Burning Lamp Read Online Free PDF Page B

adding, “Although I can see that you suffer from unpleasant dreams.”
    She sensed immediately that she had caught him off guard.
    “You can tell that much just by reading my dreamlight patterns?” he asked.
    “Illness of any kind shows strongly in dreamlight. I do not perceive any signs of mental or physical disease in your prints. But powerful nightmares also leave a distinctive residue.”
    “Can you see my dreams?” He did not sound pleased.
    She understood. Dreams were among the most private of all human experiences.
    “No one can view the actual scenes of another person’s dreams,” she said. “What I perceive is the psychical energy of the emotions and sensations experienced while dreaming. My talent translates that energy into impressions and sensations.”
    He contemplated her for a long moment. “Do you find your talent disturbing?”
    “You have no idea.” She slipped back into her normal senses. The trail of hot footsteps disappeared. “What is it that you want of me, sir?”
    “It is not just your paranormal abilities that interest me. I am also intrigued by your passion for saving others.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “I realize that you specialize in rescuing young women from brothels. I am also aware that I am neither young nor female.”
    “I did notice,” she said, her tone sharpening. “Are you trying to tell me that you need saving, sir? Because I very much doubt that there is anything I can do to assist a man in your, uh, position.”
    She could have sworn that he smiled at that, although she could not be certain because of the cloak of shadows that he wore.
    “I am too far gone, is that what you are saying?” he asked. “I will admit that there is no vestige of innocence left in my nature for you to salvage. But that is not why I asked for this meeting.”
    “Why, then?”
    “I turned thirty-six two months ago,” he said.
    “How is that significant?”
    “Because it appears to be approximately the age at which the family curse strikes, if it does, indeed, strike. My father and grandfather and several generations before me were spared. I had dared to hope that I, too, had escaped. However, it appears that I am not so fortunate.”
    “Sir, I really do not see how I can help you,” she said. “I am a modern thinker. I do not believe in curses and black magic.”
    “There is nothing of magic involved, I promise you. Just a great deal of damnably complicated para- physics. But I am hopeful that you can deal with it, Adelaide Pyne.”
    For a second or two, she did not grasp the significance of what he had just said. Then horrified comprehension crashed through her.
    “You know my name?” she whispered.
    “I am the Director of the Consortium,” he said simply. “I know everything that happens on the streets of London. And you, Mrs. Pyne, have been very active on those streets of late.”

4
     
     
     
    HE COULD SEE THAT HE HAD DELIVERED A GREAT SHOCK TO her nerves. Her control was admirable—she scarcely flinched—but he sensed that she was fighting panic. He had overplayed his hand. That was unlike him.
    “My apologies, Mrs. Pyne,” he said. “The last thing I want to do is frighten you.”
    “I cannot believe that Mr. Pierce told you my name,” she said, recovering her outward air of composure. “I thought I could trust him.”
    “You can. I have always found Pierce to be a man of his word.” He smiled faintly. “Or should I say a woman of her word?”
    “You know Pierce’s secrets as well?” Disbelief echoed in Adelaide’s words.
    “I am aware that Pierce is a woman who chooses to live as a man, yes. We met years ago. She was orphaned as a girl and forced out onto the streets. She learned early on in life that she was not only safer when she went about dressed as a boy but also more powerful. How did the two of you become acquainted?”
    “We met soon after I began my work with the young women of the streets,” Adelaide said. “Pierce and his