Chapter 21 #2
“No one ever discussed it,” he said, his voice growing haughty. “I suppose, one grows accustomed to seeing such things every day that it ceases to be noteworthy.”
“If your condition is so common in your family that it’s carved into the building—” She stopped herself before she could say anything unkind. “It seems cruel not to prepare you for that possibility. It’s like tossing you into water to teach you to swim.”
He said nothing. Her words were unkind. There was no way for it to be otherwise.
The first drops of rain fell, landing cold on her face. Colors of green and blue blossomed on Anthony’s face. Taking her hand, he stepped closer to the stone body of the mausoleum, the eaves protecting them from the rain.
“It seems rather heartless and that makes me upset for you,” she said, trying to temper her previous statement.
“Throw the spawn in the ocean and let the strong fight their way to the shore?” he asked, sounding offended. Then, in a bemused tone, “That does sound like my family.”
He brushed his hand against the mausoleum’s doors. “The fear I spoke of on our walk to Saltwick never left me. Perhaps I didn’t ask because I didn’t want to know how real it was.” He stared at his transformed appendage. “To even entertain the idea an affliction like this would ever befall me.”
Nina pressed her hand to the door and jolted in surprise. “It’s a relic,” she gasped.
“What?”
“It is.” She touched it again. The metal hummed under the touch. “I can feel the energy. It’s quiet but there.”
He pressed his hand flat to the door. “I don’t feel anything.”
“I felt it on the gates as well.”
“That’s ridiculous. There are no witches in my family.”
“ Now .”
“Ever,” he replied. “And why would we spend a fortune we don’t have enchanting the family crypt when there are holes in the roof?”
“I see. Ignoring evidence right in front of your eyes is a lifelong habit, is it?” Nina had to shout to be heard over the rain thundering on the copper roof.
“If it’s a relic, why didn’t it shock me, like your cage?”
“Because that was active. This is dormant.” She touched the door again to confirm.
She felt the familiar tingle of Nexus energy, but it was distant and out, like a low tide.
It would come surging back at some point, but she could not predict when or how.
“Perhaps it has been dormant for years. I can’t tell. ”
His ear fins went flat against his head. “Why not? Your family keeps a dungeon full of relics. Is it for show?”
“Because it’s a talent,” she snapped. “I don’t have the knack.”
“You use relic daggers every day. You don’t know how to use them?” he sounded genuinely perplexed.
“I can use a knife, thank you very much.” Demonstrating her skill was very tempting at the moment. “I don’t know how they work or how to make a relic.”
“Your family just hands you a massively powerful weapon and, what, wishes you all the best in figuring out how it works? Try not to stab yourself or lose a finger?” Incredulity filled his voice.
“Yes, that does sound like my family,” she admitted.
The rain poured over the eaves, splashing them. Their little shelter was a shelter no more.
His lips contorted, as if he were fighting a smile.
“What’s that look for?” she asked.
He lost the battle and the smile escaped, followed by a laugh. He pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head, his body shaking with mirth.
“What’s so amusing?” This behavior was downright suspicious.
“I love you,” he said.
“Pardon?” She could not have heard correctly.
“I love you,” he repeated, speaking louder to be heard over the rain. “I think I have for years. My family is wretched. Your family detests me?—”
“They don’t.”
“They do,” he said. “All I can think of is how enjoyable this escapade has been and how will I ever be able to convince you to carry on with me.”
“This is your idea of fun?” She swiped a hand across her brow to clear the rain.
“No, it’s horrible, but I haven’t felt this happy… well, ever.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s been horrible,” she said. Since he turned up on her doorstep, their time together had been unexpected, certainly, and filled with inconveniences, but it was far from horrible. She had enjoyed herself, actually.
“Is that so?”
“I suspect you won’t have to try very hard to convince me to carry on.”
He smiled. Rain rolled down his fully blue-green face. Hair slicked back made his fins and gills more prominent. His smile was all teeth and should have been frightening, but no. It was a moment of true delight, and how could that be frightening?
Never in her life would she have expected to be standing in the rain with Anthony Pearson, smiling at him, besotted and beguiled.
She had no idea what to do with this monster.
Anthony
Saltwick House
The Dining Room
Suitable outfits for dinner for both himself and Nina were waiting in his room. It seems the staff elected to forego pretending they would keep separate rooms. He approved. Their clothes had been laundered and the tear in Nina’s greatcoat had been repaired.
The ensemble selected for him was a coat and trousers in dark blue velvet, a waistcoat in a blue brocade, and a white linen shirt with a collar stiff enough to cause bodily harm.
Despite the fabric being uncomfortable, it fit well enough.
He had worn worse. The color remaining in his scales disturbed him more than awkward fashion.
He was completely dry and yet the color had not faded to translucence.
It lingered longer and longer, making him conclude that one day he would be blue-green forever.
Without the help of a lady’s maid, she styled her hair simply and dressed herself. He attended to the buttons on the back of the cream-colored gown that had been given to her. Embroidered orange and gold flowers adorned the sleeves and hem. He thought it rather fetching on her.
She frowned, plucking at the sleeves and the bust. “This color makes me look sallow.”
“You are radiant.”
His words did not assuage her.
“Not to sound ungrateful, but I look like I’m wearing someone else’s gown. A shorter someone else.” She lifted the hem and wiggled her right foot, as if this demonstrated the inappropriate length. He thought it rather charming. She said, “I’ll be happy to wear my own clothes again.”
“Ready to face the beast?” he asked, holding out his arm.
Nina raised her brows. “Is that the best phrasing?”
“Yes.”
Nina’s questions unsettled him. It wasn’t as if he never noticed his family’s… peculiarities. They were impossible to miss. Returning from school during holidays only highlighted how extraordinarily odd the Pearsons were.
The answer was simple: he hadn’t wanted to know.
He didn’t want to know now but he had to ask Roderick and Madeline for help. If there was a cure, it was imperative he receive it. A man of his years should not hold onto such a childish hope, but he couldn’t think beyond it.
The storm had not abated. Lightning and thunder crashed as they descended the stairs. Before they entered the dining room, Anthony pulled Nina to the side. In a quiet voice, he said, “Don’t mention the relics.”
She tilted her head, curious. “Any particular reason why?”
“Instinct.” He tugged the front of the coat. “I wish I had a better explanation for you but I do not.”
She nodded. “Very well. Your instinct has been correct so far. We’ll continue to take heed.”
The dining room was much as he remembered, overly formal and cold. He never had much occasion for formal dinners with the family as a child and his family was not given to casual meals. His meals were taken in the nursery with his nanny.
It was a lonely childhood. He felt it then and now, having briefly experienced the loud, chaotic warmth of the Navarre home, it wedged a bitter lump in his throat.
Roderick stood at the end of the table. Now in proper lighting, Anthony could see the years in his face.
No doubt his appearance was just as shocking to his cousin, but Roderick did not seem well.
He was gaunt with hollow cheeks. He had silver in his hair, of course.
Anthony had a few of those too. There was the matter of the eyepatch as well.
Whether Roderick had lost the eye entirely due to an accident or infection or he wore the patch as a fashion statement, it was impossible to know.
“Good evening. I hope you are rested,” Roderick said.
Anthony scanned the room. There were only three place settings. “Cousin, I was hoping to speak with Madeline.”
The smile dropped. “She is unwell. We will discuss it later.”
Anthony nodded, not wishing to argue. Yet.
The door opened and the maid, Mary, pushed in a cart laden with food.
Roderick sat and waited while Mary served a meal of steamed fish and roasted vegetables in a buttery sauce. No one spoke until she finished.
“I see your color has come in,” Roderick said, laying a cloth napkin over his lap.
The color in Anthony’s scales had not faded, even when dry. “Yes. It is a recent development.”
Nina cleared her throat, giving him an expectant look.
He had no idea what she wanted.
She cleared her throat again, this time louder.
“Are you well?” he asked.
“Pardon. I had a tickle,” she said, reaching for her glass and taking a sip.
“What else should I expect?” Anthony pushed the pieces around on the plate, not hungry. He had never had qualms about consuming seafood but now it seemed improper. “I’m entering a new phase and I am not enjoying the process at all. I would appreciate any guidance you could offer.”
Roderick gave a half smile, lean and toothy. “Please, such matters are not for dinner.”
“Of course,” Anthony muttered, all at once feeling like a scolded child.
“I hope you find your room satisfactory, Miss Navarre,” Roderick said, turning his attention to Nina.
He did not like that. Not one bit. He growled.
Everyone noticed. It was impossible not to notice.
“Sheriff Navarre,” she said, her tone placid. “While I am unmarried, I prefer you use my professional title.”
“Perhaps it is better to ask what you do for my cousin,” Roderick replied. Then, a beat later, “Sheriff Navarre.”
“Usually, I raise his blood pressure.” She jabbed a carrot with her fork.
“Ah, so is it only recently that you’ve taken to warming his bed?” Roderick smiled as he insulted her.
Anthony slammed his hand on the table. “Apologize.”
Nina returned Roderick’s smile. Anthony recognized this one, it was the smile she gave him right before she made his life very difficult.
“I’m sure that would be a devastating blow to someone who cared, but I assure you, far worse has been said about me and to me.
What was it the mayor shouted when I boarded the train? ”
“I believe he accused you of my murder,” Anthony said.
Roderick’s brows rose. “Clearly you’ve recovered.”
“Obviously that was a false accusation, but, funnily enough, that is my purpose.” She reached under the table and then set her dagger down.
The edge had a purple glow. “Anthony recruited me to put this dagger through his heart should he grow unruly on his journey to reach you. He believes you can help him.”
She reached under the table and produced a second dagger, keeping her gaze fixed on Roderick. At that moment, Mary entered to clear the plates. She gave a startled yelp, pressing herself against the wall.
“I suggest you help him,” Nina said, not breaking eye contact.
The room fell silent excluding the rain battering against the window.
Roderick threw his head back and laughed, a loud, barking noise. “How delightful! I see why you keep her close. We will discuss it all tomorrow.”
The meal finished in terse silence. Anthony much preferred that than making awkward conversation, smiling all the while, playing games meant to insult and dishearten.
As they prepared to retire, Roderick drew him to the side. “Cousin, let us speak privately for a moment. It is regarding Madeline.”
“Certainly.” He informed Nina and assured her that he would join her shortly.
Instead of going to the drawing room, parlor, or even her rooms upstairs, Roderick led Anthony into the cellars.
“Cousin, I fear you are playing a trick on me,” Anthony said. “We are no longer children.”
Roderick held the candle aloft, casting his face half in light, half in shadow. “She is waiting for you,” he said, before disappearing down the stairs.
This was wrong. The creature inside Anthony that pulled at him to come home now told him to flee. A darkness lurked at the bottom of the stairs, an entity more terrible than he could imagine waited to devour him.
He placed a hand on the door frame, steadying himself. What would Nina say if he had the chance to gain proper information from his cousin, to ask the right questions, to get at the truth, and he walked away? Again.
It would not do. He needed to know. Whatever lurked in the dark of the cellar, he had to confront it.
Anthony had no choice but to follow Roderick into the darkness.