A few more blocks and she slowed her pace. I followed her into a narrow alley and ducked behind a large metal rubbish bin. She started up some wobbly wooden stairs on the backside of the building next to my hiding spot. A door at the top flung open.
An older woman, heavyset, wearing a faded work dress, motioned to her. “Come on, come on. You’re late, and the presul will have both our heads!”
Presul? A zing of suspicion shot through me. What had Delphine gotten herself into?
She ran up the remaining steps, panting. “I’m sorry. Our wardrobe manager and a cog-headed apprentice detained me. Going on about thrunge plates. I hurried as quickly as I could.”
“Yes, yes. I’m sure. But it won’t matter none if you ain’t ready by curtain time.” She hustled Delphine inside and slammed the door.
I chuckled silently. I’d have to thank Thea later.
But what had that woman just said? Curtain time. Presul. The pieces were starting to fall into place. My head thunked lightly against the rubbish bin. Stupid, stupid Delphine. If my hunch was right, she wasn’t just breaking curfew.
She was breaking the law.
Walking back to the side street, I counted the buildings I passed. Once on the main street, I counted again. The fourth building was the one Delphine had entered.
It was a run-down, drab place with a sign over the entrance that read “The Coggled Noggin” and was illustrated with gears and a pint of ale. The front doors at one point had been painted red, but the paint was faded and peeling. A huge, brutish-looking man stood in front of the doors, arms folded, glaring out at the darkened street.
The faint sounds of laughter and a tinny piano filtered out through the doors and small bank of windows on either side. I crept closer as three men and two women approached the big, surly doorman. He asked their business, and their reply must have satisfied him because he allowed them to go inside.
I nibbled on a fingernail, thinking.
I’d heard of places like this but had never been to one. I watched for a few more minutes. The doorman was looking for well-dressed people, but not too wealthy. Older men and serious-looking ones were turned away. Women in groups or with male companions were usually allowed—if they flirted enough. The poor or drunk were chased off right away.
Chances of getting in by myself were slim. Too young, too poor, and too alone. I didn’t fit the profile.
More people arrived. A line formed outside the pub. Definitely something big going on.
I had an idea. I crossed the street to a small alley, and dragged a wooden crate next to a boarded-up window.
From my black handbag, I took out a small mirror and balanced it upright on the window ledge, along with my torch, which I powered on full. A stray cat slunk by me, as if offended by my presence in his alley. I made a face at him. Cats, even the homeless type, were arrogant creatures.
A few hairpins and some cosmetics later, my hair was redone in a fashionably messy style, and I looked a little older.
I stashed my compass, torch, and pepper-spray gun in the handbag—no need to raise questions about them. Leaving the alley, I checked out the people standing in a line that reached nearly the length of the block. At the end were two young men that looked just like the sort of fun-loving, middle-class toffs the doorman had been letting in.
I walked casually toward them. This was a risk, and if Nadine Fairchild knew what I was up to, she’d be giving me a scolding the size of Wynstanham Palace—real mother or not. It was most unsafe to approach strange men or go anywhere with them. Every girl knew that, but I knew it better than all of them together.
I joined the line behind the boys. They were deep in conversation and seemed like good friends. I didn’t sense any danger from them, but I wished that Thea was with me so she could use her psychic magic to make sure.
A dull heaviness settled on me. I hated speaking to men I didn’t know. But I had come too far this evening to give up just because I was frightened. I lifted my chin and put warmth into my tone. “Excuse me, gentlemen.”
They both turned to me, their faces lighting up in smiles.
“Good evening, miss,” the one to my left said, tipping his hat. I liked the cheerful sparkle in his brown eyes. His friend, who was a little taller and had shoulder-length golden hair, nodded and touched his hat as well.
“Good evening,” I replied. “I was hoping you could assist me, since you are both so tall, and must have a far better view of this line than I do.” I tried to look small and adorable, all dimples and dark eyelashes.
Predictably, they puffed up, looking more than happy to help a pint-sized damsel-in-distress. The one on my right, Goldilocks, held up his fashionably useless walking stick. “We would be happy to assist you in any way possible, miss.”
“Oh thank you!” I cooed. “I was supposed to meet my friend here half an hour ago. Only I don’t see her. And in this crowd…” I held up my hands and shrugged, shaking my head.
“Of course we’ll help you find her. What does she look like?” Brown Eyes on my left was already craning his neck to see down the line.
“She’s six inches taller than me, with beautiful blond hair. And oh, such a figure.” I made a curvy motion with my hands. If Thea were here to see it, she’d have elbowed me hard.
After letting them search for several minutes, I blinked back some totally manufactured tears. “I can’t imagine what happened to her.” I inhaled shakily.
Their grave looks of concern told me I may have overdone it a bit. Brown Eyes handed me a handkerchief.
“If your friend is missing, we should we alert the police,” Goldilocks said.
“Oh no.” I managed a tearful little laugh. “It’s nothing that bad. I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to make it. She has a…very strict aunt who doesn’t let her go out often. I’m sure that’s the reason she didn’t come.”
Brown Eyes scowled sympathetically. “Strict aunts should be strictly banned.”
I smiled up at him. “I quite agree.” Then I let my shoulders droop. “But it’s very disappointing. We had been planning this night for weeks. I suppose I’ll never attend the famed Coggled Noggin after all.”
“Surely your friend wouldn’t expect you to miss out just because she wasn’t able to make it?” Goldilocks said.
Brown Eyes nodded. “That would be most unfair.”
“Oh, she would completely agree. She would insist I enjoy myself anyway.” I pointed to the doorman. “But I’ve been watching him. He doesn’t let females in by themselves. I imagine he has some prejudice against us. Without my friend, I have little chance of getting in.” I heaved a sigh and looked longingly at the door.
I took a step out of the line, counting the seconds. Brown Eyes took the bait first. “Wait. Why not come with us?”
Goldilocks nodded. “Can’t let that brute turn you away. And it would be a shame to waste your ticket.”
Ticket? Crap.
I put my hand to my forehead and groaned. “My friend was bringing the tickets.” I held out the handkerchief to Brown Eyes, putting on my best sad face. “Thank you for your kind offer, but it apparently wasn’t meant to be.”
Brown Eyes glanced at Goldilocks, brows raised. Goldilocks shrugged and nodded.
“We’ll buy you a ticket,” Brown Eyes said.
“I couldn’t let you do that!” My quick refusal wasn’t completely an act. Men rarely seemed to do something nice for a girl without expecting a certain kind of something in return. And it wasn’t a price I’d be willing to pay.
Goldilocks stepped to my side. “Please, miss. Our pleasure. Let us help you.”
I blinked, trying to look uncertain. Inside, I was uncertain. But also pleased—they’d done exactly what I’d hoped. “I don’t know…we are not acquainted.”
Brown Eyes took his hat off and placed it over his heart. “I assure you, miss, we are complete gentlemen. I am Benjamin Pierce, and this is my friend, Phineas Corker.”
Phineas Corker, a.k.a. Goldil
ocks, bowed to me. “We are clerks in a barrister’s office. You are perfectly safe with us. Neither of us can afford to misbehave.”
I gave them a flirtatious smirk. “I’m sure you are capable of it.” To hell with it—I’d take the risk. They both seemed rather sweet. I extended my hand to Phineas. “I am Claire…Wright. I’m a technomancer.” Thea wouldn’t mind my borrowing her last name.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Wright.” Phineas shook my hand.
“And you, Mr. Corker. Mr. Pierce.”
“A technomancer!” Benjamin exclaimed, looking impressed. “I’ve always wanted to know more magical people.”
“Alas, there’s nothing magical about a law clerk.” Phineas Corker shook his head regretfully.
I giggled. “And yet, the two of you showed up tonight like magic to help me. I think you may underestimate yourselves.”
Both of them linked arms with me, and in a short time, we were at the front of the line. It took some arguing from the boys and more flirting from me to get the doorman to give me a ticket. But soon we were ushered into the Coggled Noggin. The ticket had not been expensive—I could have afforded it even on my apprentice allowance. But I still worried that they would try to make me “pay up” for it. I’d just have to deal with that if and when it happened. For now, I was in, and that was all that mattered.
The inside of the pub was only slightly nicer than the outside. It still looked worn and dated, but cozy, too. Phineas and Benjamin stopped to greet and introduce me to several people. I’d chosen well—they were regulars here, and seemed quite popular. They escorted me past the big wooden bar and into a seating area with tables. They found a table near the far end of the room, by a wood-paneled wall hung with posters and a few photographs.
“Best seats in the house, Miss Wright.” Phineas pulled my chair out for me.
I settled into it, looking around. “I see that,” I said, even though I didn’t. What was so great about a table near the back of the room?
Benjamin entertained me with stories about their law office. They may not have had magic there, but it sounded surprisingly theatrical anyway. Phineas offered me a drink, but I insisted on having only ginger-beer. If I became drunk, I couldn’t possibly follow Delphine back to the theater. I’d either get lost, eaten by alligators, or found by Delphine.
Disasters, all.
I told them stories about being a technomancer. It wasn’t hard—I just took some of my funniest material from my apprentice work and set it in what I imagined a technomancy shop would be like. I had them laughing so hard, I thought they would choke on their beer.
“You tell the best stories, Miss Wright.” Phineas pounded me on the back, chuckling. I didn’t like being touched, but I liked his manner—made me feel like I was one of the boys.
“You should have been an actress,” Benjamin added. “I can see it in my head when you talk.”
His words made my throat clench and my stomach turn over. But I laughed lightly. “Me? An actress? Now that would be an epic disaster. People would run for the doors.”
They hotly denied it, but it was time to move the conversation off me. “Speaking of acting…” I paused significantly, looking around.
They leaned closer, their eyes bright. “Soon. Top of the hour. See how many people are here now?”
Just as I suspected. “So…tell me more. I’ve never been here before, as you know.”
“You’ll love it.” Benjamin took another swig of beer. “Dame Nellie Kettlewick—half the blokes here are in love with her. She couldn’t be better if she were Nadine Fairchild herself.”
I’d give myself three guesses as to who Dame Kettlewick was, and the first two wouldn’t count. “So does she perform here often?”
Phineas sent me a puzzled frown. “She’s been the star here for the past three years. Everyone who is into theater sub rosa knows who she is.”
Three years. She’d been doing this that long? “I must confess, my friend and I only recently heard of her.”
Recently…as in about fifteen seconds ago.
I had heard stories of illegal theaters before—we had been warned of them. They were called “theater sub rosa” or “theater under the rose.” It was a way of saying they were operating without a license. That was a huge infraction.
Theater was practically a religion in the Empire. It was the top point of the Jewel of Society: a four-point diamond representing the four areas of performing arts—the highest expression of Mercian culture. Opera and Ballet were the two side points, and all were underpinned at the bottom by Music. The Jewel of Society was everything to the Empire—it defined us more than our clothing or military or language or religion.
Because it could shape the thoughts and attitudes of our people and affect our reputation as an empire, Empress Antonia believed the practice of Theater should be strictly regulated, and the Theatrical Guild agreed with her. Theaters that weren’t licensed by the Guild could be shut down and fined. The managers and staff could be arrested.
But unregistered theaters thrived anyway. The police usually had more urgent problems to take care of in a city of several million people. There was a Cultural Enforcement Department, of course, but bribes could be offered, and many in the department were content to do a few raids now and then to keep up appearances while secretly enjoying sub rosa performances themselves.
Tickets were cheap, so the lower classes could afford to see plays. And since they weren’t controlled by the Guild, they could get away with shows that the Guild would never permit.
If “Nellie Kettlewick” was actually Delphine, she was taking a double risk. Apprentices were not allowed to perform or work outside their apprenticeship until they were official Guild members. If she were caught performing, especially sub rosa, she wouldn’t just be kicked out of the apprentice program. She’d probably be thrown in prison, too.
Why in the world would she take such a huge risk? It was beyond mere cogocity. It was insane.
I was about to ask my hosts more questions, but at that moment, the wall behind us shuddered. An excited murmur rippled through the crowd. With a grinding noise, the wall split in half. The two parts slid to the sides of the room, revealing behind it a stage. The audience applauded and cheered.
“Brilliant!” I told Benjamin. “But give me a week and I could make that track run like water.”
He smiled. “I’m sure you could, Miss Wright.”
Now I understood how ours were the best seats in the house. They were almost too good—I could only hope Delphine wouldn’t see past the stage lights and notice me sitting there in front. I scooted my chair so that Phineas was blocking me a little. When he protested, I assured him I could see perfectly well.
The play was actually good. A little acting, a little singing. Some dancing, some comedy. It was naughty in parts, and melodramatic. But fun. Too bad the theater wasn’t licensed. Though, if it were, they wouldn’t be able to afford selling tickets so cheaply. The regulations that came with licensing were too costly.
I hated to admit it, but Delphine took my breath away. I’d seen her vicimorph magic before, but here—away from other apprentices, the rules, and strict training—she glowed. Despite the wild emotions of her character, there was a joy underneath it all. She was having the time of her life.
Is that why she did it? Just for the thrill? The love of performing? If so, it still seemed stupid to me. She was so close to being able to perform legally. Why not wait just a few more months?
I couldn’t stop the burn of envy as I watched her. She was made for acting. Her vicimorph magic was so strong, so perfectly trained, I had to look away or she would capture me in the story and make me forget who I was. But when I did look away, I remembered. I remembered it all.
It should have been me up there. But now, it never would be.
For the first time in years, the thought made me angry.
If I ever had the chance, I’d kill him for stealing this from me. I would tear him to pieces
and love every minute of it.
I shuddered and took another gulp of ginger-beer. I’d seen enough. It was time to leave.
I leaned over and whispered to Phineas that I needed to use the ladies’ retiring room. He nodded, too entranced by the magic onstage to really pay attention to me. It seemed rude to just disappear after they had been so kind. I fished a pencil and slip of paper from my handbag and scribbled them a note of thanks.
Then I slipped from the table and made my way out of the pub. Luckily, the doorman was no longer there—he had simply locked the doors from the inside once the show started. I could exit, but wouldn’t be able to get back in.
I walked around the block to the back side of the building and hid behind the rubbish bin again. I was in for a long wait. I stowed my gadgets back in my harness and settled against the brick wall. After awhile, I sent a message to Thea, though I wasn’t sure she would still be up.
But her reply came back quickly. finally. was getting worried.
no need. am fine, I told her. I explained where I was and what I’d learned about Delphine.
omg. ru going 2 tell?
That was a good question. not sure. what do u think?
I knew Thea, for all her loyalty to me, would hesitate to have any apprentice kicked out or thrown in jail. She was kindhearted to her core.
think we should decide l8tr. could come in useful.
I smiled. She was kindhearted…but also as devious as me.
Before I could reply, I received another message. p wolff says thx 4 thrunge plates.
I gasped. what?
mccrone wuldnt let it go. i found box of door hinges. told her they were thrunge plates. made me take them to wolff.
Oh. Lovely.
what did he do?
looked confused. smiled. said thx n will discuss them w us tomorrow. sorry.
We were both such cogs.
is all right. Just then, the door in back creaked open. she’s done. got 2 go. see u soon.
be careful.
Delphine walked past me. I flattened myself against the wall behind the rubbish bin, hoping the shadows would hide me. When she reached the corner, I slipped out and began the chase once more.
Chains of Silver: a YA Theater Steampunk Novel (Alchemy Empire Book 1) Page 5
