PEGASUS

35

HETTY HURRIED DOWN THE STAIRS to the ballroom’s main floor, her mind focused only on getting as far away as possible.

The music in the ballroom was much more upbeat than before. Already, people were taking advantage of this shift, no more than Penelope and Thomas, who jumped and swung around, creating a wide berth around them that got them many glares and sour looks.

“There you are,” Oliver said to Hetty. “That dress makes it easy to find you.”

She looked back at Oliver, belatedly recalling telling him to wait for her. “I need to find Benjy. Have you seen him yet?”

“No, but I did see Thomas.” Oliver pointed across the room. “His horrid scarf makes it easy.”

“Horrid scarf that you gave him!”

Oliver shrugged. “I didn’t think he’d ever wear it.”

Hetty rolled her eyes. “Oliver, thank you for always being impossible to deal with.”

“You’re very welcome,” he said rather grimly. “Now, what dangerous thing will you be doing next?”

“Dancing.”

Before Oliver could protest, Hetty pulled him with her as she plunged into the crowd of dancers. Together they danced their way to Penelope and Thomas, the process getting easier the closer they got to the other pair. And at the right moment in the song, they switched partners.

“Ah!” Thomas exclaimed as Hetty took him by the hand. “What were you plotting with Oliver?”

“As if you don’t know already,” Hetty said. “You had him tail Nathan Payne! Do you know where Benjy went?”

“No idea. But he was asking questions about the medium. The one you girls saw.”

“He’s trying to find her?”

“Maybe he did already.”

Before Hetty could say another word, they switched partners once again, Oliver grabbing Hetty’s hand.

His scowl, rather impossibly, had deepened.

“Penelope says Benjy’s gone looking for a medium. I thought he didn’t believe in ghosts!”

Hetty shrugged. “He doesn’t. I think he has questions about Horace Duval. Why were you tailing Nathan Payne for Thomas? I know you love him, but there are limits to supporting all his endeavors.”

“It’s nothing your husband wouldn’t do for you,” Oliver shot back.

Instead of answering, they made another switch. This time Hetty grabbed Penelope’s hands instead, leaving both Oliver and Thomas stumbling awkwardly, taken aback by the switch in partners.

Penelope chortled a bit, as she stood there with Hetty while the dancing pairs moved around them.

“Where are Darlene and George?” Hetty asked.

“Not sure. They were talking with some teachers they knew. What’s going on? Benjy said something, and Darlene said a bit more, but I’m not sure I got the complete picture.”

“Darlene would neglect a few things,” Hetty grumbled.

But Penelope surprisingly only laughed. “Well, what do you expect, you are friends, after all.”

“Just keep an eye out for her. And Jay too. Just in case.”

“I will.”

Oliver pulled Penelope away and Thomas grabbed Hetty’s hand, and they split back into mixed pairs once more.

“What do you need us to do?” Thomas asked.

“Find Darlene. She’s in danger. And clearly she hasn’t told you that bit yet.”

“It seems to me that you’re in trouble more than her. Nathan Payne is here.”

“I played checkers against him. I won.”

“And ran out, according to Oliver!”

“I’ll be fine. It’s Darlene you need to worry about.”

They switched partners once more, but instead of Oliver taking her hand, she was grabbed from behind and spun neatly into another’s awaiting arms.

“You vanished on me,” Benjy said, pulling her close. “I don’t like that.”

Hetty could hear Oliver grumble, but such noise was already being overlooked as she gave Benjy her full attention.

Benjy led her away from the knot of dancers to the fringes. Here they danced just a tad slower than the music, so that they were in a world of their own. For a moment Hetty wished they could stay like that and pretend they were just invited guests here to enjoy themselves at the ball. But alas, this was not the night for such things. Rather ruefully, she said:

“There’s a ghost in the ballroom. And his presence confirms our suspicion.”

Benjy’s expression did not alter beyond the slight narrowing of his eyes.

“Let’s talk elsewhere.”

Hand in hand, they moved to the fringes of the ballroom and quite smoothly walked up the stairs to the second level.

There were other places to talk without notice, but talking on the mezzanine was the best way they could watch the crowd as well.

Benjy leaned against the bannister as Hetty told him all about her checkers game. At the end of her tale, Hetty turned her hand over, revealing the checker piece. “Payne placed it on the board. On purpose.”

“A cheat.” Benjy shook his head.

“Look closer.”

He looked at it again, and this time he saw it.

“The missing checker piece,” Benjy murmured.

“Taken from Raimond Duval. If I had any doubts left, this proves that Nathan Payne killed him! And that he knows we’re onto him! He wouldn’t have put it down unless he knew of our investigation.”

Of the reactions from her husband, puzzlement was the last one she expected to see. “How did he get the checker piece in the first place? And why bring it tonight?”

Ready to answer the first question, Hetty was tripped up by the second one.

This spoke of foresight and planning.

Hetty turned her gaze back toward the ballroom. The swirl of strangers soon faded away to the background as she spotted familiar faces. Penelope was drawing Cora aside to speak, a smile on the older woman’s face becoming more frozen as Penelope spoke. Darlene and George were dancing in the crowded room, showing off their classical education with a series of smartly executed dance steps. And in the far corner of the room, Oliver and Thomas stood nearby, holding drinks but not sipping.

And in the middle of all that was Jay.

He stood in a cluster of men, likely generous benefactors to the school, laughing as he spoke with them.

If Hetty had her way, he’d stay there all night.

Because nearby was Nathan Payne, reaching into his jacket. Although the act could be seen as pulling out a pocket watch, the turn of his hand suggested a knife.

“Payne’s going to attack!” Hetty cried.

“You can’t aim a spell from here, Hetty, not without being seen first.”

“Then I’ll get closer.”

Brushing her fingers against the lace at her neck, Hetty vanished from sight.

Benjy reached out to grab her, but Hetty had already climbed up onto the bannister.

Then she jumped.

Hetty fluttered down from the balcony, her spells like a gentle wind guiding her to the ballroom floor.

She landed with a soft thump, glad she had worn her boots instead of heels.

Grabbing the end of her dress, she moved into a run, dropping the invisibility spell so people would move a bit faster for her.

Jay had already moved from his friends. He was off walking by himself.

She needed to get to Jay. She needed to get there before—

Between the bodies that blocked her way, Payne drew out his knife.

No one seemed to have noticed.

Hetty watched in horror as Payne strode directly for Jay, closing the distance faster than Hetty could ever guess.

Payne raised his arm, ready to strike.

Something whooshed past, moving so fast that Hetty wasn’t sure what it was.

But it had to be a spell.

Because the knife in Nathan Payne’s hand shattered like glass.

The crowd lurched back as shards of metal flew in the air. A wisp of magic vanished in the air.

Hetty followed that wisp.

Benjy half leaned across the balcony, his hand outstretched. Their eyes met before he collapsed against the railing.

“Henrietta?” Jay stood before her, the shattered knife clearing the space between them. He stood shocked and aghast at the shards scattered on the ground around him. “What’s going on?”

“Trouble,” Hetty said as she caught sight of Payne pushing his way through the crowd. “Stay here. It’s not safe!”

She had lost sight of Payne.

At first she thought he’d hidden himself in the crowd, biding his time like a leopard before striking. But then she spied a server apologizing to a guest with wine stains on their shirt and pointing to where Payne had fled.

Following similar gaps along the room, she left the ballroom behind and turned to the hallway and started opening each door.

The first two bore no fruit. The first was empty of occupants and the second held a pair whose mischief was amorous in nature.

Hetty shut the door without being noticed and moved to the next room.

Her hand was reaching for the third doorknob when something struck her on the shoulder.

“You will not find what you seek,” Bernice Tanner said.

Hetty turned and saw her own glaring face reflected back at her in the dark shades.

“Because the North Wind is here to protect and safeguard all matters?”

The cane flipped up in Bernice’s hand. “That was never a saying.”

“You’re in danger,” Hetty said.

“That’s hardly new. Why do you think I hired Miss Murray?” Bernice jerked her cane to the side.

On Hetty’s right, Temperance Murray stood holding a pistol.

The gun was pointed to the ground and her face was a mask of professionalism as she looked around the hallway. At the sound of her name, Temperance nodded just once at Hetty before she pointed to one of the doors in the hall.

Grateful for this response, it was with full confidence that Hetty snapped back at Bernice, “Then why did you bring Emily Jacobs to this hotel?”

The cane swung out toward Hetty again but it didn’t touch her this time. Instead it wavered in front of her as the old woman’s lips trembled. “Because there is no safer place than at my side.”

“Wrong. It’s at mine!”

Bernice cackled. “You played checkers with a man who wanted you dead for many years now. If he hadn’t been distracted by whatever charms you possessed, there might be a new story about you.”

“If you’re trying to keep me from opening this door, it’s too late. Payne just tried to attack Jay in the middle of the ballroom.”

“No, that’s impossible!”

“It’s only possible because your secrets and schemes made it easy for such a plot to unfold!” Hetty hissed.

Not interested in Bernice’s reaction, Hetty turned back around. Her fingers skated in the air to form the Aries star sigil, and she shot it at the doorknob, blasting the door open.

As her eyes adjusted to the gloom, the moonlight that spilled into the room revealed a plush sofa and some chairs, some rumpled blankets, and a few books stacked on a small table next to an unlit lamp. She could smell wildflowers and sugared sweets.

“No one is here.” Hetty touched the lamp. It was still warm.

“Impossible,” Bernice cried. “I put spells on everything! Temperance, explain!”

As Temperance struggled to give an answer, Hetty continued her study of the room.

Wallpaper of neutral colors, newly laid. A window open to the night, and missing curtains. A chair moved out of place.

“I wouldn’t worry. It looks like she made an escape. Which I don’t blame her for. She came to you for help and you locked her up.”

Bernice huffed. “It was the only way to keep her safe.”

“You cannot keep everyone safe,” Hetty said. “You may try, you may succeed. But you lose much in your efforts.”

Bernice bowed her head, gripping her cane so tightly, Hetty thought it would snap in half.

“Why were you keeping Emily at your side?” Hetty asked.

“She holds the key to solving the ciphers,” Temperance answered when her employer did not. “But she won’t tell anyone but the Sparrow.”

Hetty smiled. “Then I need to find her.”

“There’s a tunnel at the end of the hallway. It’s hidden by a grandfather clock. You need to move the minute hand counterclockwise to nine,” Temperance said, even as Bernice started to protest. “It’ll be the best way for you to exit without being seen.”

“What are you doing?” Bernice grumbled.

“She has the best chance of finding Emily.”

Leaving them behind, Hetty went deeper into the hallway.

She didn’t have far to look. The hallway did not go for long, and the clock that Temperance had spoken of was easily spotted.

As was the other person lingering nearby.

A shadow moved around the grandfather clock, grunting as it tried and failed to move it. Hetty approached slowly, her fingers falling to find one of her hairpins.

Then the figure stepped out.

It was only Eudora Mason, looking lost and put out.

“Oh, dear stars.” Eudora blinked. “Where did you come from?”

“Looking for some quiet,” Hetty said. “It’s very loud back there.”

“It is,” Eudora said. “But I suppose that’s what happens at events like this.”

They smiled at each other rather pleasantly. That’s when Hetty took a closer look at Eudora. At the tense way she held herself as she watched Hetty.

Since Hetty had seen Eudora at the Duval home, she suspected the other woman was a thief, manipulating the gullible with fake séances, and gathering items of some value from homes when invited in. Hetty wouldn’t be surprised now if she had caught Eudora doing the same here. But the grandfather clock was not something she could have absconded with. What was she really doing out here?

“How did you first meet Horace Duval?” Hetty asked.

“He came to one of my séances,” Eudora said. “After his uncle died. He had regrets he wanted to share.”

As Eudora spoke, the flower ring Hetty wore wiggled unmistakably. She wasn’t sure the first time she’d felt it earlier, because she hadn’t often encountered magic like this. But Hetty trusted her sister’s skill and the accuracy of the note left in her book:

 

The chrysanthemum ring warns of liars who hold back the truth with their tongues.

 

“. . . I just wanted to help all I could.”

“That’s a lie,” Hetty said. “You wanted to get to know him for another purpose, for the access he gave you to the Duvals. Particularly about his cousin who was traveling, who you were very curious about meeting. Because he should have died instead of his father.”

Eudora swallowed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“You do. Because you made that mistake several times until you decided it’d be better to go after everyone who was there the night Alvin Jacobs was killed. The only question is why. Who was Alvin Jacobs to you?”

Eudora’s eyes flashed. “Who was Alvin Jacobs?” she snapped. The whispery Southern accent she had been putting on this entire time melted away as she trembled. “He was my father! Joseph Reynolds, taken from me and my mother when I was a child! Valentine Duval was supposed to have freed him from slavery, but he didn’t do that. He let my father die and then he printed the pamphlets! Raimond might have claimed that it wasn’t the case when he went to see me. But I’m no fool! They killed him for the papers to the treasure, and when they couldn’t find it on their own, they printed it out for the world to help with them! They deserved their deaths. They all did! They’re all to blame!”

“You murdered innocent people. And you’re working with a man who would have sold your father south!”

“You take help where help is offered, or in this case paid for.” She sneered at Hetty. “I should almost be grateful to you. I was forced to peddle myself out as a medium to pay his fees, but now that Payne knows you are the one meddling with things, he was willing to do whatever I asked as long as I’d made sure he would be able to kill you without trouble.”

Eudora flicked a spell at Hetty. The star sigil was crudely drawn, but it was strong enough that it rattled against Hetty’s protection spells.

Through the floating star sigil, Eudora snarled: “Give me Emily Jacobs and the location of the treasure at Valentine Duval’s funeral! Do that and I’ll keep Payne from bothering you ever again.”

“Never!” Hetty drew Ursa Major. The great star-speckled bear rose up next to her, filling the hallway with its magical bulk. “I never give up people who come to me for protection!”

Hetty directed the spell forward. The bear charged, but it was too late.

Eudora’s spells weren’t attacking—they were covering her escape! The false medium’s magic destroyed the grandfather clock, revealing a hidden door. Ursa Major ran through the spells, eliminating the rogue magic, and in the confusion, Eudora slipped into the tunnel opening.

Hetty ran for the door. But Eudora had spelled it shut.

Hetty pounded on it, even when she knew magic would be a better help. Who knows where Eudora would emerge? She might have gotten a confession out of the medium, but there was no proof to tie Eudora yet to the murders except her willing accomplice.

Hetty readied to pry the door open with her magic, but then a gunshot pierced the air.

It came from the ballroom.

Hetty grabbed fistfuls of her skirts and started running. As she ran, she yanked off her cape, letting it fly behind her as she returned to the ballroom. All around, people were frozen in place, pointing toward at the balcony. Hetty followed their gazes.

She looked up just as Nathan Payne shoved Darlene off the second-floor balcony.

Time slowed as her friend fell backwards.

Hetty lifted her hand to perform a spell, but then something gold filled the air.

The winged horse, Pegasus, flew directly at Darlene, gleaming with starlight from its flanks to its outstretched wings.

It didn’t scoop Darlene onto its back but flew around her, its large wings beating the air until a wind swirled up.

The wind caught Darlene, and only then was Hetty able to focus to see the figure in control.

With one hand aloft, Benjy slowed Darlene’s fall, bringing her slowly to the ground.

“No!”

With an inhuman roar, Nathan Payne fired off more spells down into the ballroom.

Magic clashed with magic. Not just with Benjy’s spells, but with others’.

Foolish others with good intentions but whose magic at the moment was as desired as fireworks over brittle bushes and parched soil.

“Stop this! You’re not helping at all,” Hetty called as she pushed her way through. “You mustn’t—”

A large crash shook the room. Then screams rushed around her as the chandelier swayed and then plummeted to the ground.