Her heart soared. Finally, good news. But she needed to tell him what she had seen. She chewed on her cheek. If she told him, he might decide to go back to the ship. Nevertheless, he needed to know.
“Lieutenant, while you were in the records room, Mr. Burke came in.”
He frowned. “What did he want?”
“He didn’t see me. But he watched you in the records room for a while, then left.”
With a shake of his head, Lieutenant Caldwell continued across the room. “Earlier, he had the nerve to ask if he could come along. I told him to stay on the ship.” A scowl twisted his lips. “He’s proving more trouble than he’s worth.”
She shifted her weight, crossing her arms around her middle. “Something about him feels off.”
“He’s letting his anger toward Thorne cloud his judgment. I’ll have a stern talk with him later.”
But it wasn’t just grief or rage. Josephine could feel it deep in her bones—the crawling unease she felt around him, how her instincts had screamed when his gaze swept past. There was something more in him, something dangerous.
She took a steadying breath and forced a smile. They had an address to hunt down. Later, after they had their answers, she could worry about Burke and his spying.
“Let’s go find our answers.” Lieutenant Caldwell guided her out into the afternoon sun. He unfolded a sheet of parchment and pointed to the rough sketch of a map he’d drawn. “It’s not far from here.”
The air hung heavy around them, clinging to their skin as they walked in silence. As the blocks passed, the sounds of the city faded beneath the weight of her thoughts. Her key may very well unlock the information the lieutenant needed to capture Thorne. The possibility quickened her pulse.
“This is it.”
He’d slowed and Josephine jerked her head up. She wrung her hands together as she stared. “Are you sure?”
The house loomed like a hollowed shell, set back from the narrowstreet. Choked by creeping ivy, its shutters hung crooked on bricks faded by wind and rain. Josephine’s skin prickled as she took it in—the slanted roofline, the shattered panes, the overgrown grass hiding the path. It looked forsaken. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides as they stepped onto the sagging porch, weathered boards groaning under their feet. Above the door, a Latin inscription had been carved into stone.
Societas vitae umbrarum.
She squinted at it. “The Society of Shadow Life. Or perhaps Life in Shadows.”
He gave her an appreciative glance. “Someone was paying attention in school. Good thing because I never bothered.”
She gave a shaky laugh. “This is about the only time in my life it’s proved useful.”
“And I’m glad for it.” Warmth flowed through his words and her pulse jumped again. He reached for the doorknob, giving it a shake. “Locked.”
Josephine’s hand rose to the ribbon at her neck. “My key?”
He shook his head. “No, it’s a different type of lock. Stand back.” With a grunt, he threw his shoulder into the door. It flew open, sending him tumbling inside, his arms flailing.
Rubbing his shoulder, he raised a brow. “Well. That was a lot easier than I expected.”
She couldn’t help a giggle. “Or maybe you’re just that strong?”
He shot her a lopsided grin that sent a flutter through her chest. “I like that theory.”
“Wait here.” He ducked inside, leaving her alone on the porch. She twisted, eyes scanning the empty street and jumped when he popped his head out. “All clear.”
She hurried in, eyes adjusting to the dim light. The scent of mildew and dust hung heavy in the air, and she fought back a reflexive cough. Blinking, she took in the room. The wallpaper—once patternedin elegant swirls—peeled in long, curling strips, exposing raw plaster beneath. At the far end of the room, an ancient fireplace, choked with soot and cobwebs, held a pair of abandoned candlesticks, their wax melted and hardened into twisted stumps. But it was the mirror that drew her attention. It dominated the wall across from her, its silver backing speckled and faded. Her reflection stared back, ghostlike in the dim light, and unease curled low in her belly.
Something was wrong.
A moment later, the lieutenant put it to words. “There’s nothing here.” He dropped to his knees, rubbing a finger across the dusty floorboards and pointed to a bare spot. “Someone’s been through before us.”
She bent. Though several footprints were visible, a fresh layer of dust had already gathered. “Not recently.”
He lifted his head to meet her gaze. “You’re right.”
