Chapter 10
The interior was comfortable, with more than a touch of luxury—plush seats covered in velvet upholstery arranged facing each other, polished wood panelling, brass fittings, and small windows that would provide views of the countryside as they travelled south.
Shaw claimed a window seat and stared excitedly through the glass.
Rufus settled across from her with a resigned expression and pulled out his ever-present notebook.
Ginny took the seat beside Shaw whilst Solomon positioned himself near the internal door with the instinctive awareness of someone already planning an exit.
Viggo tensed a little as he climbed aboard.
Trains made him uncomfortable, mostly since charging through the countryside in a metal box was as unnatural a mode of transportation as he could think of, but also because he had had several unpleasant experiences involving locomotives, including one in this very station.
Fairbridge entered last and closed the door behind him with a soft click. He chose the seat opposite Solomon—not quite isolated, but enough that it established clear boundaries.
The train lurched into motion with a blast of steam and a squeal of wheels on rails that made Viggo’s pulse quicken where he stood next to the window.
Shaw let out a delighted gasp. “We’re moving!”
“That is generally what trains do,” Ginny said drily.
Viggo studied Fairbridge as London fell away behind them. The man sat with perfect stillness, his hands folded in his lap and his gaze fixed on some middle distance. His expression revealed nothing—no excitement, no apprehension, no emotion at all.
Coldness settled in Viggo’s gut. He could tell the man was dangerous.
For the next few weeks, Fairbridge would be watching Evander’s every move, cataloguing his every decision, noting his every interaction, and likely highlighting his every mistake in his report to the Ministry.
That thought rattled the Brute more than he would care to admit.
“Right then,” Evander said briskly from the seat diagonally across from Fairbridge. “Since we’ll be working together for the foreseeable future, perhaps we should establish some ground rules.”
Fairbridge’s dark eyes shifted to him. “I’m listening.”
“First, whilst I appreciate the Ministry’s desire for oversight, operational decisions rest with me. Second, any intelligence you wish to share with the War Office goes through me first. And third—“ steel edged Evander’s voice, “—you will not interfere with how I manage my team.”
Silence stretched between them.
“Acceptable,” Fairbridge said finally. “With one caveat.”
Evander’s eyebrow rose. “Which is?”
“If I believe your actions endanger the integrity of the mission or violate international protocols, I have the authority to intervene. Her Majesty’s government has invested considerable resources in this investigation.
I won’t stand by and watch it collapse due to unnecessary…
recklessness.” Fairbridge’s tone was matter-of-fact, as if he were discussing the weather rather than threatening Evander’s autonomy. “I trust that won’t be necessary.”
Viggo fisted his hands, ire rising.
Solomon shot him a warning glance.
“I’m sure we’ll all manage to restrain ourselves,” Evander said stonily.
Ginny scoffed under her breath. Evander narrowed his eyes at her.
Shaw made a face. “Excuse me for saying this, your Grace, but I agree with Lady Hartley. You’re not exactly known for your restraint.”
“Not helping, Shaw,” Rufus groaned.
For a moment, Viggo thought he saw a fleeting smile cross Fairbridge’s face. He dismissed the idea, certain it had been his imagination. Frost crept into his voice when he spoke.
“Tell me, Mr. Fairbridge, how many international investigations have you personally conducted?”
Fairbridge didn’t blink. “Seventeen.”
Viggo stilled, as did everyone else inside the carriage.
“Across four continents,” Fairbridge added. “Including two involving dark magic conspiracies remarkably similar to what we’re facing now.”
“Cor blimey,” Shaw mumbled, visibly impressed.
Even Rufus looked grudgingly astonished.
“You’ve done your homework,” Evander said stiffly.
“I always do.” Fairbridge’s gaze swept the carriage before settling on Evander. “Which is why I know you and Mr. Stonewall have been cohabiting for over a month now.”
The temperature in the carriage plummeted, along with Viggo’s stomach. Ginny’s eyes grew to slits. Solomon straightened. Rufus lowered his brows.
Shaw glanced between them, confusion dawning on her face.
Evander had gone absolutely still, his face a mask of ice.
“I beg your pardon?” he nearly growled.
“You heard me correctly, your Grace.” Fairbridge’s expression didn’t change.
“I’m not here to judge your personal affairs.
But I needed you to understand that I do my research thoroughly.
” He paused. “Your secret is safe with me. I have no interest in exposing it to the Ministry of Arcane Affairs or General Hartwick unless it compromises the mission.”
Viggo took a step forward, conscious his size filled the space and not giving a damn. “Are you threatening us?!” he hissed.
“I’m trying to establish trust.” A muscle jumped in Fairbridge’s jaw, the first crack in his perfect composure.
“Poorly, apparently.” He looked Evander dead in the eye.
“What I’m trying to convey, your Grace, is that I already know your secrets.
I don’t care about them. What I care about is stopping whoever is behind these experiments before more people die.
” His voice roughened almost imperceptibly.
“I lost someone close to me to dark mages ten years ago. Believe me when I say I have no interest in political games or Ministry posturing. I’m here to ensure this investigation succeeds, by whatever means necessary. ”
Evander’s eyes darkened. A muscle worked in his jawline. “I’m very sorry for your loss,” he said in a gruff voice.
Fairbridge nodded sharply once, then returned his gaze to the wall.
Evander studied him with a frown. Viggo could practically see his lover’s mind working behind his blue gaze. Reassessing. Recalculating.
“Then perhaps we should start again.” Evander extended a hand across the narrow space between them. “I look forward to working with you.”
Fairbridge looked at the offered hand and took it. “The feeling is mutual.”
The handshake was brief but seemed to settle the awkward situation.
Shaw leaned sideways toward Ginny. “By the way, what did he mean by his Grace and Mr. Stonewall cohabiting?!” she hissed.
Ginny wrinkled her nose. “It is exactly as it sounds. Evander and Viggo are lovers.” She shrugged at Evander’s scowl. “What? She was bound to find out soon, anyway.”
Shaw’s eyes rounded. She gasped, hands rising to cover her mouth. “Bloody hell!”
“How about you pipe down, Shaw?” Rufus said testily.
“How—how can I, sir?!” the forensic mage spluttered. “The two people I admire the most in London are, you know,”—her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper—“shagging! Excuse me if I request a moment to process this information.”
Viggo pinched the bridge of his nose. Solomon swallowed a snort. Ginny’s shoulders trembled. Evander sighed. Fairbridge coughed and cleared his throat.
Shaw chewed her lip for a moment before squinting at Viggo and Evander.
“I still can’t see it. I mean, Mr. Stonewall would surely crush his Grace in bed, never mind the size of his you-know-what,”—her gaze dropped to Viggo’s crotch—“fitting you-know-where.” She glanced at Evander’s lower body.
“For the love of God, Shaw!” Rufus snapped while heat crept up Viggo’s neck and Evander tried to disappear into the floor.
Shaw ignored the inspector’s apoplectic expression and gave Evander a commiserating look. “I beg your pardon for my cruel remark earlier, your Grace. I now understand the need for the walking stick. I have something in my luggage if you are in need of a salve.”
Ginny finally burst out laughing. Solomon hugged the wall and wheezed. Fairbridge brushed a non-existent piece of lint from his coat, his shoulders quivering ever so slightly.
Evander studied Rufus dully. “Remind me again why I wanted to bring her?”
Rufus glowered at Shaw. “Because she’s the best forensic mage in England.” The inspector rubbed the back of his neck and blew out a sigh. “Well, now that we’ve all established we’re not here to stab each other in the back, might I suggest we discuss the actual mission?”
“That sounds like a splendid idea,” Ginny said briskly.
Evander withdrew several folders from his bag and distributed them around the carriage.
“These are dossiers on our European associates and their initial reports on our investigation. Count Beaulieu will be our primary contact in Paris, along with Inspector Willems in Brussels and Inspector Richter in Vienna.”
Fairbridge scanned a file. “The breadth of the investigation seems quite wide,” he observed with a raised eyebrow.
“It has to be.” Evander’s expression hardened.
“Whoever is behind this has resources and activities spanning multiple countries. That kind of organisation doesn’t spring up overnight.
Which means they have powerful allies in high ranking places and several schemes in motion.
One of them is bound to slip up and provide us with an opportunity to uncover their plans. ”
“And maybe even lead us to ‘I’,” Viggo murmured.
“I have contacts in Europe,” Fairbridge said quietly. “From my time in military intelligence. They may prove useful.”
Evander nodded curtly. “We’ll discuss specifics once we reach Paris and assess our initial leads.”
Ginny tapped a finger on a dossier. “I’ll reach out to my connections in high society once we arrive in Paris. Salons and dinner parties are excellent for gathering rumours.”
“Just be careful,” Evander warned. “If our enemies have the reach we suspect, they’ll have eyes everywhere.”
“I’m always careful,” Ginny said. “It’s what keeps me alive.”
“Still, you should take Solomon with you as a bodyguard,” Viggo said.
Ginny gave Solomon a tart look. “I’m sure Mr. Barden would welcome the opportunity to guard my body.”
Rufus narrowed his eyes at her.
Solomon sighed. A thought seemed to come to the thrall’s mind.
“Wait. Does that mean I have to dress up?” he asked suspiciously.
“I already had outfits made for you,” Ginny said with a saccharine smile. “After all, I know your measurements.”
The tips of Solomon’s ears reddened. Shaw looked confused once more.
Viggo wondered drily how long it would take for that particular penny to drop.