Page 2 of Monster's Delight

Grandfather was silent, staring at the piece of cheese caught between his fingers. “This has been my home ever since I was born. I have no interest in leaving it, even if it brought me physically closer to you, and to my son.” He cleared his throat and met my eyes with his before smiling slightly. “Besides, aren’t you planning on traveling the world the instant you graduate?”

I grinned sheepishly and ducked my head. “Well, yes. But I’d love to know that you’re there when I come home.”

“Hmm.” Grandfather stroked his beard, deep in thought.

I loved the look of his beard; not too long, neatly trimmed, and completely white. When I was little, I had thought he was Santa Claus, especially with how his rosy cheeks popped up over his mustache when he smiled. He certainly looked like the Father Christmases in my storybooks. Now that I’m older, I know that he’s even better than Santa, because he’s here for me year-round.

“How would you like to consider Doyle Manor your home base?” he asked suddenly.

“I beg your pardon?” I must have dozed off for a second.

“Come live with me after you’ve graduated. You can set off on your adventures just as easily from here as from Enniskillen. And this is entirely too much house for just me.” He winked.

“Are you sure?” I asked hesitantly.

“My dear Siobhan, you are my only grandchild. Your parents are perfectly content in their lives near your mother’s family. Who else would I leave—ask to keep me company?” Grandfather avoided my gaze, leaning forward to pluck a cherry tomato from the platter between us.

It chilled me to my bones, his aborted sentence.

“Who else would I leave...”

How would he have finished that?

“Who else would I leave the Manor to after I’m gone?”

That seemed like the only logical conclusion. I shivered even though I wasn’t cold. Trying to assess Grandfather like a professional, I looked for any indication that his health was failing him. He seemed fine, no reason for the morbid turn his thoughts had obviously taken.

“I would love to have my home base here while I’m traveling, Grandfather. Thank you,” I said, proud of myself for not bawling like a baby.

Buck up girl, you’re twenty-two! You don’t cry at the drop of a hat.

Grandfather smiled. “I’m very happy to hear that.” He patted his stomach. “I’m sated. How are you?”

“I’m good.”

“Tired?”

“Not really.”

“Want to spend some time with me?”

“Definitely.”

He brightened and practically hopped to his feet. “I have something I want to show you.”

Curiosity piqued, I followed him through the hallways and up the stairs to the library on the second floor. The library was next to his office, and had a connecting door between the two. Both rooms were built with dark mahogany shelves lining the walls. There was only one space without shelving, and it contained a portrait of Grandmother. I stood for a moment underneath it, staring up into her smiling eyes. She’d died a little over five years before, and I missed her presence in the house.

“Here we are.”

Grandfather’s voice made me turn away from my contemplation of the portrait to see him standing at the table in the middle of the room, a closed book on top.

A closed book that glowed with power.

I stepped forward, hardly daring to breathe.

“Is that... Is that what I think it is?” I whispered.

“What do you think it is?” Grandfather matched my volume.

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