The Secret Carriers

By Caitlin McColl

Anise Buttersby is a Secret Carrier, one of a select few chosen to protect the powers of mankind: alchemy, time travel, immortality and fountain of youth. But someone wants her secret and will do anything to get it. Along with her friend Colin, she tries to stop the power hungry man who is after them and along the way encounter a village of children who were once adults, a travelling carnival, oh, and zombies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Caitlin McColl
• Release date: Dec 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005221478

Caitlin McColl

Since childhood, Caitlin has written mainy fantasy - with dragons, wizards and other fantastical monsters. But now she writes Steampunk, stories that makes our world just a little bit more interesting, with the ability to mask the humdrum days we all have - those cold, grey, rainy, depressing days. The days you accidentally sleep in, lock yourself out of the house, battle morning rush hour and realize your still wearing your slippers. Caitlin lives in beautiful Vancouver, Canada with her husband and her dog.Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/caitlinmccollInstagram: instagram.com/caitlinmccollauthorSeptember 2020-Published The Clockwork Universe and The Stained Glass Heart, follow ups to Under A Starlit Sky. Also re-did covers for books.-Published All That Remains - a free short story collection from 2017-Republished The Diary of Dr Jekyll that was published by a Seattle based publisher that is no more2015-Released a free ebook compilation of stories from her short story blog, Under A Starlit Sky, collectively called The Dark And Shadowy Places.Hope you enjoy!

Book preview

The Secret Carriers

The Anise Buttersby series Book 3

By Caitlin McColl

Copyright © 2014 Caitlin McColl

All rights reserved

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 1

Anise Buttersby, though she preferred to go by Abe, watched from the safety of the narrow alley, at the raging fire. It helped keep her mind of what she had just escaped, but she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t just stand and watch the flames as the acrid stink of burning hair filled the air. Another smell, one she didn’t want to think about, involuntarily made her stomach twist. She stood with her back to the fire and a handkerchief to her mouth and tried to block out the smell, but the stench of death, of a burning body, seemed to get inside you no matter how much you tried to block it out. She focused on counting the small flowery pattern on the carpet, ignoring the dizzying traces of wallpaper in the old theatre.

She had almost reached a thousand, after losing count and having to start from the beginning a few times, when Colin snuck up behind her. It’s done, he said in a whisper, laying a hand lightly on her shoulder.

Abe stifled a scream at his touch, and spun around awkwardly on her injured leg. Tears of anger and regret flew from her cheeks. She removed the handkerchief from her mouth; the smell had dissipated slightly. It should have been me! She tried to stop her voice from trembling. I should have done it, not you. Ophelia was… A friend? She wasn’t really; Abe had only met her briefly. But she had made a promise, and Ophelia had chosen her to pass on the secret. Ophelia had trusted her, and Abe didn’t take that lightly.

It should have been me! her voice rose with frustration and sadness. She chose me to carry the secret of Alchemy. I should have been the one to… she paused, trying to think of a nice way to put it. Dispose of the evidence. Colin’s green eyes crinkled with sympathy. You shouldn’t have to do something like that.

What do you mean I shouldn’t do something ‘like that’? I mean women, ladies; they shouldn’t have to deal with… Abe’s face flushed, but not from the heat of the funeral pyre. She shook her head angrily, auburn curls coming free of their hairpins. I…I can’t believe… she spluttered. She shook her head again to clear her thoughts. We don’t have time to stand here in a back alley arguing. Ophelia’s secret is gone. We did what we needed to do.

And Defoe’s gone too. We couldn’t very well leave him lying in the theatre lobby!

Abe waved it away dismissively. Yes, yes, Defoe too, of course. She hadn’t liked the magician from the beginning, but he didn’t deserve to be dead. Neither did Ophelia. Tears started to well up again at the thought. She had been the same age as Abe, or close, at least. Either way, too young to die.

We need to go. She emphasized this by going back inside the theatre. I can’t stand being out here anymore with… she waved her hand in the direction of the large dumpster. We need to find our way out of here. Gideon is on his way to the Garden of Eden to get Ophelia’s secret. We can’t waste any more time!

Colin nodded and followed Abe through the dark corridors of the theatre and finally back out into the busy streets of London. Abe moved as quickly as she could, rubbing at her aching leg and, trying to ignore the rubbing at her knee from the leg brace Colin had given her for her injured foot

Abe and Colin watched the multi-coloured automated carriages whiz by.

How can there be so many? Colin’s voice was lowered and filled with awe. There’s not a single horse drawn carriage.

Abe glanced at him. His eyes were large and his mouth wide as he stared. She watched the people herself, particularly the women who wore pants. Some wore skirts, like back home, but most wore trousers like men, just like she preferred, even though her clothing garnered her reproachful looks from the men and disgust from the women.

The chaos of London swirled around them. At an intersection, a vehicle honked loudly, followed by a woman leaning out her window to shout angrily at the other driver.

Abe jumped, almost falling on her unstable leg, and bit down on a scream at the blare of the horn. She turned towards Colin. What was that?

Colin looked at her incredulously, raising an eyebrow. Do you not have many automated carriages where you’re from? He spoke with his soft, lilting English accent.

She shook her head, embarrassed. Not in my section of the United American Empire anyway. There’s a few, including my employer. He’s an inventor, like yourself, so has made his own steam-powered vehicle. But the Coalition frowns on things like that, you know.

Colin nodded. I’ve heard of your Emperor’s Coalition. It’s similar in the British Isles, but not as strict. Though there are people higher up. Abe looked around her. Behind them stood the Volupté Lounge, empty in anticipation of Defoe’s magic show later that night. It would be cancelled when the organizers couldn’t find him. She wondered how long it would take for the remains of Defoe and Ophelia to be found. What do we do now? Where do we go? We need to get back to our London. We’re wasting time just standing here looking around. Abe started to hobble off down the street, towards the second-hand furniture store they had arrived in when they first crossed over into this new world, but found herself irritated by the leg support she wore.

I think my foot is doing better now, Abe said, awkwardly maneuvering her bent knee that rested on the top of half a wooden leg. She stopped and began to undo the strap tied around her upper leg and then undid the belt tied around her waist.

Colin appeared at her side and held her arm as she removed the prosthetic crutch. She balanced herself on her good leg, and lowered the injured foot slowly, wobbling slightly. Colin gripped her arm more tightly.

She braced herself in anticipation of pain shooting through her foot, but it didn’t hurt. Much. It was tender, but she could put weight on it. That was something positive in this big mess.

We need to get the alchemy instructions before Gideon does. I promised Ophelia I’d be the carrier of her secret and if Gideon gets it, then… Tears sprang to her eyes again and she wiped them away. Then her death is for nothing. And her duty, or I guess it’s mine now, as a Secret Carrier has been compromised for the first time in history and I can’t be responsible for that. I just can’t. She had reached the door of the thrift store and pulled it open, heading to the back between a cluttered jumble of used furniture. She felt along the wall for the existence of a door to get them back to their world. There was nothing. She shouted in frustration and pounded the wall. How can we get back? We’re stuck! Tears of defeat threatened to run down her cheeks.

She dropped her head. A hand fell on her shoulder. She turned, expecting Colin once more. Montgomerie, I swear if you… She used Colin’s last name, as her mother had always used her own despised last name when reprimanding her as a child.

She stumbled backwards, falling against a heavy, low set of drawers and pulled her arms into her chest, protectively.

She found herself looking at a small figure shrouded in darkness. Despite the light of the store, dim in the back corner with the tall bookcases and armoires casting long shadows, she could see nothing but shades of black underneath a large, dark cowl.

Are you looking for something, my dear? The voice was soft, pleasant, but odd. She couldn’t tell if it was male or female.

She waved her in the air nervously. Yes. I mean no. I mean yes, we are. She looked over the figure’s shoulder at Colin who gave her a puzzled shrug. We are looking for something but it’s nothing you could help us with. She felt stupid, the words tumbling from her mouth in a jumble. She talked fast when she was nervous.

She could almost hear a smile in the person’s voice when they spoke. You won’t know if you don’t try. The voice sounded muffled, unclear, as if it were many voices speaking at once at the same time.

Abe glanced again at Colin, silently pleading for help. She hoped he would get the message. She didn’t have to ask for help. He took a hesitant step forward, and his quiet voice floated towards them, easing the awkward tension between them like a knife cutting a rope.

The Garden of Eden.

Abe jumped in with an apologetic explanation at the ready. I know it sounds ridiculous, and you probably don’t believe us. I know I wouldn’t if someone said they were looking for the Garden of Eden in a furniture shop in London. She tried to peer into the shadows that draped the face in darkness, but they were impenetrable.

The smile returned to the strange-layered voice. And what exactly are you looking for in the Garden of Eden?

It was unnerving looking at someone in the face when she couldn’t see their eyes to gauge their thoughts. You’re not asking us why we’re looking for the Garden of Eden in a store? Or that we’re looking for it in the first place?"

The hood shook and remained silent. Abe was taller than the shrouded figure in her knee-high boots. She suddenly felt less intimidated by this person who had accosted them at the back corner of the store. Her confidence rekindled, she pushed herself free of the comforting support of the drawers and closed the gap between herself and the stranger. You wouldn’t believe us if we told you, anyway. She said with an uneasy rise of her brows.

A laugh issued from underneath the hood. I believe you about Eden. I just want to know your intentions.

Abe opened her mouth, but Colin spoke first, and surprisingly asked the question that was perched on her tongue. More politely than she would have, though.

I’m sorry, sir, but what business of this is yours? You’re just the owner of this store. Colin reached out a hand to Abe, like a life rope. Come on, Abe, he said, using her nickname, a combination of her names. I think we should get going. You said yourself we’re running out of time. We don’t have time for games. It’s obviously not here.

The person in the robes answered. But I am not the owner of this store. I might be able to help you, but I need to know your intentions. Why do you need to get to Eden in such a hurry?

Abe looked from Colin’s outstretched hand to the monk-like figure in front of her and sighed loudly. I made a promise to a friend. She wanted me to take something from her. To continue a tradition, to keep …. She trailed off, not sure if she should say more.

Abe was sure she could sense the dark figure smiling. And this thing, is it important?

Very. My friend entrusted me with it after… She couldn’t say the words, but the stranger finished it for her.

After her death. Your friend was carrying a secret, yes?

Abe’s eyes widened, and she nodded dumbly. She heard a gasp come from Colin’s direction.

The figure in the robes stepped closer and lowered its voice. It grabbed one of her hands in its own, and she realized that they were male – large and thick, not slim and dainty. And you have extinguished its existence? The voice was firm and almost anxious.

Yes, yes we did. Just now. But she broke the rules…she said she hid another copy of it, in the Garden of Eden. And we need to go get it because…

The man finished her sentence again, his hood bobbing up and down. Because she chose you as the Secret Carrier.

Yes, but not only that, there’s a man who found out where it is.

A bad man, Colin chimed in.

A very bad man, Abe emphasized. And he’s on his way to get it for himself. I dare think…

Come with me. The man still gripped her hand and pulled her past the furniture, and out the glass doors at the front of the store.

But where are you taking me? She saw Colin’s shadow creep up beside her and hastily added Us?

The man put a finger to where his lips would be. I’m not supposed to be doing this. Abe strained to hear his words, even though she was right beside him. She hopped along with a lopsided gait on her sore ankle.

But this situation is unprecedented. He added, as if that explained everything. I know the secret you are trying to get.

But who are you? And why are you helping us?

The hood shook again, and Abe wasn’t sure if the man was shaking his head to deny answers to her questions, or just shaking. There will be time for questions later. The important thing is getting Alchemy before that man does, if he’s as bad as you say.

The shock caused Abe to stop cold, in the middle of the crowded sidewalk, and Colin nearly ran into her. "You know about the Alchemy formula?" She couldn’t keep the surprise, and suspicion, from her voice.

The hooded man nodded and raised a finger to his lips once more. She noticed he kept glancing over his shoulder. Small, furtive glances. She looked behind her, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Well, as far as she could tell. Everything was out of the ordinary here. It wasn’t the United American Empire, nor was it the United Kingdom she was used to, with all its large cities - New London, New Cardiff, New Edinburgh - underground.

Colin appeared at her side and grabbed her hand to help her move along quickly and smoothly. She had a feeling people must be looking at her and her strange dress, with her corset overtop of her blouse. She didn’t see anyone else dressed quite like her, and she assumed that in this place no one had a lightning gun in their bag like she did in the satchel that was slung across her body, resting comfortingly at her hip.

The man had brought them to another shop. Just before she was ushered quickly under the awning and through the doors, she caught a glimpse of the sign – Eden, it was called, in lime green letters.

She was pulled through the door and past a young woman with turquoise and black hair, and what looked like a small diamond on her nose.

The man nodded and the woman simply smiled back at him, putting large dimples on display.

Where are we…. Abe began but was once again shushed by the robed man. She half wobbled, half ran with him towards the back of the store, with Colin staggering along on her right side. An arm flung out to stop their momentum. In front of them stood a door that read ‘Maintenance Closet. Staff Only.’

The man lowered his voice. Go through the door and close it behind you. On the back wall there will be a button on the left-hand side. Press it. You will then hear a noise. Once the noise stops, move forward and you will be where you need to be. Hopefully, before the man you spoke of. Though Abe couldn’t see the man’s face or eyes, she got the feeling that he was frightened. Whether for her or for himself, she didn’t know.

Thank- she began.

No time, he said and shoved her towards the door. Good luck.

She turned back again but he was gone.

Oh well, she said looking up at Colin. His face was slightly pink, though whether from the heat of the fire back at the theatre, or their sprint through the London streets she wasn’t sure. What do we have to lose?

By the look on Colin’s face she knew he was going to say something like ‘everything’. Before he could, she pulled open the door and dragged him in after her. It was small and cramped and musty. She closed the door and blackness enfolded them. Her hands moved hesitatingly over the back wall and found the button.

Give me your hand, she commanded Colin. Gripping his hand tightly she pressed the button. A screech filled the air and she almost dropped his hand to cover her ears. As abruptly as it had started, the piercing whine ended, leaving her ears ringing.

We have to move forward, she instructed.

But there’s… Colin started to protest, but Abe ignored him and moved her left foot forward, then her right.

Chapter 2

The warm mustiness of the cleaning closet was replaced by a warm, dry breeze. Colin gripped Abe’s arm tightly, still not used to traveling in such a strange, immediate way. After a moment, his fingers loosened. They automatically scrunched their eyes closed against sudden brightness that was so different from the dimness they just left

The desert! Abe shouted, after slowly blinking her eyes open against the light, then slapped a hand across her mouth. The last time she was here so was Gideon. It was also where she had met Ophelia. And the undead. Her eyes met nothing but a large expanse of beige sand, broken only by the large lonely twisted oak tree, the home of the snake, the guardian of Eden. Beyond the tree she could just make out the crumbling form of the weeping angel statue.

Come on, she said, tugging at Colin’s hand. Her boots brought up puffs of powdery sand with each step. Colin followed along silently.

Abe moved quickly despite her twisted ankle and the soft sand. She made a beeline for the broken angel statue where Ophelia said she had stashed the written copy of the secret she carried – the secret to Alchemy. Or at least the most complete one.

The large, twisted oak tree was the only thing to offer a bit of shade in the desolate landscape that stretched out in all directions in unending whites and beiges and browns, a land where even colour didn’t want to remain.

Something moved in the branches above her. Her heart pounded in her ears in that strange way that muffles sound. Then she saw it, the dull glint of the sun off the dark copper of its skin. The snake. It moved jerkily, slowly scraping over the dry branches. Abe watched it. It had rusted a bit. The snake moved its head incrementally until its glittering jade eyes were staring right at her. It opened its mouth with the squeak of unoiled metal. After a moment’s delay, she heard the grating voice of cogs and gears coming together and moving away. Welcome to the Garden of E- the snake began its usual spiel.

Abe turned away. She’d heard it all before. I don’t want to answer your silly riddle, she tossed over her shoulder as she continued onward. There’s nothing for you to protect here anymore, snake. The angel loomed up in front of her – frightening in the sheer enormity of it, but at the same time peaceful, even though it no longer had much of a face and one of its wings were broken. Chunks of stone lay around its base, the sand mostly covering the remains.

Abe crouched down behind the angel, careful to avoid the one wing still intact and began tugging at the stones in the base. Some were loose, the mortar long since dried to dust. Colin knelt next to her and started prying away stone on the other side.

It doesn’t look like anyone has been here yet, Colin offered.

She agreed. I hope not.

They worked in silence after that. The sun beat down relentlessly. The sky was a bleached white haze, almost as pale as the sand. Abe wiped a hand across her forehead, her hair drenched with sweat.

She paused and looked at the growing pile of stones on the ground around them. There wasn’t much left of the backside of the plinth the angel stood on. She sighed, anger crept into the sound. I don’t think…

I’ve got it! Colin reached into a hole made by a removed brick and when he pulled his hand back, it was full of sheets of paper.

Abe wanted to shout, but knew the danger of attracting attention, even in a place like this where it seemed like they were the only two people for miles.

She jumped up, steadying herself on the angel and grabbed the papers from Colin’s clenched hand.

Come on! She said in as loud a whisper as she could manage.

Colin caught up with her. Where are we going?

We’re going to go home! She hissed back.

"But…how? I don’t think there’s any way to get back to that other London.

Abe glared at him, annoyed by his denseness. She was about to make a snarky comment along the lines of ‘I thought you inventors were intelligent?’, but bit her tongue. It wouldn’t do to have him upset with her. Her temper was getting short. She blamed the heat.

We need to find a place to hide. Gideon hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m sure he will shortly. And then we’ll have our way back home, she said, glad that where they had come from had now disappeared. She marched towards the only other standing structure nearby, besides the oak. The snake would surely have given them away, with its never ending posing of the riddle and requesting its answer, as the guardian of the Garden of Eden.

For at least the tenth time, by Abe’s reckoning, Colin began to ask the familiar question, Where are we….

Going? she finished, raising her arm and pointing in the direction of a stone wall that was barely large enough for two people to hide behind.

But-

Abe shook her head with annoyance, flipping a stray curl back out of her eyes.

She hunkered down behind the wall. As she did a stone perched precariously at the crumbled edge fell with a soft thunk into the sand at her feet. Colin stood over her and Abe pulled him down beside her.

What are we wait-

Shhh! she reprimanded him