Brilliant Devices by Shelley Adina Read Free Book Online Page A

prospect of a chance meeting with the man who had invented the modern airship. What an honor that would be! Not to mention she could ask him some rather troublesome questions about converting a steam engine to one that harnessed lightning.
    “You can’t understand ’em, for one, hawking and spitting in that Kaiser tongue. And for two, me="d for taybe they think they’re better’n us.”
    “I doubt that very much,” Claire said , reining in her excitement. “They are likely military men, and hence would put their duty before fraternizing with potential friends such as yourselves.”
    “How would you know that?” George said curiously.
    But before she could answer, a shout came from the direction of the mighty Zeppelin ship, and three shadows detached themselves fr om the darkness under it, outrunning and losing their pursuers on the far side of a pair of small cargo vessels.
    “They’ve sussed out where we’re going and plan to circle around to meet us before we get there,” Reuben said in a low voice. “Look clueless—and look sharp.”
    Sure enough, they could hear music in the distance—a horn of some kind, maybe two. And in a lamplit space at the base of an empty mooring mast three men jogged into the circle of light between their party and the Tiller.
    “Why, those are two of the men gambling with Leduc,” Claire said just loud enough to be heard. “Do you suppose they are anxious to retrieve his—and their—property?”
    “I suppose any sore loser would try. What’s the matter, Paxton?” George called as they emerged on the near side. “Surprised to find the little lady ain’t alone?”
    “Don’t matter if she is or ai n’t.” Paxton cracked his knuckles. “We aim to take back our property. She cheated at cards.”
    “I did not,” Claire said indignantly, and reached behind her to unholster the rifle. “I suggest you use what few brain cells remain to you and leave while you still can.”
    “Or what?” Paxton laughed, and his companions moved a few steps closer. “These airbrains will slap us with their gloves?”
    Elliot growled and Reuben offered a few most uncomplimentary speculations about the man’s lineage. Claire pushed the switch forward and the lightning rifle began to hum. Startled, George stepped to one side just as a rock whizzed past his ear from the darkness behind them and clocked one of Paxton’s companions on the side of the head.
    He howled and George shouted, “Who’s that?” All three of Claire’s erstwhile protectors whirled, and Paxton saw his moment. He leaped forward, aiming for Claire, his arms raised as though he intended to bull his way through and grab her.
    The rifle hummed happily at the prospect. She raised it to her shoulder, sighted, and fired. Paxton screamed as a bolt of lightning sizzled across the fifteen feet between them and engulfed his fisted right hand. Tendrils of blue light danced down his arm and his coat caught fire. His men tore it off him and stamped it out, but there was nothing they could do about the cauterized remains of the hand that would have beaten her bloody had she allowed it.
    “You may take that back to Mr. Leduc as a warning,” she said politely as he wept and howled. “I dislike hurting anyone, but if he interferes further with me or mine, I must and will prot
    “You’d best listen,” came a voice out of the dark behind them. “Tell ’im the Lady of Devices sends ’er regards.”
    Claire rolled her eyes as the two men still on their feet helped Paxton away. “Jake, there is no need to be theatrical. You sound as though you’ve been at the flickers.”
    Jake emerged from under a neighboring fuselage. “Couldn’t resist, Lady.”
    “What on earth are you doing out at this time of night? I thought you were safe in your berth on the Lady Lucy .”
    “Wait—you know this rascal?” George had finally found his voice, although the whites of his eyes still showed as his gaze swung from Jake to Claire.