Otherworld. Noli loved those silly little things. They loved her, too.
“Flying figs,” James muttered, pulling his jacket closer against the flurry.
It was too cold to scold James for his language. Something loomed in the distance as they walked up the ridge. Please, please, please let it be the house they sought. Steven’s legs and hands felt like blocks of ice. Snowflakes fell larger and faster by the moment.
James grinned so wide it nearly slid off his face. He broke into a schoolyard lope. “It’s a house, it’s a house.”
Steven quickened his step, difficult in this slush, rucksack bumping across his back. “Hopefully it’s the house we want,” he muttered to the snow, since James dashed out of earshot.
Surely, no one would turn them away in this weather, miles from civilization. Then again, he never thought anyone would leave him naked atop a building in New York City.
“Hurry up, V,” James yelled as he neared the steps of a house.
Steven shivered as he drudged up the wooden steps, stamping the snow off his boots in the process. The threestory house seemed in good repair with big windows and spindly turrets. A swing hung from the snow- covered tree in the front yard. The window boxes probably held flowers in summertime. Not what he expected from a mad scientist.
James thumped on the door with the huge brass knocker. Steven joined him as the door opened. A uniformed maid, probably not much older than Noli, peered out with big blue eyes from the half-open door, blonde curls poking out of her neat white cap.
“May I help you?” she asked, accent heavy. German perhaps?
Steven took off his hat and bowed. “Good afternoon, we’re here to see Dr. Heinz.”
A frown creased her winsome face. “Is the doctor expecting you?”
“No, he’s not, but it’s a very important matter. I’m Steven Darrow and this is my brother James.” He had to see him, he just had to. Behind them the snow fell in white sheets as the wind howled in a way that sent shivers up his spine.
“We’re willing to wait.” James shot her his wheedling smile. “We’ve traveled all the way from Los Angeles to see him.”
“Los Angeles?” Her eyes brightened and the door fell open revealing a cute, but not slender body. “I hope to go next year and be an actress in the moving pictures.”
Her and every other pretty girl in the world.
James’ smile became snow-melting. “Oh, I think you’d do well.”
A hand went to her lips to hide her own grin. “You think so?”
“Oh, I do.” He winked.
“Could you see if Dr. Heinz is available, please?” Steven interrupted, tiring of James’ shameless flirting. His brother’s wild moods were disorienting. Everyone coped differently, but perhaps he
She bobbed and stepped back, gesturing to the open door. “Please, come in, it’s too cold to wait outside.”
“We appreciate that greatly,” Steven replied as she showed them into a comfortable parlor. A fire roared invitingly. He took a seat in one of the brown chairs, but James stood in front of the hearth warming his red hands.
“Captain Scott, is that you, do you have word?” an accented male voice called from the hallway. A tall, thin man, with spectacles and blond hair entered the room. Magnifying goggles perched on his head. A leather apron, like the sort Noli preferred, covered his clothing. The mortal mad scientist glowed with the Spark—as much as Noli had. More.
Looking them up and down, Dr. Heinz frowned. “You are not Police Captain Scott.”
Steven stood. “No, Dr. Heinz, sir. I’m Steven Darrow and this is my brother James. We’ve traveled a very long way. We hope you can help us.”
Dr. Heinz’s face fell. “Help you? I don’t have time to help.”
The maid bustled in with a tea tray.
“Bridgid,” he barked. “I thought I told you not to bother me unless it was the police.”
“I couldn’t turn them away in the snow.” She set the tray on the table. Bridgid poured three cups of tea and left, giving James a saucy wink. Dr. Heinz just stood there, scowling.
“Mathias, in New York City, sends his regards—and a bottle of whisky. He says it’s your favorite.” Steven took the bottle out of the rucksack and held it out toward Dr. Heinz.
“Mathias sent you?” Dr. Heinz eyed the bottle, then took it, carefully examining it. “He does have good taste in wine, women, and song.”
“That he does.” James plopped down in an opposite chair, grabbing a cup of tea.
Dr. Heinz took a seat on the settee between them, setting the bottle on the low table by the tea tray. He let out a sigh which trembled through his entire being.
“I apologize,” he told them. “I’m Dr. Maximilian Heinz, inventor. Usually, I adore guests. However, I’m currently in the middle of something … delicate. I may not have time to assist you. Given the weather, and the fact you probably walked from town, I’ll hear you out.”
“I appreciate that, sir.” Steven took a cup of tea from the tray on the table in front of them. “I’m looking for an automaton. Nothing specific, just very unique. Something no one has ever seen. It’s … ”
“It’s a gift for our mother. She loves amusements no one else has,” James supplied.
Steven glared at his brother over his teacup. “Anyway, Mathias says when it comes to automatons, you are the best.”
“True automatons are impossible.” Dr. Heinz laughed a little too hard and fast. “However, I do have some mechanical beings and creatures, if you wish to take a look. Perhaps you’ll find something you like.”
His belly unknotted, warmed by the fire, tea, and good news. “Now that would be splendid.”
Steven appraised the assortment of toys and animals in Dr. Heinz’s basement laboratory. Noli would love this place, crowded with gadgets and do-dads.
“The dancer has potential,” James whispered as a mechanical bird zipped around the room, perching on the good doctor’s wrist at his whistle. It was much like one Tiana already had.
“But she only knows three dances, that may bore Tiana,” Steven replied. “She also has a tiny one.” As nice as Dr. Heinz’s inventions were, none of them were extraordinary enough to satisfy the high queen of the Otherworld.
“Do any of these seem interesting, young gentleman?” Dr. Heinz put the bird back in its cage, look expectant. Through all his demonstrations he seemed … dispassionate. No, more like distracted, as if his mind strayed far from them and his inventions.
“Where do you keep the good stuff?” James asked. “This is nice, but we’re looking for something more … sophisticated.”
Dr. Heinz pushed his glasses up, which had slid down the bridge of his very straight nose. His lips pursed into a hard line. “Mathias told you about Helga.” Unhappiness dropped from his voice as his hands shoved deep into his trouser pockets. “Helga is not for sale.”
James opened his mouth and Steven elbowed him in the ribs.
“Could we … see Helga? Please?” Steven ignored James’ scowl.
The doctor crossed his arms over his apron-covered chest. “I will never sell her.”
“This means you’ve created a true automaton—one with intelligence?” Sparks of hope zipped thorough him. Even if Helga wasn’t for sale, that meant the doctor could create something for them.
Dr. Heinz huffed, as if trying, and failing, to find the words he sought. “Let me show you. She is … she is unlike anything you have ever seen. Helga, Helga, come here, please.”
Silence blanketed the lab as Dr. Heinz expectantly watched the doorway to the other room.
Clink. Clink. Clink.
Metallic footsteps sliced through the silence like scythes. A figure made of brass appeared in doorway. Not all the pieces matched, making her look like a well-made quilt of metal. Most definitely female, or at least formed in the shape of one, she stood about the height and girth of a grown woman.
She stopped in front of Dr. Heinz but didn’t say anything. Dr. Heinz motioned to her. “This, young gentleman,
