Page 79 of Nightshade

“I figured this room might offer some peace and quiet for you.”

“It’s … so big! My gosh, there must be thousands of books!”

“Master Van Croix likes to have his references readily available. Of course, most of his favorites are kept in his office. But you’re welcome to peruse these.”

Crossing the room brought me to stand before a wall of spines, and I pulled one leatherbound from its place between Pri’scucian symbolism and Latin.

So many books.

My father would be in Heaven right now!

“Where do they come from?”

“Some were written by ancient scholars. Philosophers. Slaves. These shelves are brimming with so much history and fiction, you could literally get lost in them.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Well, I’ll let you enjoy yourself a bit. Dinner is served in the dining area around seven in the evening.”

I glanced over my shoulder. “With Van Croix?” Probably sounded like I was obsessed with the man, by that point.

“No, I’m afraid Master Van Croix prefers to sup in private. Not entirely social. It’ll be just you having dinner.”

I frowned, turning to face her. “You and the rest of the staff won’t be eating?”

“No, dear.” She gave no further explanation.

“Okay. Thank you.”

“Of course. The cathedral is yours to explore, though you must never venture to the undercroft, nor the bell tower.”

“The bell tower?”

“Oh, it’s dangerous there. The height and cables. Particularly in a lightning storm.”

“You don’t have like a … lightning rod, or something?” It seemed strange that they wouldn’t, after the fire.

“Oh, yes. Still, we’ve had a number of repairs as a result of some nasty storms.”

“I thought the point of the rod was to direct the electricity to the ground. How is that possible?”

“Not everything in the universe follows the rules of physics, child. Nor does a lightning bolt care what we think is possible, or not. Stay out of the bell tower. Despite what rumors you may hear, it is not a place for fun and games.”

“Rumors?”

Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. “I’m sure you’ll become privy to them. We all do.”

“Got it.”

“Come along, and we’ll meet the staff.” Anya led me back through the main part of the cathedral to the kitchen, where about a half-dozen young women, all paused their chores to stare back at me. “Ladies, I’d like you to meet our newest caretaker for the dogs. This is Farryn.”

Not one smile, nor a single acknowledgment. The women studied me with such intense scrutiny etched in their expressions that it made my skin crawl.

A brunette stepped forward, wiping her hands on a white towel. “Miss Anya, may I ask whose idea this was, to let in a stray?”

Smiling, Anya tipped her head. “No, dear, you may not.”

“It’s bad luck to bring one in from the forest. What with all these attacks, you never know what dangers they may pose. And is that bump on her head not the beginnings of bullio?”