Betrayal Read online

  “Whatever it was, Tally, you are in no trouble. Tell Lillian where you stopped.” Elizabeth placed her hand on Tally’s shoulder.

  “I stopped at the cobbler’s shop.”

  “Did you need to have shoes repaired?”

  “No, ma’am.” It would not be long before she would tear the material.

  “What did you go there for?” Lillian’s voice tightened and grew stern.

  “It’s all right, Tally.” Elizabeth narrowed her eyes on Lillian.

  “I only stopped for ten minutes. Less, miss. I swear.”

  “What business did you have with the cobbler?” Lillian demanded.

  “I do not like your tone, Lillian.” Elizabeth stepped to the side of the chair.

  Reece could see the scene deteriorating. He stepped forward. “Ladies, I think you are asking the wrong questions.”

  All three turned toward him, staring as if they’d forgotten he was in the room.

  Lillian’s eyes narrowed and she gripped the arms of her chair. “What should I be asking?”

  He knelt beside Tally’s chair. “Does the cobbler have an assistant?”

  “Yes, sir.” Her voice quivered.

  “Is he a young man you fancy?”

  “Sometimes he walks me home or through the park when I have time off.”

  “And you stopped to see him that day?”

  “Yes, sir, but only for a few minutes then I went directly to get the chickens. The shop was very crowded and took some time.”

  “What happened when you left the shop with your chickens?”

  Her dark eyes were wide pools, and she stared into his. “I walked a few blocks and suddenly the street was empty. I looked all around, trying to figure out where everyone had gone. Not even a pigeon made a sound in the alley. The wind nearly knocked me off my feet. I tried to run, but I could not break away from the pull of the wind.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

  Reece handed her his handkerchief. “Take your time, Tally, and tell us what made the wind.”

  “It was like a tunnel of swirling wind and blackness, and he was inside. The demon master called to me.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I wanted to run, but I turned and walked into the wind.”

  “Why did you enter the vortex if you wanted to run?” Lillian spoke softly, coaxing.

  Tally turned toward her. “I do not know how, but he controls me. He commanded that I go to him, and I could not stop myself. He is going to kill me, isn’t he?”

  “No.” The word came out more forcefully than Reece intended.

  Lillian asked, “What was inside the swirling wind?”

  “Only darkness for a long time. I cried for what seemed like days. Then one of those giant demons with the big head came and carried me to the church where you found me. I tried to run, but my legs would not obey my commands. I screamed but no sound came out of my mouth. It was a cage without bars. I was trapped in my own mind and body. All that was me looked out, but nothing I did made my limbs move.

  “The master commanded I pray to him. There were other people, and they also had to pray, but they were allowed to rest. I was never allowed to rest.”

  “Why do you think that was?”

  “My prayers were more powerful because I had been consecrated. My prayers gave him strength. I tried to stop, but I couldn’t. No matter how hard I tried, I could not stop.” Her tears turned into sobs.

  Elizabeth went to the door and called for Matilda.

  The maid wrapped her arms around Tally’s shoulders and led her from the room.

  Lillian walked to the window. Her shoulders remained stiff and her back straight.

  Elizabeth turned and walked in the opposite direction. Hands on her hips, she looked toward the damask wallpaper.

  All he could do was take a seat and wait.

  “I have to ask you, Elizabeth.” Lillian returned to her chair.

  “Then ask.”

  “Do you feel this same pull toward the master?”

  Her shoulders rose and fell with a heavy sigh. She sat in the chair Tally had vacated. “The night we rescued Tally, I felt a strong pull, but was able to focus on the battle.”

  “You have been in proximity to the master since then. Did the inclination to join him differ?”

  Elizabeth looked at him.

  He smiled. “I trust Lilly with my life, Lizzy. You may tell her anything.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Since I have given myself to Reece, the master’s pull is negligible.”

  “But not completely gone.”

  “No. Not completely.”

  “I have to tell Drake. You know I must.” Lillian had the good grace to sound sorry for the fact.

  “You must do what you feel is right. I know where my loyalties lie, Lillian. I will fight the master or die in the effort.”

  “I believe you.”

  The two women stared at each other.

  Reece stood up. “We have an appointment with my solicitor, and you have to report to Drake.”

  Lillian got up, crossed to Elizabeth, and pulled the younger woman into a hug. “I wish you good luck. I’m sure this will all work out for the best.” She stared at him, and after years together, he recognized she did not believe her own words. Though, she wished they were true.

  “Good day, Lilly,” Reece said.

  Lillian curtsied and left the house.

  “That could have gone better,” Reece said.

  “It was inevitable.” She collapsed on the settee.

  He sat and threaded his fingers through hers. “It will work out, my love. We probably should have told Drake before now about your affliction. It will not look good, but he is a reasonable man. You have more than proved yourself.”

  She leaned her head on his shoulder.

  He kissed her forehead. “I will have my solicitor apply for a special license today. In the meantime we should get dressed to go and see the townhouse.”

  Without a word, she got up and opened the door.

  Jamie stood outside. “I was just coming to find the two of you.”

  Reece stood. “What did you want, Jamie?”

  “Tad wants to go over his plan to attack the old church and clear out any remaining demons.”

  “We’ll be right there.”

  Jamie rushed down the hall.

  She smiled. “I suppose our trip to see the new house can wait an hour or so.”

  Reece wrapped his arm around her shoulder and escorted her back to the war room.

  * * * *

  The hour passed noon before they managed to get out of the office and into a carriage heading to St. James. His solicitor opened the front gate and greeted them.

  “I’m sorry for the delay, Humfrey. I hope my note reached you before you were inconvenienced.”

  “The timing was perfect, sir. I remained at my office when your footman arrived.”

  “This is my fiancée, Miss Elizabeth Smyth. Lizzy, my solicitor, Humfrey.”

  “A great pleasure, miss.”

  “Mr. Humfrey.”

  “I think you will like this house, sir. It has been vacant for the season, but it has all the amenities you specified and is certainly large enough.”

  “Do we need such a grand house, Reece?” Elizabeth climbed the stairs and opened the door before either man could assist her.

  “We have a great many associates and a large ballroom is necessary. At the moment it is just Talley, but I suspect we will have guests quite often.” He ran his finger along the dusty woodwork. The foyer remained in darkness, but a large chandelier, draped in a white sheet, hung above them. A table similarly draped stood in the center and two sets of stairs wrapped around the wall in either direction and led to the upper levels.

  Humfrey said, “I shall wait here for you, sir.”

  “Thank you.”

  They walked down the hall, and Reece pulled open the double doors, exp
osing a ballroom twice the size of the one in his father’s house.

  “My word, Reece, are you sure we need this big a home?”

  Also covered, a pianoforte stood in the back corner. He walked over, pulled back the sheet, and revealed the polished black instrument. He sat and played a few notes of Handel. “One day this war will be over, Lizzy. When that day comes, I would like to fill this house with children and parties. Though, I suspect we will spend a great deal of our time in the country.”

  She sat next to him. “I didn’t know you were musical.”

  “It has been many years since I played. I have little use for the skill in my current occupation.”

  “Yes.” She leaned against his arm.

  “Do you think you might like to have children?”

  “One day, if we live so long. I do like the image you have created. You playing in the evening and the children dancing. Perhaps we will sit quietly in the study. I will improve my reading while you write letters of business.” She sighed.

  He kissed her nose. “I like it too. Let’s go and see if the study will suit.”

  Though enormous, every room appeared finer than the rest. They peeked under the sheets covering a bureau in the master suite, which revealed exquisite woods and fabrics, before returning to the foyer. “Do you like it, Lizzy?”

  “Of course. Who would not like such a house?”

  “Should we purchase it?”

  “Why ask me?”

  He pushed a stray hair behind her ear. “You will be the mistress of this house. It will be your home. If you do not like it, we will find one that suits us better.”

  She cocked her head and looked around the room. “It is a very nice home. Is it reasonably priced?”

  “A bit too inexpensive in my opinion.”

  “Well, then let’s go and find out why.”

  He offered his arm, and they descended the grand staircase.

  Humfrey read a document he’d spread out onto the table. He gathered up the papers as they approached. “Do you like the house?”

  “It’s very fine, but extremely large and I wonder why it is selling for so fair a price?”

  The solicitor looked around, then at his shoes.

  “What is it?” Reece asked.

  “The previous owner was murdered in the house. People are superstitious. I thought, in light of your current…um…hobby, you would not mind the thought of a death having taken place in the house. Forgive me if I have overstepped my boundaries.”

  Elizabeth giggled.

  “Not at all. Purchase the house for us, Humfrey.”

  “Then you are not bothered by the murder? They have even said the victim’s ghost remains within the walls.” He shivered.

  “We are not given to squeamishness. We will have a friend take a look at the ghost possibility, but I would guess it is rubbish.”

  “I will see to the paperwork. It will take a few days to deal with the legal transfer, and I will need your signature of course.”

  “Send me whatever needs signing. We will remain at the other location until this property is ours. I do have one other task for you, if you can manage it.”

  “Of course, sir. How can I be of service?”

  “Miss Smyth and I would like to marry as soon as possible. In our line of work, to wait for banns can be costly.”

  “I will obtain a special license. May I wish you both great joy?”

  “Thank you, Humfrey.”

  Elizabeth blushed down to the neckline of her day dress. He’d never seen anything more charming.

  “John, take us back to the office.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Chapter 12

  Elizabeth said good-bye to Mr. Humfrey and climbed into the carriage.

  Reece sat next to her and held her hand.

  She’d grown used to these gestures of affection. Never had anyone paid so much attention to her. Why would they? She had only been the scullery maid in her old life. “You know, I have no idea how to run a grand house, or any house for that matter.”

  “You will learn. No one expects you to know everything right away.” He lifted her hand to his lips.

  The kiss shot like a lightning bolt and filled her with joy and desire. “That’s good, because I only know how to scrub pots, clean fireplaces, and kill demons.”

  “You understate your talents, my dearest. I hope in time you will appreciate them as much as I do.”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about.” What talents did she have? She could clean house, make a fire, and scrub pots like any maid, nothing more. The only other thing she could do with moderate skill was fight.

  His gaze met hers, and he kissed her long and slow. “People trust you, Lizzy. They believe in you. It was that way with Connie and now with Tally. You even drew Shafton in with your clever mind. You think outside what is expected and doing so brings an entirely new outlook on a problem.”

  Her cheeks were on fire. “That is very kind of you to say.”

  “You should know by now, I never say anything out of pure kindness.”

  “No. No you are always quite honest with me.”

  The carriage pulled to a stop.

  “John, what is it?” Reece jumped down.

  Elizabeth followed him out. They were still ten blocks from the office. Normally a busy area of London, the street stood empty. Not a sound except for the horses’ hooves clomping with displeasure on the ground and their own breathing.

  “What is this, sir?” John asked. “The street was crowded a moment ago, and then everyone vanished.”

  “I fear it is us who has vanished, John.” Elizabeth pulled her sword and waited until the first wind came from behind the carriage. She spun and faced the opening vortex.

  It started as a fist-sized hole and grew.

  When it reached the size of a dinner plate, Reece fired. A scream echoed out.

  It enlarged more aggressively until it filled the width of the street and beyond. An army of demons marched out of the swirling void.

  Elizabeth hurled a throwing knife into the chest of a trebox.

  It clutched the hilt, pulled it free, and fell to the street.

  John fired a shotgun from the top of the carriage. He managed to blast several demons, but the buckshot mostly slowed them rather than doing mortal damage.

  She threw another knife, and it skimmed off the head of a malleus, leaving a gash but not slowing the beast at all.

  Reece fired his pistols and managed to kill two with no time to reload before he had to abandon them for a sword.

  “There are too many, Elizabeth. We must retreat,” Reece screamed over the wind and demon war cries.

  She grabbed onto the back of the carriage and he did the same. “John!”

  The carriage bounced, John snapped the reins, and the horses took off at a gallop. She gripped the wood as they rounded a corner. The street looked the same as the last, and the vortex didn’t recede. They were not putting any distance between them and the danger.

  “I come for you, peasant-hunter. You are mine by consecration. Your attempts to escape are futile. Come to me now, and I will spare your friends.” The voice of the master whispered in her head.

  More than a hundred demons spread across the road, gaining ground. The horses galloped themselves into a lather. The animals would die if they kept up the pace too long, and they would be no closer to escape. “Reece, they want me. Only me. Get John out of here.”

  “No, Lizzy. We are in this together.”

  “If you do not go now, you will be killed, and then who will come for me?”

  His eyes burned and the muscles in his neck bulged. “I will come for you.”

  “I love you.” She longed to touch him once more, but with the speed of the carriage, it wasn’t possible to get any closer. John had to slow as they rounded another corner. She jumped to the street and rolled to a stop a foot from the front line of malleus dem
ons. Feet the size of an elephant’s stopped and dead eyes stared down at her.

  “I love you.” Reece’s voice faded as the carriage raced away.

  A malleus lifted her from the street. The vortex folded over and swallowed them.

  She held her breath as if forced under a pool of water. Reece was safe, but her own fate emerged less secure. How would he find her? Where were they taking her? The world around her spun and her stomach lurched.

  The wind stopped and rain splattered her face. The demons ran across a field.

  Bouncing in the arms of the demon, she couldn’t make out the area, and trying to watch the terrain made her nauseas. She closed her eyes and braced herself against the jostling.

  They stopped and she hit the ground with a jarring bruise to her shoulder. There were only twenty demons with her now. She didn’t know where the others had gone or when they had left. The last of the daylight filtered over the horizon. She’d lost her sword in the street. Grabbing two throwing knives from the belt under her skirt, she let one fly and pierced a trebox in the forehead. She let loose the second and hit a malleus in the eye.

  She ran into the darkness with no idea where she was. Get away, then worry about location. She couldn’t kill twenty demons, but maybe she could escape. A lantern burned in a window across a puddled road. She ran toward it.

  A hand wrapped around her ankle, and she went down face first into the mud. Digging her hand into the earth, she pulled away.

  More hands grabbed at her.

  She screamed.

  A malleus gripped her shoulders and hauled her from the ground.

  The pointed teeth of a trebox were inches from her face. Another grabbed her jaw. Its rough scaly hands scratched her as it pried her mouth open.

  Elizabeth kicked and struggled against the hands of the demons, but their grips tightened. Pain stung in her limbs and jaw. She choked on a liquid poured down her throat.

  The demon snapped her mouth shut and held it closed.

  The dusky sky blurred, and the light in the window grew fuzzy. Her world turned upside-down. Had she fallen? No, the malleus had slung her over his shoulder. What was she doing in a field? She only had to reach her sword. The lantern, she had to get to the house with the lantern.

  Her eyelids grew heavy. A short rest was all she needed.