Shelley’s face went red. Sebastian appeared in the doorframe just behind Shelley, his eyes on Hyde.
“Sebastian’s figured it out. Haven’t you?” Hyde wiggled his claws at him. “He knows why the baron really sent us here.”
The tension in the air rose a notch. Still catching his breath, Rory shrank into the wall.
“Think about it, Shelley.” Sebastian leaned against the doorframe. “Baron Zeppler was going to come himself with an entirely different group. At the last second, he pulls out and gives Luther Mansfield false names, sends us in secrecy instead.”
“Because he values us more!” Shelley jabbed her finger into her own chest. “Because he knows I can lead a team on a mission of this importance.”
“Oh, please,” said Sebastian. “He sent us here to die.”
“You heard what that mobster confessed.” Hyde licked his lips. “You heard our ship was nearly drowned. By Gwen.”
“Zeppler won no matter the outcome,” said Sebastian. “He knew we’d either get the relic for him, or Gwen would succeed and drown us all.”
Shelley’s face had grown even darker red. “Why would he want us dead?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Sebastian said tightly, as he came into the office, towards Shelley. “He’s only a telepath who can read both of your minds. He must be well aware that Hyde hates him and that your magic has driven you mad as an opium addict.”
“How dare you—”
“That lodestone is the only reason you’re lucid right now.” Sebastian ignored Shelley’s squawk to add, “And of course I should have seen that the baron wants me gone. He was never counting on not being able to have my thoughts.”
“You two are wrong.” Shelley took a step back, toward the office door. “The baron will hear of your lack of faith when we reach Hamburg.”
“We’re not going to Germany, you stupid bint,” Hyde snapped. “That ship waiting for us is London bound.”
“What?” Shelley clutched her chest. “You can’t go back to London. You defected.”
“I still have contacts. I’ll bring the relic and the subordinate paranormal with me. They’ll forgive me everything.” Hyde sneered. “And I’ll bring that lodestone too.”
Shelley sucked in a breath, her face murderous. “I won’t have it! I’m sending a telegram right now. The baron will have you dead before sunset, you’ll see!”
She shoved past Sebastian out into the building just as Hyde roared, his jaw distending and teeth lengthening, his face twisting into its grotesque other form as he lunged for Shelley, faster than any human should move, his claws already extended.
“Hyde stop!”
Sebastian’s shout came too late. Rory’s cry was drowned out by Shelley’s far louder one—and then her scream was abruptly cut off by a horrible squelch.
Rory covered his mouth, the handcuffs stinging his face and bleeding neck as his knees gave out and he slid down the wall to the floor. He curled his legs to his chest and screwed his eyes, trying to cover his ears against the sounds.
And then it was suddenly terribly silent.
Rory lifted his head, breath coming in shaky gasps as he looked over at the blood-splattered Hyde and the furious Sebastian.
“You didn’t have to kill her,” Sebastian said sharply.
Hyde made an animal snarl that echoed off the walls of the room.
Rory flinched. Sebastian didn’t. “Go ahead, Mr. Hyde.” He spread his arms in invitation. “That relic may have warped your magic so that I can’t stop you, but I won’t go down without a fight.”
Hyde stood, and Sebastian wasn’t short but Hyde towered over him. The air began to crackle with Sebastian’s magic, Rory’s skin breaking out in goose bumps as Hyde drew himself up, like he was about to lunge—
And then he deflated, his beast form receding until he’d returned to mostly human save for the claws and subtle fangs.
“Thank you,” Sebastian said, voice still sharp. “Shelley was consumed by her dream-reading, harmless enough without the lodestone. You could have just let her be.”
“Don’t defend her,” Hyde said, lip curling. “She was going to tell Baron Zeppler to kill you and probably ask for a front-row seat. I have better plans. I sent telegrams as soon as we discovered we nearly drowned.”
