Read Online Eterna and Omega by Leanna Renee Hieber - Free Book Online Page B

I have done, directed, and managed, which has been, please recall, a great deal, will be rewarded.”
    â€œWould I had money on my person, I would pay you handsomely,” Moriel said with a sibilant sweetness.
    â€œThe pocket watch is quite nice,” O’Rourke said. He placed another key to the next lock in the iron pad of the external gate but did not turn it, just stared at him.
    Moriel assumed this man was desperate, for something, someone, some greed; men like him usually were and could easily be bought. Moriel’s jaw tightened only slightly as he handed over the gold implement he’d had ferreted in along with his robes of release.
    â€œI’m sorry if it has sentimental value, sir,” the guard fumbled. “It’s just…”
    â€œAh, no, no,” Moriel reassured. “We all have needs. I took this from a paramour I left once … her kiss still tastes sweet upon my tongue, coppery, as I’d left her with a small stiletto blade slipped through corset bones to remember me by.”
    O’Rourke withheld another shudder as he escorted the Majesty to the waiting carriage beyond.
    Majesty Moriel took a deep breath and stared up at what was unmistakably a glorious night sky, smoke of London’s various industries and home fires wafting up into the atmosphere.
    â€œEngland,” he murmured in a quiet reverie. “America. Beyond. It’s time for your tables to turn. Everyone has their time and season. I think that’s biblical.”
    â€œIt is, Majesty.”
    â€œI was musing. I wasn’t asking, O’Rourke.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Majesty.”
    â€œYou should be, interrupting a regent in reverie. Goodness.”
    â€œIt won’t happen again, sir.”
    â€œGood. The Society will need you. Unfortunately, I’ve been running low on deputies—they’re dropping like proverbial flies—so you’ll be promoted. On with you, come to Vieuxhelles tomorrow midnight for the next indoctrinations.”
    â€œYes, Your Majesty…” O’Rourke vanished quickly.
    *   *   *
    Rose was in one of her dream states. These strange, hazy incidents had begun after an attempt to recover a sample of the Eterna Compound. She had been knocked unconscious and for some days had felt drained of life. Since then, she had several times found herself gripped by visions.
    Today she woke to see a woman sitting at the foot of her bed—the same Lizzie Marlowe who had visited the Omega division offices. Her light red hair was in a braid down her shoulder, and her searing gaze was fixed on Rose, who bolted upright. The interloper wore no hat or gloves, but clasped about the waist of her burgundy riding habit was a belt hung with strange instruments.
    â€œThe timetable,” she said. “I sped up your timetable. Well, I didn’t accelerate, I stay constant. The timetable itself sped, I am merely reacting to save my hide and yours.”
    Rose stared in silence.
    â€œI was attempting to let the power of suggestion, and potent dreams, do the trick,” the woman—Miss Marlowe—explained. “It usually does wonders. But I can’t risk it.”
    â€œWho are you?”
    The woman did not reply directly but gestured toward Rose’s wrist. “I am sorry for the physical effects. I was going for more of a ‘prophetic dream’ result, but you and Clara both have such wild imaginations.”
    Rose gaped. “You mean you were the ‘vampire’?”
    The woman made a face. “ You jumped to that conclusion. She shook her fair head with a laugh. “This silly, histrionic age. At least you have expanded your consciousness, and there are things you deem possible now that you hadn’t previously. The world needs such minds now.” She glanced at Rose’s carpetbags against the wall. “You are going to New York, yes?”
    â€œNot another word until you tell me