A Conspiracy of Alchemists: Book One in the Chronicles of Light and Shadow by Liesel Schwarz Read Free Book Online Page A

her pockets and huddled into her coat in the crisp night air as she followed the boy across the airfield to the buildings.
    Light from the arrivals hanger spilled out onto the airfield as they entered the deserted customs office. A single spark-lamp cast a lonely, bluish glow over the counters. Four rings of the counter bell eventually procured a sleepy clerk from the back. He shuffled up to one of the little windows and blinked at them in the bright light.
    “No freight. Empty cargo freighter returning to homeport. The docking papers have been sent to the British Flying Company direct.” She slipped the Paris departure permit across the counter. “And I need a repair and maintenance form, please. The old girl needs a good solid overhaul.”
    To her relief, the clerk just yawned as he found the Water Lily in his ledger. He stamped the arrival papers without any further questions and waved them off, intent on getting back to his nap as soon as possible.
    On the other side of the customs gate, the passenger hall was also deserted. Only freight flights landed and took off at this uncivilized hour.
    “This way, miss,” the boy said. “Airfield Superintendent says I’m to make sure I deliver you straight to his door.” They walked through the deserted building toward a row of administrative-looking doors. They followed the corridor, their boots echoing in the hollow hallway until they reached a set of doors with the words Airfield Superintendent painted in gold letters on them. The boy puffed out his chest and knocked on the door.
    Elle took a deep breath . Now to face the music, she thought.
    “Enter,” someone said from within.
    Elle hoped Marsh and Patrice had managed to disappear without anyone seeing them. She was going to have a serious word with Patrice the next time she saw him. A few hours’ sleep in one of the airfield pilot’s barracks and then the train to London sounded most attractive right now. But first there was the Superintendent to placate.

CHAPTER 6
    The humid warmth of the superintendent’s office enveloped Elle as she stepped inside.
    “Ah, Miss Chance. Thank you for coming in. Do sit down.” Airfield Superintendent Briggs beamed at her from behind his desk. He was a red-faced man in his forties who looked more as if he should be farming apples than running the night shift. He heaved himself round his desk and ushered her to a chair. “I am sorry to call you in at this hour and after your long flight, but well, ah, the matter can’t really wait.”
    Briggs shuffled round the table to put a few logs into the cast-iron stove that squatted in the corner of his office. He jabbed at the coals with a fire poker and then closed the grate. Heat surged and the room was suddenly stifling. “That’s better,” he said. “Do sit down, my dear.”
    She caught a slight movement from the corner of her eye as she took a seat. Elle felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise slowly. Someone else was in this office, hidden in the cluttered shadows that fringed the lamplight.
    The airfield master flopped back down in his chair. “Ahem, yes, Miss Chance, may I introduce Viscount Greychester.” He motioned the shadow forward. “Your lordship, may I present Miss Chance.”
    Marsh stepped into the pool of lamplight. “How do you do, Miss Chance,” he extended his hand with a formal nod.
    “How … How do you do.” Nonplussed as to how he’d managed to reach the superintendent, she reached out and shook his hand. His fingers were cold around hers, as if he had just come in from outside.
    He released her hand and leaned against the edge of the desk, narrowing his eyes very briefly as if he was giving her a warning.
    “Ahem … We are fortunate that his lordship happened to be waiting at the airfield for his charter when we needed him,” Briggs said.
    “Yes, fortunate indeed.” Elle felt slightly faint. Marsh was the viscount. She should have realized it the moment she laid eyes on that fancy