Page 20 of The Shadow of the Count
First, he needed his lover. Who was in London. With the count.
“Milk, my friend. To the convent tomorrow, and then you will be on your way back to the world where you belong.” Yvgeny’s smile was sad.
He took Yvgeny’s wrist in his hand. “Thank you. I’m sorry I can’t offer more.”
“Take me with you. You will need a translator until you reach England, will you not?”
“I will. You know that I am spoken for.”
“I do.” Yvgeny smiled, and it was better. “My father’s younger brother is coming to stay, though. I will go back to school, maybe, so I can travel with you.” His friend looked away, at the door where those demons waited. “This is not where I belong, Mister Peter. This is not a place for me.”
“Then come with me. Tomorrow, when it’s light.”
Yvgeny laughed. “Yes. Tonight, rest and gain strength.”
“Yes. Then we’ll escape.”
Nine
Donnie headed into the city proper, determined to meet everyone at the docks.
Something was terribly wrong with Lyle. After the storm, he’d been frantic, and Lyle had run from his room three nights ago and come back soaked to the bone and exhausted, like his energy had been drained from him. He was pale, feverish, and talking about a giant wolf in the mist who had been chasing him.
Don needed not only his brother, but the others as well. Monsieur Grant had sent Clark, who seemed to have contacted Jeb. They were on two separate ships but arriving within an hour of one another.The whole team was converging for him and for Peter, and he was grateful.
Richard had kindly agreed to watch Lyle. He knew the doctor had other things to be engaged with, but Lyle’s case seemed to be a personal interest.Perhaps it bore resemblance to the case of Reynaud in its own way.
This was exhausting, and he was desperate for support, from his brother and their friends. His worry about Lyle grew by the hour, his friend babbling in his sleep about the eyes in the cloud. About how they were always watching.
Lyle’s father’s driver had brought him to meet the boats, saying the docks were a dangerous place for a man such as him. That was fine with him. Douglas said they were traveling light and would send for their things later.
A hard body knocked into him, and Don checked his wallet instinctively. He didn’t need to be pickpocketed on top of everything else.
He looked up, his eyes widening at the sight of a man in a many-caped coat and top hat that was probably forty years out of fashion but that somehow looked regal. He had aquiline features that were almost stern, and he didn’t bother to apologize.
The man just righted Donnie and went on his way.
“Well, pardon me for getting in your way. I’ll be.” He sighed and shook his head. Fine specimen of a man that was.
“Donnie!” The sound of Douglas’s voice made him whirl around, and then he was in his brother’s embrace, his coat far more the latest fashion, of course.
“Oh, Douglas. You’re here.” He felt his shoulders lift, his tension easing. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I missed you, too, brother.” Douglas pounded his back a little. “Gracious, that was quite a storm. Just missed us, but the backlash tossed us about. We should have taken the train.”
“Yes.” Charles laughed, coming to hug Donnie as well. “We should have. You know how I feel about boats.”
“Charles. Brother. I’ve missed you too. We have an hour to wait for Clark and Jeb, assuming they both survived the trip.”
“One would have to work hard to take either of those two down. Shall we duck in somewhere and have a sit?”
Donnie chuckled. “Not exactly a tearoom about.”
“There’s a tavern right over there. We’ll have a pint.”
Charles rolled his eyes. “He must have his experiences. Let’s hope they don’t poison us.”
“Or rob us.” Donnie did lead the way, however.
