Tainted (The Soul Chronicles Book 1) by Morgan L. Busse

Author:Morgan L. Busse
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Enclave
Published: 2016-04-15T04:00:00+00:00

18

The train came rumbling into Covenshire a little after eight o’clock that evening. Buildings stood like black silhouettes against the brilliant red sunset. The air held a hint of salt and far off, the ebb and flow of the ocean sounded across the sleepy fishing city.

As the train came into the station, Stephen leaned over to Kat. “Don’t look around, just remain focused on the seat in front of you.”

Her brows scrunched up, but she kept her gaze forward.

“We are being followed.”

She took a quick breath.

“Once we get off, I’m going to try and throw them off our trail. Follow my lead even if it seems odd. All right?”

Her gaze came up to meet his, clear and resolved, then she gave him a small nod.

He let out the breath he had been holding. Good.

Stephen stood the moment the train came to a stop. The two men never looked back, but he had guessed who they were during the last hour. Black bowler hats. Black trench coats. Carefully trimmed hair and mustaches. And an eye embroidered across the right sleeve, which he had caught sight of in the window.

World City investigators.

Stephen grasped Kat’s elbow and helped her to her feet. He leaned in, blocking the front of the train from her view. “Stay close to me.”

He stepped into the aisle and let Kat out, then followed her to the back of the train. Using the windows, he glanced behind them. The two men had stood and were following about a car length behind.

Kat headed down the stairs and onto the platform outside. Heavy fog hung over the dark seaport city. A smile touched Stephen’s lips. The fog would prove useful.

He looped his arm through Kat’s.

She shot him a look. “What are you doing?” she whispered.

He leaned in as if to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Act like a couple,” he whispered back.

She narrowed her eyes and worked her jaw.

His gaze followed a tendril of hair that had escaped her chignon and now lay near her mouth. Maybe he should close the distance and really kiss her. He was half tempted. It would help with the charade.

Until she slapped him.

Stephen backed away. Of course she would slap him. And where did that thought come from anyway?

“All right,” she whispered back, and gave his arm a small tug.

Stephen blinked, his mind still muddled from the desire of moments ago.

“Stephen?”

“Yes. This way.”

They walked as a couple across the platform and toward the stairs to the left. The train station stood at the end of Main Street. Gas lamps stood like fireflies frozen inside the fog. The scent of sewage and fish filled the damp air.

Kat held a hand to her mouth and coughed.

Stephen smirked. “Welcome to Covenshire. Purveyor of fine fish from the Narrow Strait.”

“Ugh. I can tell.”

He led her down the first block, then took a left. Another block, and a sharp right. Still, the men stayed a block behind them, casual enough that a regular person never would have realized they were being shadowed.

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