Page 23
Story: Unseen
“Somewhere rather educational.”
“What does that even mean?”
He turned on me, leaning on his knees as he took me in. “It means that sometimes, seeing with our own eyes what is possible is far more persuasive than simply hearing about it. Abstract theory, science is truly fascinating.”
“And what exactly are you hoping to achieve with thiseducational little outing?” I smoothed my hands over my skirts, hoping he did not see them trembling.
“I am hoping that you will make the right choice.”
“And what choices are those?
He laughed, rubbing his now clean-shaven chin. “I would not wish to spoil the surprise, beloved. Patience.”
I tried to take as many steadying breaths as I could, every creak and bump of the carriage setting my already frayed nerves on edge. Heart prickled at my scalp, sweat erupting on the back of my neck despite the cool late-October air. The carriage seemed to shrink in on itself, suffocating me as the walls closed in further and further. Azriel’s presence in the space, becoming so large and looming I had to close my eyes and turn away.
He is bluffing. He is a liar and a cad. He knows nothing. No one knows anything.
I opened my eyes to find we were on a wide street, bustling with people and carriages. An enormous building loomed before us, crowds of people swarming in through its open gates.
“Newgate!” The driver announced.
My head snapped over to Azriel, and I was sure the dread would make me faint. “Newgate?”
“Indeed, it is a prison, beloved.”
Tears once again burned at my eyes. “You have brought me to a prison?”
“I have.” He tilted his head, observing me through narrowed eyes. “You look rather pale. Is something amiss?”
“Why have you brought me to a prison?”
Azriel’s eyelashes fluttered as he spun his top hat in his hands. “Well, I suppose you shall have to wait and see.” He rose to his feet, climbing down from the carriage and putting on his hat. He turned to offer me his hand, and waited patiently as I stared at him. “You’ve nothing to fear, Evie. Allthe prisoners are locked up, right where they ought to be. You are perfectly safe.”
It was not the prisoners I feared. I was far from safe at his side.
But with all these people in such a bustling, public place, I also could not imagine him doing anything but humiliate me for appearing in public in my mourning.
I held my head high as I alighted from the carriage, ignoring the open stares of the people around us. All manner of folk were here, young and old, children holding their parents’ hands, gentlemen escorting ladies, poor folk with clothes smeared in soot. Vendors shouted their wares, selling food from wagons and tea from steaming copper kettles.
Azriel escorted me across the street to the gates of the prison, and realisation began to dawn on me. I tried to shrink into Ariel’s side, to curl in on myself as though I could hide away.
This couldn’t be. Surely not even he was this depraved.
“Come, beloved,” he said jovially, steering me towards a staircase. “We have the best seats in the house.”
The two guards at the base of the stairs watched us approach, eyeing me with confusion for a moment before Azriel handed them both some coins from his pocket. They stepped back with a nod, and Azriel swept his hand upwards.
“After you.”
I was sure my legs were going to give way, talking myself through step after step as I climbed up to the balcony. At the top, a line of wooden chairs had been placed under the arching stone ceiling, a rickety railing the only barrier between us and what lay beneath.
A raucous crowd of people, and in the middle of the yard, a gallows.
“You’ve brought me to an execution,” I breathed, catching myself on the back of one of the chairs.
Azriel placed his hand next to mine, encroaching on my space like a shadow. “Indeed. Have you never attended one before?”
I shook my head, my body no longer caught in a web of dread, but so cold with fear I began to tremble. “Why would you bring me here?”
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 (Reading here)
- 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
- Page 115
- Page 116