Page 18
Story: Stolen Magic
Viggo passed him the note and watched as his friend scrutinised it.Solomon had forged many a document forNightshade’s missions.
“Are we certain this is his handwriting?”Solomon said with a frown.
“Alas, I do not believe I have anything in my possession that could help determine that,” Fairfax replied, chagrined.
Viggo doubted Emma Simmons would either.
“Did Katie’s resignation letter follow a similar pattern?”he asked.
Fairfax nodded.“It was almost identical in tone and brevity, according to Hampton.”He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, his frustration clear.“I should have insisted on reading Tom’s note.I might have found it suspicious enough to begin making inquiries into his disappearance.”
“Neither Tom nor Katie gave any indication they were unhappy or planning to leave?”Solomon pressed, unable to completely mask his suspicion.
“None whatsoever.In fact, both had recently expressed enthusiasm about their futures.”Fairfax hesitated.“There is one other detail that may be relevant.Katie recently mentioned feeling watched during her walks home.I dismissed it as the natural wariness a young woman might feel in London after dark, but I now wonder if I was mistaken.”
Viggo stiffened.“When did she speak of this?”
“A fortnight ago.She came to one of my weekly gatherings,” Fairfax said.“I host dinners for promising thralls to network with potential employers and mentors,” he added at Viggo and Solomon’s puzzled expressions.His eyes clouded with regret.“I advised her to vary her route and to consider arranging an escort if she became more concerned.I should have taken her concerns more seriously.”
“Did Katie and Tom know each other?”Viggo asked.
“Not to my knowledge.They moved in different circles despite my patronage of both.”Fairfax shrugged.“Though I suppose they might have encountered one another at this residence at some point.”
“Two thralls connected to you, both disappearing within days of each other.And both leaving suspiciously similar resignation letters.”Though Solomon kept his tone neutral, his implication was clear.
Fairfax met his gaze directly, giving no sign that the silent accusation rankled him.“I assure you, Mr.Barden, I am as troubled by these disappearances as you and Mr.Stonewall are.”
“We’re not suggesting otherwise, my Lord,” Viggo clarified smoothly, shooting a warning glance at Solomon.“But the connection can’t be ignored.”
“Indeed not.”Fairfax rubbed his chin thoughtfully.“An idea comes to mind.Let me contact my associates and inquire if they know of similar cases among their staff.”
Viggo’s stomach fluttered with surprise.“I was about to suggest the same thing.”
“You would do that for us?”Solomon asked somewhat incredulously.
A tired smile curved Fairfax’s mouth.“Of course.We are on the same side, are we not?I shall send you a note if I find anything.Would you like to see Katie’s resignation letter?”
“Please,” Viggo said with a firm nod.
“I’ll draft messages this afternoon,” Fairfax said briskly.“My associates share my views on thrall rights.They will assist however they can.”
Viggo and Solomon thanked the nobleman and took their leave.
“The timing of these disappearances is worrying,” Solomon said as they emerged from the residence and descended the steps to the pavement.“Could this be connected to the increase in theNoctis Bloomtrade we’re seeing?”He shot a worried glance at Viggo.
Viggo frowned as he flagged down a passing hansom.“I have a feeling we’ll soon find out.”His tone hardened.“In the meantime, we should conduct our own investigation into missing thralls throughNightshade’s channels.”
The journey back to the guild was tense, both men lost in their own thoughts as the hansom cab navigated the crowded streets of central London towards the East End.
Viggo popped his head intoNightshade’s main office when they arrived at the guild and called to the young woman organising correspondence.“Harriet, I need someone sent to Emma Simmons’s residence immediately.We need samples of her brother’s handwriting if she has any—letters, notes, anything with his signature, if possible.”
“Right away, sir,” she replied, already reaching for a message slip.
“And see if there are any reports of thralls going missing in the past fortnight or so,” Solomon added.
“Oh.”Harriet blinked.“We already have some.Hawk came in an hour ago with news of several people disappearing under strange circumstances.He intended to mention this to you.”
Viggo’s blood ran cold.“Where’s Hawk right now?”
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114