Alchemist's Kiss by AR DeClerck

Author:AR DeClerck [DeClerck, AR]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Raven's Seduction Press
Published: 2015-07-15T04:00:00+00:00

Rivensbrow's “lab” was a dusty corner store somewhere between Whitechapel and Hell. Icarus climbed out of the motorcar and assisted Cora to the ground, wishing he could have left his hands on the dimples of her waist for a few moments longer.

The spell that had changed their appearance was fading, and strands of vibrant red peeked through the dark of her disguise. She tapped his shin with her parasol and tweaked his nose.

“You're slowly becoming yourself again.”

It was more than his appearance she was referring to. His months of dark depression after the war in America had hollowed him out. It wasn't until she'd opened his eyes to the truth of his past, and to the possibilities of their future, that his heart had really begun to beat again.

“Indeed.”

They looked up when Rivensbrow approached with a large ring of iron keys in his hand. Icarus raised a brow at the man's archaic method of safekeeping.

“Come along Grand Adept. Ms Jenkins.” Rivensbrow waved them toward a rusty door set far back in the crumbling wall of the block of shops. The air was lighter here than in the depths of Whitechapel, but the fog still hung low against them.

“What sort of place is this, Rivensbrow?” Cora tucked her hand into the crook of Icarus' elbow and he could feel her palpable excitement.

Icarus had to bite back a smile at her love of life. The vibrant way she came to every turn of their journey, as if it was a grand adventure from which they might all escape unscathed, made him at once proud of her fearlessness and terrified for her safety.

Machiavelli sat jauntily upon Rivensbrow's shoulder, the Grand Master watching the proceedings from America. Icarus had a moment to wonder if he did, indeed, sit in Lincoln's parlor at that very moment.

“My ma owned this shop, and she passed it to me.” Rivensbrow winced at the scream of the hinges on the door as he pushed it open. A plume of dust rose from the opening, and he waved it away. “I've been out and about from time to time with a need for the items she liked to collect.”

He waved them all inside, his magic raising the lights as they entered. Icarus was not surprised by the towering stacks of useless items piled haphazardly about in the main room. The fireplace sprang to life, the merry burning of the wood crackling.

He looked at Cora to see that she was studying every inch of the room, her eyes missing no detail.

“Come along.” Rivensbrow nodded toward an arched doorway. He stepped away, and Cora clutched Icarus' arm tightly.

“Do you see what's here, Icarus?”

He looked about again, but noticed nothing of note in the stacks.

“That's the LillyDragon Mirror.” Cora's voice was quiet but sharp as she pointed to a mirror hanging askew on one wall. “And that is Alastair Dunshore's grimoire.” Her finger moved to indicate a book bound in leather that lay overturned on a table.

“Impossible.” Icarus moved away to study the cover of the book.

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