He shook his head in exasperation. “I don’t understand—and ‘tis your fault, since you refuse to tell me.”
He sighed, unsure of what was happening between them. He then took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, before pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulder and he held her there, confused, not knowing what to say to make things better between them.
“I want only your happiness, love, but I cannot help you if you’ll not speak to me and let me know what’s bothering you.”
She looked up at him, and cupped his face, her hand warm against his skin. Covering her hand with his, he kissed her palm and then her lips. “What does it matter? As chancellor, your life is complicated and there is no place for me in it.”
It was not what he expected. “Lilly, I’ve been chancellor since the day you met me. There’s something else going on—something you aren’t telling me.”
She pursed her lips for a moment and then shook her head. “What do you want me to say, Mason? That I fear you’ll break my heart? That I care more than I want to? That I am a fool?”
He was all at once happy to hear of her attachment and hesitant, for he too had been pushing away his feelings for her. What would happen if he let down his guard and opened himself to the possibilities she had to offer? He knew she was right—his life was complicated. However, if ever there was ever a reason to take a risk, she would be it.
“You are no fool, my love.” He brushed her cheek and then nuzzled her, the pounding of his heart deafening. “For you, I would risk it all.”
“Would you really? For I’m not sure I believe it, even if you do.” She slowly closed her eyes as if it were too much to bear.
There was so much at risk. He could lose it all so easily. If he held back even a little, she would sense it and it would be over between them. His pulse raced at the thought of what he’d have to confess to keep her, and it left him more than a little queasy.
“I’ll admit, that may not have been the case in the past. But now? Other than my wife, you are the only one to capture my heart.” Her eyes searched his as if looking for the truth. “Do you believe me, my love?”
“I think I do.” Her words eased some of the tension tightly coiled within him, but he could see the discussion was far from over. “However, it changes little of our reality, Mason. I do not doubt you have good intentions, but as chancellor, I’ll only put you in a difficult situation. Is it really worth the trouble I’ll cause you? I cannot deal with another heartache when this life is difficult enough.”
He could not imagine being fool enough to break her heart, when he’d be lucky to have her. “I know you’re scared to trust me, to trust what we can have together, but I swear, I’ll not hurt you, Lilly.”
She shook her head and looked away. “How can you be so sure? What if you realize I’m more effort than I’m worth?”
The thought of what she was saying was inconceivable. “Not even what I had with my wife can compare to what I have with you. Do not misunderstand me. I loved her dearly, but our marriage was typical of its time and we abided by the constraints society dictated. We barely knew each other or our true selves when we first married, and though we grew close, too much of what we had together was built around the façades we maintained for propriety’s sake.”
He took a deep breath and held it while building the courage to tell her all he’d kept hidden. As he spoke the words, it felt like all of time stood still. “I love you, Lilly—like I’ve loved no other. I’ve never had to be anyone but my true self in your presence, and you’ve always accepted me for who I am.” He then laughed. “Granted, you’ve also hated me on more than one occasion, but I’ll not hold that against you.”
She held his gaze, her eyes hopeful. “You really think this can work between us?”
He leaned in and kissed her. “I do. But the question you should be asking yourself is do you think it will work?”
It felt like hours passed while he waited for an answer. And then she said the words that released his soul in flight. “I do, for I’m afraid I’ve been fool enough to fall in love with you.”
His heart swelled, and they sealed their new found honesty with a kiss he could lose himself in for an eternity. When he finally managed to pull himself away, a teasing smile sprung to his lips.
“Well, then. Where were we?” He flipped her back over onto her stomach, as she squealed playfully, her arse once again exposed. “I do believe I’m going to enjoy myself, love.”
“Bastard.” But there was no heat in her voice, just affection.
“Aye. That I am.”
Chapter Sixteen
September 8th, 1888
Jack found himself wandering towards Spitalfields Market. There were only a few hours of darkness left, before the sun would rise to start a new day. If only it were that easy to leave yesterday behind.
Pulling his collar up against the wind, Jack kept his pace brisk, knowing it would not be long now. It was always the same; a tug, not unlike the pull of death—of a reap. It could not be ignored, for to do so would be denying a part of him—a part abandoned and neglected for far too long.
There weren’t many people out on the streets this late at night, but Jack still kept to the shadows. He then saw her as she passed under the gaslight. She appeared to be in her forties, of stocky build and dark wavy brown hair. After putting some distance between them, he followed after her.
She would be the one.
Chapter Seventeen
Lilly stirred awake as a pounding noise broke her slumber. Mason was already on his feet, pulling on a nightshirt as he padded to the door. He stepped out into the hall, and though she could not hear the words exchanged, she knew it could only be something of importance, early as it was.
It was not long before he returned. “That was Pierce. There’s been another murder. You’ll need to get dressed.” As Mason’s lieutenant, Pierce kept him apprised of anything important, mentally receiving information that may concern Mason as chancellor.
“Another? Are we sure it is Jack?” It felt like she’d been punched.
“I’m afraid so, love. It’s like the others.” He pulled a shirt from his wardrobe and put it on as she slipped out of bed. “Pierce is waiting to take us to where the murder occurred.”
She chose a comfortable gown of dark blue linen that was easy to get into, not wanting to bother with a maid. Her hair was still loose, but she quickly gathered it and pinned it up.
“Ready?” Mason offered her his hand, and she took it, happy to have the contact. “I’d like to warn you that Nelson will likely be there, though if we’re lucky, we’ll get there before he does.”
The thought of Nelson sent a shiver down her spine, the matter made worse by knowing she could not avoid him. Mason must have sensed her apprehension, and ran a comforting hand down her arm.
“I’ll do what I can to keep you safe, love.”
She nodded, even if her gut still churned with unease. Mason would have little say in keeping Nelson or the Elders from her, and with yet another murder, they’d be desperate for any information that might lead to Jack. When Damon and Nelson had forced their way into her head, it felt as if her mind was being raped, and it was not something she was in a hurry to repeat.
Pierce waited for them in the front entry, ready to go. His normal spirit was dampened, and the only acknowledgement he gave them was a grim look. They said little during the ride, their mood somber and tense.
Having already seen the two previous murders, she knew to expect a horrific scene—and knew to expect Jack’s energy. Never had she been more wrong about a person, and it shook her to the core. Prior to these events, she had thought herself a good judge of character. But now, she knew not if she could trust her judgment of people. How many more mistakes had she made, misplacing her trust—and still oblivious she had done so?
Mason gave her hand a squeeze as they approached Whitechapel. She looked at him and managed a small smile, knowing he worried
about her. However, her thoughts still haunted her. If ever she were right about someone, she hoped it would be about Mason. Though she’d given in to her feelings mere days ago, she would be heartbroken if she’d made a mistake in trusting him with her heart. He made her happier than she’d been in a long time.
He interrupted her thoughts. “We’re not far from where they found her, so we’ll stop here and walk the rest of the way.” He then turned to Pierce. “I’ll need you to survey the area and make note of all the details, while we deal with the reenactment.”
The police were keeping passersby at bay, though it was still early, and it appeared word had yet to get out. Soon enough the crowds would gather. Pushing her fears away, Lilly braced herself for what would come. She could not see the body from where they stood, but she held her head high as Nelson approached, already on the scene.
“Now I see why you weren’t at your home when I sent for you.” He turned from Lilly to Mason. “Nice of you to fetch her for me, Archer.”
“She’s staying with me. If you have a problem with that, then scurry off and speak to the Elders. You need not worry about the work that needs to get done here—I’ll take care of the investigation if you have more pressing matters.” Mason kept a firm hold of her hand and, ignoring Nelson’s glare and curses, moved them towards the body.
Lilly immediately sensed Jack’s energy, and though she had expected it, it was still a blow. She then reminded herself that Jack had shot Mason, and would have left him for dead if he were capable of it. “He was here.”
“Aye, he was.” Mason then shifted them closer, but kept her view blocked by his body. “It’s a brutal one, love. Are you ready?”
“What option is there? And frankly, I’d rather finish here before Nelson sends word to the Elders. Thanks to me, you’ve not been in their good graces as of late.”
He frowned for just a moment, but there was work to be done. “Let’s get this over with then. The coroner has just arrived, so we’ll wait for him to finish here and then we’ll see what you can pick up.”
Lilly nodded and he stepped aside, only to have the sight of slaughter crash into her and nearly overtake her, like a giant wave breaking on rocks and dragging her out to sea. The poor woman’s abdomen had been sliced open, her intestines yanked out of her body and laid across her shoulder, her throat cut so deep as to nearly decapitate.
Lilly squeezed her eyes shut against the horror and turned towards Mason to shield her from viewing the atrocity further. “How could anyone do such a thing? I do not understand it.”
Before Mason could answer her, Nelson stepped to her side. “Yes, Ms. Gordon. How could he? Perhaps you have insight we do not, since you invited this savage beast into your bed.”
Anger flared within her, her hands curling into fists. “Even if Jack did this, the man I took to my bed is not the same man that committed these heinous crimes.”
“Believe what you will if it lets you sleep better at night.” Nelson then offered her his hand. “Though the Elders spared you from showing me the prior slayings, this is a new murder and they’ve guaranteed me access to the information first hand.”
Mason stepped between them, shielding her from him. “I swear Nelson, if you’re not gentle with her, I’ll make you pay for your transgression.” He then sighed and turned towards her. “I’m sorry, love, but you need to do this. I’ll be right here by your side.”
She took a deep breath and held it to try and steady her nerves. Her gut felt like it was filled with squirming eels, and between the gruesome scene before her and what Nelson would soon put her through, she felt as if she might vomit. When the air in her lungs started to burn, she slowly let it out, and then knowing it would do no good to delay things, she took hold of Nelson’s hand.
He brought her closer to where the body lay, and further away from Mason. “Do you know what to do?”
“Yes, but Mason did not rifle through my thoughts.” Lilly held his gaze, hoping he would show her the same courtesy.
“Do you really think I’m going to trust whatever you tell me, rather than see it first hand—especially when you had feelings for the man who committed the crimes? Now, I suggest you get started before I’m forced to find my own methods.”
She shook her head in frustration, but decided it’d be best to just get the whole thing over with. She drew upon the memory she had used the last time, not wanting to taint more memories than necessary. Once again she remembered their time at the small cottage, the rain coming in off the ocean as they spent their days in bed and in each other’s arms.
She felt Nelson invade her head like the unwanted intruder he was, though he also gave her the energy she needed to reenact the crime. She lost her concentration for a moment, but tried her best to ignore his presence and the intense pain. She bit back a scream, knowing it would do no good. The faster she completed the task at hand, the faster she could be rid of him. With a renewed determination she held onto Jack’s presence and turned her attention upon the crime scene.
His essence appeared like a thread of light, and with Nelson pushing it along, they were able to see what happened as it all played out. She saw Jack hover over the woman’s body, her throat slit, her abdomen already sliced open with her entrails yanked out and laying by her shoulder. He plunged the knife into the woman again and again, hacking and slashing at her body. Lilly’s stomach churned as if she’d be ill.
The image faded and flickered. Nelson pushed more of his energy forward, and though the image came back into view, it felt like he was tearing up her brain, the pain like a million shards of glass.
“Please, stop it.” She barely managed to get the words out, as she saw Jack wipe his blade clean and leave, the woman’s mutilated corpse abandoned for some poor soul to unknowingly stumble upon.
Nelson kept pushing as she bit back her screams, but the image of Jack was completely gone. Yet he did not release her. Instead, he started plucking through her memories, as her screams filled her head. Mason wrestled her free of Nelson’s grasp, and she crumpled into Mason’s arms.
Her vision darkened around the edges while he held her close, directing his fury at Nelson. “That type of force was completely uncalled for.”
“And what do you really know, Archer? Hmm?” Nelson then waved them away. “Shouldn’t you tend to your pet, or is arguing with me more important?”
“I’ll be taking this up with Damon.” Not waiting for a response, Mason escorted her towards his carriage and safely away from Nelson.
Lilly took several deep breaths as she regained her composure, though her head felt like it had been bashed in with a rock. In the short time they’d been there, the crowds had multiplied, the people scared and angry that yet another murder had taken place.
Mason helped her into the carriage. “I promise, I’ll try to finish with matters as soon as I’m able. Just stay here and try to rest, love. I’ll not be long.”
She nodded and even that slight movement made her head ache with ferocity. Closing her eyes against the pain, she leaned back, and with the knowledge that Mason’s job at this crime scene was far from over, she let sleep take her.
***
Lilly startled awake, when a voice pulled her from her slumber. “I had hoped we would meet once again, dear lady.”
“What are you doing here?” Her heart was pounding and she could not keep her voice from shaking. She was alone with Stefan, defenseless. “Driver!”
“I’m afraid he’s… indisposed. As for why I’m here, I could not possibly resist the opportunity to see you once more.” The corners of his mouth curled into a smile. “And imagine my luck to find you here alone.”
“My companions will be returning at any moment, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll not only leave me alone, but you’ll not contact me again.” She debated lunging for the door, though she did not think he’d let her go. Instead she opted to take a more aggressive approach, with the hope she’d rattle him enough to make him leave, and ba
cked it with whatever mind control she could muster.
“How dare you corner me in my coach? Alone, no less. Do you have no manners? Get out. Now.” He started to laugh, so she slapped him—hard. “I told you to get out.”
He rubbed his cheek, her handprint red upon his flesh. “I meant you no disrespect, my lady.”
“Did I not ask you to leave?” There was fury in her voice. And then the door opened, Mason and Pierce on the other side of it.
Before they had a chance to react, Stefan pulled out a knife and plunged it into Pierce. Exiting, he plowed into them, sending Pierce falling into Mason’s arms as they went down in a tangle of limbs.
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