Steamsworn (Steamborn Series Book 3) (11 page)

She felt a little more comfortable in the small house once the tearful reunion of Mary and her parents had subsided. From what Alice knew, the family hadn’t seen each other in years. Alice couldn’t imagine going that long without seeing her parents. The time she’d gone already without seeing them felt like an eternity.

“Here, honey, have something to eat,” Mary’s mom said as she sat a platter of cheese and flatbread on the wrought iron coffee table. She bustled out of the room and returned in short order, carrying what looked like a plate of homemade candies.

Alice thought she might explode if she took another bite of anything, but she did it anyway. She was beginning to regret eating so much at the restaurant, and cheese wasn’t going to help. The flatbread was firm enough to support the cheese, but it didn’t break like a cracker. It was soft and chewy, and Alice knew right then she was going to stuff her face.

“I see you’ve already found Eva,” Mallory said as she settled into the leather chair across the coffee table.

Mary sat down beside Alice on the couch, and she scooted closer to the armrest when Maxine came to join them with three drinks balanced in her hands. Mary reached out toward Eva and squeezed her hand. “I didn’t mean to find her first. She just happened to be working the docks.”

Eva fidgeted a bit and blushed.

“She might have mentioned something about a message on one of those transmitters you brought home last time,” Mallory said as she sipped the steaming drink Maxine had brought.

“You weren’t supposed to tell them,” Mary said under her breath.

Eva gave her a sideways grin. “They were the only other people who would be as excited as I was. I told them I wasn’t really sure you were coming, even though I figured you were.”

“We certainly didn’t expect you to be knocking at our door tonight,” Maxine said as she patted Mary’s knee. “Who’s your new friend?”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Mary said. “This is Alice. She’s from Ancora.”

“Well, she may live there now,” Mallory said, “but someone in her family is from here. You have beautiful hair, Alice.”

“Thank you,” Alice said. “And thank you for your hospitality.”

Mallory sipped her drink and smiled. “You’re quite well spoken for a … an Ancoran.”

That familiar feeling of being judged crawled up Alice’s back. It was like walking into the Highlands. Everyone stared and made a snap judgment because your clothes weren’t the right style, or your haircut, or the lack of whatever ridiculous trend was sweeping through the Highlanders. She leaned over and picked up one of the warm mugs.

“Mum,” Mary hissed. “That was rude.”

“I don’t think I was rude,” Mallory said. “I was just impressed that she was well spoken.”

“Rude,” Mary said.

“I’m sorry if you took offense,” Mallory said.

Alice took a drink of the tea—it was rich with a hint of sweetness—and smacked her lips. “It’s fine. So you’re Mallory, Maxine, and Mary?”

“The three M’s of Ocean Street,” Maxine said with a smile.

Mary sighed. “There’s a name I never thought I’d live down. Thankfully no one outside of Belldorn knows it.” Her eyes flashed to Alice. “Except you.”

“Blackmail,” Alice said with a slow nod of her head.

“That is
not
what I meant.”

“I’m sure Smith would love to hear that story,” Alice said as she turned to Maxine and leaned forward. “Tell me more.”

“Oh, I like her,” Maxine said.

Mary groaned and flopped back into her seat.

As irritated as Alice had been with Mallory’s thoughtless words, the rest of the evening was nice. It was much like spending time with her own family, lots of teasing and laughter. It seemed like everything here was made to remind her of home.

There was nothing left on the tray but crumbs and a few wedges of cheese by the time there was a knock at the door. It was late, Alice knew, but she wasn’t sure how late.

“Who would be knocking at this hour?” Mallory asked.

Mary jumped off the couch and ran down the hall. Alice heard muted voices before the door closed again. A tall, bulky shadow followed Mary back into the living room.

“Smith!” Alice said. “Back already?”

“Already?” Smith asked. “I had to buy a round of whiskey for the tinkers.” He frowned. “It was not unlike an engine degreaser, but I have a strange craving for more.”

“They take you to the Sand Bar?” Mallory asked.

Smith nodded.

“Nice place.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Mom, Mum, this is Smith. Sometimes I forget you three haven’t met in person.”

“Did it hurt having all that metal jammed into your body?” Mallory asked.

Smith leveled his gaze at Mallory. “No, it was like the feather-soft touch of a sledgehammer.”

Alice smiled as Smith’s comment seemed to shut Mallory up. It wasn’t that she didn’t like the woman, but she really didn’t like her. She’d already been rude to her
and
Smith, and she was just waiting for her to be a jerk to Eva.

“Did you want to head back to the Skysworn tonight?” Smith asked. There was a small hint of something in his voice, and Alice thought it might be hope.

“Oh, no,” Maxine said. “You’re all staying here. We have plenty of space.”

“That is … so kind of you,” Smith said.

Eva stood up and stretched her back. “It’s getting late. Why don’t we call it a night?”

“Might as well,” Mary said. “I need some rest before we see Lady Katherine again.”

“Will you show our guests to their rooms?” Maxine asked. “I need to speak with your Mum about
manners
.”

Mallory frowned at her wife.

“Come on,” Mary said. She led the group through a doorway by the couch. It opened up into a long hallway with hardwood floors and a dizzying black and white pattern painted on the walls. “Ignore the walls if you can. They’re awful, I know. Third door down is the bathroom. Smith, the largest guest bed is at that end of the hall.”

He nodded and headed that way.

“Alice, you can have the room next to him. Eva and I will split my old bedroom. Goodnight, everyone.”

Alice hesitated and then hugged Mary. “See you in the morning.”

“Sleep well, kid.”

Alice smiled as she ducked into her bedroom for the night. She wasn’t sure how long it would take to fall asleep. She was worried about her family, and Jacob, and the others. The room was a disgusting green color, but the bed was soft and warm, and she was asleep far faster than she thought possible.

Alice’s last thoughts were of Lady Katherine and what her decision could mean for her friends.

T
wo loud knocks
echoed through the small home in Belldorn. Alice looked up from the dishes she was rinsing off in the sink.

“I’ll get it,” Mary said as she dried her hands.

Alice turned the water off, dried her own hands, and followed Mary into the hallway. It seemed strangely early for someone to be calling. They’d gotten up with the sunrise and eaten Mallory’s tower of pancakes drizzled in cocoa syrup. Alice thought it had sounded odd, but she never wanted regular pancakes again.

Mary unlocked the deadbolt and froze when she opened the door.

“Oh, heavens,” Maxine said behind her. “It’s Lady Katherine. I wish Mallory hadn’t left for work already, she’d …”

Alice smiled when Smith walked up behind her and patted her shoulder. Eva hung back by the doorway to the kitchen.

“I’ve come to give you my decision,” Lady Katherine said when Mary did nothing but stare at the casually garbed woman at their door. “May I come in?”

Mary nodded slowly and opened the door as wide as it would go.

“I’ve spoken to the tinkers and the Skyriders alike.” Lady Katherine led the way down the hall until they were all standing in the living room. “It would seem you have had a busy night.” Lady Katherine frowned and crossed her arms. “I’ve been informed that if I
don’t
help you, some of my tinkers may abandon Belldorn and head for Bollwerk themselves.”

“My apologies, Lady Katherine,” Smith said with a slight bow.

“I intended to offer my help regardless, Smith. I admit, I thought of having you thrown from the tower when I heard of your … assistance.”

“I am sorry, my lady. Ballern and the Butcher could be the end of us all. I had to take the risk.”

“That is why we are not checking to see if you have wings built into your biomechanics, Smith.” The lady paused and rubbed her shoulder. “It is because you are right that you live. Do not take our compliance for weakness. We have turned Ballern away at every strike. They try new tactics every few months, from sea and by air, but they always fail.”

“It speaks volumes of your leadership, my lady.”

Lady Katherine snorted. “Cut the shit, Smith. It does not fit you.”

A smile lifted the corners of Smith’s mouth. The crack in the lady’s façade made her more human, and Alice liked it.

“Regardless of my … level of appreciation,” Lady Katherine said, “I am glad to have another of Targrove’s ilk on our side. I hope your skills are as deft as your tongue.

“Two Porcupine class airships left this morning, each carrying a tinker. You’ll have Frederick and his younger apprentice, Tobias. The two ships are not our largest, but they will serve you well. I am not willing to send more as it could compromise our defenses too severely. By sending ships to Bollwerk—and they should arrive in a few days—we leave ourselves more vulnerable than we have been in a very long time. Do not forget that. Do not forget
us
.”

Lady Katherine turned to leave but paused at the door. “Return here after the war, and we will celebrate the Empire’s victory, or plan our revenge.”

The door cracked shut behind Lady Katherine, echoing for a short time.

“What’s a Porcupine class ship?” Alice asked.

“It is a warship of terrible power,” Smith said, his eyes still on the front door. “Its bristles are mortars and cannons, and it is more deadly than you can imagine.” He frowned and looked at Mary. “Targrove used to say they carried so much iron they should not be able to float an inch off the ground.”

Mary rubbed her face and cursed. “Did that just happen? Lady Katherine, and the warships? Did that seriously just happen?”

“What did she mean by
don’t forget us
?” Eva asked. She stepped out from the doorway and leaned against the fireplace’s mantle.

“That was fancy talk for don’t fuck up,” Alice said.

“Bah!” Smith said before he burst into laughter. “You have clearly been around bad influences, girl.”

“And what Empire?” Alice asked.

“I’ll get you a book from the city’s library,” Mary said.

“Can I come with you?” Alice asked. “I’d like to see that, and learn about the evolution of the bugs.”

“They consider that information too valuable to allow the public inside. I’ve never gotten access before.” She paused. “At least not that they know of.”

Alice raised her eyebrows.

Mary smiled. “The Old Empire of Belldorn was full of people like you, pale skin and hair like a bonfire. There are old stories here that basically say you’re good luck.”

“Good luck?” Alice said. “People tend to chop things up and make jewelry out of stuff that’s good luck.”

Maxine took a deep breath and focused on Mary. “Do you have to leave? I can see it in your face. You’re anxious already.”

Mary nodded. “We have to.” She stepped closer to Maxine and hugged her. “I’ll be home soon. I promise.”

“We’ll be waiting,” Eva said.

Mary pulled away from her mother and looked to Eva. “You could come with us.”

Eva shook her head. “With the warships away at Bollwerk, they’ll need as much help here as they can get.”

Mary’s forehead wrinkled. “I know you’re right, but I miss you.”

Eva laughed. “I doubt the Lady Katherine will consider that an acceptable reason for abandoning my post.”

“I’ll be back as soon as it’s over.”

“You better be,” Eva said. She embraced Mary.

*     *     *

Jacob held his
breath while the patrol walked by, a tiny knot of dread unraveling in his gut when they vanished around the corner. He looked down at the old man sitting on the bench next to him.

“Breathe,” Charles said. “I thought you were good a stealing things? The look on your face is just screaming for someone to notice you.”

Jacob took two deep breaths. “This is different, and you know it.”

Charles smiled and elbowed him in the ribs. “I’m just giving you trouble, boy.”

Jacob shifted the straps on his backpack so they weren’t cutting into the same spots on his shoulders. They’d brought more bombs today, and the packs were a lot heavier than he’d expected.

“Now, let’s move.” The old tinker grunted as he picked himself up off the bench.

“How much farther?”

Charles glanced over his shoulder. “We’re about six blocks past the safe house, so we need to go left at the next street. Should be able to see the base by then.”

“And we’re supposed to find the abandoned storefront where Morgan will be waiting for us?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Why do you think it was abandoned?” Jacob asked. He took a few quick steps to catch up to Charles’s pace.