A Vanishing Glow (The Mystech Arcanum, Vol. I & II) by Alexis Radcliff

Author:Alexis Radcliff [Radcliff, Alexis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Steampunk, flintlock
Publisher: Fatecaster Press
Published: 2015-09-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Jason waited for Hugh at the agreed-upon corner in a simple pair of belted black trousers and a plain black shirt with knee-high leather boots, trying to look inconspicuous as he leaned against a wall beside the banks of the Skaran. An evening chill in the air hinted at the first whispers of fall, and he shivered slightly, wishing he’d thought to bring a coat. But Hugh had said to be subtle, and it was probably better if he didn’t look like he could afford one.

The Skaran’s dark, thick waves rolled under a sky hazy with smog, and the evening was quiet except for the slap of the river against the banks. Jason could see the lights of the Merchant District winking on one by one across the water, but it was shadowy here on this side, beneath the smoke stacks. The grimy streets had emptied quickly as the day lengthened, and in the absence of people they now looked somehow sinister.

Hugh appeared from the depths of the district just as the sun made its final descent below the skyline.

“Better,” he said, appraising Jason’s outfit. “You look like someone trying to impersonate a cat burglar, but it’s better that than a Lord Regent I suppose.”

“Impersonate a… excuse me?” Jason stood up straight, crossing his arms. “I think I look fine.”

“It’ll do. Also, you need to slouch more. Like this.” Hugh slumped his shoulders and drove his hands into his pockets, assuming an air that was both casual and somehow shady.

Jason rolled his eyes, but he did his best to imitate Hugh.

Hugh cocked his head at Jason. “Uh—close enough. No, no, it’s good. Just keep that posture. Let’s go. And remember. Subtlety.”

He led Jason down the riverfront until they arrived at a nondescript, unlit doorway set into the back of a crumbling red-brick factory building with broken windows. A large sack stood propped against a pair of crates beside it. The sack shifted at Hugh’s approach, and Jason jumped. He realized the sack was actually a bulky man dressed in black, standing guard outside the door. I never would have looked twice at that man. Maker, he stands still.

The guard leaned down as Hugh whispered something into his ear, and he gave Jason a hard look. Jason smiled and shifted, keenly feeling the weight of the dagger tucked into his boot. Hugh had said no swords, but Jason wasn’t about to walk into some kind of criminal underground totally unarmed—especially not when he was still sore from his earlier beating. Either the smile worked or Jason didn’t look like much of threat, because the man flipped his head toward the door and returned to his slouching pose against the crates.

The door led to a cramped hallway where mystech lamps lined the walls. Jason caught faint snatches of noise from somewhere deeper in: laughter, music, shouts and the clink of drinks. It was warm here, much warmer than outside. Further on and down a flight of stairs was a small basement area.

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