The man hissed out a breath, then spoke. “Aye, you look familiar. And there was a lady here. Stayed three nights in the room upstairs, along with her babe.”
Was? “Where is she now?”
“Left only ten minutes ago,” he said. “Said she was making a new life for herself in the country.”
In the country was a massive place. Pretty much everything except London.
“Where?” I asked.
“Dunno. But logic says she’d be trying to get a ride with Old Robert and his carriage service.”
I looked between him and Grey. “Where does that depart from?”
Grey’s brow furrowed slightly as he tried to remember, and the bartender beat him to it. “From the main market in Covent Garden.”
I turned to Grey. It wouldn’t be the market I knew—that had been built after 1642. “Do you know where that is?”
“I should, yes.” He looked at the man. “You’ll forget you saw us or helped us.”
The man nodded, his shoulders relaxing as if he were pleased to be rid of us. I whirled around and headed for the door, pushing my way out into London.
The stench was the first thing to hit me, making my eyes water. “Holy hell, this is terrible.”
“Human London.”
The smell came from all around—sewage, slop, horses. The animals clomped their way through the street, their carriage wheels rattling over the cobblestones. People pushed their way along with the crowd, and we joined the crush.
Hitching up my skirt, I ran full out, my lungs burning and elbows flying as I shoved my way through the crowd. Grey stuck close to my side, leading the way as we raced toward the main market.
“We’re nearly there,” he said after a few minutes.
Panting, I prayed we weren't too late. I could track her, but if we lost her in London, it might take far too much time.
“That’s it, up ahead.” Grey pointed to a collection of buildings and stalls arranged around a square. Dozens of carriages sat out front, their horses tied off to posts.
I searched the space, desperate to find Evangeline. As if fate had heard my prayers, my gaze landed on a woman. I could only see her simple dress and the back of her head, but it was her. A golden light glowed around her, glittering and bright.
Just like Seraphia had said.
No one else could see it, or they’d be staring at her. But I could. Because the book was leading me to her. She was the one I was meant to find.
Evangeline.
I ran toward her, cutting through the crowd. I was nearly to her when I shouted, “Evangeline!”
She stiffened but didn't turn.
I ran to her, darting around to stand in front of her. She did look just like me. It was eerie. Same golden hair, eyes, bone structure. The baby in her arms slept silently.
Her brow furrowed as her face searched mine. “Who are you?”
“Carrow Burton.” The name would mean nothing to her.
“Why do you look like me?”
“Long story.” My mind raced. Where did I start?
Grey came to stand beside me, and her eyes darted to him, widening. “I know you.”