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ONE

MOONLIGHT CARNIVAL

RMS ETRURIA

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND

1 JANUARY 1889

New Year’s afternoon aboard the Etruria began like a fairy tale, which was the first indication a night, as most villains do, for an opportunity to strike

As our cruise liner prepared to leave port, I ignored twinges of unease in favor of the lush fantasy world before us It was the start of a fresh year, a new chapter, a wonderful opportunity to put dark events of the past behind us and stare ahead into the bright future

A future that ht

I took a steadying breath and glanced at the stage in the center of the grand dining saloon Heavy velvet curtains—an ink blue so dark they appeared black—shiht them Aerial performers in diamond-encrusted bodices twirled on silver threads, beautiful spiders spinning webs I was hopelessly caught up in

Round tables dotted the floor like well-placed constellations, their moon-white linens streith flowers in purples, crea many modern conveniences, the Etruria boasted a hothouse, and the scents of jasht notes wafted around, inviting yet dangerous—not unlike theeffortlessly fro as they flew through the air and snatched the next bar with ease

“The long trains on their costu stars, don’t they? I should love to have a dress hter of the chief hed deeply With her cara brown eyes, she rene flute down and leaned close, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper “Have you heard the legend of Mephistopheles, Miss Wadsworth?”

I tore aze from the hypnotic scene above once more and shook ht’s performance is based on?”

“I suppose it’s time for a story” Captain Norwood, the proud captain of the Etruria, cleared his throat, gaining the attention of our table, including the Prescotts; Uncle Jonathan;Mr Thohand after hand at his game of choice

Acco days traveling from Bucharest to Liverpool to board the Etruria before it set out for New York We’d found creative ways of stealing kisses on our journey, and each secret encounter flashed through niting fla my skin, our—

Miss Prescott gently nudgedmy attention to the conversation

“… if, of course, legends are to be believed Named after a character from German folklore, Mephistopheles is a demon in the Devil’s e the souls of those already corrupt, he’s full of ic and trickery, and he happens to be one spectacular showman Here, look at these tarot cards he’s made for the tables Each card features one of his perforuarantee you’re i

n for a week of unparalleleda new carnival perforends, mark my words Soon every cruise liner will host similar entertainments It will be the start of a new era of travel”

I raised a brow at his near-reverent tone “Are you suggesting you’ve hired a dee, Captain?”

Thomas choked on his water, and Miss Prescott shot rin “Is there a church or chapel on the ship?” she asked, all round eyes and innocence “What shall we do if we’re tricked out of our souls, sir?”

The captain lifted a shoulder, enjoying the mystery “You’ll both have to wait and see It shan’t be er now” He returned his attention to the adults, when Miss Prescott leapt up frolare from her father

“One more little clue, please?”