It wasnt often that Finley got to enjoy the look of someone who thought she was smart. It wasnt that she was dumb, but with Griffin and Emily around it was next to impossible to look intelligent in comparison. Usually her smarts pointed in a different direction. Granted, a more underhanded and violent direction, but it was no less effective. Shed wager Emily didnt know the exact amount of force it took for a punch to break ribs without puncturing the lungs. Or how much stress an arm could take before it snapped. It was a delicate balance that changed with every opponent.
Yes. The dampener seems to be focused exclusively on the duke. I should be able to meet you when you get to the room.
Good. If the metal or ghosts start patrolling Im going to need you to create a diversion.
Of course. Ive got your back.
In the physical realm Finley had to admit that she wouldnt feel exactly confident with Ipsley as her backup. She doubted the dear boy even knew how to throw a punch, but that didnt matter here. Here, Ipsley was more powerful than she could ever hope to be.
Right, here I go, then. Crouched low, she darted from the hedge where they had hidden and raced toward the mansion. It was a strange feeling, running without feeling an increase in her heart rate, or the in and out of her breath. She was dead, for all intents and purposes, and the dead didnt breathe or have a pulse. And yet, she had to climb the house because she had no other idea of how to get to where Griffin was. She certainly couldnt just wish herself by his side the way Ipsley should have been able to doher mind didnt allow for that sort of thing.
However, her mind knew full well her physical capabilities, and she capitalized on that confidence. Her foot came up on a lower windowsill and she vaulted up, catching hold of a low balcony. She easily pulled herself up and then hopped up onto the balustrade. From there she easily found another handhold in the brick. It was as easy as scaling King House.
Suspicion teased the edges of her mind. What if she was walking into a trap? Surely a man as smart as The Machinist would have made his fortress difficult to climb? What if Garibaldi was omnipotent in this realm and already knew what she was going to do before she did? What if she got to that room and Griffin wasnt there? Or worse, what if The Machinist had already destroyed him, leaving just enough of him for her to find?
She paused, and for a moment, entertained the thought of running back to Ipsley, but then she continued her climb. Fear was sometimes a good thing, but not in this case. She shoved it aside, tightened her grip on the stone and pulled. Garibaldi was smart in the same way that Griffin and Emily were smart. He could easily suppose what action people would take. He was not, however, a physical being. He might expect someone like her or Sam to start a fight, to punch their way in, but he wouldnt expect someone to climb his house barehanded. He was probably prepared for a dirigible assault, but shed wager the windows werent even locked.
Eventually, she made it to the window. It took a bit of a shove to open it as it wassurprisinglylatched. That was the extent of the security. She didnt even see something to rouse an alarm if the window was opened.
So, maybe Garibaldi wasnt so smart after all, because Finley was pretty certain even she could come up with something better than an ordinary latch.
She slipped her legs over the windowsill and slipped into the room. It was austerelike a hospital ward only not as inviting. She wouldnt keep an animal in this place. There was one window, a bare lightbulb, and a huge machine near the bed from which wires and tubes ran. The engine hummed, vibrating through the floor so that she could feel it in the soles of her feet.
There was an old bed, and Griffin was strapped to it. She ran to him, falling hard on her knees beside the bed. She grabbed his handthe manacle around his wrist had left bruises.
He looked awful. He looked as though hed been gone days rather than hours. Stubble covered his jaw, and his thick hair was an unruly mess. There were dark circles beneath his eyes. Still, he was the finest thing Finley had ever seen. Tears burned her eyes and she didnt care to stop them from falling.
Griffin, she whispered, before pressing her lips to his.
His eyelashes fluttered, then opened. His familiar gaze was cloudy and unfocused. That was when she noticed the wires connected to his head and chest. And there were runes etched into the irons that held himrunes much like those tattooed on his skin as well as her own. Hed used themand ink made from Organites to help bind the two sides of her personality. Garibaldi used them now in some sort of incantation to imprison him, and probably drain him of power.
Fin?
Tears spilled down her cheeks as she set her cheek against his chest. Youre alive.
For now, came the hoarse whisper. Fin, you cant be here.
Her head jerked up, tears drying up. Dont you dare start in on that nonsense. Im here to save you, Griffin King, and Im not leaving the Aether without you.
Hes locked me here. I cant escape. I cant even summon the Aether. Hes won.
Dont say that.
As long as he has me, he wont bother you.
Youre an idiot, she informed him. And I am so pissed at you for asking me to leave you. How dare you! Aside from that, Garibaldi will come for each of us before hes done with you, just to make you suffer a little bit longer.
I know, but if you leave me it will give you more time to prepare, to figure out how to beat him.
Bollocks. This ends now. I dont care how we have to do it, but I didnt die just to have you tell me to give up. Am I making myself perfectly clear?
A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Ive missed you.
No more tears. Theyd had their chance. I miss you, too.
How did you get here? You didnt really die, did you?
It would be an absurd conversation under different circumstances. Tesla suitwith some modifications. How do I get you out of these restraints?
Hes using my own abilities against me. Remove the connections from my head and chest and the shackles should open themselves.
Finley reached up to remove the wires from his head. The first one came away with blood on it. Griffin... Her stomach rolled.
The connectors were in him.
I know, he whispered. Just do it, love.
Fingers trembling, she pulled another freeand saw him wince. I cant do this.
You can, he insisted. If you want to free me you have to. Its not that bad. Keep going.
He was a horrible liar, but one thing he said was trueif she wanted to free him she had to do this. When she got a hold of Garibaldi she was going to kick his arse so hard hed spend the rest of eternity spinning in circles. Gritting her teeth, she reached for another wire, and then another and another.
Finally, she had removed them all. Just as Griffin predicted the shackles clicked open. It was her turn to wince when she saw his battered ankles and wrists. Blood trickled down his naked chest and dripped down his face. She wiped at the sticky mess with the sheet from the bed.
I want to kiss you but we have to leave, he said. Now.
She stood and helped him off the bed. He was so weak he had to lean on her. She had carried him before and didnt mind doing so again, but the sight of him weakened cut deep into the meat of her. They made their way toward the window, where Ipsley suddenly appeared.
Good to see you, Your Grace, he said. Miss Jayne, I found someone
Later, she cut him off. Garibaldi has to know were here by now. No sooner had the words left her mouth than the door to the room flew open and in walked the man himself.
In life Garibaldi had been a fairly attractive man of Italian descent with a metal hand and a mind ravaged by revenge and madness. In death he was perhaps even more handsome, but in a dark and sinister manner. He was dressed impeccably in a black frock coat, black trousers and black boots. Only his cravat had color and it was a dark, rich red.
How wonderful, he said, his voice deeper and louder than she remembered. Guests! I must admit, I had hoped you would come but doubted you would be able to make such hopes a reality. Miss OBrien is one intelligent little girl.
Of course he would give all the credit to Emily. That was fineEmily was brilliant. But didnt Finley deserve some praise for being the one reckless enough to hop into a death suit and cross over to save the bloke she loved?
Oh, God. She loved Griffin. While not a new thought, the depth of meaning behind it finally hit her. She loved him. As in loved him more than her own life. Loved him more than biscuits or hot chocolate. She loved him so much that shed risked her life for him and hadnt even thought of how her own death might pain her mother and stepfather. She hadnt thought of anything but saving him.
This puffed up rooster was not going to have him.
Ipsley, Finley said, not taking her eyes off Garibaldi. Some help here.
Before the medium could even reply, Garibaldi raised his hand and sent a blast of energy spiraling at him, knocking him out the window.
Finley, run, Griffin commanded, struggling to hold himself upright. His eyes began to glow faintly with blue power. It wasnt going to be enough. He wasnt strong enough to face The Machinist, and the villain had filled himself up on Griffins power.
No, she replied, standing at his side, letting him lean on her. Im not leaving without you.
How touching! Garibaldi grinned at them. And youre right, Miss Jayne. Youre not leaving. Ever. He tossed a bolt of energy at her. She barely managed to dodge in time and the heat of it brushed her hair. She could smell the burn.
Griffin fired back, but his aim was off and the bolt struck the wall by Garibaldis head. He laughed. Finley had never wanted to kill anyone so much in her entire lifenot even Lord Felix. She looked around for something to throw at him or use as a weapon or shield.
The light around Garibaldis hands grew even hotter and brighter. If he hit herand he most likely wouldit was really going to hurt. She didnt fool herself that hed kill her so quickly. She pulled Griffin toward the window. We have to get out of here.