Book 2: Chapter 34
Grant!
Martas voice was loud, causing Grant to look over and spot Marta who was hiding in a nearby room. Turning, Grant hurried over and was pulled into the room by Henri who stared at him with dark eyes.
What happened to Garrett?
On my back, Grant said, grunting.
Crouching, he let Garrett down to the floor and then sat down himself, his breath ragged.
For a kid who looks like youre made out of toothpicks, youre really heavy, he said, rubbing the small of his back with his hand.
For a guy who talks as tough as you do, you sure run fast, Garrett retorted, causing Marta to laugh.
Listen, I just saved you from death, so I dont want to hear any of that negative attitude.
What happened? Henri asked quietly, crouching down and looking back and forth between them.
We escaped. The ghost seemed more interested in killing Eben than either of us, so we were able to slip away. Though, now that I think about it, we might as well have just stayed there. Theres no way out of here that I can see and unless we can figure out a way to deactivate the mirror artifact, were eventually going to follow along after Eben and his goons.
Nodding, Marta looked down, her expression pale. She had thrown every bit of power at the Long-Haired Ghost and it hadnt done more than cause it to pause. On top of that, there were still Pale Fiends wandering around, limiting how much they could move without getting spotted.
I might have a solution for that, Garrett said, causing everyone to stare at him.
Both Henri and Marta looked half incredulous, half hopeful, but Grants eyes, invisible to the others, flickered with a faint rainbow sheen.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
You have a way to deactivate the mirror? Henri asked, crouching down.
Yes. I think so. Or at least, a way to get out. The room I entered had a mirror. Did yours?
One by one, the others shook their heads, looking at each other with excitement in their eyes.
No, my room was like this, no mirror, and only one door, Marta said.
Then its likely that mirror holds our way out, Garrett said, closing his eyes. The ghost used a mirror to bring us into this space, so I think that if we use a mirror of our own, we should be able to get out of here.
Marta, do you have a mirror? Grant asked, looking disappointed when she shook her head.
I know where we can find a mirror, Henri said, his face turning down in deep frown. But its not the answer we want. The only person who has a mirror is the ghost.
She isnt the only one, Garrett said with a small smile, holding up a gleaming silver mirror.
Staring at the replica of the hand mirror that Garrett had been holding before he was dragged into the Hollow Space, Henri could only laugh and shake his head.
On top of that, she had only fought with her hair, but she was, in reality, a more powerful version of the Pale Fiends. No one had managed to land a physical attack on her, but if they had, they would have realized that like her lesser counterparts, she was completely immune to mundane attacks. Adding in her ability to paralyze anyone she caught in her mirror, Garrett had picked up a true gem. He originally had different plans for his next guardian, but desperate times called for decisive action, and he was happy that it worked out as it did. The trick, of course, would be ensuring that she didnt accidentally turn the whole gang into Pale Fiends.
Henri stayed true to his word and a few hours later, a couple of Garretts men, dressed as regular workers, brought him a new wheelchair so he could still get around. It wasnt quite as nice as his last one, but it worked well enough. Marta was rather shaken up after the events of the previous night, but Grant seemed completely fine, so he took a turn pushing Garrett around to the various events that the count had set up throughout the day, all the while watching as the servants ran around like crazy, looking for the countess. She had not been in her room when her maid came to wake her up, and just like the counts daughter, she seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Garrett was sitting at a card table with a few other young noblemen who had come to the event when someone stopped by to whisper that Eben had vanished as well, causing some uneasy looks to pass around the table. One of the young men, upon noticing that Garrett was playing his hand, completely unperturbed by the news, remarked on it.
Youre awfully cool about it, Klein. Are you always like this or do you just enjoy your cards that much?
Like cards? Please, Ive lost every hand. Im starting to suspect there is something wrong with the deck because my luck is never this bad, Garrett said, flashing a wry smile as he tossed his cards on the table, revealing a truly terrible hand. But why would I be worried about the news that our esteemed hostess and a handsome silver-haired fellow had both disappeared overnight? Shes not my wife.
Slapping the table as he laughed, the young nobleman nodded emphatically.
I didnt think of that. Hah!
You know, I did see him creeping around with a good number of different ladies last night, another young man said, wrinkling his nose in amusement. Who knows what he got up to last night. Not to my taste, of course, but everyone lives their own way.
Until now, I thought my way included playing cards, but at this rate Ill be in the gutter in no time, Garrett said, shaking his head to laughter. Im done. I cant take any more of this abuse.
Pushing back from the table, Garrett saw the count enter the room and waved. If the count was upset by the disappearance of either his daughter or his wife, he didnt show a bit of it, and Garrett felt a flash of disgust when he saw that the count had his arm around a young noblewoman who was gazing up at him with dancing eyelashes. Others at the table noticed it too, and one of them snorted.
Word is that the countess wasnt the first, nor even the second, and judging by how our fine host is acting, I imagine she wont be the last, no matter what happened to her.
Raising his eyebrows, Garretts thoughts went to his experience in the countess dream and he shook his head.
As they say, class cant be bought,
Exactly. Im Thomas Gelavin, by the way. We have parties every now and again. You should come to one of them.
That sounds like an excuse to fleece me of more of my money, Garrett said with a wide smile. Sounds like fun.
Laughing, the young men all exchanged cards and Garrett waved goodbye as he made his way to the door where Grant was waiting. Falling in behind Garrett, Grant took hold of the wheelchair and brought him back up to the room to change for dinner.
Looks like youve made some friends, Grant said once they were in the room. But shouldnt you be trying to target the older nobles?
Sitting up from where she was resting in front of the fire, Marta looked over, her curiosity piqued. Garrett, who was sitting near the window while Grant went to get his suit, shook his head.
No, if any of the older nobles saw me coming over, theyd know I was after something. But the young ones are different. Theyre hungry, looking for social connections, and have a pulse on the underbelly of this city. Most of them probably have connections, even if roundabout, with the gangs, since their fathers use them to get the dirty work done. Sure, their fathers might be able to help the most now, but in five to ten years, these young men will be taking over for their fathers.
But, all you did was lose money to them, Grant said, laying out Garretts clothes.
You lost money? Were you gambling? Marta asked, her forehead furrowing.
I did, but only my own money, Garrett replied, running his fingers over the coat that Grant had picked. And let me give you a tip, the only acceptable bribe is money fairly won. But the fact that I didnt let my frustration show is what really hooked them. Women arent the only ones who like a handsome and mysterious stranger who is free with money.
