Quicksilver Read Free Page A

fell on the motionless carriage.
    There was a brief, tense silence before the dark windows of the miniature vehicle started to glitter as though illuminated from inside the cab. Virginia sensed energy pulsing once more in the atmosphere. The mechanical horses started forward. The wheels of the carriage began to turn. The device was much closer to her now, only a few feet away.
    Without warning, currents of senses-freezing energy lashed at her. Although she thought she was prepared, she nevertheless flinched at the impact.
    Owen tightened his grip. She knew he was preparing to pull her around the corner and out of reach of the carriage weapon.
    “It’s all right,” she managed. “I can handle this.”
    Ignoring the freezing wave of energy, she found a focus the same way she did when she looked deep into a mirror. She established a counterpoint pattern, dampening the oscillating waves of power coming from the device. The effect was swift, almost immediate. The currents smoothed out rapidly. The carriage continued to roll forward, driven by the clockwork mechanism.
    “It’s done,” Virginia said. She did not dare look away from the carriage. “Do what you must. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to maintain control.”
    One could draw on one’s psychical reserves for only so long when employing them to the maximum degree, as she was doing now.
    Owen did not waste time asking questions. He released her and moved swiftly around the corner into the passageway, where she stood facing the device. He used one booted foot to tip the entire miniature equipage onto its side. The legs of the horses continued to thrash rhythmically but uselessly in the air.
    Virginia became aware of a muffled
ticktock, ticktock.
“Sounds like a clock.”
    Owen crouched beside the weapon. “There must be a way to open this thing.”
    He stripped off a glove and ran his fingertips lightly over the elegant curiosity.
    “I thought you were going to smash it,” Virginia said.
    “I’d rather preserve it intact, if possible. I want to study it. To my knowledge, no one has ever succeeded in infusing energy into an inanimate substance like glass in such a way that the currents could be activated by mechanical means. This device is really quite extraordinary.”
    “Perhaps you could conduct your examination another time?” she suggested icily. “I cannot maintain control indefinitely.”
    “Are you still out there, ma’am?” Becky called plaintively.
    “We’re here, Becky,” Virginia responded. “Mr. Sweetwater, if you don’t mind?”
    “Got it,” Owen said.
    His fingers moved on the roof of the carriage. The top swung open on small hinges. He reached into the cab. A few seconds later the ticking ceased. The currents of energy that Virginia had been holding in neutral winked out of existence. Cautiously, she relaxed her senses. There was no more energy coming from the toy’s windows.
    “A standard clockwork mechanism.” Owen got to his feet. “One stops the carriage just as one would a clock. Come, let’s find that girl.”
    Virginia was already in motion. She went past a row of ancient dark cells, the lantern held high.
    “Becky?” she called. “Where are you?”
    “Damn it,” Owen muttered. He moved quickly to catch up with her. “Have a care, Virginia. There may be other traps.”
    She was vaguely aware that he had used her first name as though they were longtime friends rather than near strangers, but she paid no attention. She stopped in front of a heavy wood-and-iron door. A small opening in the door was blocked by bars. A terrified young woman of no more than fourteen or fifteen years looked out, fingers gripping the iron rods. Her eyes were hollow with fear and tears.
    “Are you badly hurt?” Virginia asked.
    “No, ma’am. But it’s a good thing you came along when you did. There’s no telling what would have happened to me.”
    Owen took out his lock pick. “I’ll have you out of there in a