose from the table. “I’ll help you gather her ingredients. What sort of things does she require?”

  “We’ll get to that, but first, do you think you could convince the cook to give me a second helping? It’s been a long time since my last meal.”

  * * *

  * * *

  As they walked silently down the corridor, Dev wondered what Ember was thinking. How long had she believed that he would do something as malicious as drug her, especially after the time they’d spent together?

  It was the blasted lantern’s fault. Ever since he’d arrived, Dev’s relationship with Ember had been strained. He wasn’t a fool. He knew the lantern would try to abscond with Ember the first chance he got. Perhaps it was time to be more straightforward and lay his cards on the table. It was too early in the game, but maybe he’d get lucky and Ember would see things his way. But first he’d have to repair the damage.

  “It’s just through here,” Dev said as he opened a door and ushered Ember inside.

  “Where are we?” Ember asked. “This is a stateroom, not the bridge.”

  “I know.” He sighed, shutting the door behind them. “I’d like to talk to you before I speak with my sister, if you’re amenable,” Dev said politely.

  Dev had, in fact, escorted Ember to his own cabin. It was small in comparison to hers—well, in comparison to his usual room. The bunk was barely big enough for one.

  Ember eyed him with not a small amount of suspicion, but she perched on the chair anyway, avoiding even looking at the bed. “What would you like to talk about?” she asked.

  He removed his batwing hat and set it on the bed. He’d been exceptionally fortunate that the captain’s quarters on the Phantom Airbus were close enough to the submersible entrance for him to scoop up his meager belongings. He would have hated to lose his hat. “I…I wish to bare my soul, such as it is. I won’t have you believe I’m the blackguard the lantern makes me out to be.”

  Ember’s expression softened. “I’ve never thought you a blackguard, Deverell. Perhaps the tiniest bit selfish and a smidge secretive, but never a blackguard.”

  Dev paced the small room and sank to the bed across from her. He picked up his cane where it rested against his nightstand. Rolling it between his hands gave him some comfort. “I must hear you say again that you believe me when I say I had no idea the devil’s breath was in the tea. If I’d known, I would not have let you drink it. I cannot abide having you believe that I am so sinister as to take advantage of a woman in such a way.”

  “Then devil’s breath is used primarily as a means of loosening inhibitions? Making someone more…compliant?”

  “Yes, but it’s also a sort of relaxant. It’s used to interrogate enemies of the state, and it works on most of the population of the Otherworld, but its most prevalent application, historically, has been on witches.”

  “Witches.”

  “Yes. When my witch was…was killed, she had high doses of it in her system.”

  Ember frowned. “How do you know?”

  “I could smell it in the pyre they burned her on.”

  Gasping, Ember covered her mouth with her hand. “How horrible! But that means someone gave it to her on purpose. A human wouldn’t know of it.”

  “A few knew. There are Otherworlders living in the mortal world who would know such things. It could even have been another witch, one who frowned on vampire and witch liaisons.”

  “It must have been terrible for you.”

  “It was. The point I’m trying to make is, I am the last person who would drug someone I love.”

  “L-love?” Ember said.

  “Well…yes.” Deverell sank to one knee beside her, tossed his cane onto the bed, and clasped her hands. “My dearest Ember. I know we’ve only known each other a short while, but I feel a great deal of affection for you. My heart leaps when I think of laying it at your feet. I’ve been alone a long time, and I know a treasure when I see one. You are a girl deserving of boundless devotion, of the utmost loyalty. I am a man who can provide both of those.”

  “What…what are you saying?” Ember asked, astounded at his words.

  “I was hoping to woo you slowly, to take my time to teach you the subtle nuances of courting, but I fear I must bare my heart quickly, lest you think me unmoved. My intention, my dove, is to win your heart fully, completely, and utterly.

  “You know we are meeting with an inventor. Even now Delia’s taking us to his home. He’s an old friend, one who smuggles Otherworlders to places of safety, far from the reach of the leaders here. If you will trust me, I can keep us safe. I’ll admit to you now that I was paid a large sum to bring you to the capital, to introduce you to the high witch, but when the meeting was postponed, I rejoiced. You see, once I got to know you, I knew I couldn’t do it. Taking you there would be dangerous. She is the wife of the Lord of the Otherworld, after all. Truthfully, even before I met you, my heart wasn’t in the task. I have a certain fondness for witches, you see.” Dev gave her a sad smile.

  She squeezed his hand as he continued, “You must understand that there is still danger here. I never lied to you about that. That’s something even your lantern agrees with. Our life beyond this realm would be a simple one, without all the frippery you’ve seen in the Otherworld, but you’re already used to that. We can find a place in a distant city, one far from any crossroad or coven, where you’ll rest easy all the days of your life, knowing I’ll be there to protect you.”

  When she didn’t say a word, just gaped like a fish, Dev thought more drastic measures might work. He stood and pulled her up firmly, his arms wrapping over each other, hands locking, as if the very idea of her leaving him was impossible. With his mouth pressed against the top of her head, he continued, “You know I am a most loyal companion. The witchlight in my cane told you as much. And I will strive to become the upright man you deserve.

  “Even if your affections for me aren’t yet as strong, our propinquity to each other and the sharing of blood will deepen your feelings. You will com
e to love me to a degree where parting would seem to you like the most horrible of tortures.”

  He drew back, his hands moving to grasp her shoulders. “Serendipity brought you to me, and only a fool of a man would allow you simply to walk out of his life. Tell me there’s a chance for us. Tell me you’ll at least consider me in this panoply of suitors you’ve gathered to your side.”

  “I…I…I don’t know what to say,” Ember said.

  “Then allow me to fashion comely words for your lips to replicate.”

  Dev slid one hand up to her neck and touched his mouth to hers.

  It wasn’t the passionate, swooning embrace that Dev anticipated, especially after the very vivid memory of drinking her blood. Still, it was pleasant and warm. Her body was soft and pliant. He drew away with a smile and was about to make his final point—lay down his last card, the trump, the one that would definitively place him in her good favor—when his head whipped to the side, a sharp sting heating his cheek.

  He turned wounded eyes to his ingénue, the girl who had just slapped him so hard, his fangs pinched the inside of his lower lip, making it bleed.

  “How dare you!” Ember said, her expression full of fire.

  Deverell’s hopes for an easy win failed.

  But Deverell Christopher Blackbourne never gave up easily.

  The dreadnaught circled the ocean again, checking the flotsam for survivors. Rune stood at the bow, his firefly earring zooming back and forth, checking for signs of the captain and her crew, specifically any beings still containing the ember of life.

  They’d only pulled a few dozen dead men and several body parts from the water so far, but most of those men were from their own ship. They’d accounted for all of their own men except three. The arm of one man, drawn up in a net, fishing for a macabre catch, was unmistakably theirs. If the tattered black shirt weren’t enough to identify him, then his tattoo certainly was. The shoe was all they found of the other missing man; the blood smeared on it and the pulp inside meant whoever wore it had died while wearing it.