“I do not mean to be a bother, but could we head home soon? I would like to feed before my shift if it is possible,” she bit her lip, her gaze briefly darting to Phoebe.
“Ah, yes. I forgot. After this block, we can head back,” I assured her.
She smiled and nodded at me, holding my arm and resting her head against my shoulder as we walked. She was a gentle soul, a golden heart. Unlike myself, Edith was one of those people who would give even a rabid bear a second chance.
8
THE CREATURE
The steam engine hissed, the metal whining and creaking as it settled like the industrial beast that it was. I could practically taste the coal in the air, the carbon burning the roof of my mouth.
Out of all things, smoke should be the least irritating, but for some reason, the steam engines were overpowering. Maybe it was the buildup of whatever else they burned in their furnaces to make these mammoths go forward. At least cigars and cigarettes attempted to hide some of that tar with cocoa and cedar.
The platform bustled with passengers, passing us left and right as they filtered into the doors of the station to relieve themselves of the frigidity between platforms.
“You do not pay me to be your footman.” Luka placed our suitcases down beside us with little care.
“I could pay you enough to be anything I wanted, greedy thing. Are you too weak to carry another bag?” I glanced at him.
“Do not be unpleasant; it is too early.” Luka adjusted his fur-lined jacket. “Are we ready for the hotel?”
“There should be a coach in front of the station. Should not be too much longer to travel.”
“Will you look for her tonight?”
“No. It can wait for tomorrow.” I was hesitant to give him any more details than that. While he knew not to touch her and there was seemingly no ill-will toward her for the marks she had left on him, I couldn’t help but be cautious.
“I still have not received word from Detective Moore. His assistants gave us the address, but I have yet to hear more about his findings from the horse’s mouth himself.”
“How odd. Relay to his assistant where we are staying in case he decides to crawl from whatever tavern he’s inevitably holed up in.”
I checked my timepiece.
If I could distract him for just a couple of hours, I could make headway on finding her and settle this wager of ours.
Upon our arrival at the hotel, bellhops trotted around and took our things before much notice could be granted. We were given our room keys—two keys for twoseparaterooms. I needed space from my irritating travel partner.
I preferred the company of the bar rather than my room, as an empty room was not good for a brewing mind. My mood was becoming more unstable the more visions ofherseeped deep into the cracks of my skull.
The bar was decently populated for a weekday and full of interesting company. The light from the bar illuminated the bottles and counter, fading anything in my peripheral vision into darkness.
The tender opened his mouth to ask me to pick my poison, but I was already pointing to the top shelf.
“Bourbon. Any of them.” I propped an elbow on the countertop to rest my head in my hand.
“Are you celebrating?” a timid voice asked.
I followed the sound to a petite woman. She had curly blond hair that was gathered neatly in some elaborate knot. Her eyes were a deep green that reminded me of a summer forest. Pretty, no doubt, but I was in no mood forthatkind of company.
“Yes, celebrating,” I muttered as a drink was poured before me and the bottle placed neatly beside.
“Is it too forward to ask the occasion?” She took a seat next to me.
“I am not buying.”
“And I am not selling.” She frowned. “Just a curious patron.”
“Aren’t there a handful of idioms about the danger of being nosy?”
