An Airship Named Desire (Take to the Skies Book 1) (19 page)

“Have you spotted him at all?” Geoff asked. My heart thudded against my chest in anxiousness from the initial glimpse of Jensen. “Why hasn’t Isabella caught up yet?” Geoff cut through our silence, echoing the worry on both of our minds. Slot machines next to us pinged and jangled, the sounds straining the speakers. The one closest displayed a set of cogs to match different shapes and sizes of brassy clockwork.

I patted my hips, “I don’t like being without my holster and gun with Jensen wandering around here. Isabella took my coin too.”

Geoff lifted his pouch. “I still have mine.” He scanned the room. “Where can we stay the most inconspicuous?”

“The corners are too crowded to get a clear view of the layout. If Isabella is trying to find us, she’d aim for a main location. I pray Jensen didn’t—” I stopped there, and Geoff stared me straight in the eye, worried as hell. Time to change topics. “Where’d your strumpet run off to?” I squinted at a line of women passing by but no Isabella. Geoff grunted. The noise sounded foreign from him.

“Claire’s working. Look, I’m sorry she was rude to you. She, well, she’s had a rough time.”

My temper began to bubble, so I took a couple steps forward. “No time for her big bad sob story.”

“When is the time?” Geoff grabbed my shoulder and turned me in his direction. “Any occasion there’s tension between us, you dodge the conversation. I would like to know when we’ll talk about any of it.”

I placed my head in my hands and dragged my fingers down my face. We were weaponless, on the hunt for Isabella, the traitor roamed through the casino, and he wanted to talk about our relationship now?

My voice lowered to a serious tone. “When we get back to the ship. Once we’re in air with a full crew we can talk—I promise we will. It’s just, since I’m the captain now, the Desire has to come first. I swear to you though, I won’t duck out after this is settled.” A strange look overtook Geoff’s face, and I placed my hands over my hips in defense. “What?”

“Nothing.” His mouth quirked into a half smile. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you so responsible. It looks good on you.” I frowned, opened my mouth, and closed it again. He grabbed my hand and tugged. “Let’s get over to the bar. It’s the central part of this place, and I’d rather be able to see my enemies from afar. Maybe we’ll even stumble into this Mordecai guy.”

I scanned the crowds for a man in a trench coat or our dear gypsy queen. Jensen should have stuck out amidst these well-dressed people, but I hadn’t seen his large form since he first entered the Nautilus. Even loitering around the corners or lining the walls, none of the people matched their general build. I shook off the uncomfortable feeling that Jensen watched us. He could lurk anywhere around this place while he waited to take us out.  And without weapons? I shivered.

Gentlemen strolled around the room smoking cigars and sipping glasses of absinthe from nearby cocktail waitresses. They wore tailcoats, top hats, and some even had monocles, but no trench coats like the Shadow Ward. Ladies slipped into their finest as well, from corseted dresses with full skirts to the field of petticoats some donned. My fairy godmother hadn’t dressed me for this ball, but I wished she’d visit. Clean chemises dwindled, and it’d been an age since I bought a new skirt.

“Why don’t we wait by the bar?” I pointed. “Maybe your girlfriend can score us some free drinks.”

Geoff shook his head. “Alcoholic.”

I threw my hands up. “I can’t help it if I’m bitter over my wasted grog. I fully prepared to enjoy that.”

“Since you bought that round, I’ll treat.” Geoff led the way over to the center of the ship.

The bar lay in the middle of the submarine, a rewired and stripped old control center. Bar hardware covered the old navigational functions, and rounded wooden paneling replaced the button boards. Navy and copper striping overhauled the old-style seats. They were scattered around circular glass tables creating a parlor effect, and cocktail girls delivered the drinks. I spotted Claire behind the bar, mixing a whisky and lemon tonic to take elsewhere. The moment she spotted us, I waved, hopping up and down while in turn she frowned and ignored us.

“All I do is try with that girl.” I clutched my chest with mock dismay. “I don’t know why we’re not best friends yet.”

“I can’t imagine,” Geoff muttered.

“I don’t know.” I kept a serious face. “My personality charms the pants off chipmunks.”

Geoff snorted. We took a seat at the first open table, and I settled back. Since we were out in the open, Isabella could spot us from anywhere in this joint. Unfortunately so could Jensen. I prayed he hadn’t figured a way to smuggle his stupid revolver in.

“What about finding the Shadow Ward?” Geoff sat in his cushy high-backed seat.

“He can find us. At this point, making sure Isabella’s okay is priority. I hate the thought that Jensen might have found her.”

We could have sat around the main bar circle, but I preferred a more comfortable perch at this stage of sleeplessness. Claire sashayed over in our direction. Of course she provided a sweet piece of eye candy with the way her voluptuous curves spilled out of the top and bottom of her tight navy blue dress, while the little sailor hat and heavy makeup accented. She balanced a tray on her palm carrying two cognac glasses filled with the sensual green elixir. Absinthe. I cocked my head to the side and glanced at Geoff. He shrugged.

“Hey, Geoff.” She didn’t offer a glance in my direction, and my temper flared again. “I brought you these.”

“Not that I’m complaining, but we never ordered them.” I swallowed my anger before I continued and pointed out just how little her outfit covered.

She shook her head. “No, they’re on the house. I brought them over for you.” She stared at Geoff, avoiding my gaze. Despite my extreme dislike for the girl, my mouth practically watered for the first sip.

“Thanks Claire.”

She winked at him and strode off with the tray in hand. We picked up our drinks and clinked glasses in a toast. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the monocle-wearing gentleman who spoke with me before sneaking glances in our direction. I wrinkled my nose—not my type.  I hoped our five second chat hadn’t given him the wrong idea.

“That’s the man from earlier.” I pointed over to the bar. “I think he’s after you, boy-o.” Geoff’s grin caused his crooked tooth to poke out before he took a deep sip. I followed suit.

A numb haziness overtook me like the effects of a night’s drinking rolled into one punch, and sweat pricked my neck. I glanced over at Geoff. He’d paled several shades and gripped the table. Over by the bar, the man with the monocle grinned so wide his teeth glinted like a shark’s while several hulking men approached our table from the other direction.  Their suits helped them blend into the crowd, but they strode towards us with a definite direction. They weren’t Morlocks or redcoats—shit.

Our ex-employer.

Chapter Nineteen

“Geoff,” I croaked, “We need to get out fast. That absinthe was drugged.”

His brown eyes flashed, and he followed my careful glance over to the slow moving mercenaries. Stupid. We’d been careless. At this point finding Mordecai or Isabella didn’t matter; we needed a way out of the Nautilus. Jensen wandered through the crowds inside this sub, and he wouldn’t hesitate to kill us. Neither would these mercenaries.

My hand leapt to my missing holster. As I groped the air, panic heated my mind in a sharp, numbing wave. I tilted my head over to the bar, hoping Geoff would understand. The mercs wouldn’t break into open fire, not in a flashy, public venue like this since they’d draw too much attention, and they couldn’t afford that. But whatever they put into our drinks hit with a sucker punch I couldn’t shake off.

We rose from our seats, inching towards the bar. At least behind cover we’d have the chance to mask our movements, however the effects of the drugged absinthe made even walking difficult. My fingers and toes numbed, and I tripped over my clunky feet on the way over. Pins and needles raced along my arms and legs, but we managed a steady pace. Claire noticed us and walked by.

“Don’t tell me that absinthe was too much for you.” She placed her hands on her hips.

“Get out,” I attempted, but the words slurred.

“I work here.” She threw back sass. “I’m not leaving.”

“No, really.” Geoff shook his head. “Get out of the way,” he managed, and we stumbled past her.

Her face darkened. She set her jaw, and tears welled up in her blue eyes, but hurt feelings didn’t matter. If she talked with us, she drew negative attention onto herself. The mercenaries reached our table right as we slid behind the circular bar. Thank the gods too, for the spins struck me like a hammer to the skull. I clutched the polished wooden ledge as my world careened around me. The alluring blues and violets of the murals along the walls whirled around into a spiral of colors. My fingers trembled, and I let go of the ledge.

Geoff caught me before my back slammed against the floor. The pained expression on his pale face mirrored the turbulence in my stomach. 

“We have to keep moving.” He pointed towards the corner slot machines lining the far wall. Their muted jangles echoed in my ears as I followed his gaze towards a side exit. His finger swayed up and down mid-air, but I couldn’t decide if he or my vision wavered.

“Hurry.” I crouched again, and we stumbled over to the slot machines. Not too many patrons paid us attention since drunks commonly bumbled around Reno. I chanced a glance back, but the same men followed us, creeping over to the bar. We entered into some insane predator-prey dance where neither group ran. Running drew too much attention, and the motion would force the poison into our veins faster.

My hands found the chilled metal frame of a slot machine, and I steadied myself. We crept below them, out of sight. The mercs knew our general direction, but this gave us enough cover, so they’d get bogged down in their search. My stomach twisted with the hollowness of a pulped orange. Geoff split into three before me, and sweat trickled into my eye. I tried to bat the liquid away but missed, almost colliding with him when he staggered ahead of me. 

The far wall zoomed before my eyes and darted away again. Feet belonging to patrons meshed into blobs and back into leather before my compromised vision. I shook my head to clear my mind, but the motion sent my world spinning.

We crawled on the floor at a sluggish pace, and each movement sent shudders up my spine. The carpeted floor was a temptation—so springy and soft like a navy blue ocean. I could rest there. A distant voice screamed at me, but my brain barely reacted. Still, the sound irritated me enough to manage another step forward. Walls jumbled before me in an array of blues, yellows, and reds like a stream of paint. The door no longer stood out, and peachy black blobs drifted in my peripheral.

A slap stung my face, and for a brief moment I submerged from the listless pool. Claire’s angry face greeted mine. I needed that wake up and fast because Geoff had collapsed onto the floor. Before the poison dulled my senses again, I seized Geoff by the arms and yanked him onto my back, stumbling forward on what little adrenaline I had left. My surroundings whirled. His body pressed against my back but for some reason felt light as a scarf.

Claire’s voice and shouts of surprise buzzed in the background of my hearing, but none of that mattered because the door loomed in front of us. My feet slapped the floor, and I surged ahead. I ran. Yes, the poison hit me faster, and yes it drew attention, but I didn’t care. The door meant escape. Sounds around me muted to a dull fuzz, and my quickened heartbeat thumped in my ears.

The men behind us could catch up. Didn’t matter. Had to make it to the door, which was blurring before my eyes. Shit. I pushed forward faster, exhausting reserves I didn’t know I had. My body shook, but I tightened my grip around Geoff because I couldn’t afford to lose him. His feet trailed along the ground and snagged, making him even harder to pull along. Breaths faltered, and with each inhale I sucked down sludge. Determination pounded through me with every step I managed. No option. Had to make it.

My shoulder hit the door first, but I didn’t even feel the pain. I threw my body against it and Geoff with me. No result. A bar jutted into my stomach and at first nothing registered. My vision flickered in and out as I threw my hip at the bar. A dull click echoed in my ears, and we tumbled out the door onto the pavement. My senses screamed at me, begging me to run, but the pavement was comfortable. Warm.

My sight snapped away for a moment, before I returned to broad daylight. The sun sent me spinning. Black overtook my vision again, and I lost consciousness.

***

“Takes some time to filter out.” A rich male voice echoed through the room. A hushed female tone accompanied him from somewhere around me. My bearings hadn’t returned yet, and my eyes still crusted shut.

“Shouldn’t be as bad though, right?” A shadow hovered over me, carrying along the faint smell of rose perfume. I recognized her voice. My eyes fluttered open, and I stared at Isabella’s face as relief flooded through me in a balmy torrent. Strands of her light brown hair dangled over me, and her dark eyes softened with concern. When she realized my eyes had opened, she lunged over, wrapping me in a hug.

“You just can’t stay out of trouble.” She pulled back, and a wry grin gripped her face. 

“How’d you find me?” I tested my voice out. It scraped against my throat. Panic skittered through my veins, and I sat up fast. The ex-employer. Jensen. The blood rushed into my brain, and the motion sent a streak of pain through.

“Where’s Geoff?” I croaked.

Isabella gestured to her right. “Asleep on the bed. You’re both okay, but you were drugged. We found you collapsed outside the Nautilus around the time you started running, and those mercenaries gave chase. It caused some noise around the casino, but everything you touch turns to chaos.”

I relaxed, tilting my head. “We?” I asked. Isabella’s lips curved into a smile, and she tossed her gaze back.

“I might have helped a little.” The deep voice sounded behind her. I peered past. He stood by the window under an afternoon sun, and the rays filtered through, lightening his blonde waves. Green eyes flitted in my direction, and his sword poked out from underneath his black trench coat. Mordecai Blacksmith, the Shadow’s Ward.

“How?” I glanced between Isabella and him.

“Please.” She arched a brow. “Mordecai here’s gypsy borne—I knew it the moment he used that sabre. He couldn’t evade me if he tried. He’s agreed to help us find Jensen, for his price of course.” The memory of Jensen entering the Nautilus hit me like a strike to the head.

“Did you find him in there?” My fingers balled into fists. Isabella cocked her head to the side. “Geoff and I saw him enter the Nautilus. When—when we didn’t find you, we were worried he’d caught up with you.” Her jaw dropped.

Mordecai leaned into view. “I believe I may be able to help in your search for him.” 

I pursed my lips and glanced to Isabella. “Where are we getting this coin you promised him?”

“From my winnings of course.” She flashed her teeth with a grin, perching on a dented gray stool.

“You’re some kind of woman.” I sat up in the bed, though my back begged to return to the grip of the thick ivory mattress. Whitewashed walls sparkled under the sunbeams from the window, shifting light causing Geoff to stir from the other bed. He stretched his arms out in front of him, blinked several times, and rolled over onto his side.

“Where are we?” he asked, his voice thick with sleep.

“Not sure myself,” I said. “But Mordecai and Isabella here were kind enough to save us.”

“They slipped valerian lupulus into your drinks. Though the common herb is used as a sedative, a variant of it knocks you out within minutes. I’ve used it myself before and not only by the way you reacted, but the lingering scent on your tongue validated their drug of choice.” Mordecai leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms over his barrel of a chest.

“We should get moving.” I stretched out my legs and cracked my neck. “Jensen’s just going to get further and further away. What happened to those mercenaries chasing us?”

“I wasn’t paying attention.” Isabella shrugged. “It was enough to get you out.” Mordecai frowned at her while her eyes danced away from me.

“Mordecai,” I addressed him. “What happened to those mercs?”

“They took that girl, the one who chased after you. Her and a couple others. I suppose they hoped to get information of your whereabouts.” His mouth formed a tight line after he stopped talking. Geoff clutched fistfuls of the blanket in front of him, and his neck tensed.

“That doesn’t matter,” Isabella said. “They don’t know anything, so they’ll be let go. We can’t afford the time to chase them down, plus we don’t know where they may be.”

“I could find them,” Mordecai said. “For a price of course.”

“It’s a price we can’t afford, darling.” Isabella shook her head. “We have enough for Jensen.” I glanced over to Geoff. His jaw tensed, but the poor boy was too devoted a soldier to argue back about searching for Claire.

“Isabella’s right,” he agreed, although his eyes flashed with contained bitterness. “We can only go after one, and Jensen’s our target. Let’s get moving.”

I flipped the sheets off me and stood. “May I have my holster and piece back?” I asked Isabella who passed them over. As I strapped the familiar weight around my hips, my shoulders relaxed.

“That’s better, I can think now. Ready to hunt?” I turned to Mordecai, and he nodded. “Good, we’re going after those mercenaries.”

Isabella’s eyes narrowed, and Geoff’s mouth dropped.

“I’ll not be having innocents captured on our account. That makes us no better than Jensen, and we need to always keep that distinction clear.” My eyes flashed in irritation at those damned mercenaries for poisoning our draft and jeopardizing our chance to take Jensen down. Giving up our lead on Jensen pained me, especially for someone rude like Claire, but the choice was clear. Mordecai’s green eyes studied me with that birdlike curiosity.

“I know you don’t like leaving people in trouble, but this may be our one shot at Jensen,” Isabella’s tone softened.

“If it comes at the expense of others, I don’t want it.” I placed my hand on my hips since my mind was made up. Geoff snatched up his coin purse from Isabella and strapped on his pistols. “Let’s make this quick folks, because we need to return to the ship. How long have we been asleep? How far could they have gotten?” My eyes focused on the white door, which would have blended into the wall without the brass doorknob. 

“You’ve been asleep for half the day. It’s afternoon.” Mordecai stood, and his head brushed the ceiling. “They took them off west, towards the seedy areas of Reno.”

“Good, closer to the ship.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Do you have an inkling as to where they may have gone?”

“My dear.” A wolfish grin spread over his face. “For a paid customer, of course I do. They don’t call me the Shadow Ward for nothing. They’ll most likely be in the abandoned houses lining the strip from the dock since nobody apart from mercenaries, Morlocks, and cultists go there.” No wonder those streets emptied out at night.

“To the sub-bus we go.” I pointed toward the door but furrowed my brows. “Where are we?”

“No one will return here for a couple days.”  Mordecai glanced to the ceiling. “We’re a couple blocks off the main strip of casinos,” he said, taking the lead. I didn’t ask, just followed. We exited the tenement and rushed along sidewalks teeming with tourists. After three turns down streets I’d never seen before, the sheen of the sub-bus entry glistened at the end of the road. 

We boarded, and I settled back into my weathered seat. As the transport zoomed ahead, Isabella showed off her knives, lifting the pieces on her palm to show the balance while Mordecai nodded in appreciation. He gestured to the sword at his side, but my attention dropped after they began to discuss the sort of smithy needed to make his sabre. Geoff hunched over and stared at the ground.

I placed a hand on his back. “She’ll be safe. This isn’t your fault.”

“I could have ignored Claire on the way in.” He gripped his knees. “She already went through hell on my account. When I boarded with Captain Morris, I’d hit rock bottom. Claire and I had been together, but we were more like street rats binding under hard times than anything I considered real.” The sub-bus stopped, and a destination flashed onto the screen. Geoff’s dark brown eyes distanced.