Page 86 of The Journal of a Thousand Years
Willie grunted. “Apologynotaccepted.”
“He then goes on to say he now believes my magic is triggered only when I need to save myself and those I care about.” His gaze met mine. “And he doubts I love him like I used to after what he did. In wartime, we were brothers-in-arms, and depended on one another for our mental and physical well-being. He knows he destroyed that relationship with his act of ‘selfish desperation’ as he calls it. He claims he only wanted to learn more about my magic so he could recreate it, not kill me.”
“‘Meet me at midday,’” Alex read, “‘and I will right my wrongs by ensuring the world never discovers your magic secret so you can live in peace, without fear of others coming for you to study your magic in the future.’” Alex lowered the letter. “How can he manage that?”
Willie took the note. “We ain’t going to find out. It’s a trick. Stanley proved he can’t be trusted. I’m going to telephone Cyclops so he can send men to…” She checked the note. “…to Farringdon Street at midday and arrest him.” She went to leave, but Alex blocked her path.
“It’s Gabe’s decision.” He looked to Gabe.
Gabe looked to me.
I stayed perfectly still. This was his decision to make, not mine. Besides, I was torn. I didn’t trust Stanley, but I didn’t know him as well as Gabe did. If Stanley spoke the truth and he knew of a way to end the speculation about Gabe’s magic, then it was worth pursuing. Gabe was tired of the unwanted attention. He needed to be left alone to live in peace.
But if Stanley knew a way to end the constant speculation in the press, why hadn’t he detailed his plan in his note? It would be easier to convince Gabe if the plan was a sensible one.
Gabe asked Willie for the note, then folded it in two. “I’m going, but you all have to stay here so he doesn’t use you against me.”
Alex scoffed. “Not a chance.”
“Nope,” Willie said.
I shook my head. “I’m coming, Gabe. But I’m going to be prepared.”
CHAPTER 18
Holborn Viaduct hunkered over Farringdon Street in a glorious display of elegance and strength. Iron magicians had built it, so Gabe told me on the way, although no one had known they were magicians at the time of its construction in the 1860s.
Stanley’s note asked Gabe to meet him under the viaduct, but Farringdon Street was a busy thoroughfare, so Alex parked the Vauxhall on a side street and we walked the rest of the way. I was conscious of not taxing Gabe too much, but he seemed well enough for a short walk after a thorough rest overnight. Anything more than a walk, however, would tire him.
It was fortunate that we did park on a side street as traffic banked up on Farringdon Street where it passed under the viaduct. Drivers shouted at each other to move, but it was no good. Something ahead had gained the attention of passersby, and they’d stopped to observe.
“I’ve never seen so many pedestrians here,” Alex said. With his superior height, he was able to see over the heads of those in front. “I recognize one of the journalists who wrote an article about you, Gabe.”
Willie stood on her toes in an attempt to see. “Where? I want to tell him to mind his own business.”
“He isn’t the only one with his notepad and pencil out. There are photographers, too.”
I adjusted the weight of the paper stack in my arms. Gabe had offered to carry it, but I wanted the paper as close to me as possible. “Whatever Stanley has planned, he wants the press to bear witness.”
“It doesn’t make sense,” Willie added. “He wrote that he wanted to fix things by ensuring the world never discovered Gabe’s magic. So why invite the world here to witness whatever he’s about to do?”
A train leaving the Holborn Viaduct Station blew its whistle, making my nerves jump. “Can you see Stanley, Alex?”
“No. I can see Jakes, though.”
Willie swore. “That’s all we need. A spy for the military.”
“We’ll ask him what he’s doing here,” Gabe said. “He might be able to shed some light on Stanley’s intentions.”
We carved our way through the crowd, but stopped before reaching Mr. Jakes when we saw Lady Stanhope. Dressed in black lace from head to toe, she looked like the dozens of other onlookers in the crowd, something which she probably would have hated. She liked to think herself above the masses, on a level just below the royal family. In truth, she was rather unremarkable. If anything, her sour, unsmiling face made people turn away, not look twice.
Gabe deployed his smooth charm, something he did only when he wanted answers. “What a surprise to see you, Lady Stanhope.”
She gasped. “Gabriel! There you are. We’ve been waiting for you.”
Heads turned toward him. Excited whispers rippled through the crowd.
Gabe’s smile wavered. “Why is everyone here?”
