Oh, I dont think so. Garibaldi fired again, and just as Finley braced herself for the blow, putting herself between him and Griffin, she was grabbed by a pair of strong hands and propelled closer to the window. A man held up an odd-looking shield that seemed to absorb Garibaldis blast.
Damn you, Thomas! The Machinist shouted.
Thomas? Finley glanced at their savior as he shoved both her and Griffin out the window. Good God, it couldnt be... Then, he looked at her as they plummeted toward the ground, and she knew for certain who he was.
Her father.
Falling. It felt a lot like flying.
Garibaldi watched them from the window as they plummeted to the ground. He smiled at Griffineven raised his hand in farewell. It wasnt over between them, not by any stretch of the imagination. It wouldnt be over until one of them was destroyed completely.
The fall seemed to take forever even though the wind tore through his hair, and The Machinist fell away. Griffin could still see his enemy so clearly, was aware of so much around him, as though time had slowed. Was this how it felt to be Jasper?
He should have told Finley about her father, but there hadnt been time. Should have prepared her. Thank God Thomas had come back when he did. When hed disappeared Griffin had thought Garibaldi had something to do with itthat the villain was onto them. He was now.
He wasnt a violent person, but hed like to kick Garibaldis smug smile off his face. He couldnt even feel the Aether. Damn it, where was it? It was all around him, why couldnt he feel it?
Let go, whispered a voice.
Griffin turned his head. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the ground rushing up to meet him, but somehow they were still miles above it. There, in the forefront of his vision was a beautiful young woman. He recognized her immediatelyshe was his mother. She smiled that serene smile he always associated with times hed been naughty in a way that amused her.
Just let go, she told him. Let it all go.
He frowned. How could she tell him to do that when Garibaldi was such a threat? Or did she mean that he should let go of life and die? That would make sure Finley was protected, wouldnt it? No, but it would make it easier for him to fight Garibaldi.
God, he didnt want to let go. He didnt want to say goodbye to his friends, to Finley. He would, though, if he had to. Drawing a deep breath, Griffin closed his eyes and waited. He waited for death.
Then he hit the ground and there was nothing.
Finley had no memory of her father, but she had seen photographs of him. In an odd twist of fate, most of those photographs had been in Griffins possession as Thomas had worked for the former duke as something of a chemist. It was that partnership that eventually led to her father inventing a potion that was supposed to bring out a mans full potential, but instead brought out an aggressive nature. Finley was conceived while her father tested the elixir on himself, and the mutation was passed on from father to daughter. Thomas was led to his death during one of his episodes by Leonardo Garibaldi. He was shot to death in the street by police who thought he was some sort of lunatic.
Shed only learned the truth about her birth and his death since taking up with Griffin. Prior to that shed simply thought of herself as a freak, with a monstrous side to her nature that couldnt be controlled. When her mother revealed the reality of it to her, it had been something of a relief to know that it hadnt been her own fault that she was different. And then Griffin had helped her with the rest.
She looked a lot like her father, Finley realized. He was tall and lean and his eyes were the same amber color as hers. It was odd that he looked so much younger than her mother, but then hed been dead for almost fourteen years.
There were so many things she wanted to ask him, not the least of which was how had they managed to escape Garibaldi. One second they were falling out a window and the next they were sitting in a comfortable drawing room with no windows. Griffin had lost consciousness and any questions vanished in the shadow of her concern for him. She sat on the sofa with his head in her lap, running her fingers through his hair as he slept, and looked around.
The room was comfortable, though a bit on the small side. The walls were dark green paper and oak panels, and the floors were highly polished slabs of wood covered with elegant carpets. Nothing fussy or the least bit feminine. There was a photograph of her on the mantel from when she was a baby, and another more recent one that she didnt remember having taken sat in a frame on the writing desk. Maybe the dead didnt need cameras or film. Maybe they could just capture a moment whenever they wanted. She turned to her father; he fidgeted under her gaze.
Id offer you tea, Thomas said, but its not as though thered be any sustenance gained from it. He looked uncomfortable, as though he didnt know what to say, but couldnt stop staring at her. This probably wasnt how hed intended for them to meet.
What is that thing? she asked, pointing at the shield hed used against The Machinist.
Absorption shield, he replied simply. It does just what the name implies, takes and stores Aetheric energy.
Did you make it? Griffin inquired, his eyes still closed.
Finley started. She hadnt known he was awake. She tried to withdraw her fingers from his hair, but he reached up and touched her hand. She went back to combing.
I did construct it, yes, Thomas admitted. Come to think of it, why dont you sit up there, son. Lets see if we can redirect her and give your batteries a bit of a boost. You might want to move, Finley, my girl.
A peevish part of her wanted to inform him that she wasnt his girl because hed gone and gotten himself murdered before she even knew his face, but she kept her silence. Instead, she gently lifted Griffins head so she could scoot out from under him and step aside. She stayed close, however, just in case he needed her.
Finley watched as her father lifted the shield, directed it at Griffin and then slid a lever on the back. A low buzzing sound came from the device, then it turned into a crackle as blue light danced along the polished surface. A bolt of pure, gorgeous energy shot from the shield straight into Griffins chest. He jerked back on the sofa. She jumped toward him, but then she saw the bruises on his wrists begin to fade and the holes from the wires on his chest shrink a little. The darkness beneath his eyes faded some, as well.
Its all right, Finley, Thomas said. It will heal him.
How? she demanded. If hed been wrong he could have killed Griffin. She didnt relish the idea of breaking her own fathers face. I thought absorbing too much Aether was dangerous for him.
Having no place for it to go is whats dangerous, but taking it in? No, that just feeds his talent.
She sat down beside Griffin, and placed her hand on his arm. His shirt hung open, revealing his healing chest. She fastened the buttons to keep him warm. It wasnt much, but it made her feel helpful. How do you feel?
Better. He looked at her father. I owe you a debt, sir.
Thomas waved a long hand. You owe me nothing. Youve been good to my daughter, and thats worth a fortune to me.
What was she supposed to say to that? The man obviously loved her, and she knew that on some level she loved him, as well, but they didnt know each other, not at all. And she wasnt certain how much they could trust him. Thus far, everything and everyone shed encountered in the Aether had been malevolent.
Why are we still here? she asked. We got you away from Garibaldi.
Getting away from him isnt enough, Griffin explained. If I leave now, hell only come for me again, and hed come for you, too.
She stared at him. Dont tell me you plan to stay here?
He wasnt the least bit intimidated by her, blast him. I do intend to stay here, until Ive destroyed Garibaldi once and for all. I could use your help, Mr. Sheppard.
Of course, Your Grace. As soon as Finley returns to the living world I would be more than happy to assist in any way I can. Garibaldi is a monster that must be stopped. He thinks hes God now.
Of course, Your Grace. As soon as Finley returns to the living world I would be more than happy to assist in any way I can. Garibaldi is a monster that must be stopped. He thinks hes God now.
Hes more powerful that he ought to be, Griffin remarked. Obviously hes been working toward this for some time.
Im not returning anywhere, Finley informed them both. Im staying right here and Im helping in any way I can.
Griffin turned to her. She hated how tired he looked. How defeated. Having you somewhere safe while all this is going on would give me peace of mind, Fin.
But Im not safeyou said that yourself. So long as Garibaldi exists in any plane, hell hunt for us. Im not going to sit around and wait for him to come for me. Im fighting himwith you. She looked at her father. With you, as well. Shame on you for thinking you could just show up and dismiss me.
Thomas shook his head, but there was a smile on his face. I suppose Id hoped you were more like your mother than me in regards to this sort of thing.
Garibaldi took you from me. Her voice shook with anger. Hes trying to take Griffin. I take both of those things very seriously. Personally. Not to mention that all the fantasies shed ever had about what shed say if she somehow met her father had played out completely differently than this. She couldnt even enjoy it. Couldnt ask him all the things she wanted to know, because of bloody Garibaldi. God, she didnt even completely believe he was good! Part of her wanting to stay was so she could protect Griffin from him if necessary.
All right, her father capitulated. You have as much right to take part in this as we do.
But not him, she pointed at Ipsley, who had been quiet all along. You need to tell Sam and Emily not to bring me out unless its absolutely necessary. And then you need to stay out of Garibaldis way. This isnt your fight.
Perhaps not, the medium agreed, but Im in it, regardless.