She met their eyes with studied nonchalance. “Brassard and I have met. Several times. He’s been trying to secure my company for years.” Her lip curled with distaste. “I’ve always refused, but he’s persistent. If I were to suddenly accept his invitation, he’d be too delighted to question my motives.”
Viggo’s stomach clenched. “Ginny?—“
“I know what I’m doing.” Her eyes met his, sharp and determined. “This is what I’m good at, Viggo. Playing a role, gathering information whilst powerful men think I’m nothing more than a pretty ornament.” She smiled thinly. “Besides, I won’t be going alone. I’ll need escorts. Wealthy, impressive men to explain my sudden change of heart.”
Viggo frowned. “You want us to play the part of rich patrons?”
Ginny dipped her chin. “Evander and Fairbridge would fit the part. Foreign industrialists, perhaps. Rich enough to be interesting but obscure enough that Brassard can’t easily verify their backgrounds. They could wear Illusion Amulets. Evander’s reputation stretches far abroad after all and someone may very well recognise him. Fairbridge will likely want to keep his face out of the picture too.” She cocked her head to the side and scrutinised Viggo. “You could do with one too. There will be no hiding the fact that you’re a Brute otherwise.”
“That is a dangerous proposition, Genevieve,” Clementine said quietly. Both women had worked in the same shadows long enough to understand exactly what Ginny was proposing. “Brassard won’t take kindly to deception if he uncovers your scheme. And by that, I mean none of you might make it out of there alive.”
“People are dying, Clem,” Ginny stated, her voice hardening. “Thralls and mages alike are disappearing in England and on the continent. If there’s even a chance we can learn something useful at this gathering, I’m willing to take the risk.”
Clementine studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “Very well. I can provide you with background information on Brassard’s known associates. But Genevieve—“ She reached out and grasped Ginny’s hand. “Be careful. Whatever is happening in that house, it’s attracted the attention of people far more powerful than provincial viscounts. My government contacts have been unusually tight-lipped about the whole affair, which tells me someone very high up is involved.”
They spent the next two hours extracting every scrap of information Clementine possessed; Brassard’s habits, his known associates, the layout of his residence, the kinds of conversations that might be overheard at his gatherings. By the time they left, Viggo’s head was spinning with names and connections.
It was afternoon when they emerged onto the street, Viggo carrying a dossier full of information and the notebook left by the dead Belgian.
“Solomon and Rufus are going to hate this plan,” Ginny observed candidly as they walked toward the nearest cab stand.
“Solomon and Rufus are going to hate being left behind more.”
A ghost of a smile crossed her lips. “True enough.”
They made their way to their hotel and found Solomon waiting in the lobby, his features taut with barely contained tension. He fell into step beside them as they headed for the stairs, his voice low and urgent.
“Our operatives have heard things. Rumours about some strange shipments that have been coming through the docks. The last one was two nights ago. The crates were marked as wine, but the dockers who handled them said they were too heavy. And cold.” His jaw tightened. “Unnaturally cold.”
Viggo’s gut clenched. “Where did they go?”
“That’s the problem. They vanished. No delivery records, no destination. Just gone.” Solomon’s expression darkened. “Butone of our men followed the wagon before he lost it. It was headed toward the Faubourg Saint-Germain.”
Ginny drew a sharp breath and slowed, exchanging a startled glance with Viggo. “That’s where Brassard’s residence is.”
Solomon stared at her. “Who the hell is Brassard?”
A commotion behind them had them stopping and looking over their shoulders.
Evander and his team had stormed inside the hotel and were headed swiftly across the foyer.
Viggo stiffened at his grim expression.
It was clear something had happened.
CHAPTER 21
“Letme see if I understand correctly,” Rufus said stiffly as they stepped down from their carriages around the corner from Brassard’s residence in the Faubourg Saint-Germain that evening. “We’re about to walk into a gathering hosted by a man probably connected to dark mages and murderers. Without police backup. Based on information from a woman who admits her sources keep dying.”
“That’s about the size of it, yes,” Ginny said. “And that’s the third time you’ve said that in the last hour. It’s starting to get old.”
Rufus scowled.
Evander couldn’t exactly blame him. It was a dangerous plan. Even though he was the one who’d approved it after they’d shared their findings that afternoon, he couldn’t completely contain his misgivings.
“Leon is going to have our balls when he finds out about this.”
Viggo flashed a frown his way. “We’ve established that your ex is rather well known in the city and maybe even to Brassard. We couldn’t exactly let him prance in there, even with an IllusionAmulet. Besides, he’ll be too busy analysing the notebook I gave him.”
