Chapter 12:
The sun had set, and twilight was chased away by darkness. Helena shared the main deck with Captain Cox, the others huddled about below decks, waiting for their guests to arrive. Helena was eager to see Gertrude. After losing the original Gertie to the Chinese Demon Su Daji, Helena couldn’t bear to lose her namesake to the monster, Count Stroganov.
Helena couldn’t understand how the half-mechanical captain stood so calmly. She felt ready to jump out of her skin with anticipation.
“Try to calm yourself. This is no different from that moment before battle.”
Did he read her mind? “How did you know what I was thinking?” Helena glanced to the short man standing next to her.
“You’re bouncing around like a cat on a hot tin roof. You’re a bundle of nervous energy.” He stared out o
