Gene of Isis

‘Best wait until this rescue is over before you start thanking us,’ Mr Devere suggested, settling back against the side of the boat to await the signal from our decoys that it was clear to board.

An hour or so later the whistle came, and we crept from our rowboat onto the wharf and made our way swiftly up the gangplank.

‘All dead to the world,’ announced the woman in charge of the covert mission, and her associates chuckled.

‘I guess my great-grandmother’s sleeping potion really works,’ Cingar commented, amused, as we moved past the unconscious crew.

‘If it works nearly as well as her sleeping spell, they’ll be out for days,’ said Devere, a little spitefully, having been a victim of the spell.

‘It’s not quite as potent. Depending on how much they’ve consumed, it should keep them under for the better part of a day.’ I was delighted by the result, despite my husband’s feelings about my methods. ‘I am truly blessed to have a gypsy witch among my otherworldly associates.’

‘Don’t say any more,’ Lord Devere pleaded in a whisper. ‘That’s really a bit more information than I need to know.’

My brother-in-law was a good Christian and I well knew that my connections and means were too unorthodox and unnerving for him. ‘I feel certain god will not send you to hell for using heathen means to save your wife.’ I couldn’t resist a dig at his staunch religion, in which I held no faith whatsoever.

‘Indeed.’ He didn’t agree. ‘I think I am most fortunate that we live in this century and not the fifteenth, or we’d all be burning for tonight’s deeds.’

‘Only if we get caught,’ I retorted boldly, and the lord ventured a smile.

At the entrance to the galley level stairs we were met by one of the most attractive of the ladies, dangling a set of keys taken from her unconscious victim. “Twas as easy as taking sweets from a baby.’

I graciously took the keys from her and cast my eyes back to Lord Devere, who bowed his head to concede his admiration and gratitude. Then we headed below.

Albray led me to the room where Susan was being held captive and after a short guessing game with the keys, we finally found one that fitted the lock and the door swung open.

‘James!’ Susan exclaimed in disbelief, and rushed into his waiting arms. ‘I’ve been so worried.’ She shed tears of relief that he’d not perished at sea. ‘How did you escape?’

James motioned back to Earnest and me, who waved from the doorway. ‘I knew that somehow you’d know.’ Our dear sister rushed to embrace us both. ‘You found my clue?’

‘We did.’ I squeezed her briefly, shedding a tear of relief myself. ‘We can discuss this later, as time is something we don’t have an abundance of.’

‘Too true,’ James agreed, grabbing Susan’s hand and leading her down the passageway, to where Cingar was waving at us to hurry up.

‘Cingar has booked passage for you both on a ship bound for France early tomorrow. He’ll lead you to your transport.’ I backed up in the opposite direction.

‘And where do you think you are going, Mrs Devere?’ My husband, who’d headed after the others, halted.

‘You know that there is something else I have to do,’ I said regretfully. ‘I am unsure of how long it might take and have no wish to endanger anyone further. I shall meet you back at the rowboat as soon as I can.’

‘I am not departing without you,’ Devere and Cingar insisted as one, which immediately made me furious.

‘When are you men going to learn that I can take care of myself!’ I had backed up to the corridor where Albray stood in wait for me.

‘We have to talk, Ashlee.’ Susan also implored me to leave with them. ‘Molier is more than he seems. He is dangerous beyond all imagination, even your imagination.’ Susan resisted her husband’s gentle tug toward the exit. ‘You must believe me. He is more powerful and dark than anything you have encountered in the past.’

‘I do believe you,’ I assured her, ‘but some events are fated, and we must rise to the challenge without thought for the cost.’ This is what Albray had done, and I glanced at him, proud that he was a kindred spirit. I didn’t have to know the details of his demise in service of the greater good; his whole being radiated the unmistakable aura of a hero, too decent to boast of his own miraculous deeds. ‘Take my kin to their transport, Cingar, or I shall never forgive you.’ I made a break for the corridor, following Albray—my husband was hot on my heels.

‘I should have known he’d be behind this,’ Devere commented when he saw Albray.

Albray stopped in front of a door and I shuffled through the keys in search of one that might fit the lock. ‘Either you are going to help us or not. If the answer is not, then please just leave us to it. ’

‘Of course I’ll help.’ Devere stopped as he caught up with me. ‘I just wish you would confide in me every once in a while.’

We accomplish things faster when we act on our own. Albray fuelled my husband’s anxiety.

‘Albray,’ I cautioned him. ‘Do I have to dismiss you?’

‘What a good idea.’ Devere seconded the motion and I rolled my eyes, frustrated with the argument and my lack of success with the keys.

‘I shall insist that you both leave in a minute!’ I said crossly and stamped my foot. I shuffled through the keys once more. ‘Where is the key to this wretched door?’

Perhaps Molier has it? Albray was annoyed that he’d overlooked such a major detail.

I nodded. ‘None of these fit.’ I leant my head against the door, defeated.