Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper #4)(66)
I gave the journal to Thomas. He raised a brow. “You’ve divined a location based on this?” His tone was skeptical. “Perhaps you ought to pursue fortune-telling. I know just the carnival in need of those services. Maybe you’ll convince the world that vampires, witches, and demons do roam the earth.”
Ileana and Daciana shared a long look, one that spoke of shared secrets. I narrowed my eyes. What did they know of vampires and other legends that made
them uncomfortable? They hadn’t seemed scared of folklore back in Romania.
Finally, Daciana turned our way, handing another journal over. “Don’t be too impressed with us yet. Here’s this.”
“‘Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred.’” Another quote from our favorite gothic novel. The underlined bits didn’t seem worth noting before, and, frankly, I wasn’t as excited as Daciana and Ileana appeared to be. If anything, the heavy weight of defeat settled like a royal mantle around my shoulders.
I chose my next words carefully. “This is… interesting, but I’m afraid my brother was rather enthralled with this novel. He often quoted it.”
“At first, we also feared it was nothing, but look closer,” Daciana urged, handing over another journal. “Read this next.”
I was enchanted by the appearance of the hut; here the snow and rain could not
penetrate; the ground was dry; and it presented to me then as exquisite and divine a
retreat as Pandemonium appeared to the demons of hell after their sufferings in the lake of
fire… It was noon when I awoke, and allured by the warmth of the sun, which shone
brightly on the white ground, I determined to recommence my travels.
I glanced up at Daciana’s hopeful expression, wishing I could muster the same level of enthusiasm. I didn’t want to be rude, but we were wasting the last of our moments on nonsense. Thomas and I needed to sneak away before it was too late. “Fire and traveling through snow… I’m afraid I don’t see the connection.”
Daciana turned to her brother. “And you?”
“Demons holidaying in a city of fire?” he asked, sounding annoyed. “Isn’t that what Hell is? Or perhaps it’s a quaint description of their summer home.”
She grabbed the journal back, then motioned to Ileana to set them down in the order in which we’d read them. Like a professor teaching unruly students, she marched over to them, one by one, pointing out the significance. “Look at the dates of each. Now, when read in order, the underlined passages refer to people traveling to a place. Where was there a great fire in this country? What also has ‘white’ as a nickname now?”
“A great fire? How should I—” Understanding dawned. I’d read an article in the paper this week about Olmsted’s contribution to the fairgrounds in Illinois.
How magnificent and enchanting they were. The White City. The Great Fire.
Thomas and I exchanged our first hopeful look in days. I shifted my attention back to Daciana, finally sharing her and Ileana’s excitement. “Chicago. The Ripper is heading to the World’s Columbian Exposition.”
Of course. It had been the talk of the world for months—a place where scientific invention and industry could shine and draw hundreds of thousands of visitors. There would be so many people wandering around, it would be—
A horrible realization sank in, the thrill extinguishing as quickly as it had come. Whoever brutalized and stalked the gaslit streets of London was about to unleash more terror in a new city. He was done with New York for now. His sights were set on an even bigger stage. One where victims could be snatched away easily. The World’s Fair would prove a most intriguing place for murder and mayhem.
With a heavy heart, I headed for the door. “I’ll tell Uncle to purchase tickets for Chicago.”
Thomas nodded. “Hurry. We don’t want to run into my father and Miss Whitehall. Though it would be rather satisfying to watch them from the window of our departing train.”
“No. Don’t even think such foolish nonsense.” Daciana’s tone brooked no arguments. “I will go to the ship and tell Father you’re right behind me. It’ll give you some time to flee without him coming straightaway. You two need to be on the next train to Chicago or you won’t be leaving New York of your own free will. And you cannot run into Father or he will hunt you down and drag you back.”
“Bring this with you.” Grandmama emerged from her parlor and nodded to the butler. He darted forward and handed Daciana a telegram. “It’s for your father.”
Thomas knitted his brows together, shock registering in his features when he noted the sender. He had much to learn about my grandmother. I was glad he’d already set our trunks down or he might have dropped them on his feet. “Is that from… the queen?”
“Of course it is.” Grandmama stamped her walking stick. “Her Imperial Majesty was quite fond of my husband. Especially after he’d made the introduction to my family.” She turned her rich brown eyes on me, as cunning as always. “You haven’t told him, have you?”
I felt Thomas’s attention on me, carefully watching each emotion I was trying to control, and contemplated hiding under my skirts. He was far too observant to miss anything. “I didn’t see any reason I ought to share your personal affairs, Grandmama.”