I told them about the morgue and Dr. Cage, then shared Emaline’s story, leaving out her name, but emphasizing Brach’s ability to snatch souls from the Meadows. “If Henry had moved on, his body would have started to decay. And if he’d simply passed to the Strata on his own, he’d have found his way back to the Iron Horse.”
Lakshmi glanced at the venue steps. “You think Brach’s holding Henry in the Strata, then.”
“Brach had Henry killed,” I said. “He knew exactly when and where Henry’s soul would reach the Meadows.”
Church leaned out over his cane. “But why would Brach keep Henry’s soul?”
“I don’t know.” I hitched up my catalyst pack. “But our friend is alive and has no physical body to return to. There’s also a mature wraith killing musicians—a wraith that could help us renew the ward if we can bind it. And Brach is almost certainly behind both.”
“Man, this dude’s like a fart in the shower,” Chuey said. “So, what’s our plan?”
I told them about my meeting request with Brach. “The way I see it, we’ve got even more to push him on. Get him to reveal something about the assassination and this musician-killing wraith. Hell, summoning a mature wraith is by itself a violation of Precedent, right?”
Lakshmi nodded. “A high crime, at that.”
“It’s bold, Jack,” said Church. “But be mindful that your chancery trial is tonight at midnight. Westminster Hall, Medieval Stratum.”
I’d almost forgotten. Some of the most influential and frightening people in the history of London would be my judges. Any other time I’d have killed to meet them. Now it was time I didn’t have, wasted defending laughable charges. “They’re going to challenge that Henry gave me the Iron Horse. Pin his death on me. Blame me for the wraith. Meanwhile people are being killed, and the ward is failing?—”
Chuey snapped his fingers. “It’s a stall. Court gabbers do it all the time.
This Brach cat is just trying to jam you up until the ward runs out.”
Lakshmi nodded. “I’m afraid that’s probably true. Brach will reasonably establish motive and opportunity. It’ll be enough for the Strata Chancery to hold you.”
“Which makes our meeting with Brach that much more important,” I said. “We’ve either got to prove it was Brach or renew the ward before he can stick me in a box. Either way, we need to rattle him for information. And if we can get him to reveal where Henry is?—”
Church raised his cigar. “Henry would be proof of Brach’s crime as well as our best bet at finding and binding this musical wraith.”
I touched my nose. “Exactly.”
I texted Emaline. We’re coming to see Brach now. I was about to head for the Steps when I heard nervous chatter from the crowd on the pub side. The ward was collapsing on them, same as the rest of us, and they didn’t know what was going on. They had a right to know. This was their place, too.
I led the others through the curtain into the pub. All my friends were there—Ella, Westy, the Parley twins, other regulars, and the new folks, too, Sherzer, Delain, Loch, and Darnell.
“Excuse me, may I have your attention for a minute?” The Iron Horse grew quiet.
I told them about Brach and the war he intended to wage against the topside world. Some seemed already to be aware.
“I know Church told you that Henry asked me to carry on for him.” I glanced at Henry’s spot at the bar. “I’m doing my best to make good on it. Obviously, no one will ever replace Henry. But I love the Horse, just
like I love all of you. And I promise you this: I’m not leaving, and I’m not giving up. If I go down, I go down fighting.”
My father had spoken that way more often than I cared to remember. I’d never understood it, until now. But despite his conviction and willingness to die for his Westmont home, he let me choose whether I’d follow him down. Or not.
“We have a plan to keep the Iron Horse the way it is,” I said, “to keep ourworldthe way it is. But before it’s over, we mayhave to defend this place, and I don’t want anyone getting pulled into a fight without having a say. Because the deeper I get into this thing, the more likely I think it is that I may not make it through.”
In the silence that followed, Chuey raised his fingers in the metal salute. A moment later, Lady did the same. Then Church. Then Lakshmi. Before long, everyone in the bar had their horns up. Their support made my skin tingle the way a beautiful song did. Better than any performance ovation I’d ever gotten.
Cassius put a heavy hand on my shoulder. “That is a good many hands willing to fight for your third option, Jack.”
No one cheered or applauded. But the feeling we all shared was like the night when Chuey introduced me to the music. And that was a great thing after watching them lose Henry and Jimmy, and all the other worries they’d endured the last few days. Then my friends just went to work—sharpening knives, replacing spent candles, practicing defensive moves Loch had shown them.
Church tapped his cane on the floor. “All belt and braces, are we.” “Loch, Darnell,” I said, “will you be sure anyone who doesn’t have a weapon gets one, and understands the basics?” Loch tipped his top hat. Darnell nodded.
“Now,” I said, “let’s go get some answers from the bastard responsible for this whole mess.”
We returned to the venue side, unlatched the hatch to the stairs, and descended the Steps. “There’s just one thing I need to take care of first . . . but it’s on the way.”
