The 7th of London by Beau Schemery Page A

“That’s where you come in, Mr. Seven.”
    “Me?”
    “I need you to bring me Fairgate’s journal.”
    Sev laughed despite himself. “How the hell d’ye expect me t’do that?”
    “I can get you into the palace. After that it’s up to you.”
    “That’s bloody madness,” Sev stated. “Look at me.”
    “I’m Jack Midnight, Prince of Blackside. I can get you into the palace unnoticed. Believe it.”
    “This’s a lot t’handle.” Sev stood and stalked away from Midnight.
    “I certainly won’t deny that, Mr. Seven,” Midnight agreed. “Of course, you’ll be well rewarded.”
    “I have t’think about it.”
    “I can appreciate that.” Midnight nodded. “Though we don’t have much time. The Christmas celebration will be your cover.”
    “That makes sense,” Sev muttered. “They’ll have to hire more help.” Sev started to formulate plans, though he hadn’t yet agreed. “What’s so special about this journal?”
    “Journal may be a bit of an understatement,” Midnight explained. “Do you know what a grimoire is, Mr. Seven?” Sev shook his head. “No, I shouldn’t think so. It’s a book where a wizard keeps his spells, let’s say.”
    “Spells?” Sev asked incredulously. “Ye really believe all that mumbo jumbo, Mr. Midnight? Truly?”
    “I’ve seen many things, Mr. Seven.” Midnight’s expression grew deadly serious. Sev felt goose flesh raise his skin at that look. “And I’m willing to take that chance.”
    Wizards and magic now? Sev thought. Then he considered all the other things he’d recently witnessed. If Midnight knew about secret plots, maybe he had some other answers as well. “How do ye know Kettlebent?” Sev asked the question and studied Midnight’s face. The villain’s eyes grew wide, but he said nothing. “Ye know him. I know ye do. How?”
    “I might ask you the same thing, Mr. Seven. More surprises. How do I know him?” Midnight repeated the question. “Kettlebent is employed by someone I trust implicitly.”
    “Really? Did y’know he’s in league with Fervis and a noble that mistreats Beauchamps’s girls?”
    Midnight chuckled and shook his head. “That’s not possible. He hates Fervis, and the noble who mistreats Beauchamps’s girls is Fairgate. I know for a fact he has no connection to that man.”
    Sev’s brow furrowed. “I saw him take Fairgate into the house an’ take a group o’ kids out.” Sev watched as something passed over Midnight’s face.
    “It couldn’t have been Fairgate.”
    “Ye’re so sure?”
    “I am,” Midnight stated, confidently. Sev considered those words. “I don’t need you to believe me. I only need you to accept my money and steal the journal.”
    Sev wasn’t used to such honesty, but he couldn’t agree outright. “I need t’think about it.”
    “I don’t need to tell you that time is not an unlimited commodity.”
    “No, sir,” Sev answered, pulling his hat on. “Ye don’t.”
    “I’ll send Rat around the day after tomorrow.” Midnight opened the door to the parlor. Rat was already waiting to escort Sev out. “I’ll expect your answer then. Good evening, Mr. Seven.” The criminal turned on his heel and closed the door with a sharp snap.
    Back on the street, Sev removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. He felt like he’d been caught in the current of a great river and had no control over the bizarre twists and turns it carried him around. Children were being snatched all over Blackside by a secret cabal of prominent adults and the mysterious Mr. Kettlebent, while a wizard supposedly controlled the queen, and the country’s most notorious villain was the only one who wanted to stop him. This whole situation is bloody insane , Sev thought. And Fairgate . Another piece that didn’t seem to fit the puzzle, if a puzzle even existed. Sev’s thoughts raced until a sound drifted out of the alley on the opposite side of the street, drawing the young man’s attention. He squinted