Page 75 of The Last Necromancer
"Yes, but I lost him again."
"Again!"
Fitzroy's sharp glare pinned Seth for a brief moment before releasing him. He continued to eat but the air in the kitchen had become chilly, despite the heat thrown out from the range.
"You were looking for Frankenstein last night." My words came out in a rush, followed by a bubble of laughter.
Fitzroy watched me from beneath lowered lashes while continuing to eat. Seth shrugged. "Where did you think he was?" he asked.
"That…never mind. So you found him again?"
"And lost him in the same spot," Fitzroy said. He sounded more bemused than angry. It was as if he couldn't fathom how he'd lost Frankenstein. Perhaps it had never happened before.
"The man must be a magician to get away from you twice," Seth said.
"The thought had crossed my mind."
I blinked at him. "Magic? Surely that's a joke?"
"I don't joke."
"Amen," Seth muttered as he picked up the empty pan.
"But…magic…" I shook my head. "That's something only children and fools believe in."
"As are necromancers," Fitzroy said.
"Point taken." I finished my bacon and pushed my plate aside. "You said you lost him in the same place. Where precisely was that?"
"You think you can help?" Seth asked, taking my plate. "Best leave this to us, Charlie."
I flattened my palms on the table. "Don't treat me like a child. My knowledge of London's streets likely exceeds yours. I doubt you found yourself in too many dark, crowded lanes during your pampered life."
"You'd be surprised," he said with a harsh laugh. "My life hasn't been all that pampered of late."
I rubbed my temple and winced. "I'm sorry, Seth, I didn't mean to let my temper get the better of me."
He chucked me under the chin and smiled. "Don't fret. I deserved it."
Fitzroy shoved his plate at Seth. Seth's face fell. He took the plate and wandered out of the kitchen toward the scullery.
"Totten Lane," Fitzroy said to me. "Do you know it?"
"In Clerkenwell? Yes, I do." I frowned and chewed on my lower lip. The lane bled into a small, miserable courtyard, where several families occupied the tenements. There were buildings on all sides, and there was no other exit except through a manhole that led to the underground sewers. It was located behind a brick wall that seemed to belong to one of the buildings from a distance, but up close, it became obvious that the wall was once part of an old well that had once stood there. "I know how he disappeared."
One of his brows lifted. "Go on."
"It's easier if I show you. Shall we go now?"
I stood and he stood too. "I don't think that's wise."
"Why not? You need to find Frankenstein, and I can help you." I crossed my arms in what I hoped was a show of defiance but felt more like pettiness.
"You were afraid before, and with good reason."
"I was. I still am. But I know that helping you will mean he's caught sooner. When he's caught, I can stop being afraid."
He blinked slowly and nodded. He walked off and I had to race to catch up to him.
