A Plunder of Souls (The Thieftaker Chronicles) by D. B. Jackson

Author:D. B. Jackson [Jackson, D. B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781466840782
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 2014-07-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter

THIRTEEN

Ethan walked around to the rear of the building and across the sloping lawn until he spotted a lone figure standing at a second-floor window, her frame silhouetted against the pale yellow glow of candles.

“Elli?” Ethan said, pitching his voice to carry.

“Ethan,” she answered immediately.

There was candlelight coming from the window just to the left of hers. The window to the right was dark.

“How is he?” Ethan asked, his gaze flicking toward that darkened window. He was thankful Elli couldn’t see him clearly; she would have been furious to know that she didn’t have his undivided attention.

“He’s resting, but he looks…” She shook her head. “The pox started on his chest, but it’s spread to his face now, and I’m afraid—” Her voice cracked. “I’m afraid he’s never going to look the same.”

“The important thing is that he get better.”

“Yes. Yes, you’re right. Of course.”

“You and Clara are well? Has there been any sign of the distemper in either of you?”

“We’re fine. They made us come here because they say we might have been exposed. It could be as long as two weeks before we know for certain. I would have come anyway, but I wanted to leave Clara with the family of one of her friends. The selectmen wouldn’t allow it.”

Ethan wasn’t surprised. “Do you need anything?” he asked.

“No. Thank you. I didn’t mean for you to come. I just thought you should know where we are, in case you decided to come to the house to see the children.”

“Thank you. I would have come sooner if had I known.” He glanced again at the darkened window and thought he saw a faint white glow emanating from the room. But he didn’t actually see a shade. “Are you comfortable?” he asked her, breaking a brief silence.

“Yes, though it’s crowded in here. I don’t understand why they have people in some rooms but not in others.”

He wasn’t sure what to say. “If you discover that you do need something—anything at all—get another message to me. I’ll bring you whatever you want.”

“Thank you. You were very kind to come.”

He smiled. There was a time, just a few years ago, when even this small praise from her would have set his heart afire. Not anymore. “Tell Holin that I expect to see him up and about in short order.”

“Yes, I will. Good night, Ethan.”

“Good night.”

She stepped away from the window, but Ethan lingered on the lawn, watching the window next to hers. Several times he thought he saw that faint silvery glow brighten, and he expected the shade to drift into view. But each time the light dimmed again. At last, Ethan walked around to the front of the hospital and started back toward the city, his eyes drawn to the illuminated steeple of the West Church.

He passed the houses on Cambridge Street, and as he neared Sudbury Street, he heard in the distance the cries of the night watchmen. It was midnight. Rather than returning to the Dowser, Ethan stopped along a lonely stretch of road, drew his knife, and cut himself.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.