Playing With Fire

Chapter Fourteen SPRINGING JACK

JACK COULDN'T SPRING.

Even if he could — even if this cell, with its narrow bed and its toilet and its sink, was big enough — he still wouldn't have been able to spring. The cell was bound, and dampened his powers.

Springheeled Jack sat on his bed and contemplated life without springing.

He also contemplated life without killing, which was twisting him up inside, without his favorite foods, without dancing about on rooftops, and without everything he loved.

They'd throw away the key, he knew they would. The English Council, once they finally got the chance to put him away, wouldn't be lenient. His trial would be over in a flash, and he'd be looking at hundreds of years in prison.

Jack lay down, resting his forearm over his eyes to block out that dreadful artificial light.

No more open sky for him. No more stars. No more moon.

"You're uglier than I remember."

Jack catapulted off the bed. A man was standing in the cell, leaning against the wall and grinning.

"Sanguine," Jack said, his own mouth twisting. "Come 'ere to gloat, 'ave you? I'd like to say I'm surprised, but naw, that kinda behavior is what I've come to expect from you."

"Jack, my old friend, your words, they sting."

"You're no friend of mine," Jack said.

Sanguine shrugged. "We may have had our differences over the years, but the way I see it, that's all behind us now. I'm here to help you. I'm here to get you out."

He tapped the cracked wall. Loose chips crumbled and fell, trailing dust.

Jack frowned. "What gives?"

"I just want you to do a little favor for me, is all."

"Don't much like the idea of doin' you a favor."

"You'd prefer to sit in a cell for the rest of your life?"

Jack didn't answer.

"Just a little favor. Somethin' you'd enjoy, actually. I want you to cause some trouble."

"Why?"

"Never you mind. Think you'd be able to help me?"

"Depends. What kind of trouble?"

"Oh, nothin' much. Just want you to kill some folks."

Jack couldn't help it. He smiled. "Yeah?"

"Easy as pie, for someone of your talents. You agree to do this, I take you with me right now and we scoot on outta here."

"Killin', eh?"

"An' lots of it."

"And that's all? Once I do it, we're even? 'Cause I know who you've worked for in the past, Tex, an' I ain't gonna start workin' for the Faceless Ones or nothin'."

"Did I mention the Faceless Ones? No I did not."

"It's got nothin' to do with them?" "Cross my heart and hope to die. So, you in?" Jack put on his coat and picked up his battered top hat. "Let's go."