The Dark Archive by Genevieve Cogman

Author:Genevieve Cogman [Cogman, Genevieve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781529000610
Google: sg_nDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Published: 2020-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

‘An endless stream of borrowers today,’ Irene muttered. The danger helped her to focus. Alberich was a huge – and terrifying – problem. But Lady Guantes was right in front of her, and suddenly seemed an almost welcome distraction.

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Sorry – I didn’t think of you or your husband as regular library patrons, and yet here you both are.’ Irene was deeply grateful for the solid door between them. Lady Guantes was not one to waste time gloating. She was a practical woman who believed in disposing of enemies on the spot with overwhelming force.

Irene peered out of the corner of the Judas window, wanting to present as small a target as possible. Lady Guantes was dressed in the height of this London’s fashion. Her finery included hat and veil, midnight-blue velvet cape and a matching silk dress. Her signature gloves were of exactly the same pattern as her husband’s. How sweet, Irene thought caustically. Her dark hair was coiled into a bun, and although she was smiling pleasantly, her eyes were cold. The men behind her were more varied than Lord Guantes’ strangely synchronized minions. One hefted a mysterious crate, and all of them seemed to be carrying potentially lethal weapons under their bulky overcoats. (Irene was guessing about the weapons’ lethal qualities, but given how the day was going, it seemed wildly optimistic to assume anything else.)

Lady Guantes spread her hands self-deprecatingly. ‘Miss Winters, I’m unarmed. May I come in?’

‘Come on,’ Irene said wearily. ‘That wouldn’t have worked the first time I met you. It’s certainly not going to work now.’

‘You’re sounding rather hostile,’ Lady Guantes noted. ‘Have you been overstressed lately?’

‘Your husband’s assassination attempts have been quite stressful, yes. So the door remains closed.’

‘I do understand. But I have fresh intelligence, which might just change your mind . . .’ Lady Guantes seemed to come into focus suddenly, as though a camera lens had tightened its perspective around her, or a sunbeam had haloed her in light. ‘I’m prepared to declare a temporary truce, Miss Winters: I’ll even give you my word.’

Now that was interesting. Lady Guantes would phrase any promise to her advantage, of course, but Irene had played that game before. And Fae promises were binding.

‘What’s going on?’ Catherine called nervously.

‘Negotiations,’ Irene answered. She turned back to the window. ‘All right. What are your terms?’

‘I’ll enter,’ Lady Guantes said. ‘You’ll refrain from taking action against me. My men and I will refrain from action against you and your allies. After we’ve talked, you’ll return my husband, and my men and I will leave – rather than launching the attack we have planned. Then I will leave you and yours unmolested for the rest of the day. I swear this by my name and power.’

Irene considered. It sounded reasonable – but then, Fae bargains always did. ‘What if you’ve already ordered your men to take action?’

Lady Guantes sighed. ‘I suppose I should expect a linguist to be pedantic. I give you my word that, if you agree to this truce, my men will not be a threat to you or yours for the rest of today.

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