Beautiful Ugly Beasts- Free Sample Read online

  Chapter One

  September 1st, 1885

  To Mr. Sampson J. Ender

  Flamel Manor, East London

  My Dear Uncle,

  Forgive me for not writing you sooner. No doubt you have been made aware of the recent tragedy that has befallen your family here in West London. I am unaware if Father was able to reach you when Mother died; I know you and she were not very close despite being siblings, and Father never spoke of you. Now that he is gone too, I find myself with nowhere else to turn. I am writing to you as both your niece and as a desperate sibling to please consider a request.

  My younger sister, Lilith, has fallen victim to two horrible tragedies in her short life. The first being her abduction in those terrible Yellow Nightingale Abductions of three years ago, from which she is the only known survivor. You’ll know all about that I’m sure; it was in all the papers. The second, I’m afraid, is even more troubling. Several months ago, Lilith began exhibiting abnormal behavior, headaches, and muttering incessantly about ‘being watched’ and ‘ghosts.’

  I took her at once to see a specialist who has discovered the cause to be a dangerously large tumor growing on her brain.

  Please, Uncle, I know that you were once a great doctor of medicine as well as alchemy and I implore you to please, please allow my sister to come to you so that you might look at her. She is only twenty years of age and the doctor will do nothing to help her. He fears for his reputation and has sentenced her to mere months. If anyone could help her, it would be you. I beg of you, be merciful. I am to be married within the month so if you find it in your heart to accept, please send your reply to Mrs. Henry Percival (formerly Dantes).

  Your Humble Niece,

  Arlene Dantes

  ~

  September 1st, 1885

  To Miss Arlene Dantes (via Lord Henry Percival)

  221 White Street, West London

  Send her.

  E.