Steam Guardians 01 - A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious

by Mary Wine

  Airships.

  She stared in wonder, her amazement with the Illuminists renewed. What were a few sputtering, arrogant men compared to the wonder before her eyes? The ships were moored on long towers with escalators carrying up passengers. Constructed of three main balloons, the center being the largest, each airship had a passenger bay strapped to the underside.

  If she were a child, she’d think they’d harnessed the clouds.

  On either side of the center balloon, there were large propellers with what appeared to be steam engines beneath them. A steady stream of white vapor escaped out the back as they turned gently. The station was a masterpiece, with large windows and a raised ceiling. Everywhere she looked there was art—delicate sculpting running between the panes of glass or the benches in the waiting area adorned with carvings. The young queen’s new palace could not be finer.

  “At least this part of the journey will please you.”

  Darius placed a hand on her back. It was a personal touch, one that sent enjoyment through her.

  She wanted so much to forget her suspicions and simply enjoy the wonder of the airships. But a glance at Darius, and she knew it couldn’t be so. His expression was hard, and for the first time, she could see in his eyes just how deadly he might be. A chill raced down her spine. She’d read more of the laws than she’d confessed. A Pure Spirit could never be allowed to fall into Helikeian hands. It was a Guardian’s duty to prevent it at all costs.

  Even if it meant taking her life.

  ***

  “Damn Agapitos and his authority.”

  Lykos took the opportunity to speak his mind when Marshal Agapitos went to meet the captain. The officers were lined up at the base of one of the escalators, proving that the Marshal had seen to his details before coming to take Janette. The Marshal’s Guardians flanked Janette while Decima ensured she remained at her side. They had a moment to step far enough away to speak their minds while the passengers hurried by on their way to the waiting airships.

  “This entire situation stinks of Helikeians,” Darius stated while looking around, searching for an escape route.

  “Especially the part about not allowing either of us to converse with anyone before our oh-so-hurried departure,” Lykos said. “Or Grainger’s attempt to have Janette taken away while he was in your office, so nicely distracting us.”

  “Exactly,” Darius agreed. “I do believe you and I had better learn to sleep light or risk suffering a very fatal accident.”

  Lykos nodded. “At least Janette had the foresight to refuse to take the Oath.”

  “Which will only make it simpler for Agapitos to hide her by saying she ran away once in the Crystal Fields. He’s pushed her hard enough to detest her future inside the Order.”

  Lykos smiled slowly. “I noticed that tactic myself.”

  Agapitos lifted one hand and gestured his men forward. They made to grip Janette’s arm but discovered just how adept Decima was at Asian fighting arts. She intercepted the first hand to touch Janette and twisted it until the man’s knees buckled.

  ***

  Janette gasped, half with shock and half with envy. She watched Decima reduce the larger man to a crumpled heap in seconds. The second Guardian reached for her, but she moved out of the way and felt herself bump against Darius. He pushed her behind his body with one smooth motion. But he stopped in a stance she recognized.

  “So you’ve taken Asian fighting too,” she said softly. The second Guardian held his hands up and extended one hand toward Agapitos.

  “Of course, I am a Guardian.”

  But he was hesitating. She could see it in the way he looked around, judging his chances of escape.

  “And I will protect you.”

  He spoke too softly for anyone else to hear her, stepping up next to her and whispering as he pulled her hand up and placed it on his forearm.

  Who was he trying to convince? Her or himself?

  They were surrounded, so the only path seemed to be toward the escalators.

  ***

  “Zenais.”

  Mary Aston stiffened. How long had it been since she’d heard her birth name? Her Illuminist name? She was trembling in another moment and stumbled when she turned around to look behind her. Tears stung her eyes, rising too quickly to control.

  “Mother.”

  Galene was crying too, wet tracks of tears shimmering on her cheeks.

  “You mustn’t be here,” Mary declared. “You should go, immediately.” Pain replaced the joy that had flooded her. How long had it been since she had seen her mother or heard her birth name? She shook her head, reminding herself why she’d turned her back on everything she loved.

  “You will end up before a Marshal. Please go, Mother.” Mary looked out the garden window, fearing Guardians would arrive before her mother could escape. “I couldn’t bear it.”

  “I entered under the cloak of darkness,” Galene insisted. “Remember who taught you how to disappear, my daughter. Age hasn’t stolen my wits.”

  Mary smiled and hugged her mother tightly. “You taught me well. I survived because of your mentoring. But why would you take such a chance? You’ll be brought up on charges, even now, after all this time, if anyone sees you with me. You’ll be convicted of consorting with a traitor.”

  “I know the law,” Galene said grimly. “The only way a case of treason is decided is by a Marshal. I couldn’t allow you to face him. There was too much evidence against you.”

  “I didn’t betray the Order, Mother.”

  “I know, else I would have made you face the consequences of your actions.” Galene drew in a stiff breath. “It would have torn my heart from my chest, but I would have.” She nodded. “But only if you were guilty, which you were not. Now I am more certain of it than ever.”

  “Have you found new evidence?” Mary had to press her fingers against her lips to silence herself as hope flared up inside her. How long had it been since she had felt such elation? She couldn’t recall.

  Galene offered her a suspicious look. “Marshal Agapitos has had Janette’s Novice tenure cut short.”

  “My daughter passed the entrance exam?”

  Galene smiled. “Yes, she insisted on challenging it immediately. Not that I blame her—Howard had her admitted to a clinic that was a front for the Helikeians. Thank goodness her friend saw her being locked away and went to Darius Lawley.”

  Mary went pale; one hand covered her mouth as horror widened her eyes. “Howard wouldn’t have done such a thing…”

  “He did.”

  Mary flushed with anger. “He banished me here and then sent my daughter to a clinic? How dare he!”

  “Very easily,” Galene said. “After all, he believes himself master of his house and all who live there. You and Janette are his chattel. He is not an Illuminist.”

  Mary shook her head. “I had nowhere to go, Mother—and before you say it, I was not going to stay and watch you lose everything by sheltering me. I love you as much as you love me. I couldn’t stand the idea of you tarnishing your name by standing up for me at a trail.

  “I would have,” Galene said.

  “I know that and I couldn’t let you, not when there was no chance of my name being cleared.”

  “They did do a good job of making it look impossible for you to be innocent,” Galene spat. “Damn them. But did you have to wed such a narrow minded man?”

  “Howard fancied himself in love with me; it was better than living in the slums. He thought his sons would be men of intelligence if he wed himself an Illuminist.” She laughed softly. “I don’t suppose he ever considered what might happen if we had a daughter. Besides, he was my only option. I used him as much as he used me. It was fitting, in it’s way. Logical…cold.”

  “Oh…you always did have a sharp, logic
al wit.”

  Mary suddenly frowned. “Did you say Agapitos?”

  Her mother smiled with pride. “Yes, I did. The man is a Marshal now and arrived without any warning to take custody of Janette. He even cut her novitiate short with that authority. He went so far as to attempt to have her secreted out without her Chamber Guardians knowing. I am happy to tell you your daughter is not so easy to dupe.”

  “How did he know about her?”

  Galene grew serious. “I want to know the answer to that myself—so does Guardian Darius Lawley.”

  “But…where is he taking her?” A hundred questions flooded her mind, but so did memories. “Guardian Agapitos was my accuser,” she said softly.

  “Yes,” Galene agreed in a menacing tone. “And his father, Photios, was the Marshal who listened to him and placed charges against you. But what you do not know is that he also wanted to wed me. I refused him, a slight Photios never forgave me for.”

  Mary frowned. “Why not? Did he love you so deeply?”

  Galene shook her head. “He lusted after our bloodline. His mother was a Pure Spirit, but he didn’t inherit the gift.”

  “That’s how you kept faith in me.”

  “Yes,” Galene admitted. “It is also how I made sure no one ever tracked you down. I changed my duty after you left and changed Solitary Chambers. Oh…many believed it was to hide from the shame, but I was making sure no one could track you, since I had already done so.”

  “You knew?”

  Galene smiled. “I am your mother, but I was also a Guardian Hunter. Alas, I only had my suspicions and nothing to prove your innocence with. Until now. Photios has exposed his hand now.”

  “But not enough so to clear my name.”

  Galene’s joy faded, but her eyes still flickered with hope. “It is a beginning. The first crack in their camouflage, and it is a large one, my child. They have underestimated Janette, and Darius Lawley is a formidable man.”

  “He is still a Guardian and bound to obey a Marshal.”

  “True,” Galene confessed. “However, he resigned his post to travel with Janette. That man knows the scent of trouble.”

  Mary frowned. “How could he go with her? Surely Agapitos wouldn’t want anyone along who might expose him?”

  “Darius Lawley is Janette’s lover. He claimed they were engaged.”

  Mary stiffened, and her mother laughed.

  “Oh, do relax, Zenais. I never raised you to be such a prude. There is quite the flame between them. I witnessed it myself. It comes as no surprise to me to see them together. Janette is young. It is summer…”

  “Mother, the Regency has long passed. Your granddaughter’s reputation will be shredded.”

  Galene drew herself up straight. “I am more interested in restoring your reputation so that we might all enjoy having our family name cleared. Darius Lawley is the man to assist us with that goal. I don’t believe for one moment that Janette truly agreed to wed him. She wouldn’t throw her newfound independence away so quickly, but she is wise enough to not trust Agapitos.”

  “Even if Darius breaks her heart?”

  “I am spending my effort on worrying about whether the man can save her life,” Galene insisted. “A heart can heal.”

  Six

  Her emotions were threatening to drown her.

  Excitement ruled her as she stepped closer to the escalator that would carry her up to the airship. It was like stepping into a fantasy, only better, because she could hear the gears making contact as they were driven by steam engines. She felt the wooden step beneath her foot when she stepped on it and didn’t need the soft push Darius gave her to move fully onto the escalator.

  His hand remained on her back, cutting through some of her elation. The man was guarding her. She could feel it, actually sense his heightened awareness. Lykos and Decima were in a similar state. The three of them never allowed the Marshal’s Guardians near her. They functioned like a team, one stepping in when another was forced to move away from her. The hand on her back almost burned. In a way, Darius was branding her. It was a familiar touch, one uncommon in public, but she felt sure he was doing it to uphold his claim that they were engaged.

  She could have disputed his announcement. Part of her delivered a large dose of guilt for not correcting him because it was dishonest to continue such a charade.

  But her arm tingled where the Marshal’s Guardians had bruised her in their attempt to drag her away from Darius’s stewardship. The handrails on the escalator were high, obviously to keep passengers from tumbling off.

  “The airship travels faster than a train and is far more versatile on the path it may take,” Darius offered as the airship grew larger and larger.

  “I would say so.”

  The hand on her back rubbed gently, reassuringly. She took her attention away from the airship and locked gazes with him. He appeared surprised for a moment before his lips twitched into a grin.

  “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to see you enjoying the moment.” His lips returned to a smooth line, while his eyes flickered with a heat she recalled very well. An answering flame licked along her insides.

  “Your spirit is truly amazing, Janette.”

  His fingers curled slightly against her back, sending a ripple of awareness down her body. She looked away, heat teasing her cheeks. All around them, other passengers were in the process of boarding, and still she responded to Darius so strongly.

  She truly was a wanton.

  They reached the top and stepped into the cabin of the ship. Large windows were set around its exterior. The design reminded her of a basket set beneath a hot-air balloon—only on a massive scale. The lobby was the size of a hotel’s, and people hurried about.

  “Welcome aboard.”

  The man greeting them wore a dark maroon coat that ended at his hips. An ear device similar to Darius’s sat comfortably in his right ear, and his Illuminist badge had a small compass on the top of it.

  “I am the First Officer, Bion Donkova.”

  He was also a huge man. His shoulder span was impressive, and Darius didn’t have to look down to make eye contact with him. There was a sharpness to the way he inspected her, and his dark eyes didn’t appear any friendlier. His brown hair was cut extremely short, and his square-cut jaw was shaved clean.

  “Captain Kyros instructed me to welcome you aboard.”

  Two more men in maroon coats flanked him, their stares hard. Welcoming wasn’t a word she would have used to describe them. Darius and Lykos seemed to agree. They remained close to her, keeping her between them, while Bion gestured one of the men forward.

  “We will be under way shortly. Until then, my man will show you to where you may be comfortable.”

  “Somehow, I doubt it.”

  She hadn’t realized she’d muttered aloud until Bion raised an eyebrow at her. Darius’s eyes narrowed as Lykos shook his head, but her nerves were ready to snap.

  “For heaven’s sake, look at the way the lot of you are pressing in on me.” Janette surveyed the group before settling on Bion. “I feel like the only meat pie being set down at the orphanage supper table.”

  “Janette—”

  “Honestly, Darius, don’t try to warn me to be silent.” She stepped away from him, and Lykos earned a deadly look from both of them. For a brief moment she admired their dedication to their duty, but it gave way to her pride. She was sick unto death of being labeled and having a value placed upon her like a sack of dry goods. They were clustered around her, pressing in on her. Marshal Agapitos came up the escalator with his men behind him.

  “You are a Pure—” Marshal Agapitos began, but Janette interrupted him.

  “I am a person. A woman. A student, and perhaps a shrew at the moment, but I am sick of the lot of you fighting over me.”

&
nbsp; She began walking, desperate to escape, but they moved with her, Darius and Lykos pushing their way to be at her side. The Marshals’ men responded by blocking her path. “Move aside. This is my first journey by airship, and I intend to watch us clear the station.”

  “Allow me to escort you,” Bion offered. The First Officer inserted himself into the group surrounding her and offered her his arm, and she took it while feeling Darius’s glare burning into her back. Let him be angry.

  At least they would be fine company for each other, a true match indeed.

  ***

  “Are you quite certain, Doctor?”

  Dr. Nerval nodded, a rare gleam of enjoyment in his eyes. His wrinkled cheeks rose with a smile as he lifted a withered hand to point.

  “I have been waiting for this moment…anticipating it for many years. Carry out my instructions. We need to be aboard the airship soon, or we shall fall short of our time schedule.”

  The orderlies inclined their heads before hurrying off. Neither of them wanted to be responsible for a botched time schedule. They didn’t look at each other. Guilt might gain more of a hold over their consciences if they knew their partner was harboring reservations about their task. Better to see it done quickly. At least that way, they could hand off their burden with the sure knowledge that the doctor was gone and their positions secure.

  A man did what he had to to survive.

  That was nothing to feel guilty about.

  ***

  “She’s got a point, you know. We are a bit fixated on her bloodline.”

  Darius tossed back the contents of a brandy snifter. The alcohol burned a path to his stomach and added to the inferno raging inside him. He shot a look at Bion that was a clear challenge. The First Officer watched Janette lean over a nearby railing to peer out the window before he offered Darius a smirk.

  Darius felt the need to hit the man grow.