Page 10 of The Demon's Discovery
“Reminds you?”
“I’m probably exaggerating, but he reminded me of the man in the fountain.”
“Fountain? What are you talking about?” She laughed as though I were making a joke.
“In the center of the maze,” I explained, knowing she’d probably only been out there the handful of times I’d dragged her with me. “The angel in the fountain. He looks like that.” I sped up my work and my words, embarrassed by the comparison despite the accuracy of it.
“Oh, so you thought he was handsome,” she ribbed me, bumping my shoulder with hers before getting back to her feet.
“You saw him, too, he was… beautiful, was he not?” Bea laughed openly then, enjoying my embarrassment. It wasn’t often that I was the one squirming like this. “Of course I thought he was handsome!” I argued. “I’m pretty sure everyone does.”
I closed my eyes, summoning the memory of his silvery hair and sharp features. His bright honey eyes. I’d seen him plainly, but it felt like the image I conjured was too perfect. It was as though I were simply making up an impossible version of a man composed of equal parts the statue and my imagination.
“You could be his student,” Bea mused. “Or his assistant or something. I think this is everything you’ve been waiting for and deserve, Greta. To hell with trading one job as a maid for one insufferable family for another.” She leaned over to hug me, and I gratefully accepted the affection she provided. Resolve steeled deep within me about my visit to the prestigious school and the mysterious man who’d invited me there.
Chapter 5
Greta
Iclimbed out of the carriage, breath caught in my throat as I paused to look up at the cathedral-like building in the cobbled courtyard. It seemed so untouchable from a distance, but up close, the tan and gray stone structure was welcoming.
Vassago straightened his vest as he walked over to greet me. “Welcome to d’Arcan,” he said, bowing at the waist and giving a flourish of one arm.
I smiled in response, a flush in my cheeks. “Thank you. I’m honored to have been invited.”
He extended his hand, and I accepted, his fingers warm in my palm. “Do you need anything before we begin?”
I glanced around, heart still thudding anxiously in my chest. “No, I’m fine, thank you. I appreciate you sending the carriage to retrieve me.”
I paused as a raven of immense size boldly announced his arrival in the courtyard with several loud croaking sounds. He landed on the edge of the fence, tilting his head this way and that as he took us in.
“Hello,” I said, leaning in the direction of the bird to get a closer look. “Aren’t you pretty?”
The bird fluffed his feathers and lifted his chin, turning his head so he could focus on me with an intelligent eye. The raven blinked, pausing in his assessment as he danced along the top edge of the fencing. He turned his attention to Vassago, revealing that his other eye was scarred closed. He made a gurgling croak and then flew away again.
“Is he around often?” I asked, smiling broadly. The friendly raven had given me a thrill. I rarely saw birds that large at the manor, nor at the country house for that matter.
“I’ve never seen that bird before in my life,” he replied, forehead wrinkled in confusion.
“Oh.” I paused a beat, then laughed, surprised by his answer. “Well, he’s rather comfortable here, I wonder if you’ll start seeing him more now that he’s introduced himself.”
“Perhaps, though it seemed he was far more interested in you than me.” He took several steps toward the building. “We’re in for a bit of an adventure today. I have no set plans for a route,” he admitted, fingertips gently tracing the inside of my palm. My pulse thudded in my ears at the intimate gesture.
“That’s alright. I don’t think there’s a wrong way to see a place like this.” He released my hand, and while it was only appropriate that he do so, I wished he hadn’t.
We started with a grassy area stocked with hay bales and straw dummies hanging from poles where fight training was held. We continued past the stables, and he introduced me to a little girl called Sara who waved enthusiastically from atop a slow, gentle horse she called Clementine.
The massive tower drew my attention repeatedly. I shaded my eyes with one hand as I looked up at it. “I bet the night sky is a wonder from up there.”
“Indeed. If you’re up for climbing a hundred or so stairs, I’m happy to take you up. That’s the observatory, of course.”
I nodded, but the thought of climbing so many steps gave me pause. We stopped at some elaborate garden beds, complete with a small enclosure where several chickens pecked at the dirt off to one side.
“My brother planted several rare herbs here, as well as vegetables and flowers. There has been talk of expanding it so we can more readily feed the students and staff ourselves, but nobody has volunteered for that job yet.” Vassago stopped to pluck a flower. I blushed furiously as he handed the lavender blossom to me. There was something else in his gaze, something my brain interpreted as borderline dangerous. The word hunger didn’t feel quite right… but it also fit very well. When he smiled, I noticed again that his canine teeth were longer than they should be, and I nearly shivered.
“Thank you.” I dipped my nose, surprised by the potent scent and happy to have a distraction as we made our way back to the main building. “It’s quieter than I imagined,” I said, my voice respectfully low as we stepped through the doors. The air was cool inside the vaulted structure, the feeling of the building solid, secure.
“No students,” Vassago explained. “We’re in our summer break, so they’ve all gone home until classes resume in the fall.” He ushered me into the dining room, and I inhaled as I took in the high ceilings, broad wooden beams and unique animal carvings that decorated the heavy posts along the walls.
