The 7th of London (23 page)

“This man knows something’,” Sev stated as he kicked the stranger in his side.

“We should question him,” Kettlebent suggested.

“I agree.” Sev pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time. “We have t’do it quick, though. I have t’check in with Midnight.”

“By all means,” Kettlebent consented. He grabbed the German by the ankle and hoisted him over the side of the roof. “Wake up!” Kettlebent ordered. The man blinked his eyes and looked up at his captors. Then he looked at the cobblestones far below and let out a strangled yelp.

“You need to answer a few questions, mate,” Sev told the man hanging upside down in Kettlebent’s grasp.

“And if you don’t, I’ll let you go,” Kettlebent confirmed, slackening his grip. The man dropped a few inches before Kettlebent tightened his hold again. A wet spot spread at the man’s crotch. Sev wrinkled his nose.

“I’ll tell you whatever you want to know,” the man whimpered.

“What was in that carriage?” Sev asked.

“Your boss did not tell you?” the man asked.

“That’s none of your concern,” Kettlebent barked.

“Lightning rifles,” the man gasped.

“Lightning rifles,” Sev repeated, his mind flashing to the small pistol Monty had acquired. “From Austria.”

“Yes. There is a wunderkind,” the man explained.

“Wunderkind?” Sev asked.

“An amazing child. Genius. Tesla. We convinced him to create these tools for us. They are weapons that shoot electricity instead of bullets. They are powered by Carrington Cells.”

“Carrington Cells?” Kettlebent repeated.

“They are glass bulbs that store electricity, but they are only good for a few shots without being recharged,” the man answered. “They will lead to bigger and better weapons. They were stolen from us, and we were sent to retrieve them.”

“There’s somethin’ ye’re not tellin’ us,” Sev said, sensing something off about the man. He was a little too forthcoming, like he was trying to distract them. “Why come all this way t’get a few weapons back? It’s obvious ye’ve found a way t’mass-produce them. It doesn’t make sense.”

“I will say nothing more.”

“I guess ye can let him go,” Sev said, waving his hand at the dangling man. “He’s no good t’us now.”

“Ah well,” Kettlebent sighed. He released the man’s ankle, dropping him.

“Wait, wait!” the German man screamed, and Kettlebent snatched him back with his other hand.

“Somethin’ else?” Sev asked.

“Faraday.”

“The scientist?” Kettlebent asked.

The German nodded. “I don’t know why. We were supposed to secure the old man as well as the stolen equipment.”

“Thank you kindly,” Kettlebent said, lifting the man, and tossed him onto the neighboring rooftop. The man landed but didn’t rise. Sev assumed he’d fainted. “I’m going to keep these rifles,” Kettlebent stated, scooping the weapon off the roof.

“Who’s Faraday?”

“Scientist. He’s done a bit with electrochemistry and electromagnetic fields. It’s very advanced stuff,” Kettlebent replied. “Kildeggan has spoken of him a couple of times.”

“I’d better report in t’Midnight,” Sev said.

“I don’t like that he has an arsenal of lightning guns,” Kettlebent stated.

Sev shrugged. “I don’t even know if he’s planning t’keep them or sell them.”

“I don’t know. You go, I’ll be in touch.” Kettlebent offered his hand, and Sev shook it before dashing off into the foggy London night.

S
EV
reported back to Midnight, letting him know that the drop didn’t go quite according to plan, though he chose to keep the knowledge of what was in the shipment to himself. While Sev was there, word came in that the shipment was safe. Midnight gave Sev the go-ahead to return to the flat. “You’ve done a fantastic job, Seven.” He slipped a wad of notes into Sev’s hand.

“Thanks, Jack,” Sev said.

“I’ll talk to you soon.” Midnight dismissed Sev.

“I’ll wait t’hear from ye.” Sev departed the Church of Midnight, heading to his flat. His head was spinning with everything he’d learned.

When he finally reached his flat, his exhaustion caught up with him, and he collapsed on the bed, fully clothed, falling asleep almost instantly.

S
EV
awoke to Henry’s excited hooting. He opened one eye and looked around the flat. Rat was just closing the door. Sev, satisfied he wasn’t in danger, flopped back onto his pillow. He drifted in and out of sleep for a bit longer before finally dragging himself from the comfortable mattress. “What’s up, Rat?”

“Nothin’. How’d it go last night?”

“Fine,” Sev answered, feeling slightly dishonest. “Can I trust ye?”

“O’course.”

“Midnight’s drop was successful, but that’s not all that happened,” Sev began, then related exactly what occurred the night before. “Can I trust ye t’keep that between us?”

“Ye’ve me word,” Rat assured him. “If ye’d taken me along, ye might not ’ave found yerself in that situation.”

“Point taken,” Sev agreed. “I’m goin’ t’get a shower.” Rat nodded as Sev slipped into the bathroom.

When Sev emerged wrapped in a towel, Rat was fiddling with parts on Sev’s workbench. Sev went to the wardrobe and chose a pair of pinstripe pants, a crisp, light-gray shirt, a double-breasted black leather waistcoat with metal plates sewn in, and a bright red cravat. “Does Midnight have anything fer us today?”

“Nothin’ I’ve heard,” Rat answered.

“Are ye hungry?” Sev asked, thinking of the money Midnight had slipped him. Rat nodded excitedly. “Get cleaned up, and we’ll go fer a bite t’eat.”

“Cleaned up?” Rat asked incredulously.

“Yeah. Go have a shower, and I’ll take ye t’the Bacchus and Tun fer lunch.” Sev was amused by the irrationally worried look on Rat’s face at the prospect of getting washed up. “Ye’re not goin’ t’melt,” Sev reassured his young friend. “Go.” Rat nodded and retreated to the bath.

While Rat was cleaning himself up, Sev went to a nearby tailor and purchased the young man some new clothes. He didn’t want Rat putting his filthy garments back on. Sev picked out clothing in complementary colors. They weren’t the most fashionable from Fairside, but they were well made and cleaner than Rat’s original garments. He also purchased a fancy ebony pipe and some fine tobacco. It made him happy to get things for Rat, and it made him even happier that they were about to visit Waverly.

When Sev got back to his flat, Rat was just turning off the water. Sev had barely enough time to gather the urchin’s filthy clothes and replace them with the paper sack of new garments. Rat walked out of the bathroom, looking for his wardrobe. “What’s this?” he asked, picking up the bag of newly purchased items.

“I got ye some new clothes,” Sev explained. “So ye wouldn’t have t’put yer filthy things on again.”

“Ye didn’t have t’do that.” Rat pulled the articles out and looked at them. Sev was surprised to see Rat’s messy mop of hair wasn’t brown but blond.

“I know,” Sev answered. “But ye can’t wear that filthy stuff out t’lunch.” Rat took the bag into the bathroom. He emerged looking very close to respectable. Rat had even combed his hair. “Not bad,” Sev observed.

“It’s a bit scratchy,” Rat complained, hooking a finger in his collar.

“Ye’ll get used to it.” Sev went to his wardrobe to dig out his old army coat. “Here.” He offered the garment to Rat.

“This is yer coat, Sev.”

“No. This
was
my coat. Now it’s yers.”

“Are ye sure?” Rat asked. Sev nodded, and Rat slid into the slightly too-big coat.

“It suits ye,” Sev stated, pulling on one of the coats Midnight had tailored for him. Rat retrieved his worn top hat and plopped it onto his clean head. “Ready?” Sev donned his newsboy hat. Rat nodded, and the two young men exited the flat, walking toward the Bacchus and Tun. Sev couldn’t wait to see Waverly.

S
EV
and Rat approached the Bacchus and Tun. Sev wasn’t used to walking through the front door of the pub. He certainly wasn’t used to being a legitimate customer. They sat at a free table and waited. It wasn’t long before a busty ale-wench approached them smiling. “What can I get for you boys today?”

“Two pints o’the good stuff,” Sev answered, winking at Rat. “Is Waverly workin’?”

The girl’s smiled faded. “Aye. Will is in the back. Shall I fetch him?”

“Please,” Sev replied. She nodded curtly and retreated.

“Who’s Will?”

“William Waverly,” Sev answered. “We watched each other’s backs when I found myself on the street after Fervis’s factory burned down.” Sev looked toward the bar, waiting for his old friend to emerge from the back room. He hadn’t waited a moment when Wave stepped through the door, wiping his hands on his apron. When his gaze drifted to Sev, his face split into an ecstatic grin. “Sev!” he called, bounding to his friend’s table. Sev stood, and Waverly embraced him. “Where’ve you been? I got that letter from that dirty little kid.”

“Oy,” Rat interrupted.

“Oh,” Waverly said, finally looking at Rat. “It’s you. Sorry, kid.”

“S’fine. I
was
filthy.”

“You said you were safe, but where’ve you been?” Wave asked.

“Ye’re not going t’believe it,” Sev warned.

“Try me,” Waverly responded as the girl returned with the pints. “Thanks, Leesy. Can you get me one too?” He reached out and lightly stroked her forearm. She blushed and turned, snickering. It hurt Sev to see the subtle exchange, but he ignored it and dove into relating the events of the last few weeks. Leesy brought Waverly his pint at some point, and he sipped it now that Sev’s story was finished.

“Don’t just sit there,” Sev said. “Say something.”

Waverly didn’t speak, only sipped his ale. He rested the glass on the table. “If anyone else had fed me that story, I’d have punched them in the mouth for lying.”

“Does that mean he believes ye?” Rat asked.

“It does,” Waverly confirmed. “So there’s really an underground resistance of children working to reunite London?”

“Quite literally,” Sev specified.

“Damn,” Wave cursed. “How does this stuff always happen to you?”

“The luck o’the Irish,” Sev offered in his thickest brogue.

“Glad I’m not Irish,” Waverly responded. The two young men laughed as Rat studied them with a confused expression. “Well, whatever happens, if you need me, I’m there.”

“I knew ye would be. Thanks, Wave.”

“No need to thank me. You’re my brother.”

“Are we goin’ t’eat? I’m starvin’,” Rat interjected.

“Certainly,” Waverly answered. He summoned Leesy back and ordered the special. The trio ate and talked, sharing many laughs.

When they finished, Sev paid, tipping Leesy generously. He and Rat bid Waverly farewell. Sev promised to keep his old friend in the loop.

When Rat and Sev stepped onto the street, Rat looked at his partner. “Ye’re sweet on him.”

Sev couldn’t deny it. “I was. He’s not interested. I’m over it.”

“Ye tell yerself that. But I got eyes.” Rat chuckled. “What’s next?”

S
EV
led Rat through the catacombs and underground tunnels until they reached the entrance to the resistance’s headquarters. “I’m trustin’ ye with this, Rat.” Sev suddenly turned and pinned his diminutive companion with a stern look. “Ye mustn’t betray the whereabouts of this doorway t’anyone. Even Midnight.”

Rat swallowed, his throat clicking loudly in the underground silence. “I promise, Sev.”

Sev studied his expression for a moment before nodding and opening the door that would take them into the underground city.

Rat gasped at the bizarre sights that awaited him deep beneath London. Sev picked their way toward Kettlebent’s quarters. Before they reached their destination, they were met by the man himself. “Seven!” Kettlebent beamed, opening his arms to his friend.

“Silas,” Sev returned and leaned into the embrace. “It’s good t’see ye.”

“Likewise,” Kettlebent stated, pulling back from the hug. “You decided to bring Rat?”

“I trust him. And I think he’ll be an asset t’the cause.”

“Who’s this, then?” Rat asked.

“This is Mr. Kettlebent,” Sev answered.

Rat’s eyes grew wide. He’d never seen the man without his outer-skeleton and disguise. “It never is,” the urchin breathed.

“I assure you, Mr. Rat, I am Kettlebent.”

“Prove it,” Rat challenged, folding his arms across his chest. Kettlebent’s gaze drifted to Sev, who shrugged. “Well?” Rat asked.

Kettlebent slipped something from the inner pocket of his coat and fastened it around his neck. “Rat, you little tosser. I should put you over my knee,” the strange boy’s voice stated in Kettlebent’s worn, metallic growl.

“Well, dip me in shit an’ call me Alice,” Rat said. “That’s quite a trick.”

“Indeed,” Kettlebent’s tinny tone answered before he removed the vocal-modulator. “Kildeggan wants to see me. Will you join?” he asked in his regular voice.

“Of course,” Sev agreed. “Have ye told him about Midnight’s shipment?”

“I have,” Kettlebent confirmed as he walked toward the city center. “He’s had some ideas, but he needs our help.”