Wolves and Daggers by Melanie Karsak

Author:Melanie Karsak [Karsak, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Clockpunk Press
Published: 2018-05-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10: 0-0-Red

With the help of the local constables, we were able to get word to the Society of the tragedy that had unfolded. Not long after, a Society airship, boasting its signature scarlet-colored balloon, arrived to help secure the crime scene, gather evidence, and take Agent Reid’s body back to headquarters.

“I’ll go with him,” Agent Rose said as they prepared his body for transport.

As the first team worked the crime scene, a small, second aircraft arrived. A crewman rushed down the rope ladder and over to me.

“Agent Louvel?” he asked. I eyed him over, noting the R. M. pendant on his lapel. He was one of us, an agent of the Rude Mechanicals.

“Yes?”

“I am instructed to transport you and Professor Paxton. Please come with me.”

“Come with you where?”

“Classified. I’m sure you understand. Come along.”

I nodded to Professor Paxton, who looked like she was thrilled to go anywhere as long as it was away from here. Following the agent, we climbed up the rope ladder to the small airship. As soon as we were aboard, the ship turned and headed back toward the city.

I pulled out my silver flask and handed it to Professor Paxton.

She sighed heavily, twisted off the cap, and then took a swig as she stared out at the city. “All my life I was taught to stay away from anyone wearing a red cape. To avoid you if I saw you on the street. To look away. But you… You’re a force of good, aren’t you?”

“Yes. We work under the auspices of Her Majesty on cases such as the one in which you find yourself the unfortunate victim.”

She took another swig. “Those creatures… There are more of them, aren’t there?”

“Yes.”

“And they walk amongst us? Look like ordinary people?”

I smiled softly, wondering how she would feel if she knew that it was her squash partner—a werewolf—who’d asked me to find her. “Yes. But they aren’t all bad.”

“No?” she asked with a huff as if she didn’t believe me.

“Well. I mean, most of them are bad, but not all of them.”

She laughed lightly.

To my surprise, the airship turned away from headquarters and began to fly in the direction of Buckingham. Only when an agent had made a horrible mistake did the Queen summon them. This shift in course did not bode well. As the ship neared the palace, I braced myself. Clearly, I was in for a lecture.

The airship docked on the platform on the roof of the palace. A fleet of attendants arrived from the palace to steady the ladder.

“Agent. Your attendance is requested,” the agent of the Rude Mechanicals told me and the professor.

“Guess I’m out of a job,” I said lightly.

“Hope it’s not as bad as that,” he said then extended a hand to help the professor down. I followed along behind her.

I dropped onto the roof of the palace and looked around. The small crowd assembled was mostly comprised of palace servants. But amongst them were also two armed guards and a Society agent.

“This way, Agent Louvel, professor,” the Rude Mechanicals agent said then led us into the palace.

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