She threw open the chamber door and yanked open the drawer where the dreaded shroud was. She had hoped to never don the miserable garment again but she would do whatever it took to ensure Drake’s safety and that of her brother. They were the two most important men in her life and the thought she might lose either one of them was not pleasant. While she was still uneasy about the conversation she’d heard earlier that morning between Amos and Drake, she had to believe that they weren’t unnecessarily targeting Flavian, that they would give him a chance to redeem himself. Although he’d had several chances to do so, she’d always believed that he would come to his senses.
She made it back downstairs to the foyer at the same moment Amos appeared with two pistols and a saber. The latter he handed to her. “Let’s see if we can’t put your skills to the test.”
She nodded curtly. If there was one thing she knew how to use with precision, it was a sword. She’d fought more than one duel under the guise of her brother and survived. Surely that was a testament of her abilities.
Fleur followed Amos outside and rather than rely on public transport, they headed toward the East End on foot. “I can’t believe Drake did something so asinine. He should have known he would be in danger.”
Amos gave a rusty chuckle. “Drake has always been a man who lived life on his own terms. He likely didn’t think he would encounter any trouble from Avalon tonight. He is usually better prepared for any situation.”
“Until tonight,” Fleur grumbled irritably. “If he’s not dead I might just kill him myself.”
She didn’t receive a reply, but she wasn’t surprised. She hadn’t really expected one.
They continued their trek through the dark alleyways of London that had caused a shiver to trail up her spine the night she’d traversed these same dank streets with Drake. Tonight, she ignored the refuse and staggering vermin that inhabited the East End, her mind focused on getting to Drake and learning his fate. And hopefully, that of her brother as well.
She was thankful that it wasn’t the same pub they entered this night but it didn’t hold much more favor as they made their way inside. The patrons barely spared Amos a glance, although they seemed a bit more curious about the covered figure that entered with him. Some blatantly stared, while others tried to be a bit more covert in their perusal.
Heading to the barkeep, Amos inquired after Avalon. He received a crisp reply that the man was out for the evening.
Fleur could tell that the man was lying and it was evident that Amos believed the same when he reached across the bar and gathered the man by his cravat. Tightening it into a noose, he demanded in a low tone, “Let’s try that answer again.”
As two men shoved their chairs back and started to approach the bar, Fleur swiftly moved to protect Amos. Whipping up the saber as the first man approached, she nearly nicked his neck. This caused him to rethink his strategy as he held up his hands in surrender, although she could see his mind was calculating his odds should he decide to press forward.
“What is all this?”
Immediately, the charged atmosphere in the pub was sucked out, the earlier commotion inside making way for silence.
Behind her mask, Fleur could make out the visage of Avalon. She recalled the dark hair and smug countenance quite well.
Amos released the barkeep and faced the leader of the Blue Boys, most of which Fleur decided were standing and eager to come to Avalon’s aid. It made Fleur more infuriated than before. If her brother and Drake could waltz into the lion’s den, it was no wonder something dreadful might have befallen either of them. This was no place to come alone. She was terrified being there with just Amos.
“I’m looking for Porter,” Amos announced firmly.
Avalon flicked a glance at him and then his attention fixated on her. “Such intrigue you’ve brought to my front step.” His jaw hardened. “I don’t care for mysteries.”
Fleur decided she’d had enough. Whipping the hood from her head, she kept her firm hold on her saber. “Is that better?” she retorted.
The grin he offered was enough to tell her he approved. “Naturally. It would be a shame to cover such a lovely face.” He waved a hand toward the back of the pub. “Shall we speak in private?”
She glared at the men who had decided to back off. However, she didn’t lower the sword until she was a safe distance away from them.
She moved toward Avalon but when Amos would have followed her, Avalon held out a hand. “Just the lady.”
Amos clenched his fists.
“No harm will come to her.”
Fleur wasn’t sure Amos was content to let her go without him, but something must have passed between the two men. Honor among thieves perhaps. Either way, Amos narrowed his eyes and said, “Fifteen minutes.”
“That is plenty of time.”
Avalon waited for her and as Fleur cast one last look over her shoulder at Amos, she disappeared into the true lion’s den.
As he started to shut the door behind them, she said, “I would rather it stay open.”
He paused. Lifting a slight brow, he smiled. “As you like.” He remained where he was and looked at the sword in her grasp. “So long as you promise not to run me through with that thing.”
“I won’t, as long as you don’t give me a reason to do so.”
