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The old woman rolled the orb in her hands, turning it over and over. The more Melody looked at it, the more she noticed something: the orb seemed to glow.
“Why the hell would you do that?” Melody asked. “What would make you—”
“Do you know what this is?” Xiomara asked. She held the orb out in her palm.
“No.”
“Touch it.”
Melody reached out hesitantly in the direction of the tiny object. She laid one finger on its glass-like surface… then jerked her arm back violently.
“OW! It’s freezing cold!”
Xiomara looked almost pleased. “That’s because it’s not for you,” she said. “It’s not for me either, although I know barely enough to be able to handle it.”
She stared down at the orb, which Melody could swear had somehow grown bigger. There looked to be something inside it now, too. Something white. Something cold and… swirling.
“This is one of the greatest prizes the Order has ever recovered,” the old woman said gravely. She looked up to Melody again, and there was pride and gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you Ms. Larson.”
She nodded slowly. “You need to thank Lucus too,” she said. “Without him—”
“I realize that now,” Xiomara smiled.
She opened a drawer, and pulled out a small but intricately carved box. Melody watched as she flipped it open. Inside the velvet-lined container was a circular depression — exactly the right size to fit the strange, glowing orb.
Xiomara put the object away carefully and locked the drawer with a loud ‘click’. Then she sat back in her chair.
“Not bad Ms. Larson,” she said with a sigh. Though her expression was hardening again, her lips betrayed a wry grin that not even the stoic old woman could contain. “Not that bad at all...”
38
“So I’ll stay here?”
Lucus’s gaze was everywhere, staring around with wide-eyed interest at the centuries-old halls of Blackstone Manor. It wasn’t all that unlike Evermoore, really. Only much bigger. Much more secluded.
And of course, filled with modern day amenities such as electricity, television, internet…
“For now,” said Melody. “This is where I’ve been staying, while studying and learning. Although I think I’m ready to move on for a while.”
He nodded as they walked, slowly taking everything in. A gentle snow was falling outside — the first of the season. He seemed utterly fascinated by it.
“You’ve seen snow before, right?”
Lucus shook his head.
“Oh honey,” laughed Melody, looping her arm through his. “We’ve got so much ground to cover…”
It had been an easy decision, at least as far as Melody was concerned. Thankfully, Xiomara had given her blessing. Lucus would stay at the Blackstone, and Melody would be responsible for bringing him up to speed. In a way it was historic — he’d be the first non-member of the Hallowed Order to actually live there.
Then again, Lucus himself was historic. Possibly even more historic than anyone in history.
“He’s an invaluable resource,” Xiomara had told her when they finally spoke privately. “A crystal clear window into the past. We can learn a hell of lot from him. He can provide us with—”
“I think he’s given us enough,” Melody had countered. “At least for now.”
For once, the Head of Order didn’t fight her. She’s actually even agreed.
“He’s your charge though, Ms. Larson,” Xiomara had said sternly. “Your responsibility.”
