Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange and Deadly #1)(29)

“So why help us then?” I frowned. “Why don’t you just let the Dead kill us all?”

“Because...” He shut his mouth, and for several moments, he twisted the wire off the spool with more force than needed. At last he spat on the dirt and tried again. “Because Joseph won’t let the Dead kill you. He does the right thing, so I do the right thing with him.”

“But why? Why do you work for Mr. Boyer?”

“What’s with all the pestering, huh?” He shoved out his lower jaw. “Listen, I got... Well, I got a lot of making up to do, and there ain’t a nobler man than Joseph Boyer.”

My mouth fell open at his gruff confession.

He wagged a warning finger. “Don’t think I’ll look after you, though—the world would be better off with one less princess.”

“I’m not a princess,” I huffed, beating my brain for some worthy retort.

“A queen then?”

“No! That’s not what I meant—”

“Oh, an empress. I see. Pardon me, Your Majesty.” He swooped into a crouched bow, and when his torso sprang back up, a smile floated at the edge of his lips.

“N-no, not an empress either. I-I’m just...” The more I stuttered, the more pompous his smile became. “You’re exasperating,” I finally groaned.

“Look, you don’t have to like me, and I don’t have to like you. But Joseph? Well, he’s the only man around who can help you, so you’d best start trustin’ him.”

“I never said I didn’t,” I muttered. I was grateful when Daniel didn’t contradict me. “So will Joseph—er, will the Spirit-Hunters help me?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Daniel waved at me as if brushing away a fly. “Your letter was covered in spiritual energy. Joseph was gonna offer to help, but you... well, you got there at a bad time.” He dragged a thumb slowly across his neck. “Another one was found.”

“A headless man?” I squeaked.

“Yeah.”

My chest constricted, squeezing all the air from my lungs. A headless man? Elijah—what if it was Elijah?

I stepped dizzily to Daniel and grasped at his shoulder. He flinched.

“Land sakes, Empress.” In a single, fluid movement, he sprang up and slipped a sturdy hand beneath my elbow.

“D-do you think,” I tried to say. “Is it my—is it m-my...”

“It’s not your brother.” He lowered his face toward mine, and although his grass-green eyes were hard, his words were soft. “This boy’s family found him.”

“But...” My fingers dug into his bare forearm. “It could still... it’s possible that h-he could, Elijah could show up like that...” I knew the answer, but I searched Daniel’s face for some other reply.

“Yeah, it’s possible, but it hasn’t happened yet.”

I clutched at my belly and forced myself to swallow. It wasn’t Elijah—my brother was still all right. Certainly I would know if he was dead. I would sense it. The part of my heart that belonged to him would somehow know... wouldn’t it?

Daniel drew me closer. “Don’t worry. If your brother’s got even half the grit you’ve got, then he’ll be fine.”

I nodded, moving my head a fraction of an inch. Elijah was fine. I would save him.

“Yes,” I breathed. “Yes.”

Daniel’s eyes went distant, and his lips parted. With his free hand, he stroked the rough skin of his jaw, where new hair broke through. It made a scratching sound, like walking on dry sand.

Did his face smell like machines too? Or his neck? My gaze flicked to his white collar and exposed skin, then back to his face. For a moment, despite the stubble and the angles of his jaw, despite the mocking air and belligerence he always wore, Daniel looked vulnerable.

And there was something else in his eyes—a glint of interest I’d seen in other men’s stares (though never directed at me). Perhaps even... but no, he couldn’t possibly be attracted to me...

Could he?

Then he blinked, and the spell was broken. I squirmed away, instantly hot and unsettled. How had I fallen into such easy closeness with a boy I barely knew?

“Right. Well...” He cleared his throat and fidgeted with his cap. “Right.”

“Yes.” I shifted from foot to foot.

He flexed his arms and turned away. “Well, if you’re gonna stay here, you might as well help—especially seein’ as you owe me and all.” He pointed to a glass jar. “I need some more grave dirt.”

I choked. “Grave dirt? You can’t possibly be serious.”

“I’m always serious.” He swooped down and picked up the jar. “There’s a nice little spot near the river—that’s where I got my sample last time.”

“No.” I laughed hollowly. “No.”

“After all this,” he drawled, opening his arms wide, “you don’t wanna go into the cemetery?”

“No.” I bustled over to my parasol, still lying in the dusty path, and I bowed down to retrieve it. Then I brandished it at Daniel. “Going into Laurel Hill is certain death.”

“Why, Empress, that’s the first logical thing I’ve heard you say.” He grinned, baring all his teeth. “Maybe next time I won’t have to rescue you.”