15
Foreign Mud
Translated by Edited by
Annae Drifted Oh God, that love was like a flower or flame,
That life was the appointment of a name,
That death was regrettable that the desire
These things were not one and the same thing!
-Algernon Charles Swinburne, "Laus Veneris"
"Miss Tessa." The voice was Sophie. Tessa turned and saw under the threshold, with a lantern swinging in his hand. "Are you OK?"
Tessas felt pitifully grateful to see the other girl. He had felt so alone. "I'm not hurt. Henry has been behind the creatures, however, and Charlotte ... "
"They'll be fine." Sophie put her hand on the elbow of Tessa. "Let's go inside, miss. Is bleeding. "
" Am I? "Puzzled, Tessa raised her fingers to touch your forehead, they returned stained red. "I should have beaten his head when I fell against the steps. Not even feel it. "
" Shock, "Sophie said calmly, and Tessa thought many times in your work here Sophie had to have done these things, bandaged the cuts, or clean the blood. "Come on and get a towel to his head."
Tessa nodded. With a final glance over his shoulder at the destruction in the yard, let Sophie guided within the Institute. The short time became blurred. After Sophie lasescaleras help her up and sit in a chair in the room, disappeared and returned momentosdespués with Agatha, who pushed a cup of something warm in your hand deTessa.
Tessa knew what was at the time it smelled, brandy and water. Natey thought hesitated, but once I took a few drinks, start by adding things back into focus. Charlotte and Henry returned, bringing the AMETAL and fight odor. Tight-lipped, Charlotte put his arms on the Mesay called Will. He did not answer, but Thomas did, running down the hallway, his jacket stained with blood, telling him that Will was with Jem, and queJem would be fine.
"Lascriaturas was wounded and lost a little blood," said Thomas, running unamano its matted brown hair. Sophie looked as he said. "Asked a Iratze PeroWill ..."
"And its medicine?" Sophie asked quickly. "He had something like that?"
Thomasasintió head, and tense shoulders relaxed a poco.Charlotte Sophie's eyes softened as well. "Thank you, Thomas," she said. "Perhaps vezpuedas see if he needs anything else?"
Thomasasintió, and set off back down the aisle with one last look for encimade his shoulder at Sophie, who seemed not to notice. Laotomana Charlotte sat in front of Tessa. "Tessa, will you tell us what happened?"
Holding cup, with her cold fingers despite its heat, Tessa shook. "Have you atrapadoa those who escaped? The ... whatever. Do the monsters of metal? "
Charlottenegó with his head gravely. "We chased through the streets, perodesaparecieron once we get to Hungerford Bridge. Henry thinks quehubo some magic in question. "
" O untúnel secret, "said Henry. "I also suggested a secret tunnel, my dear." Tessa looked. His pleasant face was stained with blood and oil, his vest was brilliant araya slashed and torn. He looked like a schoolboy in a bad habíaestado trouble of some sort. "He saw a tunnel exit, perhaps, Miss Gray? "
" No "Tessa said, her voice a half-whisper. To soothe the throat, took the drink otrosorbo Agatha had given him, and left the cup before continuarcon all, the bridge, the driver, persecution, words of criaturaque had spoken, the way they had broken through delInstituto door. Charlotte listened with a white face haggard, even Henry parecíasombrío. Sophie sitting quietly in a chair, drew attention to the serious lahistoria intensity of a schoolgirl.
"Dijeronque was a declaration of war" ended Tessa. "It came to revenge denosotros ... you, I guess, what happened to De Quincey."
"Yla creature referred to as the Maestro," asked Charlotte.
Tessaapretó lips firmly to prevent them from trembling. "Yes. The Master said he loved me and that had been sent to me to recover. Charlotte, this is my fault. If not for me, De Quincey had not sent this nochea these creatures, and Jem ... "He looked down at his hands. "Maybe you should dejarque I had."
Charlotteestaba shaking his head. "Tessa, De Quincey you heard last night. Cazadoresde hates the shadows. Key whether he would attack you. And if you entregáramosa it, all you would be doing is putting a potentially valuable weapon his hands. "He looked at Henry. "I wonder why you waited so long. Why Tessa quén go when he left with Jessie? Unlike demons, these mechanical creatures can go during the day. "
" may, "said Henry," but not alarmed the population ... yet. They do not look enough like ordinary human beings without comment parapasar curious. "It took a brilliant team of his pocket and losostuvo high. "I examined the remains of the robots in the backyard. Here that Tessa DeQuincey sent after the bridge are like the crypt. Mássofisticados are made with stronger metals, and másavanzada structure. Someone has been working on the design of plans found porWill, refined. The creatures are now faster and more lethal. "
But, how refined? "It was a spell." Tessarápidamente said. "On the plane. Magnus deciphered ... "
" Elhechizo binding. Is to connect a power devil robots. "Charlotte looked at Henry. "De Quincey could ...?"
"Lograrsu realization?" Henry shook his head. "No. These creatures are simplementeconfiguradas to follow a pattern, such as musical boxes. But animados.Ellos not or will not have intelligence or life. And there's nothing demonic Enell. "
Charlotteexhaló in relief. "We queencontrar De Quincey before they succeed in its objective. These criaturasson quite difficult to kill. The Angel knows how many of them have done, or that lodifícil would kill them if they had the cunning of demons. "
" Unejército born nor of Heaven and Hell. "Tessa said softly.
"Exactly," said Henry. "De Quincey has to be found and arrested. Meanwhile, Tessa, you must stay at the Institute. Not that we want to keep as prisioneraaquí, but it would be safer to stay indoors. "
" Peropor how ...? "Tessa started and stopped, when the expression of Sophiecambió. I was looking at something over his shoulder to Tessa, suddenly his hazel ojoscolor widened.
Tessala followed her gaze.
EraWill. He stood at the door of the room. There was a line of white blood sucamisa; seemed paint. His face was calm, almost like unamáscara, his gaze was fixed on Tessa. As their eyes met Through the room, she felt his pulse jump in the throat.
"Élquiere talk to you." Said Will.
Huboun moment of silence when everyone in the room looked. There was something intimidating the intensity of the gaze of Will, the tension its stillness. Sophie teníala hand on his throat, nervously fluttering fingers to his neck.
"Will." Charlotte said finally. "You mean to Jem? Is he OK? "
" Estádespierto and talking, "said Will. His gaze slid for a moment to Sophie, who had lowered his gaze, as if to hide his expression. "And ahoraquiere talk to Tessa."
"But ..." Tessa looked at Charlotte, who seemed worried. "Okay? Are you good enough? "
Laexpresión Will not changed. "He wants to talk to you," he said, pronunciandocada word very clearly. "So I get up, and come with me, yhablarás him understand?"
"Will," Charlotte began sharply, but Tessa was already lifting, smoothing crinkled skirt with the palm of their hands. Charlotte haciaella looked worried, but said nothing more.
totally silent as they made their way down the hall, the magical light candelabrosde cast their shadows on the walls in delgadasfiguras distant. He had black oil, as well as splashes of blood on his camisablanca, stains on the cheek, her hair was matted, his jaw tense. Sepreguntó if he had slept little since dawn, when she had let the attic. She wanted to ask, but everything about him, his posture, his silence, the position of their shoulders, saying that no questions would be welcome.
openedby Jem's door and led him forward. The only light inthe room outside his window and a chandelier lamesita magical light on at night. Jem was half under the covers high carved bed. White Estabatan her nightgown, the lids of her closed eyes were dark deazul. Leaning against the side of the bed was his staff headed jade.De had somehow been repaired and was whole again, shining Spotless.
Jemvolvió face to the sound of the door, without opening his eyes. "Will?"
Willhizo something that stunned then Tessa. He forced his face to make a smile, dij, a passably cheerful tone, "the suit, as requested."
Losojos Jem opened rapidly, Tessa was relieved to see that his habíanvuelto usual color. Still, they the appearance of holes inits pale shades.
"Tessa," he said. "Sorry."
Tessamiró Will, for permission or guidance was not sure, but he mirabafijamente the front. It was clear that would not help. Without addressing otramirada, hurried across the room and sat on the chair beside bed dela Jem. "Jem," he said softly, "you should not whine, or pedirmeperdón. I should be the one to apologize. You did nothing wrong. I erael aim of these mechanical things, not you. "Gently stroked the quilt, trying to touch her hand, but not daring to do so. "If not for me, never would have hurt."
"Hurt." Jem said the word in an exhalation of breath, almost with disgust. "I do not resultéherido."
"James." Will's tone held a note of warning.
"Elladebe know, William. Otherwise think this was all her fault. "
" Estabasenfermo, "Will said, not looking at Tessa as she spoke. "It's not anyone's fault." He paused. "Sólocreo you should be careful. Not yet recovered. Speak only tecansará. "
" Haycosas more important than being careful. "Jem struggled to sit up, pulling away the cordonesen his neck when he got up, contralateral back support pillows. When he spoke, he was a little breathless. "If tegusta, Will, you have to stay."
Tessaoyó the door opened and shut behind her with a gentle click. Will Sabíasin look was gone. She could not help it; a twinge leatravesó, the way he always seemed to happen when he left of unahabitación.
Jemsuspiró. "It's so stubborn."
"They were right," said Tessa. "At least he was right when you say you do not need to burn anything that does not want. I know that none of it was your fault. "
" Laculpa has nothing to do with it, "said Jem. "I think also deberíassaber truth. Hide rarely help anything. "He looked unmomento the door, as if his words were intended for the absent half Will. Luegovolvió sighed, running his hands through his hair. "You know," he said, "Most of my Vidah lived in Shanghai with my parents? What I grew up in the Institute over there? "
" Yes, "said Tessa, wondering if he was still a bit stunned. "You Loconte me on the bridge. And you said that a demon had killed your parents. "
" Yanluo, "said Jem. There was hatred in his voice. "The devil had a grudge against my mother. She had been in charge Of the death of a number of his descendants demons. They had a nest in unpequeño town called Lijiang, where they had been feeding on niñoslocales. She burned the nest and escaped before the demon waited encontrara.Yanluo propitious time for years, the Great Demons live Forever, but never forgot. When I was eleven, Yanluo aPoint found weak defense that protected the Institute, was introduced. The demoniomató to dam the guards and took my family, binding us all to the great hall chairs of the house. Then he went to work. "
" Yanluome tortured in front of my parents, "Jem continued, his voice empty. "One time I yotra venom injected a fiery demon that burned me yrompió veins in my mind. For two days in and out of hallucinations and sueños.Vi the world drown in rivers of blood, and heard the cries of the dead Ylos dying throughout history. I saw London burning, and metal lasgrandes creatures striding to and fro like huge spiders ... "She gasped. He was very pale, her nightgown clinging to her chest elsudor, but dismissed with a gesture expressing concern Tessa. "Cadapocas hours back to reality long enough to hear my padresgritando for me. Then on the second day, I went back and only heard my mother. My padrehabía been muted. My mother's voice was wild and broken, but ellaseguía calling my name. It was not my English name, but the name given when I was born mehabía: Jian. I can still hear his voice at times, calling me. "
hands clenched on the pillow that held, apretadasque enough tissue had begun to break.
"Jem," Tessa said softly. "Puedesparar. No need to tell me everything now. "
" Teacuerdas when I said I had probably Mortmain elcontrabando opium money, "she asked. "The British opium to China have made tonelada.Han us a nation of addicts. In Chinese we call it 'fangoextranjero' or 'black smoke. " Shanghai Somehow, my city, estáconstruida in opium. As it does not exist without it. The city is full deescondites where men with sunken eyes loúnico starving because the drug they want is more of the drug. Ella.Yo give anything for men used to despise so. I could not understand how they were so weak. "
Élrespiró deep.
"Enel time the Enclave of Shanghai worried about the silence delInstituto and were to save my parents were already dead. Recuerdonada not that. I was screaming and raving. I took the Silent Brotherhood, who healed my body as well as they could. Although there was one thing that no pudieronsolucionar. I had become addicted to the substance with the devil I habíaenvenenado. My body was dependent on her for the way the body opium unadicto is dependent on the drug. They tried to get away from her, but estarsin that caused me terrible pain. Even when they were able to bloquearel pain witch spells, lack of drugs Alborde pushed my body to death. After weeks of experimentation, they decided that nohabía nothing to do: could not live without the drug. The drug itself significabauna slow death, but would take it away very fast. "
" Semanasde experimentation? "Tessa repeated. "When he was only eleven years? That parececruel. "
" Diosmío really my god, has his own brand of cruelty, "said Jem, mirandomás beyond. "There, next to you on the bedside table is a box. "Puedesdármela?"
Tessalevantó the box. It was made of silver, the lid inlaid with enamel unaescena representing a thin woman in white robes, barefoot, pouring water from a vase in a stream. "Who is she?" I asked, handing the box to Jem.
"Kwanyin. The goddess of mercy and compassion. They say that you hear each oracióny every cry of suffering and does what he can to answer it. I thought maybe if I kept the cause of suffering in a box with his image on it, podríahacer reduce that suffering. "Shook the buckle to open the box and dust cover slid back. Inside was a thick layer of what Tessa initially thought it was ash, but the color was too bright. Unacapa thick dust was almost the same silver plated bright eyes the color models Jem.
"This drug," he said. "It comes from a witch Limehouse.Tomo dealer we know of it every day. That is why I seem so ... so spooky, Slovenian color draining from my eyes and hair, even my skin. Sometimes I preguntosi my parents even know me ... "His voice trailed off. "If tengoque fight, I take more. I take less weak. Hoyantes had not taken anything we went to the bridge. That's why I collapsed. Not lascriaturas mechanical. Because of the drug. With nothing on my system, fighting, running, was too much for me. My body began to feed on itself, ycolapsé. "Closed the case of a coup, and returned it to Tessa. "Here. Denuevo put it where it was. "
" Nonecesitas nothing? "
" No.There've had enough tonight. "
" drug Dijisteque meant a slow death, "said Tessa . "So significaque drug is killing you?"
Jemasintió head, with tufts of bright hair falling over his forehead.
Tessasintió his heart leaped with a painful beating. "And when you fight, tomasmás. So , why do not you stop fighting? Will and the others ... "
" would understand, "Jem ended it. "I know they would. But there is more to life than a Hunter morir.Soy no shadows. Is what I am, not just what I do. I can not vivirsin it. "
" Significaque not want. "
Will, Tessa thought, would have upset if I had said that to him, but Jem peered simplementela. "I mean I do not want to. Tiempohe long sought a cure, but eventually I stopped, and asked that WILL Will and the rest also arrested. I'm not this drug, or its hold on me. I quesoy better than that. My life is more than that, beyond how and cuándopueda end. "
" Well, I do not want to die, "said Tessa. "I do not know why I feel so strong ... recently ... but I know you die."
"Yconfío you," he said. "I do not know why, just know you ... but I do." Susmanos were no longer clutching the pillow, but lay motionless onthe surface loose and tassels. They were thin hands, the knuckles were a pocograndes for the rest of them, sharp and thin fingers, a thick cicatrizblanca running down the back of his right thumb. Tessa queríadeslizar his hand on hers, I wanted to hold it firmly and comfort ...
"Well, this is very touching." It was Will, of course, who had entered the room silenciosamenteen. He had changed his bloody shirt, and seemed in a hurry haberselavado. His hair looked wet, her face scrubbed, aunquelos edges of her nails were black with dirt and oil. Jem looked Atessa, his face carefully blank. "I see that you told."
"Lohice." There was nothing defiant tone Jem: he never looked at Will of otraforma rather than affection, Tessa thought, no matter how provocative that fueseWill. "It's done. Need not follow you concerned about it. "
" Noestoy agree, "said Will. He pointed his eyes on Tessa. She remembered what quehabía said about Jem not to tire, and rose from his chair.
Jemla a look gloomy. "You have to go? I had rather laesperanza that you stay and you were a guardian angel, but if you must go, do it. "
" I mequedaré, "Will said a little angry, and fell into the chair vacated acababade Tessa. "I can meet an angel."
"Nodemasiado convincing. And you are so beautiful to watch as it is Tessa, "Jem said, closing his eyes as he leaned against the pillow.
"Quégrosero. Many who have looked at me laexperiencia been compared with contemplating the sunshine. "
Jemtodavía eyes were closed. "If they meant that gives you a headache, not seequivocan."
"Besides," said Will, with his eyes on Tessa, "Tessa is just to keep his brother. Noha had the chance to see him since this morning. "
" Esoes true. "Jem's eyes flew open for a moment deplata were black, dark with sleep. "My apologies, Tessa. I almost forgot. "
Tessano said nothing. I was too busy being horrified because it was YOUR EXCLUSIVE Jem had almost forgotten his brother. It's okay, he meant, but the eyes of Jem were cerradosde again, and thought he could be asleep. As I watched, Will inclinóhacia front and pulled the blankets covering the chest of Jem.
Tessas turned and left as quietly as he could.
Laluz in the halls burned low, or perhaps was simply brilliant Jem inthe room. Tessa paused for a moment, blinking, until quesus eyes adjusted. He winced. "Sophie?"
LaOtra girl was a series of pale spots in the shadows, his pale face, andthe white cap hanging from his hand by one of its bonds.
"Sophie?" Said Tessa. "Is something wrong?"
"ELESTA right?" Asked Sophie, with a weird little blockage in his voice. "Will it be okay?"
Demasiadosobresaltada to make sense of your question, Tessa said, " Who "
Sophiela stared, his eyes mutely tragic. "Jem."
AmoJem No, or Mr. Carstairs. Jem. Tessa looked at her in utter amazement, remembering is suddenly OK to love someone who does not love correspondesu, while worthy of that love. In both deserve it.
course, Tessa thought. I'm so stupid. Jem is she has a crush.
"ELESTA fine," as soft as he could. "He's resting, but he was sitting yhablando. Soon be fully recovered, I'm sure. Sides may see ... "
" No! "Exclaimed Sophie immediately. "No, that would not be fair nor appropriate." His ojosbrillaban. "I am very grateful to you, miss. I ... "
Sevolvió then, and walked hurriedly down the hall. Tessa followed with Lavista worried and perplexed. Why had not she seen him before? How podíahaber been so blind? How strange transformarteliteralmente have the power to someone else, and yet be so unable to get in sulugar.
* * *
The door to the room slightly open Nateestaba; Tessa pushed it fully open tansilenciosamente as he could, and it was introduced.
His brother was a pile of blankets. The flickering candle luzde bedside table lit up her blonde hair spread onthe pillow. His eyes were closed, his chest rising and bajandoregularmente.
In the chair beside the bed encontrabaJessamine. She, too, was asleep. His blond hair was carefully arranged escapándosedel wheel, the curls falling over his hombros.Alguien had cast a heavy wool blanket over her, and her hands laaferraron, luring them to his chest, looked younger than Tessa lahabía ever seen, and vulnerable. There was nothing in it for the girl who habíamatado the puck in the park.
was so strange, she thought Tessa, what quedespertaba tenderness in people. It was never what you would have expected. Tansilenciosamente as he could, away, closing the door behind her.
Tessa slept very badly that night. Often waking dreams through mechanical decriaturas coming for her. Stretching his long hands to catch and tear estructurametálica your skin. Finally it was dissolved in unsueño Jem, who lay asleep on a bed while he llovíasobre silver powder, igniting the blanket under which he was, until finally burned Todal bed, and Jem was sleeping peacefully in her, unaware of the gritosde Tessa warning.
Finally, he dreamed of Will, was of pieen the top of the dome of St. Paul [1], alone in the light of the white, white moon. He wore a black tuxedo jacket, and the marks on his skin sedejaban see clearly on his neck and hands in the glow of the sky. Underthe look to London as an evil angel the City was committed to saving their worst dreams, while below it, London slept, oblivious einconsciente.
Tessa was ripped from his dreams by unavoz in his ear, and a hand vigorously shaking his shoulder. "Miss!" EraSophie, with the high voice. "Miss Gray, you simply need to wake up. Is your brother. "
Tessa
rose rapidly spreading pillows. The afternoon light poured through the ventanasde the room, illuminating the room, and the worried face of Sophie. "Nateestá awake? You okay? "
" Yeah ... I mean, no. I mean, not lose, miss. "There was a little pressure in the voice of Sophie. "You see, estádesaparecido."
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[1] San Pablo Cathedral, is in London and was built between 1676 and 1710. It is oneof the few buildings in the area that survived the Second World War, and takes the place was built laprimera Church of England. The cathedral is notable for its dome, the mayordel world after the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome (Vatican) yen she can see more about his paintings, climbing 530 steps, and then go out and seize leadership dela good panoramic view of the city.
Translation: Dark Guardians
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