Angel Wings

Prologue

You stand next to your twin sister Tessa and you see her grab her clockwork angel necklace. Unconsciously you grab the angel wings necklace that is the sister of Tessa's necklace. You remember the day that you and Tessa got both of your necklaces.

Your older brother Nate had taken both necklaces out of your mother's jewellery and he had you hold the angel wing necklace. After that he placed the clockwork angel to his ear and exclaimed in surprise because it still worked. He quickly looked for some kind of mechanism that would explain this, but could find none. Afterwards he let you and Tessa keep the necklaces and the both of you never took them off.

For you the necklace is a piece of your mother still here. In frightening situations just touching the necklace brings you a sense of calmness. You know Tessa feels the same about her necklace and give a small smile.

You both hold your necklaces as the Main noses its way between other massive steamboats to find a spot at the Southhampton dock. Nate insisted that the both of you come to Southampton instead of Liverpool, where most transatlantic steamers arrived. Tessa did not tell you why he insisted upon this and you begin to wonder why as you see everyone waiting at the docks. Out of the corner of your eye you see Tessa shiver. You bite your lip knowing that the both of you sold most of your clothes for Aunt Harriet's funeral. You and Tessa are expecting to get more clothes when you meet with Nate.

Suddenly a shoot goes up and before you know it all the passengers are leaving. Tessa grabs your hand to make sure she does not lose you in the crowd. Once in the docks both you and Tessa begin looking for Nate. You let go of Tessa's hand and place one of your own over your eyes. With some of the rain blocked you can see better around you. You hear the sound of people speaking in French and turn to see your sister almost trampled. You take in a worried breath as you realise that Nate is not here. You stand beside Tessa not knowing what to do.

"You are both Miss Gray?"

You turn to see a man now standing in front of you and your sister. Something about him causes you to distrust him. Later you will remember his voice and looks, but not what bothered you. You tense up and look to Tessa with her being the older sister.

"Your brother sent me. Come with me."

"Where is he?" Your sister demanded of the man.

He gives no reply and begins walking away with what looks like a limp. After a moment the both of you pick up your skirts and follow the mysterious man. You follow him to a black carriage with gold writing on it, but you can't read it in the rain. Just as you think this the carriage door opens and a woman leans out. She is wearing an enormous plumed hat that hides her face.

"Miss Theresa Gray and miss (Y/N) Gray?"

Tessa nods and you grab her hand in fear. The bulging-eyed man hurried to help the woman out of the carriage- and then another woman follows after her. Each of them immediately open an umbrella and raise it, sheltering themselves from the rain. Then they fix their eyes on Tessa and you.

They are an odd pair, the women. One is very tall and thin, with a bony, pinched face. Colourless hair is scrapped back into a chignon at the back of her head. She wears a dress of brilliant violet silk, already spattered here and there with splotches of rain, and matching gloves. The other woman is short and plump, with small eyes sunk deep into her head; the bright pink gloves stretched over her large hands make them look like colourful paws.

"Theresa Gray and (Y/N) Gray," says the shorter of the two. "What a delight to make your acquaintances at last. I am Mrs. Black, and this is my sister Mrs. Dark. Your brother sent us to accompany you both to London."

"I don't understand. Where's Nate? Why didn't he come himself?" Tessa questions as you move closer to her not liking the women.

"He was unavoidably detained by business in London. Mortmain's couldn't spare him. He sent ahead a note for you both, however."

Mrs. Black hands you a rolled-up note and you quickly read it. You hand it to Tessa so she can read it as well. Once she does you can see the disappointment in her eyes. You both were so excited to be seeing Nate once more. Your shoulders droop in sadness before you stand erect. You don't have time to feel like this. In your thoughts you don't realise that Tessa and the Dark sisters have continued talking. Tessa pulls you behind her to the carriage where you can read the wording now. The words "The Pandemonium Club" curl intricately around two snakes biting each other's tails, forming a circle. Tessa and you frown.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing you need to worry about." Says Mrs. Black, who has already climbed inside and has her skirts spread out across one of the comfortable-looking seats.

After Mrs. Dark gets in Tessa soon follows and looks to you worried. You climb in and sit next to Tessa as Mrs. Black closes the carriage door. You tune them out as you tightly clutch your necklace and see Tessa do the same as the carriage lurches forward into the rain.