His Black Wings by Astrid Yrigollen Read Free Book Online Page B

something secret, something hidden. I shivered.
     
    “Not catching a cold are you, Lily?”
     
    “No Sir.” I was surprised he noticed me shiver. “What sort of appointments do you have?”
     
    “Oh, just a meeting with an old acquaintance. I received word he has taken ill. While I am doing that I am sending you on a mission.” He smiled playfully.
     
    “Mission Sir?”
     
    “You are to find the most splendid gift for a young woman that you can. Something beautiful, something every woman would like to have. Will you do that Lilly?”
     
    A heat arose from my neck to sting my cheeks and warm them.
     
    “Yes.” He stood up to leave.
     
    “Good, then I will see you around,” he glanced at his watch, “say 5:30.”
     
    I nodded. He patted my shoulder and left to his basement.
     
    I puzzled over his actions and words but they still did not give me any indication to what Mary thought she saw.
     

St.Marhen
     
     
    The carriage wheels clacked softly on the road as I felt the shock of Mr. Brighton’s statement sink in.
     
    “Lilly, are you feeling ill?”
     
    I regained some composure and shook my head.
     
    “Did you say St.Marhen?” I asked in a small voice.
     
    “Yes, that is where my acquaintance resides. In addition, they have some nice shops, are you disappointed?”
     
    “No, I just didn’t know we were going so far.”
     
    “It may seem far when all you have done for the past month is stay indoors with an old man for company.” He laughed. I said nothing but stared on. A thousand thoughts flooded my mind. What if someone recognizes me? I fought to keep the rising panic at bay. Mr. Brighton was silent the rest of the way. Not until I saw signs and buildings that were familiar to me, did my eyes begin to water slightly. I still had a wealth of emotions that had not yet been spent. If my employer noticed, he said nothing.
     
    We passed into the heart of the city, all excitement and blurred movement. I saw shops that I used to frequent just a few short months ago. It all seemed strange to me now. I felt like an out of place alien. The carriage stopped abruptly, jolting me out of my reverie. The driver was holding the door open for me with his hand outstretched.
     
    “Lilly? Are you sure you are alright?” Fredrick asked me when he noticed my dazed look. I nodded and got out of the carriage.
     
    He handed me a small fabric envelope. It was black velvet and felt soft as fur.
     
    “That should be enough for whatever you find. I will be around for you in an hour or so. Stick to these shops on this main street only so that I may find you easily. If you happen to finish before the hour is up wait for me at the park on the corner. Find a bench and perch.”He smiled warmly.
     
    I nodded numbly as the carriage drove off. The streets seemed darker than I remembered them, the roads wet and slick looking. The night was upon me in more ways than one. I breathed in deeply and for one strange moment felt optimistic. The night air invigorated me. Perhaps it wouldn’t be as bad as I’d imagined. I could find some trinket quickly, then seek refuge with my employer. I browsed several small shops, not seeing anyone I knew. The last shop I entered was getting ready to close but I already spotted what I wanted in the window. A dark onyx box with intricate carvings on the lid held my interest. It was smooth and cool to the touch. I was delighted to open the lid and hear the soft chimes of a music box. It played “Bleeding Heart”, a soft and strange melody that was a favorite of mine since childhood. I knew I must have it, if I couldn’t keep it, then at least I knew it was in the safe keeping of my employer. I hurried outside with my purchase. Night had already fallen as I circled a large lamp post to cross the alley and ran directly into another pedestrian. My package clattered noisily to the ground, and sounded as if it might have been broken. Dismayed, I barely mumbled my apology as I knelt down