The Inexplicables (The Clockwork Century 4)

They nodded their support, but their eyes were anxious. Zeke said, “Even the pirates keep their promises to Miss Angeline. ”

She said, “And one person is quieter than four people. That’s not my opinion, that’s math. ”

Still the boys stood firm, so she relented. But before they resumed their hike, the princess extracted a promise from them. “If things get bad, I want you boys to run, you hear me? Don’t stick around and try to be heroes. I’ve talked and cut my way out of tight situations before, and I’ll do it again. If it all goes to hell, I want you to head back to the Vaults and tell Zeke’s momma. ”

Rector let out a small snort. “Why? What’s she going to do?”

Zeke turned to him. “More than you think, and she won’t do it alone. She’ll bring Cly, and maybe Mr. Swakhammer. And both of them have friends. Big friends, the kind who don’t mind making a mess. ”

“Promise me you’ll go?”

Collectively, they sighed, promised, and continued up the hill.

It might’ve been Rector’s imagination, but he could’ve sworn that the higher they went, the thinner the Blight and fog were. He’d heard it was heavy stuff, and it pooled like liquid, or maybe the light just got better as their altitude rose. One thing that wasn’t his imagination: These had been some expensive houses, once upon a time. They were huge and ornate, and even with crumbling gingerbreads and drooping porches he could see that they must have cost a fortune. They’d all agreed to maintain their silence, so he didn’t ask if this was the neighborhood they’d called Millionaire’s Row, but he expected it probably was. You’d have to be a millionaire to own one of those places, even seventeen years ago.

The higher they went, the lighter it got, and the louder the noise of busy men grew.

Angeline led in a crouch and the boys mimicked her, staying low and keeping behind cover—going out of their way to hide behind derelict wagons, carts, and outhouses rather than venture into the open. They left the edge of the wall, but not by much. They didn’t need to: The noise came from nearby, close enough that they could still follow the lines of the barrier even though they weren’t right up against it anymore.

They heard loud voices, voices that hadn’t been asked, ordered, and reminded to stay hushed. A conversation took place that was loud enough to understand, quite clearly, at a distance—each word fired off like a gunshot in the misty, ghostly ruins.

“How much longer?”

“Hard to say. ”

Two men. They stopped moving within ten yards of the princess and the boys, who immediately ducked and hid.

“The chief was right, so I guess I’ll shut up about it. ”

“You’d better. We’ll be ready to get under way within a week, from what Scotty said. ”

“If he can be believed. ”

A pause, and then Rector heard two streams of liquid splash against the ground.

“Eh … he’s got a better idea than anybody. And it’s his money we’re burning, so if he’s wrong, it’s no skin off our noses. ”

“Right. Gotta admit, I hate taking a leak out here. Goddamn gas makes my pecker itch. ”

“Sure, it’s the gas what makes it itch. ”

“Shut your mouth. ”

“Make me. ”

“Can’t be bothered. ”

“That’s up to you, then. ”

Trousers were subsequently adjusted, and the idle conversation continued, leaving a trail of sound for Angeline and the boys to track. The two men weren’t moving fast or carefully; they obviously thought they were alone. And much to Rector’s personal relief, they weren’t going far.

“Shit, I hate that hill. ”

“Learn to piss closer to where you work. ”

“I wanted to stretch my legs. Tired of being cooped up in there. ”

“Well, your legs are stretched now, ain’t they? Next time just go for a walk down the street like a civilized lazy man. ”