“But never have they been this angry.”
“Perhaps it’s the Giffard dirigible run. If there is even the possibility he could open the aetherosphere up to vampires, even if it’s only roves…” Captain Niall trailed off.
Sidheag filled in the rest. “Then werewolves have a right to be worried.”
Sophronia puzzled over this. It must have something to do with tethers. Currently, one of the greatest checks on vampire power was the fact that it was limited to specific territories. The more powerful the vampire, the more confined the territory. Werewolves, on the other hand, had a greater range since their tether was to other members of the pack, rather than an exact location. This was how England had won an empire abroad; packs could fight in armies. Is there something about this dirigible flight that could change that dynamic? That’s far more significant than Vieve’s claims of shorter travel times. Vampires could be as mobile as werewolves if they tethered to aetherosphere-going dirigibles, possibly more so.
“I’ve always wondered why Professor Braithwope was the only floating vampire,” said Sidheag.
“He’s a bit of an experiment.”
Considering the vampire teacher’s silly mustache, Sophronia thought, Not only in that way. Are the vampires hoping to experiment further with Giffard’s new technology? Is someone trying to stop them? Vampires, to Sophronia, were mainly a concept rather than a practice—she hadn’t much experience with them. But she found the concept more palatable when she knew there were limits to their supernatural abilities. The werewolves, she must assume from this conversation, felt the same.
Sidheag said, “Do we consider the professor a successful experiment?”
Captain Niall touched the tall girl affectionately on one shoulder. “You know I can’t tell you that.”
“Of course.” Sidheag pressed one long finger to her mouth. Then, glancing around, she said, “Oh, dear, it looks like I’m the last.” The glass platform waited for her, so low Sidheag need only step up onto it.
“Not entirely. Miss Temminnick?” Captain Niall turned into the darkness to where Sophronia skulked.
She moved forward, not at all ashamed. This was, after all, what they were trained for. “Did you smell me or hear me?”
“Both. Even you cannot quiet your own heartbeat. And, as you have been told before, perfume will always work against you with the supernatural, unless you have scattered it everywhere.”
Sidheag, at least, seemed gratifyingly surprised to see her.
“What did you hear?” she hissed, as Sophronia stepped up onto the platform next to her.
“Enough.”
“That’s personal pack business!”
“And I won’t mention any of it, if you tell me everything you know about this vampire plot.”
“I can’t be seen talking to you.” The platform rose slowly toward the underbelly of the airship. At the same time, the massive craft lifted higher into the sky.
“Then you had better do it fast.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re awful contrary, Sophronia?”
“Frequently. Now explain.”
“It seems the werewolves think the vampires are trying to master aetherosphere travel for themselves. There are rumors Giffard’s been funded by vampire backers. Even though he’s French.”
Sophronia’s mind whirled at the implications. “Is our school floating to town to support or fight this possibility?”
“I’ve no idea.”
“How do our visiting boys figure into this?”
Sidheag shrugged. “Bunson’s is pro Picklemen.”