Page 41 of Chandelier Sin
Aemon ignored my remark and said, “If you see Atticus Sinclair, walk the other way.”
Atticus had rattled him. I’d never seen doubt in Aemon before. It gave me a feeling of satisfaction knowing that Atticus had gotten to him.
Perhaps Aemon could read my expression, see I was fascinated with the mystery men wanting to take over Pendulum.
“Come with me,” he said darkly.
“Can we do this later?”
“No.” He walked away with a snap of his fingers as my cue.
I followed him and the walls closed in when I realized he was leading me to his office. We walked down the brightly lit hallway that was long and cold, pausing at his office doorway.
Over the large fireplace hungthatpainting, taunting me.
A brutal depiction of Hell—two damned souls were entwinedin eternal combat with a horrified Dante and Virgil watching the two naked male bodies in their twisted, contorted agony.
The alchemist, Capocchio, was being bitten on the neck by the trickster, Gianni Schicchi. The bright colors were muted and earthy, reflecting darkness.
Reflecting despair.
I related to their anguish.
Heavy brushstrokes gave the painting a sense of weighted violence. Being able to critique it did nothing to ease the sick feeling it gave me. The wages of sin. Capocchio and Schicchi were punished for their crimes in a way that was physically and emotionally excruciating.
“Come in,” Aemon said, breaking my trance.
The walls of his office were paneled in dark wood, and the hardwood floor was covered in expensive Persian rugs. The desk had been carved from rare wood.
I walked farther into his office, around the leather furniture, and turned to look through the window. Bees flew around the fountain, searching for a drink as the sun’s rays beat down.
“What happened out there?” he asked, watching my reaction.
What?
I could almost breathe in his fury.
A drinks cart sat in the corner, where he would pour his enemies a glass of something stiff to get them to talk.
I noticed the two empty glasses resting on his desk.
Oh, God.
Aemon closed the door behind him.
The fine hairs on my forearms prickled as a chill washed over me.
Viktor had told him about my conversation with Ben—an ambitious butler finding favor.
My body went rigid as I braced for what would come next.
My thoughts flew to Eloise. I wondered if she remembered me.The thought of her being shoved around like those men had once done to me filled me with dread.
“Thinking of her?” Aemon asked.
“Who?”
He grazed my arm with his hand causing me to shiver, causing me to give myself away.
