“Because I'm a woman?”
“Because no one else in here has the faintest idea what we're talking about,” Alex said with a ghost of his usual smile. It didn't quite reach his eyes. “Societas Rosicruciana was for learned gentlemen pursuing ancient wisdom. But there were rumors of what lay behind that facade.” He looked around the room slowly. “Standing here, I find the rumors easier to believe.”
“What rumors?” Violet demanded.
“Blood oaths. Rituals that most sane people would runscreaming from.” His gaze settled on Tilly. “Ambrose said you brought a woman here to your club today after you and he ventured into the East End and that her sister went missing while working in this building when it was still a gentlemen's club?”
“Yes.” Tilly braced herself for what came next.
“The young woman I have coming through is agitated.” He tilted his head slightly in the way Tilly had come to recognize meant he was listening to something none of them could hear. “I see a leaf. Some kind of?—”
“Fern,” Tilly said softly. “Could it be a fern? That was her name.”
The word sat in the cold air between them.
“Yes,” Alex said. “A fern would fit.” His smile was gentle. “She is a quiet sort.”
“Ruby is quiet also,” Tilly said. “Perhaps we should speak with her, as she may be able to tell us more.” She paused. “Although if she believes her sister is still alive, it will not be easy to tell her otherwise.”
“No,” Alex agreed. “It will not, but I think it is necessary.”
“This is blood,” Mungo said from beside the altar.
“Lots of blood,” Bram added, looking over his shoulder.
“Something is very wrong with this place,” Ellen said. “Pain, rage, and fear fill this room. But there is also hunger and greed.”
“I think these are the names of those who belong to whatever hell club this is,” Alex said, now reading the book.
“Yes, we thought that was a possibility too,” Ambrose said, joining him.
“Hierophant, Magnus, Adeptus, Philosophus, and Zelator,” Alex said.
“I know someone who may be able to understand more about this than we can,” Tilly said suddenly, remembering a bookshop she frequented. “I had planned to go theretomorrow. I shall do so and see what the proprietor can tell me.”
“It could be dangerous for you to take it,” Ambrose said. “If whoever was watching me the other night manages to get in here and finds it gone, he may go looking and start with you.”
“I will have a care, and I fail to see why he would link me to the missing book. It is only you who has shown your hand to whoever attacked you.” Tilly felt her argument was rational.
“I will take it to this person,” Ambrose said holding out his hand.
“I know them well. Therefore, I will take it. I have been frequenting their bookshop for many years.”
Tilly could feel the eyes of everyone on them, watching the argument between herself and Ambrose play out.
“Give it to me,” Ambrose commanded, holding out his hand.
“No.” Tilly then opened her jacket and stuffed the book inside before refastening it.
“Well, she has you there,” Violet said, and Tilly did not like the look in Ambrose’s eyes one bit.
His glare should have felled her where she stood. However, she was made of hardier stuff and glared right back.
“Tilly, I really need to speak to Ruby, and I believe the sooner the better,” Alex said.
“You two go, and we shall continue to look around,” Leo said.
She led Alex back along the narrow space until she reached the door. She stepped through and walked with him on her heels to the kitchens and up the stairs.