The Cog Chronicles Box Set

by P M Cole

  This is it… I’m ready.

  Byron was puffing his cheeks out, his anxiety obvious. I leaned forward holding his hand. “Tonight is for you, remember that.”

  “Actually, not just for me—”

  Before I could question what he meant, the driver opened the door and he climbed out onto the gravel. I followed.

  The air smelt fresh, cold, chilling to the bone. I looked up at the countless floors and then higher. A single flake of snow fell towards me from the dark sky.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  “Mr Byron Ashmore and Miss Agatha Hoxted!” shouted a man as we entered the immense hallway. High above, an elaborate gas-fuelled chandelier radiated light upon the sea of guests below, who were mostly looking at Byron. Two grand staircases rose on both sides of the large room to a balcony on the first floor and ornate gilt-framed paintings sat between pillars along the walls, each one appearing to show a different young person. I was sure one of them was the man I came with…

  “Your coat, ma’am?” said another of the staff.

  A number of musicians played their instruments in one far corner but were hardly audible over the din.

  “Oh… yes, sorry.” I slipped off my coat and handed it over.

  “My… you really are looking fetching, Agatha,” said Byron.

  I awkwardly smiled then turned to the crowd but was instantly stopped in thought and motion. Finlay, dressed as if it was his own birthday that was being celebrated, stood side-on to me some twenty feet away, smiling and nodding in conversation.

  “There he is!”

  I turned to face Byron and the tall blonde-haired man who was hugging him.

  “Agatha, this is—”

  The tall man thrust his hand in my direction, which I briefly shook.

  “I am Daniel. Wherever did you find such a pretty young thing?” he said to Byron without his eyes leaving me.

  I ignored his comment, my eyes starting to track back to Finlay when the tall man grabbed my arm. As he did, a tingling sensation moved briefly through me. He looked down at me surprised, as was I. I had felt the same sensation before. Before I could pull my arm free he was leading me into the crowd.

  “Come, you have to meet the others!” he said.

  As we walked to another group of people I tried to see where Finlay had gotten to, but he was lost to me in the throng.

  “Grace, Cassandra, Alexander… this is Agatha Hoxted, Byron’s new young lady!”

  I looked at the tall man angrily. “I am no one’s young lady, sir.” I kept trying to locate Finlay while smiling at the three individuals presented to me. Grace was as tall as Daniel, but her physique was perhaps even more muscular. Cassandra, who wore small round eyeglasses, appeared to not want to make eye contact, whereas Alexander did nothing but.

  “Pleased to make your acquaintance,” said Alex. He then grabbed my hand and kissed it. The same physical reaction as just a moment before flashed through my person.

  I noticed Grace roll her eyes.

  “Where’s Heather?” said Byron.

  “Where do you think?” said Grace.

  I looked at all five of them, realising we were all alike.

  A commotion swept through the crowd with people beginning to look upwards to the first-floor balcony. Another of the staff was standing there. The crowd fell silent.

  “Here we go,” said Cassandra.

  I briefly looked back at her not understanding. A bell rang somewhere above me.

  “Lord Cannington and Miss Heather Stanton!” shouted the man on the balcony then stepped aside.

  Cannington appeared, resplendent in a dinner jacket and shirt. In his right hand was his familiar walking stick and on his left arm, a young girl, dressed in a white dress.

  “Friends, colleagues, and good people of this great city of ours. Thank you for coming tonight to this most special of occasions… As most of you here know, I have worked tirelessly to help those less fortunate in our midst. We live in a time of great innovation, but unfortunately, that means that some are left behind by the speed of progress, destined to be trapped by the claws of the past. That is why I have purchased many of the workhouses in London and have constructed hostels to give a ‘leg up’ as it were to those that require it!”

  A cheer ran around the crowd.

  “Now. One of the first of these homes for the poor and destitute was created right here in this manor house. The children that were raised here I…” He briefly touched his heart. “Regard almost as my own. So it is with great pleasure that on this day of their twenty-first birthday we should celebrate their success, and how they have become such fine upstanding examples of society!”

  It’s all their… our… birthdays…

  Before I could absorb that notion, Byron and the others moved away, walking through a crowd that was stepping aside for them. For a moment, my heart skipped as I thought I would be expected to go with them.

  Steadily they made their way to one of the bases of the twin stairs. Someone touched my arm. I turned to face Bernard. He gestured I keep watching the spectacle. I took a breath knowing that he was there, and looked back as Byron and the others joined Cannington and the girl.

  Cannington turned to them. “Heather, Grace, Daniel, Alexander, Cassandra, and Byron. Each of them allowed to rise up from the pits of their origins due to the great work done here. And I have no doubt they are just at the beginning of their journey to greatness.” He started clapping and everyone joined in.

  As the uproar continued, I turned and moved between the congratulations, following Bernard as we made our way to one of the side doors which we opened and slipped inside of.

  I let out a breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding.

  We had moved into a kind of study, or it would have been except the bookshelves were devoid of any volumes.

  Ignoring the strange sight, I turned to Bernard. “Where’s Finlay?”

  “A man matching his description was here not long ago, but he seems to have gone.”

  “I’ve got to find him.”

  “We must be aware this is Cannington’s home, who knows what lurks in these halls.”

  “Are the others in place?”

  “I think they are, yes…”

  A noise came from the other side of the door which promptly opened. Byron stood in the gap.

  “Is everything OK?”

  I looked at Byron and made a decision. Taking his arm I pulled him inside. He closed the door behind him.

  He looked concerned. “What is it?”

  “I need to find Cephas Finlay.”

  “Umm… why would you want to meet such a man?” Byron looked at Bernard.

  “Bernard is my friend. I believe Finlay is responsible for what happened at the shop, and if you know of Mr Finlay’s dealings you will know this is quite plausible.”

  Byron looked at Bernard once again, who nodded.

  “Oh… then shouldn’t we contact the police?”

  “No, I have to talk to him before they do. There are… some items I need retrieving, perhaps he will be open to returning them.”

  “I see. Well, in that case, I will accompany you, and help find him…”

  “No, it’s quite alright, I have Mr Hayward.”

  “With the greatest respect, Agatha, Mr Hayward does not know this house like I do. It is positively a maze between these walls. You could never find him before he leaves.”

  He had a point, I just hoped I could lead him astray before my ruse became obvious. “OK, that is appreciated. Where should we look?”

  “Are you quite sure he is not in the main hall?”

  “He was not a moment ago before we came in here.”

  “Wait here.” He then moved back outside, closing the door on the noise.

  “We cannot trust him!” said Bernard.

  “I know, but he’s right, we might never find Finlay without his help. I’ll just—”

  The door sprung open, this time Byron was accompanied by one of the
staff.

  “Tell them what you told me,” said Byron.

  “Mr Finlay has moved into the gardens at the rear, ma’am. Do you wish for me to call him?”

  Byron spoke before I could. “No, we will go to the gardens ourselves.”

  The man nodded then moved back outside.

  Byron nodded to one of the other exits in the room. “We can get to the gardens through there. Follow me.”

  We rushed through the door into a hallway. As I started to loosen my dress, trying to focus on the task at hand, I couldn’t help but notice the state of deprivation of the walls around me. Unlike the splendour of the main hall, the corridors and rooms we were glimpsing were mere shells, with their wallpaper peeling and only stained broken pieces of furniture filling their spaces. Finally, we made it to a set of large doors.

  Byron opened them and we stepped out into a dimly lit terrace with steps down to the grounds. Similar in design to the front of the property, hedgerows, small trees, and a central path were mostly lost in shadow, except about a hundred yards off was a brightly lit area. I thought I could see some people there.

  “That must be him,” said Byron.

  He went to step forward when I raised my hand. “I must do this alone, Byron. I have Mr Hayward. I’m sure we will be fine. I just need to talk to him.”

  He hesitated then nodded. “As you wish, but I will keep watch.” He then moved back inside, closing the doors behind him.

  I looked at Bernard.

  He placed his hand on my shoulder. “You’re not alone. We will bring this blaggard to justice.” I noticed he had a pistol inside his jacket and a memory flickered in my mind.

  We started down the steps, both trying to better see who was ahead of us. There appeared to be a small group. Maybe Finlay’s cohorts. This time it wouldn’t matter who he was with. I would solely focus on him.

  As we walked along the gravel path, I unfastened the hook and eyes on my dress and briefly paused letting it fall to the floor. Stepping free of it, we continued. As we grew closer, I could see the people were standing and seated on stone benches, beneath a stone roof of a large gazebo. Most had their backs to me, but one of them was Finlay.

  We stopped at the edge of the circular area. Finlay turned to me, as did most of the others. My mouth fell open.

  “Byron?” I briefly looked to where we had just come from, then back to the circle. “How could you have got…”

  He stood, along with the others he had introduced me to and Finlay.

  Bernard looked at me, anxiety on his face, his hand inside his jacket.

  Not understanding what was happening, I raised my arms at Finlay. He smiled in reply. “You will not walk away from this, Finlay!” I shouted.

  “Now, now, Cog, Corine, or is it Agatha?” None of the words came from the mouths of those facing us. It was as if they came from the aether, with no definite origin. Some of the group sniggered.

  “I’m not here to play games, Finlay! You will confess to what—”

  Cannington stood at the centre of the group, his hat in his hand. “You go by so many names! We are so alike, you and I. I think that is partly why I have not killed you, well, that, and other reasons…” He waved his walking stick to the others around him. “Everyone here, are all part… of a larger plan.”

  My arm wavered, I wasn’t sure who I should be aiming at.

  “It was I who ordered your parents killed, Corine. Finlay is just my foot soldier, as it were. As you should have been.” He sighed. “Unfortunately, Gideon and Ophelia… oh, those were your parents’ names if you didn’t know—” My fear had been replaced by anger which was tipping towards rage. I resisted the urge to release the triggers on the crossbows. “— Unlike so many other parents they resisted the offers I made to them. They could have had riches beyond their wildest dreams! They just had to give me… you.”

  My eyes flicked across the faces of the others whose parents must have given them up. I almost felt sorry for them. I switched my target to Cannington, who did not flinch.

  He continued. “And it wasn’t like they didn’t owe me. Their children had inherited gifts from the gods, and you know who made that happen? And not without great personal sacrifice, I might add. It was me! I used my power for each of you to be born into this pitiful realm to be more than your brethren! You belonged to me!”

  I stood speechless.

  He rested his stick on the ground, placing both hands on it. “So… here we are. But before you pull that trigger on those little iron sticks you are so fond of throwing at people. I want you to have a present, because it is your birthday as well, after all.”

  Some of those around him looked at each other.

  Suddenly he raised his hand towards Finlay, who jumped upwards as if he had been grabbed by his collar by someone much taller than he.

  “What are you doing, Hades!” shouted Finlay.

  Cannington continued. “You should have your justice. Finlay—” He moved his arm through the air and Finlay slid across the sandy ground like a doll until he was only a few feet away, directly in front of me. “—is yours to do with what you will.”

  “I am loyal to you! I have only ever done your bidding! Why—”

  “And I freed you from your boulder problem. You have had a few hundred years rest. You can thank me once you reach the underworld.” He looked at me. “Please proceed.”

  “I…” My hand rose to point directly at Finlay’s chest.

  Finlay looked at me. His face wasn’t the one of a king, but of a man who knew his life was about to end.

  “I had to do it! He made me! He’s—” Finlay grabbed his throat unable to produce any more words.

  Cannington waved his hand. “Quiet. End him, Corine. End your suffering. Be free of your past.”

  I looked into the eyes of the murderer and fired six bolts in quick succession.

  “Yes!” said Cannington.

  The bolts split the air, but just before they reached Finlay’s chest they diverted around him, then came back together on the other side, heading straight for Cannington.

  Concentrating to make sure my aim was true, I felt a brief gust of wind.

  Cannington shook his head. “So disappointing…”

  I stepped to the side to better see. Byron was standing in front of Cannington, bolts in his hand, which he then let drop to the floor. Until now, my mind had to bury the site of him being here, but as he stood in front of the man that raised him, I realised I had been wrong to ever trust him.

  Finlay fell to the ground, being able to breathe again. He quickly found his footing and scrambled away, joining the others.

  Cannington moved past Byron, stopping only a few yards from me. “You are too important to me to die, Corine. But whether you like it or not, you will join with me.”

  He flicked his hand through the air.

  I heard the cracking sound. For a fraction of a second, my mind resisted knowing what the noise meant. I turned to see Bernard, his head sitting at an awkward angle on his neck, collapse.

  Instinctively I released the blades from my arms and ran forward but I only got two steps when the ground beneath me shattered and from the gaps sprouted branches, coiling upwards out of the cracks like snakes. They wrapped first around my ankles as I tried to struggle free, then my thighs, each second restricting my movement further. Out of the corner of my vision, I could see Cassandra moving her hands in sync with the plants, a glow emanating from her until the ground stopped shaking and I was trapped inside a cage of roots and vines.

  Cannington walked to a few inches from me. “Be a good girl and your life can be good! Just look at the others. Byron—” He sniggered. “I must admit, I never thought Byron’s idea would work—”

  His betrayal added to the despair that I was drowning in, and tears rolled from my eyes. I concentrated my mind, trying to find any metal around me that I could use as a weapon.

  “— But the young man is quite the deceiver. Once I learned of you, I wanted
to just pluck you from that little shop of yours, but Byron convinced me otherwise. And don’t think it was by chance you two met. The seven of you are drawn to each other. It’s a miracle you did not meet any of them before, but then… you always did like hiding, didn’t you?”

  I could see Byron smiling. Ugh.

  Cannington leaned in further. “If you are trying to use your abilities to do your parlour tricks. Stop. You won’t find any metals here, it is only stone that surrounds us… So, where was I…”

  He went to continue but stopped. The ground was shaking again.

  I watched his expression change and his eyes narrow. He stepped back and to the side as a blue fireball sailed past, causing those that were behind him to scatter.

  “Must we really do this?” he said, looking beyond me. “Well, I guess it saves me having to find all of you.” He looked back to me. “Remember. You can stop what is about to happen. You just have to agree to be part of our little family…” He placed his hat back on his head and he was gone.

  Arges stormed into the area, swinging his axe at Grace who deftly ducked under it.

  I moved the blades on my arms, back and forward, sawing one then two of the branches binding me.

  “I got you!” shouted Colin at my side, trying to pull me free.

  “My arms, free my arms!”

  The sound of battle was all around us, as Lucas, Estelle, Vernon, and a wealth of other Ratters fought the members of the Hades family.

  The ground shuddered, as more plants rose up grabbing at who they could. A blur flashed past me. I knew it was Byron. Ripping the remaining plants from my legs I fire some bolts at Cassandra, but branches sprouted up which they all impacted.

  Grace, now with a sword, was actually beating Arges back, her blows too fast and skilful for the Cyclops to cope with. I went to run to his aid, but out of the corner of my eye spotted Daniel’s hands around Lucas’s face. The taller man’s eyes were burning as if on fire and Lucas could not turn away no matter how hard he tried.