“I’m sure you felt quite terrible, having a relic literally yanking on your blood,” said Alasdair. “It would have eventually killed you, and sooner rather than later. You’re very lucky I stole it.”
Sebastian swallowed. “But you murdered a man to steal it.”
“Unfortunately these days, I’d kill anyone.”
“These days?”
“Once upon a time, I had more of my mind,” Alasdair said. “It was even better after I found a lodestone that helped. But when Luther and I had a falling-out last year, he stole the lodestone away and had me committed. I haven’t heard many of my own thoughts since.”
“I’ve seen the lodestone,” Rory said in a scratchy voice. “Was your partner Luther Mansfield?”
“Oh, did you know him?” Alasdair said. “I was poor as dirt when he and I first met, and I thought he had done me such a favor when he pulled me off the street in Glasgow. Got me into both of his businesses, textile and paranormal, in exchange for me using my magic. I would have done anything he asked, but turned out, he was kind of a bastard.”
“You think?” Rory said sarcastically.
“How did you fall out with him?” Sebastian asked.
“You might not believe it, but I was upset he had someone killed.” Alasdair put a hand on the top of the pomander box. “Bit ironic, isn’t it, considering how many peopleI’mabout to kill.”
Sebastian tried to move. “No, Alasdair—”
The attic door opened. “Major Langford? Alasdair?” Eddie, the mean-looking man who’d been standing guard at the entrance to the speakeasy, stuck his head around the door. “It’s top of the hour.” He stepped inside, closing the door. “You wanted me to come up?”
“Don’t come in,” Sebastian managed to say, as Rory slurred, “Get outta here.”
Eddie gave them an unimpressed look. “Like I’d listen to either of you. The major said you’re evil magic users.” He squinted across the room. “Major? Why’re you wearing that?”
“Eddie, I appreciate your reliability,” said Alasdair. “Good help is so very hard to find.”
“Run,” Sebastian rasped.
Alasdair opened the pomander.
Sebastian gagged as the vile scent filled the attic, a stomach-turning blend of decaying flowers and rotting flesh. Rory likewise gagged.
But Eddie began to choke.
“Alasdair,” Sebastian said. “Alasdair, stop.”
“You both know the pomander has this effect on the non-magical,” Alasdair said pleasantly, like Eddie hadn’t hit the attic floor on his hands and knees. His face was turning purple. “It’s not pleasant for those of us with magic, but for someone without magic, it shreds their aura. In a tiny space like this, it’s going to happen quite fast.”
“Don’t,” Rory said.
Eddie made a retching noise, and Sebastian couldn’t let this happen. He forced himself up onto his arms. Rory was trying to do the same.
“You’re both trying to be heroes, I know, but weneeda first death to get started,” said Alasdair. “It’s our champagne bottle against the ship’s prow.”
Sebastian pulled himself forward. He was going to get to Eddie, cover his nose, get him out of the room, something—
A shot rang out.
Eddie dropped to the floor.
Sebastian froze as Rory cried out.
Major Langford stepped forward, gun in his hand, and Sebastian now recognized what had been in his hand earlier: a gas mask, the kind they’d had on the front. Langford was wearing it now.
“You tried to save him and forced the major’s hand.” Alasdair shook his head slowly. “We can’t let you interfere, you know.”
