[Dept. 19 Files 03] The New Blood: 1919 Read Online Free PDF

task?”
    “As soon as possible,” said Harker. “It is vitally important, Albert.”
    “In which case,” said Holmwood, “I will start tomorrow, and report back as soon as the work is complete.”
    “Thank you, Albert,” said Harker, ignoring the sideways look that David Morris was giving him; his old friend’s mouth was curling ever so slightly at the corners, as though he was holding back a smile that suggested he understood exactly what Quincey was doing. “This was a good start, gentlemen. A damn good start.”
     
    The following morning, Quincey travelled to Piccadilly with his father, a routine that would continue for much of the next two years. His mother had brought his breakfast up to his room herself and given him a tight, fierce hug after putting down the tray. Mina Harker had said nothing, but the meaning of the embrace had been clear.
    I’m proud of you.
    When they arrived at the townhouse, Quincey was not surprised to learn that there was a visitor waiting for him. He climbed the stairs and found Charles Ellis sitting in the lounge, conversing happily with Arthur Holmwood, who appeared to regularly be both the last man to leave the building in the evening and the first to arrive in the morning.
    “Private Ellis,” said Quincey, with as much sternness in his voice as he could manage.
    Ellis leapt to his feet and snapped a salute. “Yes, sir,” he said.
    Quincey broke into a grin. “Relax, Charles,” he said. “Formality won’t be necessary, at least for the time being.”
    “Yes, sir,” said Ellis, then smiled at his own contradiction.
    “Good,” said Quincey. “I assume you’re wondering why you’re here?”
    “I’m curious,” said Ellis. “Let’s put it that way.”
    “Then permit me to put your curiosity to rest. Lord Godalming, might I trouble you to assist me?”
    Holmwood got to his feet, withdrawing the keys from his pocket. “By all means, Quincey,” he said. “By all means.”
    Harker took the key he had been given the previous day out of his jacket and slotted it into one of the two keyholes in the door at the rear of the room. Holmwood arrived beside him a moment later and did the same to the second lock.
    “Three, two, one, turn,” said Arthur, softly.
    Quincey did so, and felt the shudder through his hand as the door unlocked. He pushed it open, then stood back as Ellis walked through it.
    “Good heavens,” said the schoolmaster, his voice low and full of awe. “What am I looking at, Quincey?”
    “This, my friend,” said Quincey, “is the Department of Supernatural Investigation.”
    “I’m sorry?” asked Ellis, his gaze still fixed forward. “What exactly do you mean by supernatural?”
    “In this case,” said Quincey, “it refers specifically to the creatures we saw in the church in Belgium and the alleyway in Rome. Vampires, Charles.”
    “Vampires,” said Ellis, slowly. “I’ve spent a great deal of time considering what we saw, Quincey. But the word just seems so ridiculous.”
    “I’m hopeful that you will be able to put that aside,” said Harker. “As I’m hoping that you will agree to become the newest member of the Department.”
    “What about the others?” asked Ellis, turning to face his former Captain. His face was pale, his eyes wide. “Are they coming?”
    “I hope so,” said Harker. “We’re going to need them.”
    Ellis turned back towards the secret room, his jaw setting with determination. “When do I start, sir?”
    “Right now, my friend,” said Quincey Harker, smiling broadly. “Welcome to the future.”
     
    Harker left his friend tentatively leafing through the pages and papers that had been bequeathed by Abraham Van Helsing, and walked back into the sitting room. Arthur Holmwood smiled at him as he appeared, and beckoned him across to a table beneath the large window that overlooked the bustle of Piccadilly. Covering the table were a number of maps with areas inked in pale red.
    “What’s all this,