Rebel Magisters (Rebel Mechanics #2)(39)

“Thank you kindly for the intelligence,” Adonis said with a sardonic bow. “This time, perhaps the authorities will be correct in blaming the Mechanics. Or should we dress as magisters? Now, allow me to show you out. We have work to do.”

“Well, that didn’t go the way I hoped,” Henry said once we were outside.

“What should we do now?” I asked. “The magisters will be waiting to hear from us.”

“And they’re not going to be happy that we failed.”

“The tea will still be gone, and the authorities were going to blame the Mechanics, anyway,” I said, trying to rouse an ember of hope in my heart. “Will it make that much difference to the magisters who actually does the work? This way, they can stay at their party.”

“Who knows? Maybe they will see it that way,” Henry said with a shrug. “But I suppose we’d better break the news.”

When we arrived at the Seton mansion, the front door was slightly ajar, so we entered without ringing the bell. The party in the ballroom had grown even wilder in our absence, with more people present. The collection of weapons near the ballroom entrance suggested that this was more than a social gathering. They were here for a mission, and they weren’t likely to welcome our news.

Camilla, Maude, and Theo still sat on their cushions in the corner, and Camilla rose to meet us as we approached. “Well?” she demanded. “Where are your Mechanic friends with this device?”

“On the way to the harbor,” Henry replied.

“To meet us there?”

“To destroy the tea on their own,” I said. “Or steal it. Since they were going to be blamed, anyway, they decided they may as well use the device to get past the barrier.”

“They’ll never succeed without us!” Camilla declared. “How can they, without magic?”

“They are rather resourceful,” Henry said.

“You couldn’t do it with magic,” I added.

“And they’re going to steal the tea? That’s all wrong. We’re making a statement about taxes, not being common thieves.” She whirled, shouting out, “Maude! Theo! Where’s Brad? We must go, now!”

Theo pulled himself rather unsteadily to his feet. “Go where?”

“The Mechanics are going to the harbor!”

“Without us?” Maude asked from her pose on her cushion.

“We have to stop them!” Camilla said. “They’re going to steal the tea, which will ruin everything.”

“What do you propose to do against them?” Henry asked, his voice remarkably calm. “Their machine neutralizes your magic.”

“We have weapons,” Theo said, reaching for one of the shotguns resting against the ballroom wall.

“You can’t fight them!” I cried.

“Why not?” Theo asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Because you’re on the same side. You’re fighting for the same thing, against the same people. You should be allies. You certainly shouldn’t be shooting each other.”

He didn’t acknowledge my objections. I watched helplessly as the magisters streamed out of the ballroom, picking up weapons as they went. “A few at a time!” Camilla called out. “Don’t look like a mob.”

I turned to Henry. “We have to stop them, or warn the Mechanics, or do something!”

He checked his pocket watch. “If we go, we’ll be out very late. You should probably head back. You’ve done your part, and this is risky.”

“I’ve been in far more dangerous situations before,” I protested.

“I’m aware of that. I’m not worried about your physical danger, but I’m worried about what could happen to you if it’s discovered that you’ve been out all night.”

I tried to smile. “Somehow, I don’t think my employer will mind.”

“If we were in our own house back home, that would be fine. But at the moment, we’re under the governor’s roof, and even if I didn’t dismiss you, he could send you home.”

“The same is likely to happen to you if you’re caught.”

“I’m a young bachelor. I’m expected to be out on the town. I won’t be suspected of rebellion.”

“But your fitness as guardian of the children might be questioned if you’re discovered to be out at all hours. You know he’s only looking for an excuse to take the children from you.”

“Are you suggesting that both of us go home and stay out of this operation?”

“I’m suggesting that neither of us wants to miss it and we both have something at stake.”

“You just want to write the article,” he teased.

“And you’ve missed danger since giving up banditry.”

“There, we understand each other,” he said with a broad grin. “Now, shall we head to the harbor?” He held his arm out to me.

With a grin of my own, I took it. “Yes, let’s.”

The front door had been left open because constant opening and shutting was more likely to attract notice in the dead of night than a door remaining ajar. The streets were even quieter now than they’d been earlier. The only people about were policemen. We avoided most of them by keeping to the shadows, but every so often I felt a slight brush of magic from Henry that suggested he was doing something to keep us from being noticed.