Page 12 of The Demon's Discovery
“Ah.” He took a long inhale through his nose, his expression warming the slightest bit. “I’m sure there’s some crossover in his work, as there is with mine. I’d imagine you will have much to compare notes about when he returns.” He gave a tight, but gentle smile. “The second and third floors are staff and student apartments,” Vassago gestured vaguely at the doorway as he turned us back down the hall toward a classroom. “And this is where I spend most of my time.” He gestured for me to enter ahead of him.
My hand rose to my chest as I turned, taking in the whole room. It was masculine and comfortable, stocked with an eclectic mix of things but not cluttered. My mouth dropped open a little as I took in the floor-to-ceiling rainbow-colored glass that ran either side of an assortment of bookshelves and cabinets on the main wall. The thick glass allowed for brightness but wouldn’t damage sensitive pages, equipment, or chemicals like regular windows. It was ingenious as well as beautiful, and I said as much.
“Thank you. I can’t take any credit for that glass though. It was in place when I got here.”
“I’ve never seen anything like it.” I blinked and blushed when I caught him watching me. “I’m sorry, I never asked what you teach.”
“I will be assisting those with a talent for the mystic arts.”
“Oh.” I looked over his worktables, feeling out of my depth. “What is that, exactly?”
“Many things, but I have a talent for scrying. Mirrors are best.” He gestured to the large oval glass on one of the long tables, plus the broad flat tub of water beside it. “But any reflective surface will do. Divining, as well.”
“Divination? Like telling the future?”
“Yes, in a way. The past and present as well.”
“Telling the present? What does that mean?”
He turned and gestured to the next table over, the one with several seemingly ordinary objects on it. “I can locate lost things, if I have something that they are connected to that I can touch. A hairbrush, for example”—he picked one up—“or a piece of jewelry, could help me seek out someone if they were lost.”
He paused briefly, then selected a crystal off the table. It caught the light as he held it up, sending sparkles across my dress and along the floor. He reached out for my hand, and I reflexively gave it. A smile teased his mouth as he placed the cool crystal in my palm and closed my fingers over it. “Keep that close. Just in case of emergency.” He gestured as I stared at him, inviting me to sit on the sofa. It looked like the most comfortable piece of furniture in the room, perfect for lounging and reading.
“This place is… beyond what I could have imagined.” I sank into the cushion, confirming my suspicion.
“Can you see yourself here?” he asked, making my heart pound again.
“I’m not sure I’m qualified. Either to attend or to educate anyone on something that is mostly a hobby of mine.”
“That remains to be seen,” he said, repeating his words from the other night.
“Perhaps.” I smiled, a flush warming my cheeks as he watched me with that same rapt attention. “I’ve loved experimenting since I was a girl. Learning how things work,what chemicals react to one another… it’s all endlessly interesting to me.”
“On the contrary, I think those are the hallmarks of a good student, not to mention a wise teacher. You also practice alchemy?”
Nobody at the manor bothered to speak with me about such things, and I didn’t want to sound like a fool so I chose my words carefully. “I try, yes. The notion that base metal can be transformed into something greater is fascinating, even though it’s illogical. Ore is ore. But the idea that altering one compound could change an element completely is very compelling. For Lara’s vanity, I was once tasked with trying to find the secret to eternal youth. Needless to say, I failed. I’m not versed in the more… magical applications of it either, I’m afraid.”
His teeth clicked together as he closed his open mouth. His attention had been wholly focused on me, making me feel like my explanation was the most interesting thing in the world. I frowned, still distrustful of my interpretations of his gestures. “Understandable.”
“I also love toying with anything involving making flames turn interesting colors or pouring solutions together to see what happens. That’s just good fun. It’s what I have managed to succeed at best, as well.”
“A thrill seeker then?” he teased, clearing his throat and straightening up in his chair, as though trying to regain his carefully organized appearance before he became too relaxed. “I do hope you’ve learned to wear gloves at least?”
“Yes, and spectacles,” I capitulated with a nod, rushing to cover a yawn. Much to my mortification, I’d done the same thing partway through the interview with him about the necklace. “I’m so sorry. I promise you’re not boring me. I tire dreadfully easily.”
“No need to apologize. You’ve taken in a lot today already. Were you interested in doing a demonstration? Perhaps I could get some tea, would that help?”
He was already on his feet as I nodded. “I’m sorry to be an inconvenience.”
“No trouble at all, please don’t worry yourself. Grace is no doubt lingering in the kitchen on the off chance we’d ask for something,” he said disappearing out into the hallway.
Something ugly flared in my chest. I was sure she was.
I propped my head on my hand, looking around the cozy room as I waited. As I surveyed the rows of books and oddities scattered throughout the room, my eyelids grew so heavy I couldn’t keep them open more than a moment. I cursed my body’s weakness silently, unable to fight sleep off any longer.
Chapter 6
Greta
