Abigail Jones (Chronicles of Abigail Jones #1) (28 page)

THIRTY-THREE

"When I told you to come to me if you needed anything, this was not what I had in mind," Jack muttered.

I gave him a grateful look as the wagon bumped along in the darkness. 'Twas a miracle we had left the Simons' property with no one the wiser. To prevent his family from worrying, Jack had left a brief note saying he had business to see to and would be back in a few days.

"I know, Jack," I said, "and I can never thank you enough. There was no one else to go to. Hux instructed the groom not to let me use the stables, and it's too late for the train."

"Maybe there's a reason why he doesn't want you to find him." Holding the reins in one hand, Jack sent me a significant look. "A man doesn't like to be hunted down and cornered, Abigail Jones. Han't anyone ever told you that?"

"Hux is in trouble." I wished I could tell Jack the whole truth, but I did not want to involve him any more than necessary. I wanted him to retain the innocence that I had lost; I wanted him safe from the knowledge of evil. "I can't explain how I know, but I do. I feel it in my bones. And I must go to him."

"Nana Simon feels the storms in her bones, so maybe this is not so different." A frown furrowed Jack's brow. "Abby, have you thought that ... maybe you won't like what you find?"

I had—but not in the way of what Jack was likely thinking. My fears had more to do with finding Hux torn into bloody pieces by sadistic demons.

"It doesn't m-matter," I said, my voice cracking a little. "I just have to know that he's safe."

"Suit yourself, then. Who knows?" he muttered. "Tonight might open your eyes."

I put a hand on his arm, felt the solid leap of his bicep beneath my glove. "Whatever happens, I want you to know how grateful I am, Jack. You are a true friend."

Even in the feeble glow of the lamp, I could see the intent expression on Jack's face. His eyes bored into me, as if I was one of his scientific experiments, and he had yet to find the solution he was looking for. Feeling uncomfortable, I let my hand drop.

We arrived at our destination a little after midnight. Even from a distance, we had seen the golden dome of light stretching over the darkness and heard the muted hum of laughter and music. Located in Chelsea, a rowdy neighborhood in the southern part of the City, the pleasure gardens were nestled in a crook of the Thames and had a reputation as murky as the polluted river. Jack found a place to park the wagon and handed me down.

"Thank you again, Jack," I said tremulously. "I don't know how I'll ever repay you—"

"You'll start by staying close and keeping your eyes about you," he said. "This is no place for an unchaperoned girl." A blowsy blonde leaning against the gate batted her eyelashes at him and gave a salacious whistle. Jack turned red. "For
any
girl, period."

"You needn't go with me," I protested, thinking of what I might encounter in the upcoming minutes. "Really, it will be better if I go alone. Hux will take me home—"

Jack was already steering me to the gate. He handed the shilling entrance fee to the porter and raised his brows. "Are you certain of that? Do you even know where he is, Abby, or what he might be up to in there?"

Shivering, I saw with eerie familiarity the flowing gilt script above the gate.
Cremorne Gardens.
'Twas exactly as I had seen in the demon's mind. The milling, drunken mass began to swarm around us, the deafening noise and the closeness of so many sweating bodies suffocating me with panic. Grabbing onto the arm Jack offered, I followed him as he beat a path through the crowd. We got a few looks from the revelers—and someone called out, "Look 'ere, fresh from the farm!" to a chorus of laughter—but otherwise we were left alone. Still, I had to cling to Jack in order not to be carried away by the tides of people pushing in all directions.

As we neared the center of the gardens, my breath shortened. 'Twas exactly as I had seen in the Lilin's mind: the covered rotunda packed with gyrating dancers, the smell of alcohol and roasting nuts. Awareness trickled over me as I glimpsed the shadows beyond the light, the wooded maze of paths and hidden grottos brimming with sin. And I knew where I must go. Alone.

"Have you seen him anywhere yet?" Jack asked, craning his neck. He stood head and shoulders above most of the people swarming around us.

"No," I said. Then, "I need to use the convenience."

Jack cast his eyes heavenward. "Lord, Abby, you and Mary Jane. Can't it hold? 'Tis a mob here, and it'll be a tight squeeze to get us by."

"Not to worry," I said. "I saw it earlier. I know where it is. I'll be right back."

"What? Abby, no—"

But I let go of his arm and was instantly set adrift in the crowd. I followed the flow, letting the mob push me along toward the garden paths. Swatting away more than a few wandering hands, I heard Jack call out from a distance, "Ten minutes, Abby! Meet me by the pavilion, or I'll come find you!" The answer I shouted was lost in the roar of voices.

Once I neared the main walk, the crowd thinned out a bit. The people here seemed united in purpose: they were lovers seeking a place for a tryst, or those seeking a lover. For the latter group, women dressed in bright, garish colors strutted their wares beneath the giant elms. Groups of men looked on, some of them approaching to haggle a price. As I watched, successful transactions led couples (and sometimes larger groupings) into the shadowy off-shoots of the main walk. I could only imagine what transpired in those dark veins insulated by dense hedges and towering branches.

Drawing my cloak tighter, I scanned the dimness in front of me, wondering where I should begin my search. There appeared more than a half-dozen small paths winding from the main way. If I was Hux, which way would I choose?

"Lookin' fer a good time, duckie?"

Startled, I saw that one of the prostitutes had approached me. For there was no doubt of her profession—everything from her painted face to the low cut of her sateen dress declared her working status. To my shock, she was looking at me with friendly interest, her darkened lashes fluttering in a saucy wink.

I flushed to the roots of my hair. "Oh no, I ... that is, I'm not—"

"Not lookin' fer company? Or fer a diff'rent kind, eh?" With an indifferent smile, she tossed brassy curls over her shoulders. "I know a bloke who'd give a decent roll at a decent price. If you were to mention me name, o' course. I'll tells you where to find 'im, and I guarantee 'e won't disappoint. Why, 'e can't hardly sit on account o' the size o' 'is—"

"I'm not looking for that sort of company," I cut in. "Truly. But I am looking for someone in particular. A tall gentleman, with blue eyes and black hair. He might have had female company. Perhaps you have seen him?"

The whore's eyes narrowed. "'Andsome lookin' fellow, silverin' 'bove 'is ears? Carries 'imself like 'e owns 'alf the world?"

Excitement sparked through me. "Yes. Yes, that's him. Did you see him, where he went?"

"What's it worf to ye?"

Fumbling in my cloak pocket, I pulled out a handful of guineas: the salary I had earned thus far and the sum total of my life's savings.

"Here, take it all," I said, pushing the money at the woman, whose eyes had grown large as saucers. "Just tell me where you saw him."

"Gor," she breathed. Her hands, housed in fingerless gloves, snatched the coins and made them disappear into her bodice. "'E was 'ere mayhap quarter 'our ago. Went that way." She jerked her chin toward the darkest path, the one at the farthest end of the main walk.

"Thank you." I started in that direction, but the prostitute's voice halted me.

"Is 'e yer sweetheart?"

I gave a quick nod.

"Then I'd stays away, if I was you," she said with a hint of compassion. "'E weren't alone, duckie. The good lookin' ones ne'er are."

I took off in a run.

Plunging into the narrow path, I found myself surrounded by walls of foliage on both sides. I had thought the gardens dark before; here, the dimness descended to a deeper level. The kind that obscured not only vision, but all the senses. The overhang of ancient trees shielded out the feeble glow of the heavens and sealed out the noise of the gardens. Only the fog of the Thames penetrated here, thick as pitch, its touch foul and clammy against my skin. Nonetheless, I pushed on, my hands held in front of me. All of a sudden, I tripped and barely caught myself against the hedge.

"What the bloody hell—"

A faint scratch, and a matchstick flared to life. The flame revealed a man, his features cadaverous beneath his top hat. His thin moustache curved as he saw me.

"Greta, darling, it looks like we have company."

The tiny glow of the match lit his companion's bare, pendulous breasts, cutting her face off in shadow. "More's the merrier," the female voice husked.

Stumbling backward, I shook off the disembodied hand that reached for me. My breath scorched my lungs as I ran away as fast as I could. I heard voices, the snapping of underbrush behind me. Branches whipped my face as I traversed the uneven ground in panicked flight. I did not slow my pace, not until I was certain that the roar of my own blood was the only sound I heard. Only then did I stop.

Lungs burning, I scanned the path behind me; my darting eyes found nothing but a gaping hole of stillness. Looking ahead, I saw a contrast, a subtle sheen to the air just beyond where I stood. A shimmer to the darkness so uncanny that I wondered if I was hallucinating, the way a prisoner might after too long in the hold. I took a few paces forward, and then I saw for certain there was something different further up. A lightness, an energy that hummed like a silvery blue glow ...

I dashed ahead. Not a minute later, I came upon a small clearing, and the sight before me drew a desperate cry.

"Get away from him!"

THIRTY-FOUR

Two Lilin were closing upon Hux, backing him up against a small gazebo. With their teeth bared, their hair whipping like twin hurricanes, the demons' power crackled through the air. I knew instantly that their strength was greater than that of the last one he had destroyed. Both turned at my voice, and I saw Hux jerk, his eyes honing in on me. The supernatural blue sizzled through me, and I did not know if I felt relief or panic.

"Stay back," he yelled.

The demons returned their attention to him, hissing and lashing out with their deadly weapons. Hux countered with the sword, slicing at the virulent tresses until thick hanks littered the ground like dead animals. His efforts made no difference. As I watched with horrified eyes, the hair grew back, longer, thicker, more lethal than before. I screamed as one tentacle caught Hux across the cheek. An oozing scarlet line appeared.

"Delicious," one demon cooed. Her auburn locks whirled like a tornado of fire as she smacked her lips. "Your blood smells tasty, slayer. My sister and I will suck you dry before we kill you."

The other Lilin seemed to grow in size, her pale silver hair lashing the sky. "I want to fuck him first. You will hold him down, Sister, while I take his seed." Her amber eyes glowed with hunger. "Then we feast."

"Always have to have your way, don't you?" the red-headed demon said with a pout. "Just because you've a few centuries on me."

The elder Lilin hissed, and her eyes heated to crimson.

"All right, have it your way, then," her sister said, shrinking back. "We'll fuck him, then suck him dry."

An unfamiliar rage stormed through me as the two closed in upon Hux. How dare they divvy him up as if he was some lump of prime meat for their taking? How dare they gang up upon
my
beloved?

The anger filled me with a rush of power. I had to help Hux. Wildly, I scanned the ground for anything I could use as a weapon. A rock, a stick, anything ... My eyes hit upon the sack at the base of a nearby tree. Silver links glinted at the opening. Hux's weapons. Flying toward it, I pulled out the heavy chain and swung it clumsily at my side.

"Leave him alone!"

The demons turned again, startled as I by the vehemence of my tone.

"What have we here—a little sparrow playing a hawk?" the one smirked.

"At least I play fair," I said, "and not two against one. What would Lilith say to know it required two of her offspring to take care of one measly human?"

"You dare use The Mother's name?" the red-headed demon hissed, taking a step toward me.

My ploy was working. In all the visions I had experienced, the intensity of the Lilin's emotion had always outweighed their sense. Ruled as they were by their appetites, the demons were powerful—but easy to goad.

"Queen of the Lilin," I drawled. "Or should I say, the Lily-livered?"

"You will die for that!" The Lilin advanced toward me, leaving her blonde sister to deal with Hux. "I will turn you to cinder, watch the flesh melt from your very bones!"

The flames in her eyes began to build. This time, knowing what to expect, I dodged out of harm's way. The stream of fire missed me by inches. I smelled burning ... and realized my bodice was on fire. In panic, I rolled over and over against the damp grass. I could hear the demon's wild laughter.

"Now you taste The Mother's fire! See how you like that!"

I came to my feet. Charred scraps drifted from my upper torso and fell like dead leaves to the ground. Thank God this time my chemise remained intact. I had no wish to battle naked a second time. "I couldn't say I'm all that impressed," I said, dusting myself off.

The Lilin's mouth gaped. Her eyes, amber once more, caught upon my necklace. Darkening veins broke across her face. "
The Mother's cross.
You are the Betrayer, the Infidel, the Daughter of Disgrace! Paadma," she screamed at the other Lilin, "our Surreptitious Sister has been found at long last!"

My gaze flew to Hux. I saw his eyes widen. In that instant of distraction, his blonde opponent snarled and leapt upon him. "Do not let her get away, Agrath!" She shouted as she tackled him to the ground. "I'll finish him off and come to your aid."

"Hux!" I cried.

I tried to run to him. An auburn rope lashed around my waist, yanking me back.

"Give back what you stole Sister or you will pay," the Lilin called Agrath hissed.

In panic, I tried to pull free of the shackling tresses. The pressure tightened around my midsection. Fighting for breath, I tried to think.
The necklace.
Focusing inward, I called upon its power. Energy flared at my center. The glow spread and began to emanate from my skin. I saw golden smoke curling around the rope that bound me, auburn strands burning away ...

"By Lilith's teats ..." Agrath breathed.

A blood-curdling scream rent the night. Agrath and I both spun in time to see Hux impale the blonde demon against the gazebo. She continued to scream and shake her head as his voice rose in chant. The deep Latin invocation stirred the leaves of the trees, and a rumbling shook the ground.

"By the power of God Almighty, his son, and the heavenly angels, begone evil spirit. Begone Lilith!"

Agrath gave a screeching cry. "Paadma! No!"

A pulse of energy shot up the sword. The blonde Lilin screamed once again, and then slumped to the side. Still holding the hilt, Hux's eyes riveted to mine. I was blinded by beams of celestial blue, the brightness almost too much to bear. I shut my eyes as the aftershocks of violence jolted through me.

Too late, I heard a rustling from behind. Turning, my vision still dotted by the dazzling light, I made out the flowing red hair disappearing into the trees.

"Hux, quickly!" I cried, looking after her. "The other Lilin, she's escaping. We must—"

I gasped as a vise closed around my arm. My head snapping back, I was forced to look up. Hux's eyes had faded to their normal color, but his expression was that of a vengeful god's. His molten fury razed my insides.

"
What the hell are you, Abigail Jones?
"