Chapter 31

The guys dropped me off at the chapter house, Hemlock surprisingly chatty, probably to cover Ordell’s uncharacteristic silence. Ordell sat in the back of the ride, and I could feel him watching me.

This awkwardness between us would have to go. Sure, he’d turned into a monster and chased me through the creepy forest and then tried to fuck me, but he hadn’t been himself. I forgave him, but it was obvious he didn’t forgive himself.

We’d talk later.

They peeled away from the curb, promising to meet me at the carriage stable at five, and I headed into the building.

Padma and Merry were already hard at work cataloging, and Edwin was fiddling with the coffee machine.

“How was your night?” Padma asked.

“Quiet.” I hated lying, but the hunters’ secret wasn’t mine to tell.

The teapot sat on my desk, still wrapped in plastic. Still grimy. “Has the cleaning stuff arrived?”

“Not yet,” Padma said. “But the result of the tests on the residue came back. Check your emails.”

“Okay…” I logged in and pulled up the email, scanning the numbers that I didn’t quite understand till I got to the written bit.

Blood and clay and some unknown residue. “Unknown? That’s bloody helpful.”

“But we have a blood type,” Padma said. “It’s rare. RH null.”

“Did you cross-reference with what we have on file already?”

“Yeah, no matches yet. But we still have a bunch of files to input.”

“Okay, keep an eye.” I set the teapot aside and focused on my pile of paperwork.

Lunch time came and went with sandwiches from a little place down the street called Bitesize, and we were getting settled for more boring work when the bell above the door rang.

“Thank fuck!” Edwin said, pushing back his chair.

Padma caught my eye and smiled. Yeah, this was bad. This in-between phase where we had no new cases and the ones we had were at a stall sucked. If Lorenzo didn’t come through soon, I’d have to put the pressure on Micah.

Edwin popped his head back into the office. “It’s for you, Orina.”

“Me?” I joined him in reception where an excited Agatha in modern era clothes stood holding hands with a tall handsome man, which had to be her fiancé, Henry.

“Orina!” She dropped his hand to rush over to hug me. “I’m sorry for dropping in like this, but we were in the neighborhood, and I thought, hey, why not visit with my friend?”

“I’m glad you popped in. You on a day pass?”

“Yes, for now, but…” She bit her bottom lip and slid a glance Henry’s way. “I got approved for a permanent move to New Town.”

“Oh my God, that’s amazing! Congratulations.”

She squeezed my hands, her eyes bright with joy and excitement. “Oh, and this wonderful man”—she hooked an arm through Henry’s and drew him closer—“is Henry. My fiancé.” She said it proudly, and a warm smile broke out on his face.

“I’ve heard so much about you,” Henry said. “It’s good to put a face to a name.” He had a nice voice. Reassuring and steady, the kind of voice you’d like to hear in a crisis. One that would calm your nerves and help you focus.

“Likewise.” I returned his smile. “So what have you two been up to today?”

Agatha’s blush answered my question, but Henry replied smoothly with, “It’s been a lazy morning. But we’ll do some shopping, things for the house, and then get dinner before…” His smile dimmed. “Before I drop Agatha back to the carriage stables.”

“One week,” Agatha said to him. “I’ll be back for good in one week.” They turned toward each other, and his hand went to her abdomen, fingers spreading protectively over her stomach. I’d seen this move before. Knew what it might mean.

Agatha glanced at me and followed my gaze. Her cheeks pinkened once more.

I arched a brow, and her eyes widened. “Oh…no. At least, not yet. But we’re trying and we’re hopeful.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I mean, we could be…we haven’t tested yet.” Her eyes twinkled with excitement.

Henry rolled his eyes and chuckled softly. “I thought we weren’t going to tell anyone we were trying so as not to jinx it.”

“You’re the one touching my stomach,” Agatha said. “Besides, I can’t help myself. I’m so excited.”

“Wait, what…What does that mean?” Edwin asked. “What are they trying to do?”

“Get pregnant,” Padma said, her voice soft and almost wistful.

“Honey, if you want to cover ground, then we should get going,” Henry said to Agatha.

“Yes, yes. I’ll see you at the Midnight Ball, I assume.” She made a long-suffering face.

Henry frowned. “Does she have to go? You’re that thing’s watcher; is there anything you can do to get her out of it?”

My gut told me that asking Ezekiel for anything was a bad idea, and the last thing I wanted to do was bring Agatha to his attention. From what I’d gleaned from the watcher journals, he liked to use what people loved against them. As a member of the Order, I had few personal attachments, which worked well for a watcher. The only ones he knew about were my team and the hunters, all protected by the covenant between him and the Order. Agatha was not protected.

“I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do about that, but I can promise to keep her safe. I’ll be there for the whole thing. I won’t take my eyes off her.”

This seemed to placate Henry somewhat, although he looked like he wanted to say more. I waited, but in the end, he simply smiled and placed his hand on the small of Agatha’s back. “Shall we, honey?”

“Yes, let’s.” She beamed up at him, and my heart swelled watching them. This was love. Pure, unadulterated love.

They said their goodbyes and left.

“They’re adorable,” Merry said, hands clasped beneath her chin.

“Yeah, yeah,” Padma said. “Wait till they’ve been living together for a while, oh and when she’s popped out three kids, put on weight…Won’t be so adorable then.”

“So cynical,” Edwin said.

“Don’t you believe in love?” Merry asked.

“Love is a transaction,” Padma said. “And when you run out of things to give or when the other person feels like you have nothing left to offer, it’s usually over.” She walked off.

Merry sagged, bottom lip out in a pout. “I feel like she stole all the magic from the room.”

“Coffee?” Edwin said brightly.

Merry perked up. “Oooh, yes!”

And the magic was back.

Hemlock and Ordellpicked me up at the carriage stables, both covered in dirt and grime. Ordell’s knuckles were bloody and grazed. He made to climb up into the driver’s cab, and when I lightly touched his arm to stall him, he flinched. What the fuck?

But I forged on. “I was hoping you’d ride with me so we could talk.”

His jaw was tight. “Not today.” He dismissed me and climbed up into the driver’s spot.

Hemlock pulled open the door and waited for me to climb in, but it took a moment because I couldn’t tear my gaze off Ordell’s stiff profile. “Seriously?” His jaw flexed. “You’re giving me the cold shoulder after…You know what? Forget it. We don’t need to talk. Ever.”

I climbed into the carriage and sat back with a huff.

Hemlock joined me a moment later, and the carriage lurched into motion. I kept my attention on the shitty scenery, my heart pounding too hard, cheeks stinging from his rejection.

“You should go easy on him,” Hemlock said. “He had a pretty crappy day.”

“Yeah? And I had a shitty night, but I didn’t take it out on him even though I had every right to. Look, Hemlock, I’m too old and wise for games. You have a problem, that’s fine, use your words. Tell me you need space. Communicate for fuck’s sake.”

He studied me from beneath hooded lids. “You want communication? So here’s mine. I don’t want you in my bed again.”

His words were a jab to the chest. “What?”

“You heard me. Stay out of my room and out of my bed.”

The anger swirling inside me threatened to become an inferno. “Trust me, last night was a one-time thing. It definitely won’t happen again. In fact, we don’t have to talk at all, not unless it’s business. How’s that?”

“Works perfectly for me,” Hemlock said. “But Ordell…You should talk to him. Later. He had a bad day, Orina, and he’s never really had anyone but me to confide in, so…this is new. You’re new.”

His tone was soft, almost awestruck, and there was a flicker of heat in his arctic gaze that completely contradicted his words of a few moments ago. “I don’t get you, Hemlock.”

“Good.” He pulled a book from his inner pocket, flipped it open, and began to read.

I watched him for a few moments before turning my attention to the view and switching off my thoughts.

The Singer brothers were more complicated than I’d originally believed, and the last thing I needed was more complications.

I’d clear the air with Ordell, and then I’d keep my distance. It was best for us all.

The entrance hallwas buzzing with activity when we walked in, people running to and fro carrying dusters, silver trays, and fabric, and in the center of it all was a minute woman with a stern expression and nutmeg eyes.

She spotted us and hurried over. “There you are. Our residential guests. Your rooms have been freshly cleaned.” Her tone was clipped, her words quick-paced. “You’ll eat in the main hall tonight. Cook is excited to serve you all.”

I stared at her animated expression. “And you are?”

She gave an exasperated sigh. “Ms. Ingrid Fletcher. Head housekeeper. You will come to me if you have any issues during your stay. I will not have Master disturbed. Are we clear?” She swept us with a stern, pointed look.

“Clear,” Hemlock said, a hint of amusement in his voice. Ingrid looked over at him, and something in her eyes shifted and softened.

“Yes, well, off with you now.”

But I wasn’t done. “When did you get here?”

“We’ve always been here, child.” She smiled, her brows flicking up a little.

Oh… “You’re ghosts.”

“For want of a better word. This is our home, and while we wake, we nurture and protect it.” She canted her head. “I apologize for last night. I was unable to stop Daisy from leading you into danger. You released her from the east wing, unwittingly, mind you. Her and a few others, but now that I’m here, I’ll ensure they’re located and put back where they belong.”

“Why are they locked up? Are they dangerous?”

“Not all ghosts, as you call them, can withstand earthborn existences. And Daisy, well, I’m sorry to say the poor mite is completely insane. Now off with you. I have much to prepare for the Midnight Ball. Two days. Goodness, how will I do it?” She bustled off.

“Well,” Hemlock said, “I need to shower.” He took the steps two at a time, leaving me alone with Ordell.

I looked up at him to find him watching me with a cagey look in his ocean blues. “I’ll see you at dinner.” He shot up the stairs after Hemlock, and my heart sank, because for some reason, being on the outs with Ordell did not sit right with me. In fact, it felt downright unnatural.

My shoulder itched, reminding me it was time to check the wound, then after that, I’d make Ordell talk to me.