Page 23 of Unseen

“Somewhere rather educational.”

“What does that even mean?”

He turned on me, leaning on his knees as he took me in. “It means that sometimes, seeing with our own eyes what is possible is far more persuasive than simply hearing about it. Abstract theory, science is truly fascinating.”

“And what exactly are you hoping to achieve with thiseducational little outing?” I smoothed my hands over my skirts, hoping he did not see them trembling.

“I am hoping that you will make the right choice.”

“And what choices are those?

He laughed, rubbing his now clean-shaven chin. “I would not wish to spoil the surprise, beloved. Patience.”

I tried to take as many steadying breaths as I could, every creak and bump of the carriage setting my already frayed nerves on edge. Heart prickled at my scalp, sweat erupting on the back of my neck despite the cool late-October air. The carriage seemed to shrink in on itself, suffocating me as the walls closed in further and further. Azriel’s presence in the space, becoming so large and looming I had to close my eyes and turn away.

He is bluffing. He is a liar and a cad. He knows nothing. No one knows anything.

I opened my eyes to find we were on a wide street, bustling with people and carriages. An enormous building loomed before us, crowds of people swarming in through its open gates.

“Newgate!” The driver announced.

My head snapped over to Azriel, and I was sure the dread would make me faint. “Newgate?”

“Indeed, it is a prison, beloved.”

Tears once again burned at my eyes. “You have brought me to a prison?”

“I have.” He tilted his head, observing me through narrowed eyes. “You look rather pale. Is something amiss?”

“Why have you brought me to a prison?”

Azriel’s eyelashes fluttered as he spun his top hat in his hands. “Well, I suppose you shall have to wait and see.” He rose to his feet, climbing down from the carriage and putting on his hat. He turned to offer me his hand, and waited patiently as I stared at him. “You’ve nothing to fear, Evie. Allthe prisoners are locked up, right where they ought to be. You are perfectly safe.”

It was not the prisoners I feared. I was far from safe at his side.

But with all these people in such a bustling, public place, I also could not imagine him doing anything but humiliate me for appearing in public in my mourning.

I held my head high as I alighted from the carriage, ignoring the open stares of the people around us. All manner of folk were here, young and old, children holding their parents’ hands, gentlemen escorting ladies, poor folk with clothes smeared in soot. Vendors shouted their wares, selling food from wagons and tea from steaming copper kettles.

Azriel escorted me across the street to the gates of the prison, and realisation began to dawn on me. I tried to shrink into Ariel’s side, to curl in on myself as though I could hide away.

This couldn’t be. Surely not even he was this depraved.

“Come, beloved,” he said jovially, steering me towards a staircase. “We have the best seats in the house.”

The two guards at the base of the stairs watched us approach, eyeing me with confusion for a moment before Azriel handed them both some coins from his pocket. They stepped back with a nod, and Azriel swept his hand upwards.

“After you.”

I was sure my legs were going to give way, talking myself through step after step as I climbed up to the balcony. At the top, a line of wooden chairs had been placed under the arching stone ceiling, a rickety railing the only barrier between us and what lay beneath.

A raucous crowd of people, and in the middle of the yard, a gallows.

“You’ve brought me to an execution,” I breathed, catching myself on the back of one of the chairs.

Azriel placed his hand next to mine, encroaching on my space like a shadow. “Indeed. Have you never attended one before?”

I shook my head, my body no longer caught in a web of dread, but so cold with fear I began to tremble. “Why would you bring me here?”

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