“We also found a rapier on the floor that didn’t belong to our agent. I believe Angel was disarmed.”
“And then what?”
“There’s no trace of him. We have men searching.”
Claudia sat back to think. The clatter of the wheels faded, and even the occasional cheer from the streets didn’t distract her. If Angel was fleeing from the island, as well he should, who else would be looking for him? Red Eye had bought up all his markers. Getting Angel to play her game had gone better than expected, deliciously even, as she never once thought he’d be foolish enough to steal from her to pay his debts.
“Keep looking,” she said. “But be careful. This matter is, of course, sensitive. His brother is staying with me and would be most distraught if news arrived of something untoward having happened to Angel. If he’s found, then let the game reach its natural conclusion. But when you discover anything about whoever might have taken him, come see me immediately.”
The young man nodded. “My queen.”
She opened one of the curtains and looked out at Fountain Street and the corner of Saint’s Road. The church loomed. Sunday walkers on the street bowed and curtseyed as the carriage drove past. Claudia waved.
A mixed crowd waited in front of the church. They wore their best and brightest and held white and yellow peonies in hand. They raised their floral offerings and hailed her. Her steward swung down from the driver’s seat and helped her down. She took him by the arm. Pureblood and fel together for all to see. For wasn’t that what Loom Island stood for? Home and hearth for all of God’s children.
The viscount was already entering the church. She paused to look at the sea of faces. Adoring. Loyal. Yet someone among them had taken her nephew, and most likely killed him. But she kept suspicion from her face and maintained her smile.
Angel’s brother Jamie, the oldest of her own brother, Count Barca, was waiting at the church entrance. His presence would surely cause a stir. Barca would demand his return and would complain. The duke would hear about it. Yet Jamie had agreed when she had invited him to stay on the island, at least for a while as he recuperated from his concussion. Claudia had been so delighted he had decided to play in her games. And now she knew that he was smitten with the fel woman who had purchased up so many of the game rewards.
As if she’d miss the big eyes those two lovebirds were making with one another.
Claudia had made him promise to tell her the full story at supper this evening.
She felt flushed at the thought of how amazing everything had turned out. The game, the surprises, the thrills and shock the crowds had felt. It truly warmed her. She feared she would fidget throughout the sermon. She couldn’t stop thinking about the catacombs.
How odd the winner was, and she didn’t even know his name. How he had fought to save his own kind! And after his victory? He had given all his tokens away. The fel woman hadn’t hesitated to snap up enough gold jewelry to set her up quite nicely. But the winner, this halfblood who had been convicted of assault on the sheriff, had hurried off, perhaps so overjoyed with freedom he didn’t want to spend another minute in the castle.
Still, Claudia smiled.
She would need to speak with this fel. He had gotten his hands on her notes for expanding her catacombs and had even dared confront her at the game’s conclusion. What would happen if word got out about her plans?
Trouble.
So much could be solved with a new round of games. If the winner could only be persuaded to return. Claudia would gain a veteran player and have the pleasure of seeing him silenced. Those nobles who had lost loved ones to the games and to the winner’s brutal hands were angry, and that anger needed to be directed to the right place. If he didn’t come back, he would have to be found. She didn’t like losing. This fel was playing his own game where she didn’t know the rules.
But Queen Claudia the Second was a quick learner.
He had been the sheriff’s prisoner. Perhaps he could shed light on his identity.
With a regal smile, she held out her hand and collected Jamie. With him on one arm and Rochus on the other, she strode through the tall copper doors of the church with a thrill. Along with the next season of catacombs to plan, there was a new game to play. And Lady Claudia always played to win.
THANK YOU FOR READING. I hope you enjoyed Midnight Monster Club.
Digger, Isabel, Hellard, Monty, and the cellar trolls will all appear again in the sequel, The Dragon and Rose, part two of the Fallen Rogues series.
Visit gerhardgehrke.com for a free short story, “Ogre Road,” a Sprat Hellard solo adventure preceding the events of Midnight Monster Club.
Midnight Monster Club shares a world with my Goblin Reign series. While there’s some overlap, no knowledge of the other series is needed to enjoy this book and its sequels. But you may want to see what Diregloom’s northern neighbors are up to!
And please take a moment to leave a review. Even a short comment helps small press and independent authors find new readers. I look forward to reading your comments.
Kind regards,
Gerhard Gehrke
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