Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos-Theo 1 (31 page)

"Yes," he said as he closed the door. "I rather imagine you have."

He limped to my desk and lowered himself into the extra chair. "How did you get in here?" I asked.

He lifted one of his bushy eyebrows at me. "My dear, I am the head of a clandestine society of the most highly trained operatives in the country. I should think I could safely make my way to your..."—he glanced around the room—"office."

I leaned forward eagerly. "Did you use the spell Mordecai Quirke talks about in
Black Magic of the Pharaohs
? The one that allows you to pass by people undetected?"

"No. I told the watchman—Flimp, was it?—I was a doctor your parents had consulted." He smiled rather sheepishly. "Now, then. Tell me all about your adventures."

So I did. He listened with rapt attention the whole time, until the end.

"Blast it all!" he said, thumping his cane on the floor in his agitation. "They got clean away?"

"Well, I can't imagine how, what with being stuck to the wall, and broken legs and such. But yes, they did. I'm sorry," I said, hating the bitter taste of failure.

"Oh, I'm sure they had help. Probably had backup nearby. But even so, my dear girl, you've nothing to be sorry about! You served your country in a time of great need. You saved us all. It's just a shame we don't know where they are. It just means we'll have to keep an eye out for them."

"Yes, but you do realize it's not just the Germans they're helping, don't you? Germany is only the beginning. The Serpents of Chaos are intending to reduce the entire world to chaos and then step in and dominate everyone. If we're not careful, the whole world will be at war with itself."

Wigmere sighed deeply. "I knew they had a grand design; I just didn't know what it was. This information will be invaluable as we go forward. How indebted we are to you, I cannot even begin to say. Here. I have something for you." He reached into his coat pocket and fiddled about, then pulled out a tiny silk pouch and handed it to me.

Nearly beside myself with curiosity, I opened the pouch. A stunning gold and lapis beveled ring fell into my hand. "It's just like the one you and Stokes wear!"

"It is. We all felt you earned the right to become an honorary member of the Brotherhood of the Chosen Keepers. You've certainly played your part."

"It's lovely." I sighed in satisfaction as I tried it on. It was small enough so that it fit me perfectly. I looked up at Wigmere. "If I'm an honorary member of the Brotherhood, does that mean I can have one of those tattoos?"

"On a young girl?" Wigmere looked startled, then began to chuckle. "I think not!"

Bother.