Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(51)

“Stow it, Dev, we are coming,” Eden said, grabbing her husband's hand.

“We tried.” The Duke sighed.

“Lead on, Toby,” Dev said, taking Essie's hand, and seconds later they were moving.

Hold on, Lilly, I'm coming.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN


Light from the gas lamps did not offer much illumination as they followed on Toby's heels through the London streets. Dev had to stay alert, as Toby would slip down an alley no wider than an arm span and expect them to be behind him. He hurried up and down small lanes Dev had not known even existed.

No one spoke, as Eden had her earplugs out and was listening to see if she could detect any voices or information that may lead them to Lilly.

They stayed connected, the Sinclair siblings holding hands so their strength was greater and their senses stronger. Dev felt sensations travel through them as they focused, all intent on finding Lilly.

He and James spoke to whomever Toby took them too, and handed over money for information, but as yet none of it led him to Lilly. They frequented small, dilapidated buildings, and talked with people huddled in alleyways. No one approached, and Dev thought that was due to the fierce expression he knew he wore.

Someone knew something, and he was willing to pay whatever was needed to get her back, but the desperation inside him told him he had to find her soon.

They passed people doing things no child should know about, yet Toby never flinched, his small body watchful and silent as they made their way to another informant, who he hoped would have the information he needed. Dev used his vision in the more sinister areas to determine anything moving or alive; most kept out their way, as they were moving fast and a large group.

Essie and Eden stayed between the men, but when two men tried to grab Essie, Dev's growl and Cam's fist sent them back to the shadows.

“Stay here, my lord, and I shall return shortly.”

They had reached the back of a small alehouse. Dev could hear the rumble of noise with the occasional high-pitched squeal.

“The big brother in me demands I shouldn't let you go in there unescorted, Toby, yet I know this situation is not new to you.”

Toby snorted and shook his head, but said nothing before disappearing through a door.

“A remarkable young boy,” James said, pulling Eden in front of him and wrapping his arms around her.

“Are you all right, Eden?” Dev asked, as this was harder on her than any of them. She would be able to hear everything that was happening around her.

“I am, although what is taking place in the rooms somewhere in that house is extremely disturbing.”

Cam snorted, knowing full well it was a brothel.

“Where the hell is she?” Dev said, giving voice to his fears.

“If anyone can find her, brother, it is us,” Cam said. “We will search for as long as we need.”

Dev looked at the faces of his family, all there to support him and find the woman he loved. Yes, it was love, he knew that now, because the pain inside him was unlike anything he had experienced before.

Toby came out of the building. “I have just spoken to Split, who has heard from Jessie, who overheard his master, Ely Chit, talking to Delve about something happening down at a warehouse on Dilth Street. It's old and unused and by the water.”

Dev's siblings often talked in circles, so he followed with what little patience he had left.

“We has to find her tonight,” Toby added. “’Cause Jessie said that Gegan is involved, and that means there's a lot of money at stake. ’Cause he'd sell his mother for a coin.”

“Do they know what he's involved in?”

“Jessie said Dominus was at Dilth Street.”

“Dominus being?” James asked.

“He's new in town, but mean and done some bad things. But he's starting up an army of thieves, so we have heard.”

“And the missing children could have been kidnapped to work for him?” Dev made the leap.

“That's my guess, but there's got to be more, ’cause we all know how to filch, so this had to be more,” Toby said.

“Specialized, you mean?” Cam said. “As if he wants them trained for a reason?”

“Not sure what the first word means, but I think the other part’s right. Could be he plans to steal from nobs.”

“Nobs like us,” James said.

The boy nodded. “Strange that no one seen him yet though, and don't know much about him.”

“Why strange?” Dev asked.

“Rumors have a way of spreading on these streets. The man must be a mean one, if he's managed to keep everyone's lips tight.”

Dev thought about that for a few seconds. Could whoever was taking these children be the one who had Lilly? Was her disappearance a direct result of her interference? If he had her, what did he plan to do to her?

He could not contemplate that, so he focused on Toby again.

“We have to find her now,” Dev said, the tension inside him rising.

“Let's go then.”

Toby led them deeper into a dark side of London. Buildings rose above them along narrow lanes, blocking even the smallest glimpse of the moon.

“Now,” Eden whispered when they reached the end of a narrow lane. “Hold hands now.”