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Heartless

Gail Carriger
Contents ( 47)
  1. HEARTLESS
  2. The Parasol Protectorate: Book the Fourth
  3. GAIL CARRIGER
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. PROLOGUE
  6. P Is for Preternatural
  7. CHAPTER ONE
  8. In Which Lady Alexia Maccon Waddles
  9. CHAPTER TWO
  10. Wherein Alexia Will Not Be Flung
  11. CHAPTER THREE
  12. Matters Ghostly
  13. CHAPTER FOUR
  14. Where Tethered Specters Meet
  15. CHAPTER FIVE
  16. The Lair of the Octopus
  17. CHAPTER SIX
  18. In Which Mrs. Tunstell Proves Useful
  19. CHAPTER SEVEN
  20. The Werewolves of Woolsey Castle
  21. CHAPTER EIGHT
  22. Death by Teapot
  23. CHAPTER NINE
  24. In Which the Past Complicates the Present
  25. CHAPTER TEN
  26. Ivy’s Agent Doom
  27. CHAPTER ELEVEN
  28. Wherein Hairmuffs Become All the Rage
  29. CHAPTER TWELVE
  30. Formerly Beatrice Lefoux
  31. CHAPTER THIRTEEN
  32. The Octopus Stalks at Moonlight
  33. CHAPTER FOURTEEN
  34. In Which Lady Maccon Mislays Her Parasol
  35. CHAPTER FIFTEEN
  36. Where Dirigibles Fear to Tread
  37. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
  38. A Clot of Vampires
  39. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
  40. In Which We All Learn a Little Something About Prudence
  41. extras
  42. meet the author
  43. introducing
  44. Contents
  45. BY GAIL CARRIGER
  46. Praise for The Parasol Protectorate Series
  47. Copyright

HEARTLESS

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The Parasol Protectorate: Book the Fourth

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GAIL CARRIGER

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www.orbitbooks.net

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Begin Reading

Table of Contents

Extras

Copyright Page

Acknowledgments

Sometimes the necessaries are not something that can be researched. With grateful thanks to those who, wittingly or unwittingly, found themselves tutoring my madness: Mom for the holly; Willow for the dates; Rachel my mistress of the emotional red herring; Erin coma goddess; the Iz of continuity; and Phrannish the best wing-chick evah!

PROLOGUE

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P Is for Preternatural

Notation to the Records, Subject P-464-AT, Alexia Tarabotti

Archivist: Mr. Phinkerlington, junior clerk, aethographic transmission specialist, second class

Subject P-464-AT is with child, sire unknown. Subject removed from London. Subject detached from Shadow Council. Position of muhjah vacant.

Notation to the Notation to the Records, Subject P-464-AT, Alexia Tarabotti

Archivist: Mr. Haverbink, field agent, recognizance and munitions expert, first class

Subject P-464-AT’s pregnancy confirmed as direct result of union with Subject W-57790-CM, werewolf. Impregnation duly verified by scientists in good standing and by Italian Templars (preternatural breeding program discontinued circa 1805). (Please note: Templars classified as Threat to the Commonwealth of the Highest Order, yet their research in this is rated Unimpeachable.) Subject P-464-AT reinstated as muhjah.

Addendum to the Notation to the Notation to the Records, Subject P-464-AT, Alexia Tarabotti

Archivist: Professor Lyall, field agent, secretary prime (aka Subject W-56889-RL)

Werewolf howlers consulted on progeny. Child most likely a soul-stealer (aka skin-stalker or flayer). Templar records reported to indicate this implies ability to be both mortal and immortal. Potentate, Lord Akeldama (aka Subject V-322-XA), concurs. Subject P-464-AT says she believes “the horrible man said something along the lines of . . . a creature that can both walk and crawl and that rides the soul as a knight will ride his steed.” (Please note: suspect “horrible man” is reference to Florentine preceptor of the Knights Templar.)

Only previous recorded example of a soul-stealer was Al-Zabba (aka Zenobia, Queen of the Palmyrene, no subject number). Understood to be related to Subject V-322-XA, Akeldama. (He won’t reveal the details—you know vampires.) Zenobia most likely result of union between Vampire Queen and Male Preternatural (subjects unknown). It is thus impossible to say if her abilities will be comparable to those of the forthcoming Subject P-464-AT progeny, as this child is the result of Female Preternatural and Alpha Werewolf union. In either case, type of manifestation unknown.

Suggest new classification for progeny: M for metanatural.

Additional Addendum for Consideration: Vampires clearly desire progeny eliminated, at expense of Subject P-464-AT. It is this archivist’s belief that it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth to see this child born, for scientific purposes if nothing else. Have consulted with Subject V-322-XA, Akeldama, and believe we have a solution to vampire negativity.