Page 6 of Magic of Sins

“Yes!” The man nods sternly, oblivious to the smirk I’m trying to hide. “You shouldn’t lend out books like this. My daughter is only thirteen. I don’t want her to get the wrong idea!”

“You’re right, sir, this is outrageous. I’ll see to it that all love stories are removed from our shelves immediately,” I say, lowering my head in mock concern.

Out of the corner of my eye I can see Mrs.Byron biting her lip. She obviously has is stifling a laugh of her own now. Love is such a fundamental part of literature that we would probably have to empty half our shelves if we were to comply with this customer’s wishes.

“Well, then…” My humble apology seems to have taken the wind out of his sails. “Have a nice day, ladies.”

He hands the book to Mrs.Byron warily before leaving the library in a huff.

“He’d do well to remember that anger is also a sin,” I mutter.

I know Mrs.Byron secretly agrees with me, but she gives me another one of her admonishing looks.

“Let’s get back to it, Kaya! We can’t let incidents like this keep us from our day’s work.”

By mid-afternoon, I’m so engrossed in a book that I forget everything else. That’s why I wince in shock when I take a cursory glance at the clock. It’s already half past three.

The meeting with the princess!

I quickly visit the powder room to make sure my braid and clothes are in place. Then I put on my old cloth gloves I brought along specially. I haven’t worn them in ages, but it can’t hurt to give the appearance of modesty and virtue in the palace. After my visit to Hellmouthyesterday, it seems more prudent than ever.

Mrs. Byron is not thrilled when I tell her I have to leave early.She again points out my diligence evaluation. Briefly I consider telling her about my invitation to the palace. But I don’t know the reason behind it yet, and I don’t want her poking her nose into matters that are none of her business.

I make my way on foot. I have to hurry to arrive on time. Several red lights test my patience, and with every step I take my jitters get worse. By the time I reach the palace, it’s already two minutes to four and I am completely out of breath.

The big, dark building is intimidating. I’ve seen pictures of what it used to look like—brighter, with lots of stucco and gold trim. Of course, now the crown doesn’t want to be accused of vanity or greed. That’s why they’ve removed the decor and knocked off the molding.

I take a deep breath before stepping toward the large iron gate that fences off the palace. When I approach the guardhouse and show the guard my invitation from the princess, he raises his eyebrows in surprise.

“If you’ll wait here a moment, Miss Ashton, I’ll get someone to take you to the royal chambers.”

The royal chambers.Suddenly I feel a bit queasy. Up to this point, I still believed that I would be turned away at the gate and it would all end up being a big joke, but as a liveried attendant approaches me, I’m no longer so sure.

“Miss Ashton?”

“Yes?”

“Please follow me.”

Does everyone who works for the royal family have that pinched look around their mouth?

I follow the tall, gray-haired man across the courtyard to a huge set of double doors. The men standing guard next to it open it for us, and for the first time in my life I enter the palace.

My gaze glides over the black and white floor tiles, the arched ceilings, and the high windows. Despite its simplicity, theentrance hall is breathtaking. Its size alone amazes me. Ava’s and my apartment would fit in here four times over.

Our footsteps echo off the bare white walls as we walk down a long hallway. I keep slowing down until the servant turns to me impatiently.

“Miss Ashton?” He looks at me questioningly and his fingers drum impatiently against his thigh.

“Sorry.”

I continue on unsteady legs.

What am I doing here?

I can still make a run for it. Back through the huge entrance hall and across the courtyard. But do I have a choice at this point? When the royal family summons you, you must appear.

They command, we obey.

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