Engines and werewolves

Chapter 3

He leaned one shoulder against the stone wall and studied her. His steady, penetrating gaze unnerved the young woman. "Do you want his autograph or just a peek at the recluse?"

Victoria shook her head. "Neither. My father was fired from his position at Grog's company and I thought I might ask him to give it back."

The man raised both his eyebrows. "Then you're not here for yourself?"

Victoria pursed her lips. "No, and that's why I need to get inside. My father can't get a recommendation because the supervisor fired him."

He pushed off the stone and pulled out a pipe. The man struck a match and lit the end. "Ah. Now we get to the meat of the matter. What did the man say your father did?"

Victoria shook her head and turned towards the gate. The interior was as dark and quiet as ever. "I'd rather not say."

A strange smile slipped onto the man's lips. "But you'll tell Grog?"

Victoria turned to him and frowned. "Of course."

He slipped between the gate and where Victoria stood. "Then allow me." His work was hidden from her, but Victoria heard a jangle and the gate creaked open. The man turned to her and swept his hand toward the opening. "Ladies first."

Victoria blinked at him and the open gate. "How did you do that?"

He took a puff on his pipe and shrugged. "I've lived in this area for a while, so I know a few tricks."

Victoria smiled. "Thank you, but I can't ask you to go any further with me. If you're caught they'll charge you with trespassing."

He chuckled. "And leave a beautiful young lady alone on a night light this? Not likely. Besides, I happen to know the way to m-Grog's bedchamber. He's usually there at this time of time."

Victoria raised an eyebrow. "How do you know?"

He shrugged and turned away towards the stone path. "Let's just say I know him pretty intimately, but let's go before we both catch our death of cold."

He took a few steps forward before Victoria stretched out a hand. "Wait." He paused and half-turned towards her. Victoria looked down at the ground. "I. . .I don't even know your name."

He smiled and bowed his head. "You can call me Lukeman. And might I know the name of the lovely young woman to whom I owe the honor of her company?"

Victoria held out her hand. "It's Victoria. Victoria O'Hara."

Lukeman gave her hand a strong shake and kept it in his gentle grasp. He stepped back and guided her down the path. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Victoria. Now allow me to show you the way."

They walked through a tunnel of shadow. The fog drifted around them and eclipsed everything in its white body. That thought brought her back to another body, more specifically that of the man who held her. His warm hand sent a thrill of sensual pleasure through her, and Victoria couldn't help but admire what she could see of his face as he cast glances back at her. It was like a fairy tale as this handsome creature led her through a wilderness of night to a noble end.

They reached the side of the stone house before Victoria realized where they were. The path which they followed continued on its way to wound its way around the house, but Lukeman stopped them at a corner of the building. Pane windows stared back at them through the jungle of trellises, vines, and overgrown bushes. Victoria peered into the interior, but there were no lights to allow her to see inside.

Victoria felt a tug on her sleeve and turned to find Lukeman smiling at her. He nodded his head at a nearby trellis. Thick old vines covered the wooden posts. "Now we climb."

Victoria tilted her head back and followed the trellis up the wall. The vines reached to the second floor some fifteen feet above them where she glimpsed a white-marble balcony with an ornate stone railing. The soft glow of a light through glass panes caught her attention.

Victoria returned her attention to Lukeman and pointed at the balcony. "Up there?"

He nodded. "It's his bed chambers. He's usually in there, but we'll go see."

Victoria pursed her lips. "But won't he have a g*n or scream when we go up there?"

Lukeman smiled and shook his head. "No. He doesn't have much use for guns, and he's not the screaming type."

"Shouldn't you go first? You two know each other," she pointed out.

He chuckled. "I'm sure he'd much rather see the beautiful face of a woman than mine, but I'll be right behind you."

Victoria walked up to the trellis and pulled on a vine. Dead leaves rained down on her head, but the vine held. She brushed away the dead growth and took hold of the largest vine in both her hands. Her feet found footholds in the squares of the trellis. Victoria took a deep breath and began the climb.

Victoria wasn't overweight, but she wasn't in shape, either. The many vines didn't make the climb easy, and by the time she reached the top of the railing she was winded. Victoria clambered over the top and stumbled onto the leaf-strewn floor of the balcony. She fell onto the hard stone flooring and the dry leaves crunched beneath her.

Lukeman followed behind her. He stepped over the railing and leaned down to offer her his hand. A smile graced his lips. "May I help you, my lady?"

Victoria smiled. "I guess I need more practice climbing." She grasped his hand and he pulled her up.

Victoria studied where the balcony. The long outcropping had a sweeping view of the fog-filled yard. The vines we climbed crept over the railing and engulfed the wall of the house. The only opening were two French doors that opened inward. The light she'd seen before streamed onto the balcony, but flickered and dimmed every now and again.

Lukeman walked past her and opened the doors. He stepped aside to face her and swept his hand towards the opening. "After you."

Victoria swallowed her creeping uncertainty and walked through the

doors. The interior of the large chamber was comfortable. Large oriental rugs covered the wood floorboards and the walls were painted in a soft, though faded, white. The ceiling was peaked and revealed the rafter. A large stone fireplace stood opposite the French doors, and from the warm fire came the flickering light. A tall chair near the hearth sat with its back towards the doors, and a small table stood beside the seat. A tray of food and a bottle of wine with a glass sat atop the table. To her left a large, four-post bed with thick curtains and beside that was an ornate dresser. A small desk and a wooden chair in the right-hand corner against the exterior wall completed the furniture.

Victoria crept deeper into the room and turned her head from left to right. The shadows danced across the walls at the whim of the fire. Deep darkness ruled the far corners.

"Hello?" Victoria whispered. She cringed when her voice echoed off the walls. "Grog?" She reached the arm of the chair and made to lean over.

Something slammed behind her and made her jump a foot in the air. Victoria spun around to find the French doors shut and Lukeman nowhere in sight.

"Lukeman? Lukeman!"

"You called?"