I never knew what to say or how to change her mind. Instead, I tried to distract her. “Why didn’t you just read Delphine’s thoughts to figure out where she was going?”
Thea frowned. “I need to be fairly near a person to read their thoughts.” She wrapped her corset around herself and fastened the hooks down the front busk. “I don’t have long range magic, I guess.”
I grabbed the corset fastener from its iron hook next to the wardrobe and helped her slide the leather straps over her shoulders. The rectangular bulk of gears, wheels, and brass piping fit snugly against her back. She held the control panel in one hand and flipped the power switch with the other. The machine whirred to life, systematically tightening each criss-cross of laces at the top and bottom of the corset.
I had invented the device about a year and a half ago to make costume changes easier and quicker for our dressers in the theater. Plus, it was a help to female apprentices since our previous choices were either to always get dressed in pairs or perform the most awkward contortions to lace our corsets on our own. Master Fenrey had seen a business opportunity and sold the license to a corsetiere who started producing it. It was all the rage now, and the licensing fees were bringing in a tidy income to both the Theatrical Guild and the Alchemy Empire Theater.
I, however, being an apprentice to the Alchemy, received no money at all. It was the way the system worked. My food, shelter, education, clothing, everything I possessed—were all given to me by the Guild and our theater. So anything I created technically belonged to them and could be sold to offset the costs of my upkeep.
It was why I kept a collection of gadgets and several notebooks of ideas hidden in the trunk of my room. Someday, I hoped to have the freedom to profit from them myself.
Thea adjusted the tension setting on the corset fastener so that the machine would cinch her tighter. It was no good to suggest not to lace so tightly—she wouldn’t be happy until she could barely breathe. I didn’t know what we’d do if we had to run or walk quickly tonight—she’d probably faint from lack of air.
She slid the corset fastener from her back and showed off the neatly tied clump of laces hanging from the waistline of the corset. “Another reason I didn’t read Delphine’s mind is because I know you can feel my magic, and I didn’t want to use it on her in case she could, too.”
I put the machine back on its hook. “That was good thinking.”
Psychic magic wasn’t officially recognized as a magical skill, so the theater offered no training to Thea or others like her in how to use it. No one saw a legitimate use for it, other than fortune-telling, and it was unpleasant to think that there were people in the world who could peer into others’ minds. They found it easier to pretend it didn’t exist. As far as the rest of the empire was concerned, my best friend was not magical at all. So she had to experiment on her own to figure out how it worked. It seemed completely cogged to me.
We shook out our required up-do’s and brushed our hair into low pony tails. Thea set a black top hat on my head at a stylish angle and pinned it in place. I did the same for her with a perfectly lovely leather cadet cap we had flirted off an earl’s son who attended an apprentice show last year.
As the final touch, I brought out one of my little innovations I was most proud of. Two devices that looked like cuff bracelets.
“Oh, we get to use the Yapper Tappers!” Thea reached for one, her eyes shining.
“Don’t call them that! You know I hate it.”
She grinned. “That’s why I do it.”
The official name I’d given them was Carpal Cryptoaethergraph Transceivers. I admit that’s a mouthful, but I was a bit of a schol when it came to naming my devices. I wanted the name to accurately reflect what they were. By tapping on the medallion in the middle of the bracelet, you could send a coded message using Hertzian waves through the aether to the second bracelet. The message was received on the underneath side of the medallion—two buttons would tap out the code against your wrist. I had even made up the code, and Thea had been only too willing to learn it.
We didn’t dare use the transceivers during our apprentice hours because I was determined this was one invention I’d keep for myself, but we often wore them when we went out. Even if we were together, there were times when we didn’t want anyone to hear what we said. And tonight, if we were to follow Delphine undetected, we’d need to have a silent way of communicating.
I fastened one on her wrist, and she continued to torment me by whispering “Yapper Tapper” over and over until I threatened to take hers away.
“I don’t understand why you are so sensitive about it,” she complained as I finished packing my small handbag, “Nobody could possibly remember ‘Carpal Crypto-thingy.’ We use them to yap at each other, and we do it by tapping. Yapper Tapper. It’s a perfectly logical name. And it’s adorable.”
I huffed a sigh and didn’t even try to respond. “Let’s go. Lead the way, Miss Yapper.”
It was nearing 8:00 so we had to hurry. We walked through the corridors, trying to look casual, and made it to the lower level where the stairs to the underground vaults were. Just as we were ready to slip through the door, we heard the click of heeled shoes at the other end of the corridor.
“Miss Wright! Hello girls!” It was Mrs. McCrone, the wardrobe manager.
I stifled a groan. She was friendly. And talkative.
And Delphine was due to arrive in only a few minutes.
We both curtseyed to the unwelcome newcomer.
“Good evening, Mrs. McCrone.” No one would ever guess from Thea’s face that she wasn’t perfectly delighted to see the wardrobe manager.
Mrs. McCrone looked us over, confusion fluttering across her face. “Goodness. What are you doing down here? You look dressed for a night out.”
I did not have a good answer for that. Before I could begin to panic, though, Thea put on a long face. “We were. But now…” She gestured to the stairwell door and heaved a long-suffering sigh. “Presul Wolff stopped us before we could leave and said he is desperate for…for…” Her gaze flew to me, urging me to come up with something.
“Thrunge plates,” I said smoothly.
Thea’s eyes widened, and I gave her the smallest shrug. I felt her psychic magic prickle through me, so I explained mentally. There were no such thing as thrunge plates, but no one ever argued with you when you said you needed them. They sounded like something that ought to exist, so everyone assumed they did.
A ghost of a smile whispered across her lips. She looked back to Mrs. McCrone. “Yes, thrunge plates. He was most insistent that he needed them immediately. We could never put off a director, you know.”
I nodded, making my eyes big and earnest-looking. “He thought maybe they were in one of the storage vaults downstairs. We’re hoping to find them quickly and then be off.”
Mrs. McCrone clasped her hands under her chin. “I was on my way to the costume shop, but I would be glad to help you look. I’m not sure I even know what a thrunge plate is, but you can describe it to me. I’ve probably seen everything we have stashed in this theater.”
Thea gripped my hand, shaking her head. “Oh no, we couldn’t take you away from your tasks.”
“Nonsense. I’m happy to help.” She stepped toward the door. “One of the storage vaults, you say? Did he mention which one?”
Thea glanced at me, panic in her face. Delphine would be here any minute, and if she saw us dressed to go out, she would know immediately what we were up to. But my usually quick wits failed me. I couldn’t think of a single way to get rid of our unwanted help.
Thea’s expression grew resolute. “Mrs. McCrone, I have an idea. Presul Wolff also suggested that the thrunge plates may have been stored in one of the trunks in the props storage room off of the workshop. Could you search there for us? That way we can check the vaults and save some time.”
“Lovely idea! But I don’t know what thrunge plates look like.”
I begged my brain to work fas
ter, but it seemed to be rusted tight. “Well, they’re about…four inches long, made of brass, and they’re…um…”
“Flat,” Thea said. “Like plates.”
Oh god. Amateurs. “Yes, with a little ratchety sort of widget thing on the end.” I wiggled my forefinger to clarify.
Mrs. McCrone looked confused. Not that I blamed her. “Oh dear. I don’t think I’ll be able to recognize them.”
“That’s all right.” I smiled sweetly at her. “You go on, and we’ll look for them. I’m sure we’ll find them very quickly.”
“No, no. I just hate the thought of your evening being ruined. I’ll have to talk with Presul Wolff myself and remind him that apprentices are not his personal slaves.”
“Don’t do that!” I gasped. “We really don’t mind.”
“It shows how much he trusts us,” Thea added.
I almost blew our cover and laughed outright.
Mrs. McCrone’s eyes glowed. “You two girls are so diligent. I have an idea. Miss Wright, you come with me to the props room, and you can help me look. Miss Mellor can search the vaults here, and then you’ll both be on your way before you know it.”
We tried to protest, but she insisted. And it had to be 8:00 by now. We could delay no longer. Thea’s shoulders slumped. There was nothing else for her to do but…
“All right. I’ll go with you, Mrs. McCrone. This is so very kind of you.” She gave the meddling woman a dazzling smile and then fixed me with an intense stare. “I think Presul Wolff said to check the third vault on the right. He thought it might be toward the back, on some shelves.”
I nodded slightly.
“Oh,” said Mrs. McCrone, clapping her hands together, “I’ll come down with you and maybe we can find the box straight away!”
“No!” We both exclaimed.
Thea slid her hand around the woman’s arm. “He only thought it might be there. I rather imagine it’s actually in the props room. High up on a shelf. I could use your help with a ladder.”
Never mind that she’d first said it was in a trunk. Maybe it was a very small trunk. On a very big shelf.
Or maybe we were just totally screwn.
The older woman smiled. “Of course, dear. Let’s be off.”
“Yes, let’s.” Thea practically pulled her away from the door and down the hall. She threw a frustrated look at me over her shoulder.
I gave her a half-hearted wave and then scurried down the stairs, hoping we were lucky and Delphine was running late.
At the bottom of the steps, I took my electric torch from my harness and flipped the switch. The bronze goddess’ moon globe shown bright as a lantern. Finding the right vault was easy.
The nodes on my transceiver started tapping against my wrist. A message from Thea.
so sorry.
I pressed the hidden transmitter button on the top of the medallion. no worries. culd wait a nite.
While I waited for her response, I slipped inside the vault and shut the door behind me. My heart pounded and my harness felt tight around my middle as I tried to breathe.
Her message came back: no. go on. mite nt get 2nd chance. tell all l8tr. Then a moment later: hells coming.
What? Oh. Hellphine. My heart lurched.
I scrambled over trunks and boxes to the back of the vault where the ventilation grate was. I had just enough time to slide behind a shelf unit and turn off my torch before the door opened a second time.
Delphine entered, a black bag thrown over her shoulder, and a small oil lantern in hand. With sure steps, she flitted around the clutter and headed for the grate. I held my breath. Was I hidden enough? Did my skirt or my sleeves poke out? Why on earth had I worn a top hat?
She was just on the other side of the shelf unit. I tried not to move, but I felt my heart beating so hard, it seemed to pulse my whole body with it.
After placing her things on the ground, she quickly unscrewed the grate. It didn’t seem to be attached very firmly to begin with and soon was resting on the stone floor. Then she picked up her bag and lantern and climbed into the dark void. The light faded and disappeared.
From my hiding spot, I tapped a message to Thea.
going now.
Her response danced on my wrist:
b safe. watch out 4 alligators.
Chapter Five
As soon as the light from Delphine’s lantern faded, I flipped the switch on my torch so that the moon globe gave off a soft greenish-white glow only bright enough to keep me from tripping.
A cool, damp draft rolled past me as I peered into the darkness of the cavern. Delphine’s lantern glimmered faintly on the far side. The grind of rusty metal creaked through the silence, like a sigh.
I eased myself up on the ledge formed by the opening, swung my legs around on the gritty surface, and stood.
Another soft, metallic moan. Delphine’s light grew even smaller, then winked out. I needed to hurry if I didn’t want to lose her.
On full power, my torch lit the cavern, which stretched for nearly a city block. Stone columns rose at even intervals, forming the support structure beneath the theater. Rubble blanketed the ground, and the air was cool and heavy. A dark shape skittered past the edge of my light. A rat, probably.
I ran across the cavern and powered down the torch to moon-glow, looking for the tunnel entrance.
There it was, along the foundation wall—an arched opening about four feet tall lined with brick. A second grate with rusty iron bars criss-crossed the entrance.
Like a cage.
My breath caught, and the cavern seemed to close in on me.
Small spaces. Cages.
In my mind, I heard again the wheezing, eery melody of a calliope organ and the dark voice of my nightmares.
I shook my head to clear away the images. They were only memories. I wouldn’t let them control me.
But my hands shook as I unlatched the grate and eased it open. My stomach twisted as I faced the black tunnel. I couldn’t move.
His voice echoed in my mind. See this crank? If I turn it, the walls of your cage get smaller. Just…like…that. Smaller and smaller and smaller. Make it stop, Claire. You know what to do.
Shift for me.
A hot, rebellious surge of energy roared through me. I swallowed the sour acid of fear. “Not this time, bastard,” I whispered to the dark.
I jammed my torch into its holder on my harness and took out my pepper-spray gun. I forced myself to stoop into the tunnel.
Watch out for alligators. Thea’s last message taunted me. I feared being caged far more than I feared sewer alligators. Yet I couldn’t risk one finding its way into the storage vault, still open across the cavern.
I gritted my teeth. Then reached behind me to grasp the iron bars of the grate.
Pulled it shut.
And prayed I wouldn’t vomit.
The narrow brick tunnel was sandy and only big enough for me to shuffle hunched over. I forced myself to breath deeply and slowly. All I had to do was put one foot forward. Then the other.
Don’t think. Just move.
When it widened and I was able to stand upright, I thought I would cry. I took a shuddering breath and swiped away the sudden tears. No time to be emotional. I had to hurry.
I chased Delphine’s lantern like it was a fairy light, always teasing and bobbing just out of my reach. The tunnel twisted and curled. I tried not to notice the cobwebs or the shadowy creatures that scattered at my approach. Once, I nearly tripped over the skull of what must have been an alligator. Shortly after, I stumbled over a dead rat. I learned to watch my steps.
This tunnel housed utility pipes—steel for gas, lead for water, and even a few clay pipes for the new electrical wiring. Other tunnels joined or branched from it, and I had to be careful to keep the lantern in sight or I would be totally lost.
Delphine left the utility tunnel where it connected to an even larger brick drainage tube a little over a story tall. The summer had been dry, and only a thin channel of st
agnant water ran down the middle, leaving plenty of space to walk on either side. I was dimly aware of the strange beauty of it.
Something long slid out of the water about two feet from me. The moon-glow of my torch glinted off wet, knobby scales. Glittering, hungry eyes.
I froze, my heart pounding.
A sewer alligator.
It looked like a baby—only about four feet long—but still dangerous. It blocked my path, staring at me. I stomped my foot at it.
Bloody thing didn’t even blink.
I glanced the direction Delphine had gone—I could barely see her. This show-down had to be quick, and I had to win.
My death by alligator would give Delphine no end of satisfaction. We couldn’t have that, could we?
I slipped my pepper-spray gun from my harness. Hopefully, pepper spray worked on alligator skin as well as it did on human skin. Before my fear could overtake me, I squeezed the trigger.
The fiery liquid squirted the beast’s face. A deep growl burst from its mouth. It flinched and thrashed.
It charged toward me.
I stifled a scream and scrambled back into the tunnel. A second squeeze sent another jet of pepper spray. I waved my arms and stamped my feet again.
The writhing alligator growled louder.
I searched frantically for something to climb on.
Nothing.
Blood racing, I backed further into the tunnel. The alligator blindly lurched nearer, hissing…
And slithered back into the water.
I exhaled, closing my eyes briefly. Then I ran.
After a few more connecting passages, I came to an underground river channel. Trying not to breathe hard, I hung back to watch Delphine climb a set of limestone steps leading up to the surface. I followed quietly.
I emerged onto a cobblestone street next to a shabby park. It was a part of Aldwych I’d never seen before. I shivered slightly—the night breeze was chillier than underground, and a fine mist hung in the air. When my eyes adjusted to the greater light of the street lamps, I saw Delphine about a half-block away. I rushed after her, doing my best to stay in the shadows.
Chains of Silver: a YA Theater Steampunk Novel (Alchemy Empire Book 1) Page 4
