Gilded Hearts (The Shadow Guild Series) Page 14

  “I heard they torture archivists who step out of line. Chase down acolytes and apprentices who try to escape.” Jones shuffled a bit closer to Piper and reached for her hand. “I don’t think anyone could escape from here.”

  “Not true.”

  The three turned and looked at Samuel. Piper was surprised to see he was still staring where the Administrators had disappeared. “What do you mean?”

  “Some people get out. They don’t get chased either.”

  “They might get out and they might be left alone,” Dennison broke ranks and stepped away from them, “but have no doubt that they are keeping tabs on them. They’re only gone because they’re allowed to.”

  Huge metal horses, steam rolling from their wide unmoving nostrils, plodded up the road behind them. The windows lowered and a long metal spyglass stuck out from within the carriage. She watched for a moment as it moved up and down, scanning the crowd. The Administrators would have an unobstructed view of the streets around them, making it impossible to miss Sam and Piper. Dennison had told her once about a set of goggles that the Hudson’s Bay Company had created, ones that allowed the detection of an individual, singling them out from a group based on the identification of their cells. He hadn’t gone into the details of the science behind the invention, and Piper hadn’t asked. Now she cursed herself for not being more diligent.

  The carriage approached, giving them little time to escape. Ignoring Samuel’s startled protests, she pulled him into a crowded pub, keeping them near the door.

  “They have means of identifying people regardless of any costumes or disguises. If we stayed outside and had crossed their path, the goggles would identify us as archivists.”

  Sam looked through the window before lifting his wrist strap and pressing several buttons. Frowning, he shook his head. “How is that even possible?”

  “I don’t understand all of the technology, but enough to know we need to wait.” Piper could tell he wasn’t at all convinced. “I’ve been told it has something to do with our blood. We cast off invisible waves because of elements in our bodies, and everyone’s waves are unique as fingerprints. They are detectable by the goggles.”

  “Will we be safe in here?”

  “I’m not sure. I tuned Dennison out when he got blathering on about it for too long. I believe they need to actually inspect your person in order to identify you. The walls should be enough of a barrier.” She hoped.

  One of these days she’d learn to pay better attention.

  Still, when the carriage crawled past the pub, Piper held her breath and waited. Piper peered around Samuel and looked out the window. Sunlight glinted off the metal fringe on the horse’s head. The sparkle rivaled only that of the red glow in its eyes. “Dammit.”

  “What?”

  “The horse. It’s… looking at us.”

  Samuel spun them around so he could see out. The horse lifted its head, turning so it was clear the creature saw them. Samuel held a breath.

  As a child, Piper had believed the horses actually had the spirit of an animal trapped within the metal casing. Foolish and yet easy to believe when one looked into the creature’s red iris.

  They could be trapped like me.

  “No, no, no, boy,” Samuel whispered. “You take them away, boy. That’s it.”

  The horse let out a burst of steam through its nose. The eyes flared bright red for a moment, before it turned back to face the road and continued on at a faster pace.

  “Wait.” He monitored his wrist strap for several more seconds before his body relaxed. “They’re gone.”

  “How did you do that?” It was unbelievable. Those automatons weren’t alive; they shouldn’t be able to hear or be influenced by a person.

  Piper’s breath caught in her chest when she looked up and realized how close she was to him. She’d wrapped her hands into the folds of his greatcoat as she’d leaned back against the wall. The position had the unfortunate side effect of pressing her body against his in the most wanton of ways.

  “I don’t know.” His shrug had his body shifting against her. “The metal animals have always listened to me.”

  It was difficult to ignore Annie’s soft encouragements in her head. Kiss him. Press against his cock to see how much he wants you. Do it, do it, do it. Lord, she wanted to. Thoughts of Samuel had haunted her nights after he’d left, eliciting feelings from her body that Piper didn’t know how to handle. But Annie did, and was making free with explicit advice about just how she would handle Sam, given the opportunity.

  Piper was impulsive on a good day. Having the wanton urges of a prostitute rattling around her head was making it especially challenging to keep her nature in check.

  “We should go.” Reaching up, Samuel brushed a lock of her hair from her face. “We should… I need to get you safe.”

  The urge to spout off platitudes, reassurances, died as quickly as it had arrived. They weren’t safe and wouldn’t be until they made their way to the location Dennison had provided. Never mind that Samuel was in every bit as much danger as she. More so if the Guild Masters learned the Archives machine had reached out to him.

  Laughter around them jerked Piper back to the reality of their situation. Straightening, Piper stepped away. “I’m ready.”

  The bright afternoon sun was starting its descent into evening by the time they dodged their way to the address Dennison had provided. They’d managed to avoid any additional sightings of the Administrators, though Piper would almost have preferred that to some of the things she’d caught a glimpse of as they’d moved: Children peddling wares that were little more than scraps of metal with a magnetic pulse through them, begging for pennies. Women whom Annie quickly identified as prostitutes, leading men into doorways to conduct their business. Thugs eyeing them as Samuel maneuvered them past gambling hells and other dubious establishments where she hadn’t a clue what went on within.

  It was a relief when they finally turned the corner and Samuel turned to whisper, “It’s ahead.”

  The building was a simple two-story house in a street of similar houses. Steam pipes ran along the outside of the gray stone, disappearing into the building near the roof. They’d have heat and lights, but the quality would be lacking. It wasn’t the most reputable-looking of establishments, though given their predicament Piper wasn’t about to protest. Dennison had sent them here, and despite everything she still trusted him.

  Slipping into the side door, Samuel pulled his gun from his holster as he pushed her behind him. “Wait until I give you the all-clear.”

  “Sam. I can defend myself.”

  He spun around to face her, and for the first time since their reunion, Piper understood the steel that had grown within him, the core that he’d needed to forge to help survive and become the man standing before her. He was as much a killer as the man who’d taken Annie’s life. Piper straightened. While she wasn’t as experienced as he was with weapons, she was more than capable of defending herself. He needed to remember that.

  “You’re an unarmed civilian and we’re heading into an unknown building. Stay behind me and no arguments. We don’t know what we’re walking into.”

  She hated when he got like this, belligerent and unmovable. Reaching into her jacket, she felt for the small opening in the lining and withdrew the knife she’d hidden within.

  “Not completely unarmed.” She smirked in the dim stairwell. “And I still remember how to fight. You taught me well enough.” He had insisted she learn, once upon a time, how to fend off unwanted advances.

  The door was locked, but Dennison had had the foresight to include the key in the message tube. Samuel checked his wrist strap before he slid the key into place. He looked once more at the knife in her hand and frowned as he shook his head.

  “Wait here,” his whisper barely reached her. “Watch the stairs.”

  Piper held her breath as he opened the door and stepped into the room, gun held at the ready. His greatcoat swirled around his legs as he p
oked his head around the half-open door and marched farther forward. A noise from the bottom of the stairwell made her whirl around. Peering into the dark, she flexed her grip on the handle of the knife and did her best to relax her muscles. Being too tense made her sluggish and vulnerable to attack. Piper listened intently, but the noise didn’t repeat.

  Don’t relent, girl. We’re far from safe.

  They needed to get inside, safe and hidden before the Administrators found them. She knew they would rip Annie’s thoughts from her and take Samuel. Her chest tightened as it suddenly became hard to breathe. She wouldn’t let them take him. Not ever again.

  She’d kill them first.

  “It’s clear, Pip.”

  With her eyes still searching the stairs, she stepped into the room backward, shutting the door before locking it securely. Pressing her forehead to the old wood, she let the tension that had grabbed hold of her body finally seep away.

  “Are you well?”

  Turning, she was shocked to see the discomfort on Samuel’s face. He looked as if he hadn’t slept for a month, his eyes circled with dark patches. She’d like nothing more than to give them both the chance to reconnect and see if there was a chance for their lives to move together once more. But life had a way of throwing even the simplest of wishes into chaos. They were in danger, and the short respite they’d find here wouldn’t be long enough for either of them.

  Stop lying to yerself. You want to strip him of his fine clothing and see what you’ve been missing. You want to stretch out beside him and let that bloody gorgeous mouth lick and kiss your skin. Feel his hard cock press against your virgin quim until yer begging him to fuck you.

  “I’m fine.” She closed her eyes and let out a huff. “I’m tired and hungry.” And apparently wanton. “Have a bit of a headache.”

  Samuel made his way to the small cupboard. “There’s a loaf of bread here and salted beef. A little tea. You’ll be happy. There’s a tin of biscuits. Not much, but we won’t starve for tonight. If Dennison doesn’t show by noon tomorrow then we will do things my way.”

  She was too tired to ask for the hows and whys of his plan just then. Instead, she pushed away from the door and set about exploring the small flat. There was a fireplace with a cooking plate, a hot water pipe and washbasin along the back wall, and a bed in the corner. She let her gaze linger on the simple mattress and quilt. If she was very lucky, the linen would be clean and vermin-free.

  If you are very lucky, you’ll find yourself on your back with your ankles by your ears and yer sergeant fucking you.

  “Shut up,” she whispered, pressing her hands to her ears.

  She didn’t realize Samuel was so close until he gently took her wrists and pulled her hands down. “It’s her, isn’t it?”

  Piper shook her head, but couldn’t dislodge the wave of Annie’s giggles echoing in her brain.

  “Pip?” He gave her hands a squeeze.

  “She’s whispering things to me. I don’t understand half of it, and it’s pissing me off.” Stepping against him, Piper looked down at where their hands joined. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?” Samuel ran his thumb across her index finger.

  “Not going with you. Things could have been so different if I’d simply taken your hand and left that night.”

  Pressing a kiss to the back of her hand, Samuel let out a soft growl. “Maybe. Or you might hate me now for making you leave a life you’d loved. We can’t live with what-ifs, Pip.”

  Piper could feel his body shake. His eyes appeared to darken, and his body swayed toward hers. Annie’s voice tittered in her head, making her wish she could shut the tart up. You don’t really want that, girl. Then you won’t know what to do when he kisses you.

  “He won’t.” She spoke the words before she could stop.

  “I won’t what?”

  Turning her face away, she concentrated on the room beyond him. “We should start a fire. It will get cold here once the sun sets.”

  “I won’t what, Pip?” He crowded her against the wall, the sheer size of his body blocking everything else and forcing her attention to him.

  Her heart pounded in her chest to the point of being painful. She struggled to breathe and control the tremors shaking her body. She was far from scared of Samuel and what he might do. If anything, Piper was terrified he would leave her alone and she’d remain ignorant of the pleasures that could pass between a man and woman.

  “There are many things I won’t do,” Samuel said softly as he leaned on one arm to rest against the wall above her head. “Many, many things. But I have the feeling what Annie is whispering in your head might be of interest to me.”

  Piper licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry. “Kiss me. She said you were going to kiss me.”

  That’s not all he’ll do to you, pet.

  “A kiss?” He chuckled and his warm breath washed across her cheek. “Such a tame suggestion from a woman I suspect could put us both to shame with her imagination, let alone her experience.”

  “I said you wouldn’t.” Piper knew she should look away and break this spell they both seemed to be under. But there was nothing that could tear her away. “You wouldn’t kiss me.”

  “No? I wonder why you would think such a thing?”

  Samuel lowered his face so their lips were only a few inches apart. She tried to hold eye contact, but he was too close. Letting her eyes fall shut, Piper was forced to rely on her other senses to guide her.

  “Do you want me to kiss you, Pip? I will, you know. I would have on the streets if it hadn’t been for that fool. I would have kissed you in the full light of day, letting everyone know that you’re mine.”

  Her stomach fluttered as she curled her fingers around the heavy wool lapels of his greatcoat. Her voice refused to work, even as she felt him come closer.

  “Have you been kissed before?” He rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip, his fingers bumping against her chin. “I bet you haven’t. No matter how much Dennison looks at you like he might consume you whole. He’s never dared, has he? Answer me.”

  “No.” She shivered, unexpectedly aroused by the steel in his voice. “I’ve never kissed anyone.”

  “Good.”

  The gentle brush of skin against skin was shockingly pleasant. There was no way she could mistake his lips for his thumb or any other foolish notion she might have imagined. She gasped as he slid his tongue over her lips, pushing it inside when she finally gave him access.

  Piper knew this was wrong. Everything about this was not what it should be. She might not be a proper society lady, but neither was she Annie. Still, she couldn’t stop herself from winding her arm around his neck, or pressing her breasts to rub her nipples against him.

  “I’ve wanted to do that to you for a long time.” His words were whispered against her lips. “I dreamed about what you tasted like. How your skin would feel as I stripped you bare.”

  She slid her hands across his chest, feeling his heat and the pounding of his heart. Memories of what he looked like came to her, now informed with the experience time gave her. “I missed your touch.”

  He circled her throat with his hands, thumbs caressing the hollow and grazing across her collarbone. She tipped her head back, giving him full access, knowing he could feel her desire and growing desperation.

  Lips found her skin, as he kissed and nipped at her. He crowded her against the wall, so she felt every inch of him against her. Long gone was the boy who’d fled the Archives, and in his place was a man, hardened by the world. Piper wanted him. Wanted this so badly the end was inevitable.

  Samuel groaned and ground his erect cock against her hip. “I want you. I’ve wanted you for so long.” Sucking her earlobe, he teased the flesh with his tongue. “The only thing I wanted for myself. Ever. You.”

  “Yes.”

  He pulled back, his eyes dark with lust and his skin flushed. “Pip?”

  “Yes. I want you. This. I’ve always wanted you too.”

&n
bsp; Joy. That was the only way she’d ever be able to describe it. Unadulterated joy burst through Samuel and bled into her soul. She could feel it in the way he scooped her up in his arms and clutched her tight to his chest. The pleasure he felt as he gently laid her on the bed.

  He rose above her, still secure in his greatcoat, and stared. This was what she’d been missing, this natural connection they shared that kept her going. When he’d gone, all she’d had was her duty, but no longer. Now she had him.

  “Are you certain? I’m not sure I can stop this once we begin.”

  Of course she had doubts, fears. Piper had no idea what she was doing, beyond the whispered encouragements from a dead woman in her head. She didn’t trust her body to understand what was happening, let alone appreciate the pleasure it was about to give her.

  All Piper knew was she wanted Samuel more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life. With her eyes locked onto his, she smiled. “I let you slip from my life once, I’m not about to do it again.” She licked her lips, sat up, and turned her back to him. “Help me. I want to be yours.”

  “Yes.”

  And she was done for.

  Chapter Eleven

  Samuel’s hands shook as he began to open the simple lacing on the back of Piper’s gown. The girls of the Archives wore the most unflattering of frocks while growing up in the guild. But Piper was a fully grown woman who’d risen to the rank of full archivist. Her clothing was allowed to take on a slightly more fashionable look.

  Not that he cared. The only thing he wanted was to tear it from her body, finally baring her to his sight. Naked flesh beneath his hands, his mouth on her skin as she moaned beneath him.

  “Sam.” Her voice was nearly a sigh as she arched her back like a cat, into his touch.

  It took little effort to open the few bindings enough for her frock to slip down her arms. The shift beneath covered little of her skin, giving him a target too tempting to resist. He brushed his lips against the bare back of her shoulder, close to the nape of her neck. Her desire was amplified in his brain, stoking his higher until he grew too hot.