Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 42
felt suspicious suddenly, wary of admitting Emmy's
vulnerability. "Have you seen her?"
"No..." She tasted the word as if it had some special
savor. "But then I have only just ventured onto this trail.
Perhaps she went by earlier?"
"Not long ago." He heard himself groan faintly, knowing
he must have missed Emmy somewhere in the dark. "Please,"
he said, "can you help me? I'm scared for her. I can't find her.
She should have been... back there." He looked around at the
curtains of black. "Maybe I missed her."
"All right." She came up to him, and her fingers lightly
touched his shoulder as she walked past. He found himself
turning as if she held him tightly. They began to pick their way
back along the trail.
"I've seen you up at the mansion," she said. "You're the
lad who outwitted the stone mother, aren't you?"
"Yes, ma'am. Jordan Mason."
"Yes." She was smiling now, as if delighted. "It's
fortunate I met you just now, Jordan. It saves me a lot of
time."
"Why?"
"I wanted to talk to some of Castor's people. On my
own, you know?"
Jordan thought about it. She didn't trust Castor? "Is that
why you were out at the church?"
"Yes." She shot him a dazzling smile. She was, he
noticed, notably taller than he.
His lantern guttered and finally went out. "Shit," he said,
shaking it. "Excuse me."
"You're not afraid of the dark, are you?" she asked,
chiding.
"No, ma'am. I'm afraid of what's in it."