The Serpent's Curse by Lisa Maxwell (read an ebook week .TXT) 📕

could not stop himself from smiling as he felt the wind cutting against him, the Book anchoring him. “And those who are not worthy…” He withdrew the red blossom from his lapel and crushed it in his palm as he leaned out, holding his arm far over the edge.

“Jack…,” Theo warned, his eyes growing wider.

“We’ve designed these chambers with every attention to security. Walls within walls, chambers within chambers, each with fail-safes. If an intruder manages to get into the Mysterium this time?” Jack let the petals drop from his finger. “Unlike the defensive weakness of Khafre Hall, from here there’s only one escape.”

The wind gusted, taking the bits of the red petals into the air. Some swirled back onto the balcony and landed, like drops of blood, at Theo Barclay’s feet. Jack hopped down from the railing. He kept his gaze steady as he enjoyed the play of nerves and indecision flashing through Barclay’s expression. Weak. But he knew that already.

“Was there something that you needed from me, Jack?” Barclay asked, his voice noticeably tighter than it had been when he finally spoke again. “I was on my way out when the Princept said you wanted to see me.”

“You aren’t staying for the ceremony?” Jack asked, frowning. It was impossible that he’d been wrong about Barclay.…

“My ship leaves this evening,” Theo told him.

“Ah yes. You’re off to retrieve your bride.” Jack smiled pleasantly as he began to circle to the left. Barclay, nervous as ever, matched his movement, never giving Jack his back.

“I’m only going for a visit for now. I’ll be back next month, but Ruby won’t be back until fall, closer to the wedding date.”

“Still, it’s a shame you can’t attend this evening’s events, especially after all you’ve done to help.”

“I’ve been happy to be of service, and I appreciate the chance to see this.…” Theo nodded toward the view of the city as he tucked his hands in his pockets, still nervous. Still gratifyingly uneasy. “I wish you all the best of luck on the ceremony, though.”

“Oh, we won’t need luck,” Jack said, coming up next to Theo. “Not when we have power on our side. Look there, you can see the Hudson River, more than a mile away.”

“So you can,” Theo said, glancing at Jack instead of in the direction of the river.

“The boats have probably already landed, and even now the wagons are making their way through the city,” Jack told him with a smile, enjoying the moment when realization rippled through Barclay’s features.

Barclay turned then, frowning deeply. “Was there to be more than one?”

“Oh,” Jack said, feigning innocence. “Were you not told? The Inner Circle decided on a change in plans.”

“A change.” Barclay turned back to the view, suddenly looking rather unwell.

“The Order expected an attack, and there was concern that someone among our ranks wasn’t as devoted to our cause as he should be,” Jack said, never blinking. “Other arrangements were made. Three boats, each holding a single wagon. A diversion, if you will, for any who would try to stop our purpose.”

“To give the one carrying the cargo a chance,” Theo said. “Brilliant. Just…” He cleared his throat. “Brilliant.”

“It is, rather.” Jack took a moment to gloat. “The maggots who were planning to attack the shipment won’t know which to follow. They thought to delay us, but instead, we’ll keep them running… right into our trap.” He took a step away from Theo. “Do you know the most brilliant part of all, though?” He waited until Theo had turned fully toward him, because Jack wanted to see the emotions that played across his face when he found out. “There’s nothing in any of those wagons.”

“Nothing?” Barclay’s voice had a hollowness to it, like knocking on a tomb. It delighted Jack. “But we went to the trouble of warding them?”

“They’re still warded, as we’d planned, but there’s absolutely nothing inside.”

Barclay blinked. “I don’t understand.”

“The story you were given about the boats was nothing but a test—a trap, if you will. The delivery isn’t coming from the Hudson. It never was. The boat landed on the East River earlier today. The Order’s most valuable treasures are already here, stowed in the Mysterium. Safe and protected from all dangers.” Jack let his mouth curve. “Or that’s what the rest of the Order believes. They’re all downstairs, congratulating themselves on their superiority, unaware that the artifact they’ve attached all their hopes and dreams to is about to go missing.”

By now Jack had maneuvered so that he stood between Barclay and any escape. He withdrew the pistol from his coat and leveled it at Theo.

“Jack?” Theo’s hands went up without hesitation, but the confusion in his expression was priceless.

“This is where we say good-bye, I’m afraid, Barclay.”

“What is all this, Jack?”

“It’s the proper end for a thief,” Jack said easily.

“I’m no thief.” Theo took a step forward but stopped when Jack eased back the trigger. “I didn’t take any artifact.”

“You and I know that’s only barely true,” Jack said. “But the truth doesn’t matter—especially not if your friends attack those wagons, as I expect they will. By the time tonight is finished, your treachery will be an established fact.”

Theo let out a nervous, tittering laugh. It was the kind of involuntary noise people make when they realize they’re in real danger and understand there’s no way out. “I don’t know what’s going on here, Jack, but I assure you that this is all a misunderstanding. Whatever it is you think I’ve done—” He licked his lips. “Certainly, this is a mistake.”

“No mistake, Barclay. Right now your friends are out there in the streets, chasing their own tails.” Jack smiled. “By the time they realize that the wagons are empty, it will be too late. The sun will have set, and the Order will learn that they’re under attack. When their precious artifact goes missing and they find you where you are not supposed to be, they’ll assume that you are the cause.”

“There will be no evidence,”