Brass and Bone by Cynthia Gael Read Free Book Online

single button on the front of the brass box he had placed on the desk. “This containment device is most deadly if the wrong combination is used. But once secured, it will be unable to open as long as the formula for the key is never discovered.”
    “Formula?” I found my voice at last. “For a key? How fascinating. Forgive me for asking, but how does it work?”
    “Simple, my dear sir.” Tesla gestured for me to come forward and I did so; Abigail followed. “Within this compartment are two glass vials. One is for human blood. The second is for witch blood. When they are filled by fresh living blood, drawn from a body whose heart is beating, and the box closed and button pressed once more, the vials will shatter, and the two types of blood will mix. The only method which will allow a thief to break into this vessel will be to have the same combination of mixed blood available. An improbable combination, I think you must agree.”
    “A witch?” I searched the man’s face, thinking him joking, but finding him to be quite serious. Then I glanced at Abigail. She was taking this all in a bit too easily for my taste. Given my day, they would have to forgive my response. “And I suppose you have one here, do you? With the broomstick and cauldron for the boiling of children at hand?”
    Sir Eli roused from his chair, pressing yet another button on his desk before he barked out an order that was surprisingly clear, considering his condition: “Bring it in.”
    I wondered at the “it”; for all I knew, the mad man was having a goat or some such brought in. I did not expect the lovely woman, her hands bound, golden hair damp, clothing wrinkled, but a look in her blue eyes that reminded me in some odd way of Abigail. A burly man stood behind her, and there was a leash, if you can believe me, an actual leather leash attached to a wide collar around her pale throat.
    “Here, now,” I said, and if I sounded indignant, who could blame me? “I will not stay in a room where a lady is treated this way.”
    “Then you may leave,” Sir Eli rapped out, his voice stronger than I had yet heard it. “Who is this man anyway?”
    Ah, he had noticed me at last. I opened my mouth to reply when Abigail said, “This is Simon Thorne, my dearest friend and collaborator in all things. If you want me for this mysterious mission of yours, Eli, Simon is part of the deal. No questions about it. Are we clear?”
    My heart swelled in pride, and I cast my most arrogant glance at the men in the room, beginning with Sir Eli. Then I walked to the newcomer, took her clammy hands briefly and began untying the rope. It was stubborn, so I took out my pocketknife and finished the job.
    “That damnable collar comes off too,” I said.
    “No!” shouted Sir Eli.
    “You like to take risks, young man, I see. Be careful the bitch does not turn and bite you,” the Frenchie said.
    Sir Eli shuddered, stepping back as if to farther distance himself from the girl. “You would do well to heed his words, young man, you would indeed. You do not know what they…it…is capable of doing.”
    I ignored that.
    “ Merci beaucoup ,” the girl whispered, giving me a small smile as I reached around to unlatch the clasp. When the horrid leather fell away, she glanced around the room with a look of disinterest masking fear. Though I was sure I noted recognition in her eyes when they passed over the Frenchman.
    Sir Eli refused to acknowledge the girl—or what I’d done, for that matter. Instead he turned back to Abigail, who was giving me the most peculiar look. Her grey eyes snapped back toward Sir Eli as he spoke.
    “You are to take this box to a secret place, Abigail. Take the witch with you, and draw from her the blood needed to be placed in this vial Tesla showed you. Any ordinary human ,” he stressed the word, “blood can go in the other.” He took a rolled piece of paper and gave it to Abigail. “Here is information on how to find the hiding place. You