Wings of Sorrow and Bone Read Online Free Page B

that mess and the wand and go over there.” Miss Arfetta waved. The bangles on her wrist jingled. “Make sure every last zyme is cleansed away.”
    â€œYes, Miss Arfetta.” He walked straight for their hiding place. Tatiana grabbed Rivka’s arm. They couldn’t retreat to the other crates, either; Mr. Cody’s men still stood close by. Broderick set his things atop their crate. His white trousers showed through the gap between boxes. The sharp cinnamon-­like odor of the pampria filled her senses.
    Some of the red herbs spilled again, drifting between the boxes. Broderick stooped down.
    His gaze met with theirs. His jaw fell slack as he emitted a yelp.
    Seconds later, the other men rounded the backside of the crates. “Damn t’all!” one cried. “Where’d you gals come from?”
    Tatiana stood first, arms folded over her chest. “I’m Miss Tatiana Garret, a guest of August Balthazar Cody.”
    Rivka felt the intense stares of the men and ducked her chin as if to hide her lip. “Me, too. A guest of Balthazar Cody, I mean. I’m Rivka Stout.”
    â€œWhat is this hullabaloo?” Miss Arfetta swept over, her face a dark storm cloud. “You girls, spying on us?”
    â€œBest let Mr. Cody know,” said one of the men.
    â€œBest let me know what?” Mr. Cody’s voice boomed from the entrance. “That my two youngest guests decided to explore the premises?” He glanced behind him. “Go fetch Mrs. Stout.”
    Tatiana curtsied as Mr. Cody approached them. Rivka followed Tatiana’s example.
    â€œIt’s very good to see you, Mr. Cody,” said Tatiana. “This laboratory you created is a marvel!”
    One of his hands rested on the great swell of his gut, which was barely restrained by a red vest. “Well, yes, but—­”
    â€œI had heard you were making another chimera, but it’s amazing to actually see the process.” Tatiana clutched her hands to her chest.
    â€œI don’t perform for audiences!” snapped Miss Arfetta.
    â€œI didn’t invite them down here, Miss Arfetta, I assure you.” His cool gaze shifted to Rivka. “This must have been especially educational for you as an aspiring mechanist. That one-­man band upstairs is playing better than when it was new. I hire the best engineers in the city, and you bested them when it came to a mere toy.”
    She kept her chin ducked, unsure of what to say.
    â€œThere you are, my dear!” Grandmother strolled into the room. “Goodness, the tizzy you caused! We have searched here, there, and everywhere!” She embraced Rivka, almost crushing her against the magnificent cushion of her sequined chest. Her lips pressed to Rivka’s ear.
    â€œTell the man as little as possible. He’s a rabid mouse in search of any crumb,” she whispered. Grandmother turned in a dramatic gesture to beam at Tatiana. “And you are Alonzo’s sister! My goodness, the resemblance! Blue eyes and all.”
    Tatiana curtsied again, wariness lurking behind a poised smile.
    Grandmother turned her bright smile to their host. “Oh Mr. Cody, I’m so very glad for your help in finding my dear granddaughter. I hope we haven’t been too much trouble. I can walk them upstairs. Tatiana, do you have an escort home?”
    â€œOne of my manservants brought me since it’s after dark. I can send a message—­”
    â€œWonderful, wonderful.”
    Rivka glanced at the medician’s apprentice, Broderick, who stood at the back, forgotten in the fuss. He gazed at her, clearly chagrined. She gave him the tiniest of nods. They’d surprised him, so she couldn’t blame him for giving them away.
    Behind him, the torso of the gremlin lay very still in its circle, though it had turned just enough to keep its gaze on her. Rivka ached to hug it, even with all the risk involved, just so the chimera knew it