The Dragon Men Read Online Free PDF Page B

accented English. “Leave my poor men alone!”
    Phipps, Gavin, and Alice stared. The crowd of squid men remained motionless. Alice recovered herself first.
    â€œAnd you are?” she asked.
    â€œYou may call me Prince Mehrad al-Noor,” he said. “I already know who you are—or one of you, at any rate.”
    â€œAnd that would be?” Phipps said.
    â€œAlice, Lady Michaels, late of London,” al-Noor said. “You are the one with the cure to the clockwork plague, and you have demonstrated it on my poor men.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Alice said, still trying to get a full grip on herself. “Why did you bring us here? I assume that this creature”—she gestured at one of the tentacles still encircling the ship—“attacked us at your behest.”
    â€œYes, yes.” Al-Noor waved his hands in a series of complicated gestures, and several of the squid men dragged the ones Alice had scratched and those Phipps had wounded to the side and leaped overboard with them. Splashes followed. They left trails of blue blood on the deck. “Why else would a giant squid attack a passing airship?”
    â€œHow do you know the name Lady Michaels?” Gavin demanded.
    â€œEveryone knows this name,” al-Noor replied with a white grin. “She is the angel with a sharp metal hand who spreads the cure to the clockwork plague. She coasts through the heavens in a glowing blue airship piloted by her lover, dropping to Earth to bestow her blessings wherever people are good and kind and deserving of her notice.”
    Alice felt her face turn hot. “Gavin’s not—”
    Phipps trod on her foot, cutting her off. “So you’ve heard of me,” she interrupted, holding up her metal arm. “I’m flattered. That doesn’t explain why you intercepted us and tried to destroy my ship.”
    For a split second, Alice found herself wanting to correct Phipps. Then she shut herself up. Any advantage they could take, including a case of mistaken identity, could work in their favor.
    â€œI apologize if I gave you that impression, Lady Michaels. I got wind that the very famous angel of mercy was coasting over my ocean, and I merely wanted to invite you for a visit. Unfortunately, giant squids are not good at subtlety. We will, of course, repair any damage to your fine ship.”
    â€œAnd your . . . men?” Gavin gestured at the crowded deck. The Impossible Cube glowed close to his chest.
    â€œThey guard the mouth of the cave and became too enthusiastic when your ship appeared. Again, I do apologize.” Al-Noor gave a little bow. “You will come with me, have a wonderful meal, spend the night in comfortable rooms, and in the morning, you will go on your way.”
    â€œOh?” Phipps said. “Well, if you—”
    â€œLiar,” said Alice.
    Al-Noor looked taken aback. “I do not understand. You refuse my hospitality?”
    â€œWas I unclear?” Alice snapped. “Let me be blunt, then. You did not invite us here. You captured us, and now you’re acting polite to put us off our guard. Once we’ve eaten at your table, the laudanum you put into our food will send us to sleep, allowing you to do whatever you wish. So let’s skip over the bad food and the drugs and go straight to what you wish. What might that be, Mr. al-Noor?”
    For a moment, al-Noor looked hurt and astonished, and Alice thought she had made a terrible mistake. Then a cool, calculating look slid over the man’s face. “You are a clever woman, Miss . . . ?”
    â€œSusan Phipps,” said Alice. “At your service.”
    â€œMiss Phipps,” al-Noor said. “Yes, very clever indeed.”
    Phipps wiped her cutlass clean on a handkerchief. “Flattery from a liar doesn’t sit well, al-Noor. What do you want, then? Do tell, before my friend here blasts you into your