Chapter 18 #2
He freezes. “Oh. Yes, you’re right. It’s too much of a risk having him around when he knows the truth.”
We linger in heavy silence. Now that we’ve decided what needs to be done, we need to decide who will do the deed.
“I could use the dagger,” I carefully suggest, knowing the weight of my words. It would be a swift and easy death, but still one done by my own hands.
Henry shakes his head. “That’s too messy. If his death gets investigated, a knife wound implies it was murder.”
We think for a few more moments.
“What about the crown? I can compel him to…” I run my hand across my neck to gesture it being axed.
“It would remove any chances of it being traced back to us. Are you sure you want to do this, Clara? This means you will be taking someone’s life.”
I nod with confidence. “I’ve prepared myself that I may need to use the artifacts to protect us, which includes getting rid of those wishing to hurt us.”
“Alright then. If you’re certain, we should move his body back to his suite and do what you need to there.”
Displaying his hidden strength, Henry effortlessly carries the tall and bulky Mr. Meier over his shoulder. I check the corridor, ensuring it’s empty, and unlock his suite with the key from his jacket pocket. I quietly close the door as Henry places him on top of the bed.
Not wasting a moment, I head to the water closet and reach under my dress, unbuttoning the contraption to take out the crown.
When I adjust myself back together again, I make my way to the bedroom, looking down at my attacker’s unconscious face.
I twirl the golden civic crown with my fingers, preparing myself for what I need to do next.
Henry moves closer, placing a hand lightly on top of mine.
“You don’t have to do this,” he whispers, giving me one last chance to change my mind.
There’s no going back, and this is no simple task.
I’m taking another man’s life, even though I assume Mr. Meier has taken plenty of his own, but that doesn’t mean I have to act like him to get things done.
I glance up at the wall clock and know there isn’t much time left to dwell.
I need to decide what I’m willing to do and sacrifice to get us out of this mess safely.
I place the crown firmly on top of my head and focus on how I should compel Mr. Meier to make this look self-inflicted and not what it truly is…
murder. Closing my eyes, I think of various scenarios and the different outcomes that could happen, knowing I can’t afford to choose the wrong one.
Determining how it should be done, I hold onto Henry’s hand and make the command.
“It’s done,” I whisper, opening my eyes once more. “We should head back to our suite. If I did this correctly, it should be done at any minute.”
Discreetly, we sneak back to our suite without another soul seeing us and wait with anticipation. We sit on the chaise for several deafening minutes, my eyes closed and clutching onto Henry's hand, hoping that the crown will help clean up this chaos, as well as maintain our innocence in it.
A gunshot echoes in the distance, cascading down the train car. No doubt several others have heard it, too.
My free hand covers my mouth, containing my gasp.
I shouldn’t be surprised he had a gun on him, nor that the crown decided this method for him.
Even after knowing the artifact’s powers are real, I’m still astounded it worked and commanded a man to end his life.
Henry and I glance at each other, eyes wide.
Several footsteps rush down the corridor, toward the source of the gunshot, followed by a commotion of voices from the stewards.
Henry rises, letting go of my hand. “It would be questionable if I didn’t go check on what’s happening.”
I nod.
During times like this, I’m glad to have him with me, as his calm demeanor and clear head will be helpful during hectic situations. A steward rushes by as Henry opens the door, stopping him dead in his tracks.
“Mr. Abbott,” the steward says, eyes wide. He looks up and down the corridor, searching. “Apologies if we’ve awakened you and your wife. There’s been…an accident.”
“That’s alright. We did hear an unusually loud popping noise not too long ago. Is everything alright?”
The steward frantically looks around, clinging to the cloth towel in his hands. “I’m…uh, not too sure what I can share at the moment.”
Once I sense that the crew isn’t aware of our involvement, I no longer pay attention to what they discuss, as other strong emotions are consuming me. A surge of energy and immobilizing dread hits me.
I killed someone.
I didn’t physically do it, but I’m still the reason why it happened, and that’s the same as pulling the trigger. My chest tightens as I take in a few deep breaths.
I jolt in my seat when I feel a hand rest on my shoulder, awakening me from my running thoughts. I glance up to see Henry taking a seat next to me, a worried expression forming in the face.
“What did he say?” I ask.
“All they are sharing is that an accident happened with one of the guests. He wouldn’t share who or what happened.”
Henry shifts to face me, his face full of concern. “But I’m not worried about what’s going on out there.” He gestures to the world outside our room. “I’m worried about you and what you did to protect us.”
He shakes his head, resting his head in his hands.
“All of this is my fault. I should have protected you from him. I was the one who invited him to digestifs. I promised to keep you safe, yet I left you alone here, giving him the opportunity to attack you.” Tears form in the corner of his eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Clara. I shouldn’t have left you. ”
My heart breaks seeing how hurt he is, how much of this he blames on himself.
Needing to comfort him, I place a hand on his shoulder.
“This was not your fault, Henry. We both slipped up and let our guard down tonight. If we are to play the game of who is to be blamed, fingers can be pointed at both of us. Besides, we still have a long journey ahead of us, and we need to stick together as a team, a solid unit. And sticking together is the only way we are to get through this, not pointing fingers.”
“We both know others were looking for the artifacts,” I continue. “We may not have realized how dangerous this journey would be, but we got through tonight, which means we can overcome anything…together.”
He peers up at me, a small smile of gratitude flashing on his face. “How are you feeling? Truly.”
Looking into his dejected eyes, I can’t tell him the truth. I can’t tell him how using the crown and killing Mr. Meier has changed me. Telling him the truth will devastate him even more, and I can’t shove the knife deeper into his already shattered heart.
Besides, I’ll need to get used to being the Eudaemon—and its emotional baggage—quickly, as this likely won’t be the last time I’ll need to use the artifacts to save us.
To spare him further pain, I nod and give him a polite smile. “I’ll be fine, honestly. Unfortunately, this is what our journey will be here on out until we can finally set me free from being the Eudaemon. What frightens me is knowing there is someone fiendish right behind our tails.”
I tell him about the details Mr. Meier provided to me—about why he was after us and how he found us. Then I share who I suspect his boss may be.
“I can see this being at the hands of Dr. Richmond. All the facts and clues clearly point to him,” Henry says.
He doesn’t even look surprised by it. In fact, he looks a bit relieved. I suspect it helps to know exactly who our unknown threat is.
“Do you think he knows we’re heading back home? Or to Hullbeck Barracks?” I blurt out, fear taking over my thoughts.
Henry runs a hand across his face, letting out a fatigued sigh. “I hope not. But it won’t do us much good if we fret now with assumptions and worries.”
“Henry,” I announce after a long, pregnant pause lingers in the air. “I’m scared to think what else Dr. Richmond has planned. He’s much more than just a disrespected archeologist.”
Henry nods. “Only a dangerous man would have someone like Mr. Meier readily at their disposal, and I suspect Dr. Richmond is no novice in this kind of work.”
“Sounds like he runs some sort of…crime syndicate, like the Brexton gang, but a bit more discreet, and possibly more dangerous.”
My revelation sits between us. Allowing Dr. Richmond to take possession of the artifacts is exactly what we’re trying to prevent. If he becomes the Eudaemon, it’ll be catastrophic.
But how can we outrun an enemy that has resources at his beck and call, spies at his disposal? If we can reach Hullbeck Barracks, we can at least be protected from Richmond and his lackeys.
I wonder if I could’ve done things differently. If there were a second option that could have spared me from enduring all this turmoil. Then I can’t help but wonder if Henry is repulsed by my actions. I debate whether to seek out his answer, as there is a chance I may not like his response.
“Would you have done it? If you wielded the artifacts…”
His response comes much quicker than I expected, as if he has already thought about this himself. He looks directly in my eyes. “Without a doubt. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to ensure your safety.”
He says it with such conviction and earnestness. I know he’s telling the truth, which both comforts and terrifies me.
The amulet’s vision comes rushing back to mind: me clutching Henry’s lifeless body. As I stare at his profile, I’m fearful to know to what extent he’s willing to go to keep me safe.
I’m afraid he’ll go too far and get hurt, or worse…
What if Henry's death is from trying to protect me?
As we sit in silence, I’m left contemplating what my own guilt will push me to do.