“But we didn’t have any issues in the sewers,” Agent Keung said.
Harper grinned. “No. We did not.”
I laughed. Served Agent Walsh right for making Harper and me take the back entrance into Shadow Watch Headquarters.
“Shadow Watch also has agents at Buckingham,” she said then turned to Lionheart. “I directed them to be cooperative with the Templars.”
Lionheart nodded.
“Thank you. I’m glad you’re here,” I told Harper. In a way, I was happy something blossomed between her and Edwin. I cared about them both, and I wanted them both to be happy. Happy together was a good thing. And if Edwin’s godmother got nasty with Harper, this time there was nothing preventing me from speaking my mind. Loudly. With a pointy item in my hand.
The head of the Pellinore division, Agent Ewan Goodwin, lifted his hand in welcome. Along with Ewan, I spotted Pellinore agents Lucy Silver and William Williamson. But I wasn’t looking for any of them. It was Rapunzel Pendragon, a young woman with a massive mop of golden hair—and her faerie companion—for whom I was searching. Both were on the airship.
“Agent Louvel,” Agent Goodwin called, moving toward me. His eyes turned from me to Lionheart. I saw him take in the werewolf and debate what to do. In the end, he gave Lionheart a polite nod.
Lionheart huffed lightly under his breath.
“Agents,” I said, nodding to Agents Goodwin, Silver, and Williamson. “Thank you for coming.”
“I understand we’re headed to Glastonbury,” Agent Goodwin said.
“Indeed we are,” I answered, my eyes flicking toward Miss Pendragon once more.
Agent Goodwin nodded nervously then rubbed the back of his neck. “Agent Keung updated us on what happened at the agency. We’re ready to help. All of us,” he said, looking back at the pair on the airship.
“I’m counting on it,” I said.
“Something tells me we’re in for a fight, Agent Louvel,” Agent Williamson said.
“Wherever would you get that idea?”
“Oh, just a hunch,” he said, glancing from Rose to Lionheart. He shrugged. “Pellinores owe you one for that mess at Willowbrook anyway. Better come aboard and tell us what’s going on.”
I looked from Rose to Harper. “Shall we?” I asked, motioning to the airship.
Harper nodded then boarded the ship.
“I’m headed back to Buckingham,” Agent Keung told me.
“I’ll come with you,” Agent Rose told him.
“You’re not coming?” I asked Rose.
“I’ll be there. Later. With my backup,” she said, motioning to the sky overhead. “We’re nightshift.”
Ahh.
“See you later, Louvel,” Agent Rose said, then she and Agent Keung left.
“Just a moment,” I said then turned to Lionheart.
We stepped away from the others for a moment.
“You know, I remember you standing on the roof of that hangar,” Lionheart said, motioning to the yard behind us where the Templars and I had fought the wizard Marlowe. “It’s quite possible that was the moment I fell in love with you.”
“At that moment? Why?”
“Because I came to do battle with a wizard and all the werewolves in London. And so had you. The only difference was that I came with an army. You were all alone, your red cape swirling around you. You looked like David about to take on Goliath. And there was not a flicker of fear in your eyes. I don’t think I’ve admired anyone more in my entire life.”
“Well, considering how long your life has been, that’s saying something.”
“Those age jokes will never grow tired,” he said with a light laugh.
“I certainly hope not. How about now? Any flickering in my eyes?” I asked, gazing up at him.
“Very certainly, but those sparks have nothing to do with fear.”
I winked at Lionheart. “Then let’s get this over with. We have the rest of our lives waiting for us.”
He smiled softly at me. “Be careful.”
“Of course.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too,” I whispered in reply then turned and headed toward the airship.
Chapter 27: At Least It’s Not Lord Cabell
I boarded the airship, motioning to the captain that we were ready for departure. Steadying myself at the rail, I dipped into my pocket for a ginger chew. The burner under the balloon fired, and the airship lifted out of port, heaving us up into the sky as the vessel turned west, my stomach turning along with it. Holding onto the ropes, I gazed out at the city. It would be dark soon. Arriving at Glastonbury at night was not ideal. And I had no idea what the druids were going to think about me bringing the fight to them. But everything in me told me I needed to get Melwas away from the city, away from the agency, away from my Queen, away from my so—Jericho, and somewhere…thin. Somewhere where the veil between the worlds could be easily opened and closed. Somewhere like Glastonbury.
Harper came and stood beside me.
“If I never have to board an airship again, it will be too soon,” I grumbled.
“Well, at least this time we aren’t hunting Vikings.”
“Luring someone who wants to unleash the apocalypse to follow us is better?”
“Not when you put it that way. What if he doesn’t follow us?”
I looked down at the crowd moving busily at the base of the airship towers. I could feel the preternaturals there. And while I couldn’t actually see Melwas, I knew. He was watching.
“He’ll be there.”
“Should I tell the captain to watch for someone following us?”
I shook my head. “No. No fussing about on an airship for him. He has his device.”
“He could get the drop on us, be there before we get there,” Harper said, worry in her voice.
“He might. And he won’t even have to get airsick in the process.”
Harper sighed. She was silent for a long time before she said, “Clemeny, do you want to talk—”
I shook my head. “There is nothing to talk about. I just wish you’d told me sooner.”
“That’s what Edwin said.”
“He was right. I’m not upset. I’m glad, actually.”
“Well, you won’t be completely glad.”
“And why not?”
“Because I’m going to go to India with Edwin.”
“Don’t they have mummies there?”
“That’s Egypt, not India. We want a clean break…that’s part of the reason Edwin asked for the transfer.”
“I see.”
“Are…are you angry?”
“Yes, that I’m losing my partner.”
“But you’re director now. You won’t need a partner. And Agent Rose always seems to have an eye out for you.”
“So she does.”
“I’m sorry things got…messy.”
“No. I’m glad it worked out like this. I was worried you were secretly dating Lord Cabell.”
“Oh, good god. No.”
At that, we both laughed.
“Messy, I understand. Believe me. I’m happy for you, Elaine. And for Edwin.”
“Thank you,” she said with a relieved sigh.
A soft hand touched my arm.
I turned to find Gothel standing there. She was a tall woman with dark hair, a lithe frame, and glimmering eyes that had a sheen of quicksilver. I had met her the summer before when some werewolves had abducted her for a bit of coin. That had not ended well for them. Gothel, as it turned out, was the protector of the line of Pendragon and had been roaming about the realm since the sixth century. The current heir of Pendragon, the sweet young girl with the longest yellow hair I had ever seen, was sitting on the other side of the airship smiling lovingly at Agent Goodwin. Good lord, were all Red Cape agents destined to fall in love with the very preternaturals we hunted?