Page 21 of Shadow & Stars
“I wish that was the explanation,” he answered. “But it’s just another mystery to this place.”
Can we hold hands?I eyed his long fingers, longing for his soft skin to meet mine again.
“Come in. I’ll get us some extra light.”
Xavier didn’t hang around, lighting about ten candles around a large room. The walls were made of the same mud and roots, a jagged light fixture hanging from a reinforced ceiling. Probably a magical light, seeing as it never came on.
With each lit candle, more of the space was revealed. I saw four three-seater sofas of different colored leather, five bookcases, two big chests fit for a pirate, an arched doorway, and a big coffee table at the center of the room, everything covered in dust.
I was ready to roll up my sleeves and find the nearest vacuum and feather duster.
“This is the main room,” Xavier said. “Through that door is a bathroom and a bedroom. Feel free to use them. And when I say bathroom, I mean a natural spring with towels.”
“Will they choke us to death with their dustiness?” Darcy asked, wrinkling his nose.
“Your cage wasn’t much better than this,” I countered.
“Hilarious, Roman. Remind me when to laugh.”
Xavier lit a few more candles. “You can drink from the spring, too. There’s no food here, despite the cheese stink. We’ll figure that out soon. Rest up. I’ve bought us some time.”
“I will begin my examination of Roman shortly,” Butterfly said. “Allow me to ponder some things first.”
“Like what?” I questioned.
“Everything, Roman. There is so much about you to ponder.”
And there’s so many spots on your body to stab.“Okay.”
Xavier nodded, folding his arms. “Just don’t take too long.”
Butterfly took a seat on the black sofa, crossing his legs. He smiled up at Darcy, whose cheeks flushed crimson.
“How are you feeling?” Butterfly asked him.
“Fine.”
“Good to hear. You are a curiosity, aren’t you? A rat become human.”
“I was a human first, thanks.”
“Yes, yes.”
“A handsome one at that.”
Darcy huffed. “Enough ofthat.”
“I am merely stating facts.” Butterfly’s hair gleamed as if he’d stepped out of a shampoo advert. “My apologies for any embarrassment.”
My bestie moved to stand behind me, muttering, “What’s his problem?”
“He’s a wanker,” I whispered back.
The fluttery demon didn’t seem to notice, titling his head back to examine the candlelight dancing on the ceiling.
“Shall we get some water?” I asked Darcy.
“Sure.”
