Steam Guardians 01 - A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious

by Mary Wine

  Damned if that didn’t make him adore her even more.

  ***

  Dr. Nerval was pleased.

  Janette studied the arrogance in his eyes, wanting to memorize it. She needed to hate him. She needed to overcome years of teaching that had whitewashed her thinking, because she wasn’t safe in some high-society house where things like kidnapping were fiction.

  The doctor looked at the Illuminist pin on her lapel. Hatred flared up in his eyes. “You are my discovery. It will be the Helikeians who reap the benefits of your abilities. A fact you would have been wiser to learn while at my clinic. Now, due to your disobedience, there is someone else involved.”

  “Don’t you dare try to place the guilt for your crimes on my shoulders,” Janette argued. It felt good to speak her mind to him, but the orderly standing next to her reached out and backhanded her.

  The doctor smiled, satisfaction shimmering in his eyes. “Thank you, George. As you can see, she shall require firm handling. I’ll expect you to attend to that need most intently. Our purpose shall not suffer further setbacks due to emotional outbursts.”

  “Animal,” Sophia sputtered. She turned to stare straight at George, never flinching when he delivered a solid blow to her cheek. Her head snapped to the side, but she righted herself quickly and sent the doctor a hard look.

  Dr. Nerval sat down in a large chair. The hut they were in had window shutters, but they were closed to conceal what the occupants were doing. It made the structure stuffy and hot.

  “Now. To the matter at hand,” the doctor began. “Beyond the boundaries of this settlement, there is a recent lava flow. The eruption has ceased, allowing us the wonderful opportunity to search for new crystals.”

  “It takes hundreds of years for Deep Earth Crystals to grow.”

  The doctor nodded. “Yes, but lava accelerates the process. If magma flows over the seeds of a crystal and the conditions are perfect, stage-four crystals can grow in a matter of months. We might even be so fortunate as to discover a root ball.”

  “What is that?”

  The doctor’s eyes glowed. “The root ball is absorbed back into the crystal when it grows at a normal pace. Beneath a lava flow, they are sometimes still intact. When broken, a root ball will release a pulse of light capable of causing mutation in the cones of the human eye that will allow that person to see the dimension seams.”

  “So that is how one becomes a Navigator.”

  “Exactly.” The doctor tapped his cane against the floor, but the packed earth beneath their feet only offered a dull sound. “A Navigator is a self-made man. Like Bion Donkova there. You are proving your worth well.”

  The First Officer nodded. He was standing near the door, his arms crossed over his chest. The pose reminded her of Darius too much—except for the fact that Bion was clearly a traitor to the Illuminist pin he was wearing. His crimson coat was open now, showing his lack of regard for the formality of the uniform.

  “If she finds a root ball, it’s mine,” he insisted.

  The doctor frowned, but Bion abandoned his lazy stance, moving across the hut with clear purpose. “I am not jumping ship for just any reason. You told me any root ball discovered would be mine to make use of.”

  “You are not the only one who wants the root ball.”

  Grainger raised his pistol, but Bion only grinned at him. It was an arrogant expression, making it clear that the First Officer didn’t think much of the threat.

  “You have no choice but to take whatever I offer you,” Dr. Nerval spoke firmly. “Your absence will be noted by now.”

  Bion chuckled softly. “Care to try my nerve, Doctor?” There was only the softest of sounds as his foot connected with the pistol. It was an expert Asian fighting-arts kick, and the weapon went skidding off into the wall.

  “You bastard!” Grainger snarled. He launched himself toward Bion but ended up sprawled on the floor after one solid strike to his neck.

  “The root ball is yours,” the doctor insisted.

  Bion froze, his arm raised to deliver another blow to Grainger’s temple. He had the man’s arm pulled and twisted up to his hip, rendering him immobile. He leaned against Grainger’s arm, drawing a groan from his victim.

  “You have my pledge,” Dr. Nerval said solemnly.

  “Then we have a deal,” Bion muttered before releasing Grainger.

  Grainger rolled over and stood tall. “I won’t forget that.”

  “Good,” Bion shot back.

  “Enough,” the doctor interrupted. “We are becoming distracted. Take them both up to the lava flow and put them to work.”

  He pointed his cane at Janette. “Run, and your friend will suffer for it. Decide to sacrifice her, and you will suffer.” He smiled, the cold twist of lips she recalled from the clinic, which evoked the memory of Darius telling her this man had ordered five other women lobotomized.

  “Do not underestimate my ability to cause suffering. I assure you, I am very good at it. George? See that she is secure.”

  The orderly pointed toward the door. Janette was all too happy to leave the hut. Outside, the island was a tropical paradise. Huge trees grew high into the air to compete for sunshine. The sound of birds filled the afternoon air as the wind tugged on the hem of Sophia’s torn dress. The soil was rich and black. Janette could see why. Ahead of her was a barren expanse where lava had recently covered the jungle. It looked like hell on Earth: no hint of life anywhere on what looked like an endless expanse of solid rock.

  “Now prove you are worth the trouble I have gone to.”

  The doctor had followed them. The tip of the cane jabbed her in the lower back, sending pain down her legs.

  “Go!” His voice was long and thin now, almost giddy. “Listen for the crystals, and harvest what my brethren need to be strong.”

  “I’m going, but only to be away from you.” She’d have been wiser to keep silent, but it felt too good to speak her mind.

  “A fine idea,” Sophia agreed. “You have always been a fine judge of character, Janette.

  George turned and slapped Sophia. Janette turned on the doctor when he began chuckling.

  “I do enjoy it, you know.” He leaned on his cane while staring at the red mark on Sophia’s cheek. “Send them out without hats today,” he ordered George before looking back at Janette. “The tropical sun is harsh. It will burn your skin quickly and leave you scarred for life.” He looked up, past the brim of his hat. “There are enough hours of light left to ensure your night is not a restful one, but perhaps you will recall your manners tomorrow morning after sampling some of the pain I’ve promised you for disobedience.”

  He lifted his cane and motioned them toward the lava flow with it. George reached for her upper arm, but Janette moved before he touched her.

  “We’re going.”

  She picked up the hem of her skirt and climbed onto the surface of the lava. It crunched beneath her shoe, and the scent of sulfur teased her nose.

  “Don’t despair.”

  “Are you comforting me or yourself?” Sophia asked as they climbed farther onto the rock.

  Truthfully, Janette wasn’t sure. Fear gnawed at her, but it wasn’t worry about anything Dr. Nerval might do to her. What sickened her was what Darius might make of her departure. He was a noble man, one who wouldn’t forgive a slight, even for the most desperate circumstances. He’d always been clear on that matter, and she felt tears stinging her eyes as she moved out onto the lava flow.

  He’d never forgive her for turning over a Deep Earth Crystal to the Helikeians.

  Never.

  ***

  “Captain Kyros cannot delay departure. It is time for you to depart, Doctor.”

  Dr. Nerval snorted, but Bion didn’t shrink away from him.

  “I suppose you are correct,
compatriot. We need to rename you. Your Illuminist name is foul upon the lips.”

  “I only care that you call me Navigator,” Bion replied. “But the matter at hand is your departure. Captain Kyros will risk discovery if he delays departure for London, and your true identity will be unmasked if you are not at your clinic. You need to leave if you intend to be aboard the airship when she leaves the station.”

  “Yes, he is correct. Which of course accounts for how he has risen to such a high rank without being discovered,” the doctor muttered. “A keen intellect.”

  “You’re leaving?” Grainger demanded. “Before she finds anything of value?”

  “Yes,” the doctor informed him. “I need to report to the council personally. Finding her has been a triumph I have no intention of being deprived of telling them personally, and our soon-to-be Navigator makes an excellent point. I will continue to use my clinic to find more assets.” He looked up to where Janette was picking her way over the lava flow. “You shall be personally charged with ensuring she produces what is expected of her.”

  Grainger protested. “Why? I’ve proven myself already. Bion should have to earn that reward he demanded of you.”

  “He has earned it by jumping ship. It was a sacrifice, actually. Keeping both Kyros and Bion in their positions would have been best.”

  “Too bad. If your compatriots are going to demand such dedication from me, there was no way I was going to set course back to London while the first Pure Spirit we’ve discovered goes into the Crystal Fields without me,” Bion argued.

  “Root balls can be transported,” Dr. Nerval insisted.

  Bion crossed his arms over his chest again. “That they can. But not necessarily to me. Do I look like an untried boy to you? I’m not the only one who will want a root ball if she discovers one. I plan to stay right here to make sure I receive my price.”

  The doctor wasn’t pleased. He pressed his lips into a hard line but finally nodded. “See that she is diligent. Give them hats tomorrow. Heat stroke will sap their strength too much.”

  Grainger and Bion watched as the doctor departed. Grainger turned a hard look on Bion the moment the doctor’s carriage left.

  “You are not in charge of this operation,” he insisted.

  “Neither are you,” Bion answered.

  Grainger stiffened. “You think you know so much, but you understand little. That bitch is the child my father always wished I was. My family has been charged with recovering her bloodline for three generations. Once she bleeds, I’m going to breed her, so keep your cock away from her.”

  Grainger turned his back on Bion. He had his family honor to restore and bring glory to.

  ***

  “There are two fresh lava flows and the known Crystal Fields,” Guardian Cyrus offered. “My suspicion is that they would go to one of the recent flows because there are fewer Illuminist teams in those areas.”

  “Why?” Darius inquired. “Recent flows have other resources to offer beyond crystals.”

  “Yes, but they cool unevenly. It makes them dangerous to traverse. The rock can appear cool but in reality only be a few inches of solidified rock. When you step on it, it can fail and send you into the molten lava or release a toxic-gas geyser.”

  “And Janette knows nothing of the dangers of the Crystal Fields, thanks to Agapitos and his plot.” Darius ground his teeth as frustration threatened to drive him mad. He’d never felt so helpless. Time felt like it was crawling, each mile taking too long to cover. The islands were small compared to the rest of the land masses in the world, but today, they seemed massive.

  “She had managed to surprise us a few times with her cunning,” Lykos offered.

  “Yet you still believe her innocent of planning this entire event?” Cyrus inquired.

  “I do,” Darius insisted. “She could have departed for the Crystal Fields with Dr. Nerval without being rescued from the clinic. There would have been no reason for Sophia Stevenson to bring Janette’s imprisonment to my attention. Janette is innocent; I’ll stake my future on it.”

  Guardian Cyrus nodded reluctantly. “I could wish that were not a fact, but it is. You’ll end up before a Marshal before this is finished, even if you end up neutralizing her to protect our interests.”

  Darius stiffened. Understanding was clear inside the carriage. Every Guardian had to come to terms with the necessity of protecting the Order above any remorse they might feel personally. It was a greater sacrifice than giving one’s own life in the service of the Order because one would have to live with the knowledge that they had taken the life of an innocent.

  For the most noble of reasons, but an innocent nevertheless.

  ***

  “I thought that blasted sun would never go down.”

  Janette glared at Grainger. The man had a wide-brimmed hat on and sipped a glass of water. He handed it off to a native man who was wearing only a length of fabric wrapped around his groin.

  “I suppose I should take you in for the night, even if you have produced nothing of value.”

  Her mouth was as dry as winter wool. She wanted to rub at the prickling along her forehead but knew better. The skin was tight and burned. One slight touch would send pain rippling through her. Sophia had fared no better. Her friend was red everywhere her dress didn’t cover. Janette even discovered herself longing for her gloves. They would have been hot and stifling, but at least they would have protected her hands from the sun.

  “I have never done this before,” Janette insisted.

  “Then you had best prove a quick learner, if you plan to continue eating.”

  Grainger gestured toward the edge of the lava flow. It was slow going, but she went gratefully. Grainger locked them both inside the small hut she’d spoken to the doctor in. The inside was still warm from the afternoon sun, but at least the walls were only made of stacked-up lava stone. The wind whistled through the gaps, carrying away the heat.

  “What a toad,” Sophia muttered. “You really shouldn’t have come, Janette. I hoped you wouldn’t.”

  “Of course I would come after you,” Janette insisted. “He promised to cut off one of your toes to send with his next letter.”

  Sophia snorted. “Yes, he delighted in telling me so. Toad. I would not have made it simple for him, and I would have endured if necessary.”

  Sophia walked toward the back of the hut, where a large rock with a flat top had baskets sitting on it. There was one large bottle, and she lifted it to her lips for a drink. She had to force herself to stop, and water dribbled down her neck before she managed to overcome the urge to gorge.

  “You should have to. This is all my fault.” Janette reached for the bottle, and her hands trembled because she was so parched. It seemed forever since her last drink of water, but when she began swallowing, her belly tightened around the first few mouthfuls, making it impossible to swallow any more. She sputtered and ended up wiping water off her chin as well.

  The baskets held a meager offering of food, but the fruit looked delicious. Janette didn’t recognize most of it, but she could smell the sugar in it.

  Her friend scoffed at her after taking a bite of a golden fruit with a prickly exterior. “It is not, Janette, and don’t you dare quibble with me. Not knowing what had happened to you was killing me. I arrived at your house just in time to follow you to that clinic. Well, I went straight home and changed into those cycling pantaloons so that I might tell Mr. Lawley—and I am glad I did. I would not have regretted it even if that toad had cut my toe off.”

  Sophia aimed a determined look at her as they finished off the meal.

  Long after they’d both crawled into the sleeping nets, Janette found her thoughts lingering on Sophia. But no way to free her friend presented itself. Instead, she fell asleep, and her dreams were full of the man she’d broken her word to. At le
ast that was how Darius would see it. Tears stung her eyes because she knew in her heart he’d never forgive her for leaving the royal compound. Understand, perhaps, but even if he was noble enough to forgive her, the Order would not. A Marshal would brand her a traitor just as quickly as her mother had been. Tears slid from the corners of her eyes, stinging her burned cheeks.

  Darius might forgive her, right before he was ordered to execute her.

  ***

  London

  Compatriot Heron was pleased. Dr. Nerval savored the moment, drawing in a deep breath and holding it while he allowed satisfaction to sink into him.

  “You have no right to praise this relic of an operative,” Compatriot Peyton announced. “He has allowed the Illuminists to know his position.”

  Compatriot Heron lost much of his beaming expression. Dr. Nerval felt his control slipping for the first time in years. He thumped his cane against the floor. “I have brought you the first Pure Spirit in a decade. Now that she has been secured, it will take but a few more actions to make her removal from society complete. This council should reward me with the Sapphire Phalanx. It is my turn to be recognized by every member.”

  Dr. Nerval stared at the brilliant blue sashes each man in front of him wore. They were symbols of the honor he’d spent years earning.

  “I would never vote for such a thing,” Peyton announced.

  “Yet I will,” Compatriot Heron remarked and looked at Silas, who nodded. “I suggest you reconsider your position, Compatriot Peyton, for you are in the minority. Never a wise position to linger in.”

  Peyton grimaced; his lip rose, and the muscles along his neck drew tight before he bent and nodded. “I see the wisdom in my fellow compatriots’ decision.”

  “Excellent,” Compatriot Heron muttered. Two lower members brought forth the sash. The doctor’s legs wobbled just a bit as he stood to receive his honor. The sash was lifted over his head before being settled perfectly across his heart. Heron stood and approached with the sapphire pin that could be worn at all times as a symbol of his new honor. Heron attached the small symbol of a javelin held in the grip of a snake to his lapel.