Quicksilver by Barbara Russell

Author:Barbara Russell [Russell, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Me Myself and I
Published: 2020-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

WHEN I’D ASKED Willow when we could try to recover Charlotte’s memories, I’d expected her to say something like ‘after the second moon of April,’ or ‘as soon as the potion in the cauldron bubbles.’ Not that she’d enthusiastically say, “Tonight!”

But I guessed any moment was good. The sooner Charlotte had her memories back, the better.

A few hours after meeting Willow, I stood in the foyer of De Luna House, clutching my reticule hard enough to leave scratches on the fabric. Evander, Willow, and I were waiting for Charlotte to come down. Willow paced next to me, gawking at the colourful lamps, naked statues in obscene poses, and smiling clients.

Gentlemen streamed inside in a flutter of expensive coats and silk scarves, and the girls performed their practised squeals of happiness upon seeing them, as if they couldn’t wait to spread their legs for them. It was amazing how easily men could be fooled when a girl wore almost nothing.

In a few moments, we’d take Charlotte out with the excuse of having dinner together to celebrate my engagement, then Willow will cast her spell or whatever it was what she did, and Charlotte would likely sleep for the whole night. I hoped I’d made the right decision.

“I’ve never been in a brothel,” Willow said, stepping aside to let one of the girls pass.

“Then you’re lucky. You’re lucky that you’ve never faced the choice between starving or earning your meals on your back.” My tone sounded too harsh, but anxiety was wrapping itself around me like a snake.

“You’re right.” She stared at the floor and retreated to a corner. “Sorry.”

Evander shot me a quick glance before resuming fixing the stairs.

I sighed and put a hand on Willow’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just nervous about what might happen to Charlotte.”

The light of the candles played on the tips of her long lashes. “I’ve done it before. This is how I met Evander. He asked me to retrieve a man’s memories.” She flashed a grin at Evander, and he smiled back.

“The man was crucial for an investigation,” Evander said. “I learned that Willow was a witch by digging around for information in Whitechapel.”

She nodded. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”

“Good evening.” Charlotte’s flowery perfume wafted when she arrived at the foyer. Her gaze lingered on Evander for a moment before she winked at me. “You must be Mr Lynch. Nice to meet you.” She dropped a curtsy.

Evander bowed from the waist. “Asia told me everything about you.”

“I hope not.” She laughed, and somehow, her happiness was like a stab to my heart. She had no idea what was going to happen to her.

“I’m Willow.” The witch took a quick dip as well. “I’m a friend of Evander.”

Charlotte’s smile wavered when she studied my face. She and I didn’t need to share a bond. Surely, the tension and anxiety knotting my stomach were easy enough to read for her. Her dark green dress enhanced her hazel eyes and her slender body, but a frown creased her forehead, ruining the effect of her eyeshades on her lovely face.

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