Rebel Magisters (Rebel Mechanics #2)(42)

Now that our mission was accomplished, it seemed like our real danger began. There were very few legitimate reasons for people to be on the streets at this time of morning. It was too late for most honest people to be coming home, and too early for even those who worked very early in the morning to be going out. It would be another hour or so before the bakers were at their ovens, and the scullery maids were still sound asleep.

Near the docks, there were taverns open, men spilling out of them, and a few women waited under lampposts. All of that made me uncomfortable and grateful for Henry’s presence, but it became worse as we drew closer to the magister neighborhood.

There, the streets were completely deserted, other than the occasional policeman on foot patrol. I was sure that anyone out at this time would be taken as a thief. We didn’t even have the option of using Henry’s name and title because that would reveal that he was out with his governess late at night, and that would create a scandal that would jeopardize my position. I was starting to understand why he’d suggested that I go home earlier. He could have played the role of dissolute young nobleman staggering home after a night out with friends, but my presence added a complication.

Instead, we tried to avoid the patrols. We moved as quietly as we could, keeping to shadows and not moving into the light until we were sure no one was nearby. We both used our magic to blend into the shadows whenever we were near others. I had seldom used magic outside Henry’s study, and I hadn’t realized how draining it was to use this much power in a real crisis.

When we reached the governor’s house, we encountered another problem: There was a sentry at the house. Henry barely pulled me behind the front steps of the adjacent house before the guard turned toward us.





Chapter Eleven


In Which

I Appear En Dishabille




“Word must have come about what happened,” Henry whispered into my ear. His breath was warm on my neck, but it made me shiver.

“How will we get in?” I whispered in reply.

“I don’t know.”

I couldn’t help but think of another time I’d hid with a young man while patrols went past. Alec had sheltered me like this when he’d pretended we were being pursued so I would sympathize with the Mechanics. This time, though, it wasn’t a game. We really had done something illegal, and there really was a danger of being caught.

“What we need is a diversion,” I said. “If we can draw his attention elsewhere long enough for us to reach the service entrance, we might be able to sneak in.”

“Excellent idea, Verity. I’ll go around the corner and make some noise, and you rush for the door.”

He started to head out of our hiding place, but I caught him by the arm. “What about you? How will you get in?”

“Through the front door. No one will think anything of me having been out late with my friends from school. They’re all respectable people. You’re the one at risk.”

“You could get in trouble with the governor.”

“I believe I’m allowed at least one night out while the children are safely under the supervision of their grandfather. Now, wait until the guard turns away, and then rush for the door.”

The sentry approached us, then turned and walked the other direction, and Henry took that moment to dash around the corner. He must have gone around the entire block because it was several more minutes before a loud noise came from the opposite direction. The sentry ran to investigate, and I flung myself out of the hiding place and down the steps to the service entrance, where little Harry was already opening the door to see what was going on.

“Get me in, quick,” I told him.

Without hesitating, he pulled me inside and shut the door softly. He hustled me down the empty hall to the back stairs. I removed the coat and hat while I waited for him to check my hallway, then tiptoed down the hall to my room when he told me the way was clear.

Once inside my room, I tore my outer clothes off as quickly as possible and pulled my nightgown over my head. I sat down for a moment to remove my boots and stockings, grabbed a shawl to throw around my shoulders, and pulled the pins from my hair and shook it loose as I ran down the stairs.

I flung open the heavy front door and stood silhouetted in the doorway. A figure moved toward the house from the shadows nearby. Wishing that my magical powers included some sort of silent communication, I hoped Henry would hold back rather than revealing himself to the guard. I stepped farther out onto the front steps. When I was sure the sentry had seen me, I blinked as though I’d been awakened from a deep sleep and said, “Whatever is that noise? It sounds like the city is exploding.”

He came up the steps to speak to me. “Nothing to be alarmed about, miss. There’s been some ruckus in the harbor, and it sounds like the culprits are celebrating.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the figure dart from the shadows to the servants’ entrance below the front steps. “Oh, that’s good to know,” I said. “The sound woke me, and I wasn’t sure if I needed to do something to protect the children.”

“No, you’re perfectly safe, miss. We’re keeping an eye on the house. Nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you so much. I’ll rest better knowing you’re out here.”

I hoped that had given Henry enough time to get inside unnoticed. I made my way back up the stairs. When I reached my floor, I heard a soft hiss from the landing above. I looked up to see Henry leaning over the railing. He gave me a salute, which I returned with a smile before heading to my room.