Chapter ONE - Weebly

door.
The rain had stopped, but dark clouds still scudded
low over the city and puddles of befouled water filled
the lanes. The air had cooled again, and a sharp wind
rattled the door and windows of the tavern. Turning up
his collar, he walked north into the teeth of the gale,
crossing into the North End and continuing toward
Bennet’s Street.
He wasn’t sure what to expect when he reached the
Derne mansion. It was early still, and he felt reasonably
sure that both Cyrus and his father wouldn’t have left
yet for their wharf.
As Ethan approached the house, though, he was
surprised to see Sephira Pryce and her men standing
out front. Nigel grinned when he spotted Ethan, and he
said something to Sephira, alerting her to Ethan’s
arrival. She waved, a rapacious smile on her face. Ethan
faltered a step, but then continued on toward the house,
hoping that Sephira wouldn’t be so bold as to murder
him here in the wealthiest part of the North End, in the
light of day. As he had told Kannice, there was no point
in telling him to be careful.