Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(80)

The general flicked the point of his sword in my direction. Four of his men quickly drew their weapons on me and Seth halted. The color drained from his face, taking all his determination and anger with it. He threw down his weapon.

"Charlie!" Gus cried. "Don't move."

I put my hands in the air. "I'm sorry," I said to Alice.

She bit down on her quivering lower lip and nodded. "I know," she whispered.

She took Sir Markell's hand.

"Ha! Good!" said Swinburn's ghost. He smirked at me. "You lose, Miss Holloway. You lose everything."

Hot tears slid down my cheeks. He was right. I'd sold my friend to her enemy and I had not helped Lincoln's plight. I was a fool to think I could effect change, a naive, pathetic fool.

The general tugged on his gold watch chain. The device! It was the same one the rabbit had used to come and go from our realm even though Alice was awake. All it would take was one click on the watch's button while speaking the words of the spell, then they'd all be gone, Alice with them.

The general began the strange words that I'd heard the rabbit speak.





Chapter 17





"No!" Seth pushed toward the general. He even managed a few steps before one of the soldiers smashed his fist into Seth's face.

"Seth!" Alice cried as he fell back.

He regained his balance, and tried again. This time he struck the soldier first. Another two caught him. He could not get to the general in time to stop him speaking the spell. Not with so many against him.

But his actions had achieved one thing. It had bought me time. And in those few seconds, I'd realized something.

"Sir Ignatius Swinburn, I order you to tell me where you hid my necklace."

My command interrupted the general. He looked around, searching for the spirit perhaps. How long would it be before he resumed the incantation?

"Tell me!" I shouted.

The ghost swirled. It was neither human nor animal in shape, just gray and white streaks whipping about me. "In my pocket," whispered the breeze.

I dove for the body and rummaged through his jacket pockets. His blood smeared my hands, my dress. I didn't care.

"What is she doing?" Sir Markell asked.

I finally found it in the breast pocket. With shaking fingers, I clutched the orb. "I release you, imp!" I shouted. "Come out, imp!"

It did not come out. It had done this on the Isle of Wight too. I suspected it went into deep sleep between summons, or perhaps it was becoming ill.

"Markell!" the general shouted. "The prisoner!"

Alice had taken the moment's distraction to get out of Sir Markell's reach and scuttle to the other side of the cart. Gus pushed her behind him but he was unarmed. Sir Markell leapt from his horse onto the cart. He had not drawn his sword.

"You! Men!" the general shouted. "Stop Miss Holloway from whatever magic she is conjuring."

Three soldiers showed no fear in advancing on me. Two of them put away their swords, but the third did not.

I turned and ran up the steps toward Jenkin. His expression told me precisely the moment my life was in danger.

"Imp! Now!"

Light burst from the orb, forcing me to turn my face away. My attackers had to do the same. By the time they turned back, the imp had grown to its largest size, higher than the windows of the house. It wasn't a pretty creature with its wrinkled skin, oversized ears and lack of fur, but it was the best sight I'd ever seen.

Not so those who'd never seen it before. The soldiers fell back, stumbling down the stairs, horror imprinted on their faces. The shape shifters, including Harriet, retreated to Ballantine's house, and the army fell into disarray. Some at the back scurried off. Others simply stared up at the cat-like beast towering over them as if it were the devil incarnate.

The general barked orders at his men but they were largely ignored. Those who did draw their weapons were swiftly swiped by the imp's massive paw. They scattered like skittles along the street.

"Miss Alice!" Sir Markell cried. "For God's sake, run! Get away from here!"

Alice did not run. She had never seen my imp before, but she must have known it wouldn't attack her. Perhaps because neither Seth nor Gus looked worried. She did, however, clutch Gus tightly and stare with a mixture of horror and wonder at it.

The imp took a giant step forward. Neighbors who'd come out when the army arrived screamed and shut their doors. More of the army ran away up the street. Sir Markell returned to his horse, giving up on Alice.

"General, we have to go!" he shouted at his father.

"Not without Miss Alice." The general charged forward, the watch still clutched in his hand.

The movement caught the imp's attention and it went after him.

"Say the words!" Sir Markell cried.

"No!"

Damn him. Why was he so intent on retrieving Alice for his queen? Did he need to bring her to justice so badly that he was prepared to risk his own life and that of his son?

"Seth," I hissed. "The watch. You must get it."

"You want to keep them here?" He shook his head. "Charlie—"

I clicked my tongue in frustration and stormed down the steps. The imp leapt in front of the general and his horse reared. He caught hold of the reins in both hands, but dropped the watch.