The Girl with the Windup Heart - Kady Cross 12 стр.


One thing Jack had taught her was that people liked moneyand theyd do almost anything to get it. Stealing was a concept she understoodmachines took what they needed to improve or enhance themselves without much thought to the consequences, unless the outcome lacked logic. Money was necessary, and people might very well try to steal hers. She hid part of the money in one of her boots, another bit in a secret pocket inside her corset, and the smallest amount in the little purse tucked inside her jacket. Then, she set a derby hat on her head, swung her valise over her shoulder and headed for the door. She didnt stop to look back at the room that had been her home for the past couple of months. If she looked back she wouldnt leave.

And she had to leave, otherwise Jack may as well set her on a shelf and let her collect dust. She wouldnt put it past him to pack her up like a doll. Shed been boxed up once, and the idea of having it done to her again was terrifying. So dark and close and lonely. There was a world out there and she wanted to see it. She needed to see it.

And she needed Jack to realize that hed done the one thing he swore hed never dohed hurt her. He had said that hed always be there for her, and now she understood that hed meant that like a father to a child, not as a man to a woman, or even a friend to a friend.

Downstairs she was intercepted by Mrs. Brooks. The older woman looked as though shed just been taken out of a box, she was so neat and tidy. Mila hadnt looked that creaseless when she came out of her crate.

Going somewhere, dear? There was an edge of alarm in her voice. Of course she was surprised. Other than the odd outing with Jack, Mila had never left the house unaccompanied before.

Say no, whispered a voice in her head. Ask for some cake and tea, and then go back upstairs where its safe and familiar. Im leaving.

The womans eyes widened as color...drained from her face. When should I tell Mr. Dandy youll return?

Mila forced a smile. I dont expect to return, Mrs. Brooks. You may tell him that.

But...I dont understand, child. The woman wrung her hands. Has he been cruel to you? Has he done you ill?

He hasnt hurt menot intentionally. How did she explain when she didnt quite understand herself? He doesnt see menot as I am.

Mrs. Brooks nodded as though she understood. In fact, a small smile curved her thin lips as her posture visibly relaxed. Ah. And you hope your leaving will give him a little perspective, is that it?

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Mrs. Brooks nodded as though she understood. In fact, a small smile curved her thin lips as her posture visibly relaxed. Ah. And you hope your leaving will give him a little perspective, is that it?

Perspective, Mila repeated, impressed. Thats a very good word, Mrs. Brooks.

Thank you, my dear. Is there anyplace I should send the mister if he gains perspective quickly?

I... No, she confessed. Im not sure where it is Im going.

The woman with drew a pencil and paper from her apron and wrote upon it. My sister owns a boardinghouse for young ladies near Covent Garden. This is the direction. Can you read, child?

Yes. It came out a little defensive. And then, with a little too much pride she added, Five different languages. She didnt know how she knew them, she just did. Unfortunately, she only knew the words that she had already seen. It was as though she had a built-in translator engine, so that as soon as she learned a word in English, she learned it in her other languages.

Plenty of jobs open to young ladies who know languages. You could become a governess. Mrs. Brooks offered her the paper with the address written on it. There are also those who would take advantage. You will be careful, wont you?

The concern in the housekeepers face made Milas throat tight. I will, thank you. She tucked the paper into her pocket. Please dont tell him where Ive gone. Unless...unless he seems to miss me very terribly.

There was a name for the expression Mrs. Brooks wore. It was...sympathy. Of course. You be a good girl and go straight to that address so I dont have to worry about you out there all alone, you hear?

Yes, maam.

All right. Her tone held an edge of acceptance, as though she believed she could have stopped her if she wanted. Silly, sweet woman. Take care of yourself. Keep your head up and your eyes open.

Maybe the woman was right to feel sorry for her, Mila thought as she walked out of the house, into the late-afternoon drizzle. She turned her collar up against the damp and cold and started walking in the direction of Covent Garden. Jack had taken her twice to the theater there, so she knew the way.

Mrs. Brooks obviously believed Jack would look for her. Would miss her. Maybe he would. Maybe hed be glad to find her gone. Glad to wash his hands of her. It didnt matter. This wasnt about Jack. Jack wasnt her entire world, or rather he oughtnt be. No, it wasnt about Jack at all. It was about her. About finding out who she was, about being something more than a bit of metal wrapped in a flesh suit once intended to house a madmans brain.

It was about relying on herself rather than the charity of others. It was about being the girl she wanted to be.

And if Jack Dandy didnt miss her, then she was better off without him.

Death was not what Finley thought it would be.

First of all, there was a decided lack of angels, heavenly choirs and bright light. In fact, the Aether was fairly grayas if everything wore a layer of ash. It wasnt depressing, but rather ethereal-looking. It was like walking through a dream, complete with mist swirling about her feet.

Shed never been here in a proper manner before. Always shed been connected to Griffin somehoweven if it was simply being in the same room. Those times shed been aware of the real world lurking beyond the veil, but not this time. No layers, just the Aether, and it was as real as the living world.

One moment shed been in Ems lab, and now she was standing on a cobblestone path that wound through a forest dappled with silvery sunlight. Or maybe it was moonlight; it was difficult to tell. Regardless, it was beautiful and peaceful, so she wasnt the least bit afraid. Most people didnt get the opportunity to discover the secrets of this place while they were still alive. It was somewhat mollifying to realize that the realm of the dead was a welcoming place, rather than a frightening one.

But Garibaldi didnt know she was there yet. Thered be plenty of time for fear once he did, she reckoned. Griffin wasnt the only one he enjoyed hurting, and she had no doubt hed love to play with her, as well. The knowledge of that did not deter her. Let The Machinist come. If he was after her then he couldnt be torturing Griffin, so shed take him on anytime. Unfortunately, she needed to do more than think about the bounder in order to find him. She clenched her jaw and took a step forward. She had no idea how long it was going to take to find Griffin and no idea how much time the Tesla suit would give her.

The suit hadnt made the trip with her, which was odd. A warm breeze drifted across her face as she walked. It was like a pleasant summer evening in the Aether, not at all cold as shed thought it would be. She was perfectly comfortable in her boots, stockings, dress and corset. Death was supposed to be cold, wasnt it? Garibaldi deserved someplace cold and dark. Unforgiving and bleak.

As she walked, she caught glimpses through the treesof what appeared to be little houses with lights on inside. People moved about in front of open windows, some dancing, some laughing or running. Some simply stared out at the forest. What were they looking at, or for? She couldnt tellshe couldnt see their eyes, or even much of their shadowed faces.

She came around a turn in the path. A lone bird sang mournfully from the forest. There were no houses visible herejust the narrow road surrounded by dense, lush trees. A girl in a long white dress sat on a low stone wall weeping, face in her hands. Her bare feet were dirty and rested on the nest of moss covering much of the wall.

Are you all right? Finley asked, then felt stupid. It was obvious the girl was not all right. She shouldnt have stopped to ask. She had to find Griffin.

The girl lifted her head at the exact second that Finley realized something wasnt right. Those werent tears running through her fingers, it was bloodblood that leaked from the raw, gaping holes where her eyes had once been.

Bugger me! Finley cried, jerking back when bloody hands reached out to her.

You dont belong here, Finley Jayne, the girl crooned. Go back to the breathing world, little mouse, before the big bad wolf comes calling.

Finley scowled at her. She didnt like being frightened, and she liked the things that frightened her even less. Im not afraid of Garibaldi, and Im not afraid of you.

Now it was the girl who frowned. Her dark brows pulled low over the glistening pits of her eye sockets. A trickle of blood dribbled by the corner of her mouth there were stitches sticking out of her lips, like jagged little whips. I dont know who Garibaldi is, but I know who the wolf is, and he wants you. She glanced over her shoulder. Could she actually see even though her eyes were gone? Hes coming. Run, mousey, run.

Her heart pounded in agitation, not fear. That was what Finley told herself. Let him come. But she moved onward. She wasnt afraid to meet this wolf, but she wasnt about to stand around and wait for him to show up, not when Griffins life hung in the balance.

As she walked away, she heard the dead girl behind her chanting, Run. Run. Run. Run. It was so very tempting to do just that, but shed rather be boiled alive than admit fear. Still, she quickened her step just a bit. Bit of a creeper, that girl. The memory of those missing eyes was going to haunt her sleep for a long time.

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If she made it out of the Aether alive, that was.

The cobblestone path eventually led to a curved, moss-covered stone bridge that crossed a glossy river. Water as clear and bright as polished diamond danced over rocks that looked as though they were chunks of chiseled obsidian. Finley stepped onto the bridge and didnt pause to look over the side into the water. She didnt want to know what was in it.

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