What loomed over them was different.
Shaped like an elongated cylinder, the balloon was about one hundred feet long and painted in cloud-like patches of grey and white, much like London’s typical sky. A web of wires hugged the stiff frame of the balloon and attached it to an enclosed pilot’s cabin, also painted shades of grey. Two enormous propellers hung off the back. The whole thing was suspended halfway off the floor by a network of steel girders.
“I’ve always wondered what it would be like to fly,” Mary said before she could think to stop the words.
Talent glanced at her. “Do you not fly in spirit form?”
“Yes,” she said, keeping her eyes upon the airship. “But there is no physical sensation to it. I have my doubts as to whether it would be the same.” She turned to him. “You’ve shifted into a bird before, yes? Is it lovely? To fly?”
His expression was so blank that she knew she’d surprised him. He took a moment before answering. “Yes,” he answered with a breath, “it is lovely.”
She’d thought as much.
Talent turned his attention back to the dirigible. “That is quite an airship, Evernight.”
“It is a semirigid construction,” said Holly proudly, “which allows for strength and lightness of weight. The frame is a steel skeleton under a canvas skin. Not only is it fully maneuverable, but it reaches a top speed of fourteen knots.”
Holly smiled up at the conveyance. “However, that is not what makes it special.” She walked over to a large wooden cabinet fitted with numerous brass dials and knobs. Taking a key from around her neck, Holly slipped it into a slot upon the panel and turned it. Instantly the great airship began to hum, the floor beneath Mary’s booted feet vibrating. And then the very skin of the airship seemed to shimmer before disappearing altogether.
“No need having Londoners see us up in the sky.” Holly gave a nod that spoke of self-satisfaction. “I would explain how the process works, but it would likely bore you to tears.”
This much was true. Shortly after joining the SOS, Mary had become friends with Holly, finding a kinship in their shared social awkwardness. And while Mary enjoyed Holly’s company, hearing her wax on in scientific terms often had Mary’s mind drifting.
“You, Mistress Evernight,” Talent said with one of his rare grins, “are bloody brilliant. Have I ever said?”
Mary could only blink in shock at his effusiveness. Holly, however, appeared accustomed to such praise from him, for she merely nodded, then added briskly, “Despite what you may think, Master Talent, flattery will not get your hands on all my toys.”
That grin stretched, and it twisted something in Mary’s chest. “We shall see, Evernight.”
“If you are through?” Mary snapped.
When they both looked at her in mild surprise, she made a vicious inward curse and modulated her voice. “There is business to attend to.” Which did not include Talent flirting with Holly. They could do that on their own time.
“Of course,” said Holly. “This way.”
In uncomfortable silence they entered a small chamber to the side. Mary braced herself for the inevitable nausea and light-headedness, but was pleased to see that the bodies were tucked inside an alcove where Mary did not have to look at them.
Talent took it upon himself to assist, and, donning thick rubber gloves and a heavy smock, had the grim task of retrieving mechanical devices for Holly to inspect. Grudgingly Mary accepted Talent’s advice and simply waited as far away from the bodies as possible.
“Let’s see now,” said Holly, when they’d finally cleaned off poor Mr. Pierce’s gold heart. “This device is, as far as I can determine, a GIM heart.” Midnight-blue eyes, framed by thick black lashes, turned to look at Mary. “Quite elegant hardware you GIM possess, dearest.” She started to smile, but glanced at Talent, as if just remembering he was there, and a wash of pink touched her cheeks.
Discussion of a GIM’s heart was akin to asking another supernatural what sort of knickers she wore, and everyone in the room understood as much. As for Mary, she refused to look at Talent. True, it was simply her heart Holly had referred to, but it did not quell the feeling that part of her had been mercilessly exposed.
“That is to say,” Holly began awkwardly, “I merely meant…”
“Let us not try to step around the elephant in the room,” Mary said with a small smile in her voice. “Say what you need to say and do not worry about my tender sensibilities.”
Talent moved near, his big body sending a shadow over her as he blocked out one of the electric lights. “Get on with it, Evernight.”