Chapter 24

Whistlethorpe Tea Shop was owned by Jerry Whistlethorpe, twin brother to Perry from New Town, and his cakes were just as delicious as his brother’s ice cream.

The tea shop was a quaint building nestled between a confectioner and a tailor. Boleros, lace collars, cravats, and high-button bodices made up the scene as people sipped tea from china cups and nibbled on tiny cakes and triangle sandwiches.

The bright colors inside contrasted with gray skies and brown cobbled streets, creating a jovial atmosphere. I’d planned to pop in and see Agatha, but her store was rammed with patrons. I managed a wave, and she mouthed a thank you. I guess Zafrina had spread the word about my dress and the woman who’d stitched it.

In New Town, our lead on Lomax, the missing ghoul, turned out to be a bust. And my call to Lorenzo refused to go through. I allowed myself a twinge of panic before setting it aside. Lorenzo Crescent would find a way to get in touch if he wanted to.

We managed to catalog several files before it was time to head back to the chapter house, where I packed my meager belongings to head to the castle, my stomach in knots.

Edwin hovered in the doorway. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”

I’d only known him a short while, but I’d taken an instant liking to him. He was easy to talk to, quick-witted, and sweet. I hadn’t expected to like my new team as much as I did.

“I’ll miss you too. All of you. But based on everything I’ve read in the watcher journals, being close to Ezekiel is the only way to reduce human deaths.”

“That could just be a fluke.”

“Yeah, it could.” I canted my head. “But I have to try. You understand that, right?”

He blew out a breath and nodded. “It’s just…now that he has a taste for your blood…I’m worried for you.”

I’d been trying not to think about that fact. “That was a one-off deal.” I tapped my amulet. “This is not coming off again, and I’m certainly not giving him permission to feed on me.”

He chewed on his cheeks, and I got the impression that there was more he wanted to say. Could this be about Padma? “Edwin, what is it? You can tell me.”

He shook his head, laughing a little. “Nothing. I was just…nothing. I’ll see you downstairs.”

He ducked out of the room, leaving me with a quiver of foreboding in my belly. Something was up with Padma, and maybe it was time for me to come clean and ask her about it myself. But things were good between us. We’d fallen into a comfortable working relationship and were easing into a friendship. Whatever her deal was, it would be best if she volunteered the information, and maybe she’d be comfortable enough to tell me why she’d lied about contacting HQ.

Ordell rapped on the door with his knuckles. “Are you ready to go?” His gaze flicked to the window where the sky was a stunning blood orange.

“Yep. All good.”

He grabbed my two cases, and I hoisted my empty holster onto my shoulder.

“Your sword is in the carriage,” he said.

Of course it was. It always found its way back to me.

He hurried off with long strides, and I followed at a trot. “Hey, what’s the rush?”

“Best we get there before dark.”

“Why?”

“Get a lay of the land before Ezekiel wakes.”

Hemlock was in the driver’s seat of the carriage, horses pawing at the gravel, ready to get going while Padma, Merry, Haiden, and Edwin stood by the Raven’s perch.

“See you at work tomorrow?” Padma said.

“I’ll be there.”

Edwin pulled me into a hug. “Stay safe.”

“We’ll take good care of her,” Ordell promised.

“We should go,” Hemlock said.

I hugged Merry then Padma before climbing into the carriage with Ordell.

The horses whinnied, and we were off.

“It’ll be okay,” Ordell said. “We’ll be close by at all times.” But his attention was on the rapidly darkening sky, and I couldn’t help but think his hurry was related to more than getting to the castle before Ezekiel woke.

Matthew metus at the main doors and led us up the grand staircase onto the first floor, then up another set of stairs onto the second floor. He moved fast, as if he couldn’t wait to be done with us, and there was barely enough time to take in the many details molded and carved into the walls and ceilings of this ancient castle.

“You’ll be staying in the west wing,” he said. “Master had business to attend to but has instructed that your meals be served to your rooms tonight. You may dine in the main hall tomorrow.”

“What about breakfast?” Ordell asked.

I bit back a smile because there was no question as to his love of breakfast.

“It’ll be on the kitchen table between eight and ten in the morning. You may help yourselves.”

The carpet underfoot was threadbare and the candle holders fixed to the wall were tarnished. We passed several windows overlooking the courtyard, and from this height, I could make out the walled-off gardens and the stables where our carriage and horses were now housed. The chasm and bridge were dark smudges in the distance, melting into shadows that seemed to surround this space, as if the castle existed in a world all its own.

Goosebumps skated up my arm. Give me a good old-fashioned slash and stab scenario over a creepy walk through a graveyard, haunted house, or ancient vampire’s castle any day.

But despite the cold, gloomy vibe, there wasn’t a speck of dirt to be found. The banister had been clean and polished beneath my hand. The windows were clear of smudges, frames free of mildew…Someone obviously cleaned this place.

We turned onto a spacious corridor, and I caught a flash of movement at the bottom of it. “Who else is here?”

“No one else,” Matthew said with a shudder. “But I know what you mean. It’s creepy. Sometimes I feel like I’m being watched.”

“Do you have to live here too?”

“Yes, during the week. I’m allowed home at the weekends. My quarters are on the ground floor, thank goodness.”

“Why thank goodness?”

“Closer to the exit, he means, right?” Ordell said—the first words he’d spoken since getting out of the carriage, and he’d barely spoken to me on the ride, lost in his own thoughts, whatever those were. I’d never felt on the outside with Ordell before, even when we’d ridden in silence, but today there was a barrier between us that I didn’t quite understand.

“Something like that.” Matthew sighed. “I heard what happened last night with the fledglings.”

I lengthened my stride to come abreast of him. “Ezekiel told you?”

“No.” He shot me a sheepish smile. “But Dracul territory has its very own gossip vine. The coal delivery guy told me what he heard. And then Master came home in somewhat of a state and ordered three humans be brought to his chambers…I do not enjoy cleanup.”

“He drained them?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“And you let him?”

He flinched away from me. “I’m his renfield. I don’t tell him what to do. I follow orders.”

“Like bringing him humans to kill.” I was momentarily speechless. “How could you?”

“Criminals,” he said. “We had a few left from…before.”

“What?” I looked from Ordell to Hemlock, then back to Matthew. “You have humans in your dungeons?”

“Not anymore,” Matthew said with a wince.

“Calm the fuck down,” Hemlock snapped at me. “He has to feed, so what did you expect?”

“For him not to kill.”

“He was poisoned,” Ordell pointed out. “Obviously not himself and needing the blood to purge the toxin from his?—”

“You sound like you’re defending him.”

Ordell slow-blinked, and for a moment, I was sure his pupils contracted to slits, but it had to be a trick of the light. “Last night was unexpected and unfortunate. We must move on.” Then to Matthew, “Did you know a polymorph lured Orina into danger using your face, Matthew?”

Matthew gaped up at him. “What?” He pressed his hand to his chest. “Something has my face?”

“It’s all right,” Hemlock said. “I doubt he’ll use it on a day-to-day basis.”

I wasn’t sure if that was an insult or a reassurance, and from the expression on Matthew’s face, neither was he.

We continued down the corridor with rooms on either side, doors opened to air them. “The Singers are to take these rooms.” Matthew pointed to the first two doors on the left. “And Miss Lighthart…” He hurried down the rapidly darkening corridor to a rosewood door at the end. He pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked it before pushing it open with a flourish. “Master had this one prepared for you.” He handed me the key, and I pocketed it, stepping into the room chosen for me.

It was twice the size of my quarters at the chapter house with a vaulted window and a set of glass doors leading onto a balcony. The bed was a double, with a thick mattress set on a sturdy rosewood frame and fitted with deep purple sheets. The armoire, dresser, and desk were all made of the same wood, but the floor was carpeted. There was another door between the dresser and the armoire.

“What’s through there?”

“Washroom,” Matthew said.

It smelled clean in here, like lemon polish and flowers. “Who prepared the room?” I turned to him with a frown. “You said there was no one else here.”

Matthew shifted from foot to foot. “I don’t know. Honestly.” His gaze darted to the doorway, and I followed it in time to see a shadow move.

“Hey! If someone is out there, then show yourself!” I stalked over to the threshold and poked my head out to find the corridor silent and empty.

Ordell pressed a hand to my shoulder. “There’s no one there.”

“Ghosts,” Matthew blurted out. “I think it’s ghosts. There, I said it. It is the rising year, and you know what they say about the ghosts during the rising.”

Oh yes, Merry had mentioned that. “In that case, get me some salt. I’m not having any ghost snooping around in my room.”

Ordell arched a brow. “You know how to ward off ghosts?”

He looked impressed, and I couldn’t help but puff up a little at that. “’Course I do.”

Hemlock snorted. “The others probably told her.”

I shot him a glare. “I am perfectly capable, thank you.”

“So they didn’t tell you.”

I so badly wanted to lie, but honesty was an ingrained thing. “Fine, Merry may have mentioned it.”

I itched to smack the smug smile off his face.

“I’ll leave you all to get settled in,” Matthew said. “Food should arrive at sunset. Although I’m not sure how.” He headed for the door, probably eager to get away from the spooky second floor and back to his safe ground-floor quarters.

“Hey…” I hurried after him. “Don’t forget to get me that salt.”

He raised a hand in acknowledgment but didn’t stop.

Hemlock ambled out of the room and down the corridor. “I need a shower.”

Ordell moved in the opposite direction, toward my balcony doors. He stepped out into the rapidly falling night, and I followed. It was a spacious balcony, perfect for dragging a chair out and watching the sunset, but right now, it was overgrown with ivy, the stone barrier covered in moss. The upkeep of the house obviously didn’t extend to the exterior.

Ordell stood, hands on hips, looking down the side of the building. There was a trellis and more ivy, thick and knotted, climbing the wall. “I want you to lock those doors at night.”

“Why? You think Ezekiel’s going to sneak in for a midnight snack?” I kept my tone light and teasing.

“I don’t know what to think.” He sounded almost reflective. “Until I figure it out, please keep your doors locked.”

“Of course.” I went back into my room and across to the ensuite, a fully modernized bathroom with a huge claw foot tub. “Wow. I am so having a soak.”

Ordell wandered in and stared at the tub. He looked as if he wanted to say something but was holding back.

“What?”

He shook his head. “Nothing.”

Damn, he was being odd today. I wanted my easygoing buddy back. “We could explore the castle together after supper if you like.”

He opened and closed his mouth, the warmth in his eyes ebbing. “Honestly, I’m exhausted. I think I’m going to turn in. But enjoy your soak, and maybe stay in your rooms tonight. We can explore during the daylight hours.”

Disappointment formed a cold fist in my chest, but I smiled to cover it. “Sounds good. Get some rest.”

He left quickly, as if he couldn’t wait to get away from me. It was a far cry from his usual behavior. Had I done something to put him off? Why did I care? We could never be a thing anyway. It was better this way.

Easier this way.

I could totally live without his hugs.

Problem was, I didn’t want to.