Malcolm (Book 1, The Redemption Series) (24 page)

“There’s no need to keep your head bowed in front of me,” I tell him. “And please, just call me Anna. I’m not much on formal titles when people talk to me.”

A touch of amusement brightens Harvey’s old brown eyes. A smile stretches his cracked lips which causes the wrinkles on his face to become even more pronounced.

“How can I help you, Anna?” he asks.

“Could you please take us to Bartholomew? We need his help,” I say, basically asking for the same thing Malcolm did, just with a tad more honey in my words.

Harvey holds out a crooked arm for me to take. I slip my arm through his and allow him to escort me into the cabin. I’m faintly aware of Malcolm and Jered following in behind us.

The interior of the cabin looks normal enough with a small bed, table, and cast iron stove inside. On the opposite wall from the front door is another solitary door. Harvey walks me over to this door and opens it to reveal what looks like a square iron cage hanging in an open shaft.

Harvey opens the door of the cage and seems to expect me to get inside.

“What is it?” I ask him.

“It’s an elevator,” Harvey tells me. “Not as fancy as the ones you have in Cirrus, I’d wager, but it’ll getcha down safely to where Barlow is.”

I want to look back and confirm this with Malcolm, but I feel like such an action would make Harvey think I didn’t trust his word. So, I simply nod and smile while I step into the elevator. Malcolm and Jered aren’t far behind me. Once all three of us are in the elevator, Harvey closes its door.

“Safe journeys, Anna,” Harvey says to me before closing the cabin's interior door.

A light illuminates on the ceiling of the elevator as it begins to make its descent down into the earth.

“Where exactly are we going?” I ask.

“Bartholomew practically has his own city built underground,” Jered tells me. “It keeps his operation out of sight from the prying eyes of the royal family.”

“Isn’t he going to be upset that you’re bringing the Empress of Cirrus into his inner lair?” I ask Malcolm, forcing him to talk to me even if it’s just to answer a simple question.

“He won’t be upset,” Malcolm says, keeping his back to me. “In fact, he’s been waiting for you. They all have.”

“Waiting for me? Why?”

Malcolm finally turns around as the elevator continues to make its slow descent underground. The hood of his cloak is masking half his face but that does nothing except make him look even more handsome to my eyes.

“All the down-worlders have been waiting for you to ascend to the throne,” Malcolm answers. “Everyone knew that Augustus wasn’t anything like his mother or his father. And with someone who was actually born down here ruling by his side, they all have hope that the two of you can change things for the better.”

“That was our plan,” I tell Malcolm. “I intend to do what Auggie and I wanted to do before Levi killed him. I have every intention of bringing the down-world into the present.”

“I plan to give you your chance, Anna,” Malcolm says, causing me to catch my breath slightly when he says my name. “And I hope you can accomplish what no one else has been able to.”

“I plan to accomplish a great many things during my time,” I tell him, hoping he knows winning his heart is at the top of my list.

Malcolm stares at me for a moment then says, “I’m sure you’ll try. But, you can’t always get everything you want.”

“I was always taught that if you worked hard enough you can achieve anything,” I reply.

Malcolm tilts his head at me. “And how many times have you failed to get what you want?”

“Never.”

“Hmm,” Malcolm says, considering my answer. “Well, there’s always a first time for everything, Anna.”

Malcolm turns around again, seeming to completely dismiss me from his mind.

I feel an elbow gently prod me in my right side. I look over at Jered and see him wink at me. He then proceeds to roll his eyes in Malcolm’s direction looking completely exasperated by the other man’s attitude towards me and shakes his head in dismay.

It makes me smile but doesn’t exactly lift my spirits much.

The elevator finally comes to a stop, and I hear the sound of live music being played.

Malcolm opens the door of the elevator and walks out, holding the door open for me and Jered to exit its interior. I feel as though I just stumbled upon a carnival of some sort. There are women dressed in colorful dresses, some of which are in two parts and showing more flesh across the midriff than the people of Cirrus would consider decent. The men are wearing loose fitting cotton shirts and dark pants. The cavernous space I find myself in looks like a large room carved within a mountain. Lights are strung up from the center of the room's ceiling outward like a canopy of illumination.

Everyone in the room seems to be captivated by a man and a woman dancing in the center of the room. As a group of musicians play some lively music off to the side, the couple dance around each other but never seem to touch. They keep their eyes locked on one another as each takes their turn dancing. It's almost like a competition between the two dancers. The woman is wearing a red and black two piece dress with the top tied together in the front by a knot between her breast and a long flowing skirt that flares out when she twirls. She tosses her long, black curly hair to the beat of the music during her turn, then stops and holds out her hand to the man challenging him to try and out do her.

The man is handsome with short black hair and startling gray-green eyes. His plump lips spread into a smile like he was simply awaiting his chance to take his turn. His dance is composed of a lot of rhythmic stomping of his feet, not as elegant as the woman's dance but none the less captivating in its movement. At one point, the man bends his knees and squats down, but still manages to keep his balance and kick his booted feet in time with the music. When he stands back up, the music stops and everyone in the crowd cheers enthusiastically. The woman throws her hands up in the air in defeat but doesn't seem in the least bit angry that she lost.

The man goes up to the woman and says something to her. She leans up and kisses him on the cheek before walking away.

People in the crowd go up to congratulate the man. He graciously accepts their praise but looks modest while doing so. As he's holding court with the crowd in front of him, he notices us standing by the elevator. He makes his excuses to those around him and walks over to us.

“Overlord Devereaux,” the man says, holding out his hand to Malcolm. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your company this evening?”

“We need some transportation, Bartholomew,” Malcolm says, shaking the other man’s offered hand.

Bartholomew's eyes soon rest on me.

“Empress,” he says, bowing his head in my direction, “we heard that you were here in the down-world. I must say I didn’t think I would have the pleasure of your company so soon.”

“Yes, about that,” Malcolm says. “Harvey mentioned a little something when we arrived. What exactly have you heard about the empress?”

Bartholomew tears his eyes away from me and looks back to Malcolm.

“We heard that the fair empress here was kidnapped against her will by you on her wedding night and that you’re holding her for a hefty ransom.”

Malcolm sighs and folds his arms across his chest. “I guess I shouldn't be surprised that's what he's saying. Is there anything else I need to know?”

“That the emperor has promised a lordship or ladyship to any person who provides information leading to the safe return of Empress Annalisse.”

I hear Jered groan in dismay. “Well, that's certainly not going to make things any easier for us.”

“And do you intend to turn us in for a title?” Malcolm asks Bartholomew point blank.

Bartholomew smiles. “No, I do not. None of my people will. We have no desire to go to the up-world. We like it down here just fine.”

Malcolm looks over to me and raises an eyebrow. I instantly understand what he wants to know.

“He's telling the truth,” I say, learning in that instant that Malcolm and Jered must not have my ability to ferret out a lie.

“So,” Bartholomew says, “are you going to make the formal introductions or am I going to have to introduce myself?”

Malcolm turns to me.

“Empress Annalisse Desiraye Greco Amador,” Malcolm says, “I would like to introduce you to Bartholomew Stokes.”

Bartholomew holds out his hand to me palm up. I hesitantly place my hand into his. He bends at the waist and lightly presses his lips to the top of my hand.

“It's a great pleasure to meet you, Empress Annalisse,” Bartholomew says as he stands back to his full height.

“Please, just call me Anna, Bartholomew.”

“Then I must insist that you in turn call me Barlow,” he replies with a friendly smile.

“Why does she get to call you Barlow, and I get stuck with Bartholomew?” Malcolm asks, sounding irritated by the disparity.

Barlow raises an eyebrow at Malcolm. “Because only my friends are allowed to call me Barlow. You and I are business associates. There’s a difference. And as a friend,” Barlow says, turning to look at me again, “I have to ask you Anna, are you with these two men of your own free will?”

I look at Malcolm and Jered briefly before replying, “Yes. Malcolm didn’t kidnap me. He saved me. The emperor is not himself and wishes to harm me. I am abundantly safer with Malcolm.”

“I had to ask,” Barlow tells me with a shrug. “I want you to know that if you ever need my help I am here to serve you no matter what the task.”

“Thank you,” I tell him, not completely sure why a man in Barlow’s line of work would make such an offer.

“Why don’t we just get down to business now that you know I didn’t kidnap the empress,” Malcolm says. “We need three teleports to New Orleans for tonight.”

“Easily arranged,” Barlow tells him. “Where to exactly?”

Malcolm looks to Jered. “You need to procure us some rides. But, we can't chance you going back to my house to get any of my horses.”

“I should just go to the Elysian Fields Market to get what we need. No one will ask any questions there,” Jered says.

“Ok, you go there, and Anna and I will go get the package I left at Celeste's place.”

Barlow begins to chuckle. “You're taking the Empress of Cirrus to Celeste Dubois' house?”

“Celeste is a friend,” Malcolm says, like where we’re going isn’t as bad as Barlow seems to think it is. “I left something there that I need to get back before the emperor finds it.”

Barlow looks at me and shakes his head. “Please remember when you arrive there, that it wasn’t my idea to send you to such a place.”

“Why?” I ask apprehensively. “Who is Celeste Dubois, and what's wrong with her home?”

“It's a house of...”

“Enough, Bartholomew,” Malcolm says, cutting off Barlow's words. “She doesn't need to know everything. She might not even notice.”

Barlow looks at Malcolm like he's lost his mind. “She's not an idiot. She'll know as soon as she gets there.”

“Then, it doesn't matter, does it?”

Barlow shakes his head in dismay at Malcolm. “Do I at least have your word that you'll look after her while you’re visiting Celeste? I would hate for Anna to be mistaken for something that she isn't.”

“She won't even be allowed inside the house,” Malcolm says before his attention gets distracted by something lying in a chair nearby.

Malcolm walks over to the chair and picks up a folded dark green wool blanket. When he walks back over, he hands it to me.

“Here. You'll need this for later,” he tells me without further explanation.

“So, I assume you’re in a rush?” Barlow says to Malcolm.

“Yes,” Malcolm answers curtly. “We need to get going as soon as possible.”

“I suppose this will be going on your account?”

“You know I'm good for it.”

Barlow nods. He looks over at me and holds out his arm.

“Please, Anna, let me escort you to where we need to go,” Barlow says.

I take his offered arm and follow him to one of the many tunnels which are drilled into the mountain, branching off from the main room we're in. I'm fully aware that people are watching me. Whether they're in awe of me or frightened, I can't exactly tell. Quite honestly, I would rather they be neither. I never intended to be a ruler who was worshiped. I only ever wanted to lead the people of both Cirrus and the down-world into an enlightened age. One in which we could all coexist and prosper.

We walk up to what looks like a cart of some sort sitting on top of two metal tracks. The tracks disappears deeper into the dark tunnel.

The cart is divided up into a front and back section, both with a padded bench for passengers to sit on.

Barlow steps up first and offers me his hand to follow him into the front of the cart. Malcolm and Jered get into the back section and sit down.

A tall metal rod is attached to the floorboard of the cart between Barlow and me.

“I hope you’re not afraid to go fast,” Barlow says to me.

“This little cart is supposed to go fast?” I ask dubiously.