Chapter 25

In the dawn of morning, Ardis heard the necromancer singing. She stood on the observation deck, wind blowing through the windows, and glanced sideways at him. Wendel leaned with his elbows on the railing.

“So, so wie ich dich liebe,” he sang quietly, “so, so liebe auch mich.”

“What are you singing now?” Ardis said.

A smile stole over his face. “A folk song.” He sang it again in English. “So, so, the way I love you, so, so love me too.”

“Sounds like a love song to me.”

“That, too.”

She stood by him, and he held her close with an arm around his shoulders.

“It’s New Year’s Eve tonight,” Wendel said. “I hope Tesla knows how to party.”

Ardis laughed. “Don’t get drunk on an airship. Again.”

He wrinkled his nose. “I tried to black that from my memory.”

Krampus hopped onto the railing. Wind ruffled the raven’s glossy feathers. He peered down at the deep blue Baltic Sea.

“Careful, Krampus,” Wendel said. “If you fly away, you might not make it to America.”

Krampus blinked. “Grok.”

“Only a few days,” Ardis said. “It’s hard to believe.”

Wendel narrowed his eyes against the sun. “I assume we will be traveling incognito. Since you are an outlaw in America.”

“Konstantin promised diplomatic immunity. Besides, we’re landing in New York.”

“Will we travel to San Francisco from there?”

She shrugged. “Maybe.”

“San Francisco is your home.”

She smiled. “It’s a long way. America is big, Wendel.”

“I’ve never been.” He frowned pensively. “Will we meet your mother?”

“Do you want to?”

He looked sideways at her. “Should I?”

She laughed. “She can be a bit intimidating.”

“I’m game.”

Ardis looked out over the clouds, then leaned against Wendel. With him beside her, she was game for any number of adventures.