Page 45 of Monster's Delight

“Can you give me a page number?” I asked hopefully.

“Nope. Not a number.”

I grumbled softly to myself, sinking into the comfortable leather chair at the desk and flipping through the book, scanning for anything on soul bonds. I got to the weirdly decorated page that looked like doors before Darragh cleared his throat loudly.

“Yes? Something to aid in my search?” I asked.

“I have a riddle for you.”

I sighed. “Of course you do. Well, let’s hear it then.”

“You don’t sound grateful.” Darragh swiveled around in his chair as far as the arms would let him.

“No, I am. Anything you can say to help would be great.”

“Listen closely.” He waited a moment to ensure he had my entire attention. “The answer is more obvious than you think. Look within and you will solve it.”

That doesn’t help at all!I thought, frustrated.

“Thank you. I have another question.”

“I will answer as much as I am able.”

“What is preventing you from answering questions about this? Were you spelled to forget? Was there a way of preventing you from seeing or hearing what went on in this room? Do you only know things that the witch-Darragh knew, and can’t remember things that happened in front of the portrait-Darragh?”

“You are very intelligent. Those are good questions. I am not permitted to answer hidden questions. I cannot be spelled. I remember everything that Darragh knew at the point he made me and things that I have seen since. And yes, if you cover my portrait completely, I will go dormant and not see, hear, or remember anything that occurs in this room while hidden.”

“Hidden questions?” I asked, eyebrows rising.

“I cannot say more,” Darragh replied.

“Okay, one last question for now.”

“Only one?” Darragh asked, amusement playing around his lips.

“Can you lie?”

“Ican. I have not and will not lie to any of my descendents. I was made to distribute knowledge, not lie.”

I chose to believe him.

Why would he lie?

What purpose would it serve him?

I stared at my grimoire and sighed.

Look within?

Okay, I’m not great at facing my feelings, but I’ll try. I guess I should try to talk to Aiden about this. Maybe he can help.

CHAPTER14

I leftmy grimoire in the hidden room. Once I found Aiden, I’d be bringing him back there. Darragh had a lot of interesting information, not least that he knew Bridget.

I’d forgotten how dark the secret passageway was. As I walked back to the main entrance, I wondered how many other rooms were hidden along the gloomy corridor.

Not my problem,I thought.

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