Read Online Necropolis (Royal Sorceress Book 3) by Christopher Nuttall - Free Book Online

cronies,” he added. “We won’t know who they are until the mission is ready to depart, although we have some good guesses. However, he will also be taking his wife, Lady Marie” – Gwen twitched at the reminder of her mother’s name – “and his ward, Raechel Slater-Standish.”
    Gwen frowned. She paid almost no attention to the society pages, but she knew of Raechel Slater-Standish from overhearing conversations in Cavendish Hall. The young woman had been blazing a path through High Society, scandalising it and giving plenty of older women the vapours. Gwen had to admire someone like that, even though it was the sort of release she could never allow herself, not now. Anyone who managed to irritate so many of High Society’s Grande Dames deserved to be admired.
    “I believe the young lady is seen as rather a trial,” Lord Mycroft said. There was a faint hint of amusement on his face. “You may wish to keep an eye on her at all times.”
    “Because she’ll try to cause trouble?” Gwen guessed. It seemed likely, but she could think of another explanation. “Or because you want to recruit her?”
    “It is a possibility,” Lord Mycroft agreed, neutrally. “She’s smart, but totally indiscreet. We might not consider her a suitable candidate for recruitment unless she grows up.”
    He paused, then took another cake. “I won’t say that this will be easy, Lady Gwen,” he said, in an almost paternal manner. There was a grim look in his eyes that betrayed his concern. “You will find it far harder than investigating a murder or an outbreak of magical power. And there’s no guarantee of success.”
    “I know,” Gwen said. The thought of failure was terrifying. But so was the thought of staying in Cavendish Hall, waiting for news. She had to do something, anything. Going to Russia would put her closer to her daughter. “I’ll do it.”
    “Good luck, then,” Lord Mycroft said. He rose ponderously to his feet. “Sir Sidney will fill you in on the remaining details, then make preparations to insert you into the Ambassador’s household. I suggest you take a few days to learn your duties. It will not be easy to pick them up once you leave the country.”
    He paused. “And I would also suggest you make preparations for your death,” he added. “There is a very strong chance you won’t be coming back.”
    Gwen swallowed, nervously. “I understand,” she said, through a suddenly dry mouth. “I won’t let you down.”

 

    Chapter Six
    O livia shivered helplessly, testing her bonds to no avail. It had been four days, she thought, since they had left St Petersburg and started to gallop further to the east. Every day, it had grown colder and colder, with snow falling around the horses and making the beast carrying her as cold and miserable as Olivia herself felt. Every night, they’d stopped at a way station where she’d cuddled up to the fire while Ivan, the bastard, renewed the commands he’d put in her head. Right now, even if she’d somehow managed to break her bonds, she doubted she could make it away from the Cossacks. Her legs would simply refuse to obey her.
    There were shouts from the Cossacks. Olivia allowed herself the fantasy of someone attacking the small convoy and rescuing her, but it was not to be. Instead, they cantered up towards a low dark building, barely visible through the driving snow. The horses came to a halt in what she assumed was the courtyard, and their riders dismounted. Olivia tried to glare at Ivan as he came up beside her and started to loosen the ropes binding her to the horse, but she didn’t have the energy. It was all she could do to stand upright when he tugged her off the horse and down to the ground.
    “I suggest you don’t try anything stupid here,” Ivan said, as he undid the cuffs binding her ankles together. “There is literally nowhere to run.”
    Olivia looked around as he half-led, half-pulled her towards the dark building. The snow was falling