Iron Horsemen by Brad R. Cook Read Free Book Online Page A

and metal clicking and clanking got closer. We looked at each other and dove off the dock. The icy pin pricks on every part of exposed skin made me want to scream.
    We clung to the thick pilings and pulled ourselves along the ropes that tied the ships to the docks.
    Just above the water, I saw an aero-dirigible’s hull moored to the airdocks. As I looked closer, I realized it wasthe same one the baron had visited earlier.
    I grabbed hold of the Sky Raider’s vessel. Genevieve climbed inside and then I pulled myself to the open hatch. I dared to take one last look for Col. Hendrix and saw him pointing from the docks. I quickly slipped inside.
    Shivering from our short swim in the Thames River, we found ourselves in a corridor alongside the folded up wingsail. Beams with cutout interiors arched above us and formed the corridor, as a larger set of cutout beams formed the outer hull.
    We heard raised voices and looked out at the open port. Col. Hendrix and his henchmen stood before the captain.
    Col. Hendrix spit on the ground and said, “Bring me the children.”
    The captain spoke with a thick German accent. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    â€œYou got stowaways, and I want ’em.”
    â€œYou’re not stepping on my ship.”
    The captain threw the flap of his red coat to the side as one of the henchmen tried to move around him. He drew a small hand-canon from its holster. I noticed a cord running from the pommel into his jacket. Lightning cracked as two bolts arced into the henchman who shook violently and fell to the dock twitching.
    More gunfire erupted. I watched Col. Hendrix and his remaining henchman run away. The Colonel stopped, turned around and stared into the open port, looking right at me. I feared the bronze demon would never stop hunting me.
    As Col. Hendrix walked away, I released a huge sigh.
    Footsteps on the metal planking alerted us to someone’s approach. Genevieve and I ducked behind a series of wheels and gears that unfurled the wing. Would we get blasted by his lightning cannon too?
    The sound drew closer.
    I peered through the gears.
    Genevieve sank as low as she could against the outer hull and tugged on me to do the same. I saw the captain’s red coat and wondered if I’d made a bad mistake. Were Sky Raiders any better than the KGC henchmen? I held my breath.
    The captain spotted the wet floor and spun around. “Who’s there?” When he threw the flap of his coat to the side to reveal the lightning cannon, I stood.
    â€œWait, please don’t shoot.”
    â€œYou can tell your lady friend to stand up too. Nice disguise but your features are a little too soft.”
    We stood onto the metal planking. The captain looked over us and laughed. I wondered what was so funny.
    The captain let his coat fall and crossed his arms. “You got names?”
    â€œAlexander.” I fell silent as three men came down the corridor. One wore a turban, the other dressed like a cowboy, and the third carried the biggest rifle I’d ever seen.
    The three men stood quietly, examining us. Then the cowboy tipped his Stetson to the captain. “I’ve got a couple of men at the gun-ports in case they come back, and we’re ready to depart on your order, captain.” He spoke with an odd combination of Continental accent combined with a southern American drawl. “You want me to drop ’em in the drink?”
    â€œGet us up into the skies. Those guys are coming back.” The captain pointed at the soaked girl. “And you are?”
    â€œGenevieve Kensington.”
    Her harsh tone surprised me, and I saw a wet plunge in our future. The men laughed, except for the young Indian man, whose narrow eyes studied her.
    A flash of bronze darted through the port. Rodin landed on Genevieve’s shoulder, his spread wings and snarling open jaw made it very clear they would have to go throughthe ferocious little dragon to