The Changeling Murders (The Thief Taker Series Book 4) by C.S. Quinn

Author:C.S. Quinn [Quinn, C.S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781477805114
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2018-05-23T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 45

Tom stared at the mirror. A heavy curtain had been laid over the glass. He reached forward with long pale fingers and tugged it away.

Arching black brows, pale-green eyes and pointed chin. His own face.

Tom watched.

Then from deep within the mirror the changeling boy stepped forward. His face was youthful, with pixie features, his mouth contorted in a cruel smile. His clothes were from a different time, and the world behind the mirror was strange, upside down.

Tom felt himself bristle with fear.

‘Praise-God Barebones,’ said the boy. ‘Your old comrade does your bidding? His apprentices search the brothels as we planned?’

Tom’s fingers were tapping a dance on his hands. Of course the boy knew. He was baiting him. The boy’s eyes opened comically wide.

‘He betrayed you?’ he demanded, his voice frighteningly calm. ‘That is why you turned to the thief taker for help?’

‘I . . .’

‘Humans always do,’ said the boy. ‘You were a fool to trust him. I am the only one who cares for you. Remember it.’ Something else flashed in the boy’s face. Tom felt dread fill his stomach. ‘Does Barebones know of the dress?’ the boy whispered. ‘The dress that speaks of where the Lord and Lady are hiding?’

Tom closed his eyes and nodded.

‘You grow weak,’ said the boy. His eyes were dead, like a doll’s. ‘Barebones will find them and our chance will be gone.’

‘No.’ Tom shook his head. ‘I need more time . . .’

‘You ugly broken thing,’ said the boy, balling his fists. ‘I watch you, from behind the glass. In my place. My world. Yet you refuse to do the smallest thing to make amends.’

Deep in the mirror, a bell had begun to ring.

‘The thief taker,’ said Tom, wincing at the sound. ‘He searches.’

More bells rang now.

‘I had forgotten the girl,’ said the boy softly. ‘You think she will be enough persuasion?’

‘The thief taker will find them,’ promised Tom.

‘He must do it faster,’ said the boy. ‘It will soon be too late for me.’

Tom knew instantly what he was thinking and felt sick. ‘Better to kill her cleanly,’ said Tom.

‘You dull fool. Haven’t you understood it yet? We took the girl to force Charlie Tuesday to find them.’ The boy smiled coldly. ‘Their powers will restore us. I will finally be returned to my rightful place. You will go back to your own kind. It’s what we always talked of.’ He eyed Tom. ‘You think I don’t see you, acting a part with her? She is changing you.’

‘Perhaps she is,’ said Tom. ‘And perhaps your time in the fairy kingdom has changed you. You have fallen in love with their charm and cruelty. Their love of trickery and chaos.’

The boy’s cold, cruel smile grew. ‘Maundy Thursday is tomorrow. I have a feeling your thief taker won’t deliver in time. And your girl, Maria, will die very badly.’

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