Within These Wicked Walls(17)

“You left early tonight,” he accused.

“I was tired,” I said, hugging my cape close.

“I expect you to be with me every evening after dinner. Especially if there are guests.”

“Right, that is one of your rules.”

He grinned slightly. “You’re a surprisingly slow learner, Andromeda.”

“Quick learner,” I said, my mind too tired to keep an annoyed bite from peeking through. “Slow follower.”

We were quiet for a moment.

Without a word, he held the box out to me.

“What is it?” I asked, leaning away.

“A peace offering.”

I had to remind myself I was in a grand house, not on a street corner. Rich people didn’t just hand you stolen things in order to keep the authorities off their scent … did they?

I took the box and opened the lid, and what was inside was better than jewelry. Chocolates. The expensive, gourmet kind, handmade with care. Two rows of four sat neatly in their designated grooves, their shiny gold wrappers resting on the red velvet lining of the box.

You could only find these in big cities, made by people who were trained in bigger cities.

“For me?” I held them tighter. It felt like a sin, holding them, but dropping them would be even worse. “I can’t take these from you.”

“When I turn twenty-one, I’ll own the largest chocolate company in the world,” he said, shrugging. “I’ve been crying chocolate tears since birth.”

I closed the decorative box gently. My face felt warm. I couldn’t have been … blushing? Over eight pieces of chocolate? Get it together, Andi.

“I didn’t know your father was a chocolate maker. That must’ve been fun, growing up.”

“Yes, well, he left when I was five, so…” Magnus cleared his throat. “After you left my room this afternoon, I had Esjay pick these up from my private supplier. I didn’t tell him they were for you. I…” He tugged on the belt of his robe with both hands, twisting it. “I didn’t want him to think I’d almost chased off yet another debtera.”

“You don’t have to worry about chasing me off.”

“Yes, of course, the patronage.”

“That. And I’ve dealt with people more difficult than you my entire life.”

He laughed a little—an awkward, jolting sound—and then sank back into his concerned grimace, like he hadn’t had much practice at happiness. “I doubt that very much.”

We were quiet.

“Thank you for the chocolates si—um, Magnus,” I said, tracing the raised embellishments on the box with my finger.

“Thank you,” he repeated, as if he’d never heard the words. Then finally, for the first time since I opened the door, he ventured to look up at me. His gaze was shy, but hopeful. “You’re welcome, Andromeda.”

He rocked on his feet, and for a second I thought he was going to leave, but he just looked me in the eye for a little longer before dropping his gaze again.

“Good night,” he said, and left the doorway abruptly.

“Good night,” I said, my jaw so slack he’d closed his door by the time the words had left my mouth.





CHAPTER 8


Last night had given me hope. Magnus was difficult, but at least he had a heart and conscience. At least he was human. Perhaps working here wouldn’t be as miserable as I thought.

I left my room with renewed energy, and found Emma standing at the bottom of the stairs.

“Oh, thank the Lord Jesus.” Emma tapped on the rail, looking over her shoulder, as if someone might catch her conversing with me. “I know you have a lot of things to take care of, but this room is a bit of an emergency.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to avoid contradicting her. To people with Manifestations in their house, every room was an emergency. But it wasn’t as if I had anything better to do.

“Lead the way,” I said.

Emma smiled, relieved. “It’s just down here,” she said, gesturing down the hall but walking beside me. “So, how are you settling in?”

“Really well, actually.”

“Really? You haven’t broken any of the dozens of rules?” Emma laughed. The rules were more tedious than funny, but I smiled so she wouldn’t feel alone. “They’re nonsense. A waste of your time, if you ask me.” She hooked her arm around mine, and I tightened my muscles against the urge to pull away. “The only rule you need to know is that Magnus is mad as a hatter and should be avoided whenever possible.”

“He’s a little eccentric,” I said with a shrug.

“He’s mad, just like his father was,” Emma confirmed. “Peggy said the curse makes him that way, but I would be equally mad to spend enough time with him to find out for sure.”

We walked over a rug I could’ve sworn hadn’t been in the hall yesterday, rounding a small table resting on it I was positive hadn’t been. An obsession with redecorating wasn’t quite enough to dub one “mad,” but it was certainly a little … strange.

“I suppose there’s two rules,” Emma went on. “Stay away from Magnus and don’t go out at night.”

“I’m clear on that one.”