Page 112 of House of Ruin
Gill’s plump lips curled into what was supposed to be a smile but turned into a snarl. “I’ll tell you what you want to know, but I’ll need something from you in return.”
It was fair for Gill to ask for something in exchange for information. But the fact it wasn’t money worried Alecto.
“You have to tell me first what it is you want from me,” Alecto said.
Gill gave a tsk. “You’re a smart one for ahalf. I’m not gonna ask much, Black. Just your dreams.”
That was a huge ask. From the way their eyes gleamed, it was obvious they knew it.
“Witches’ dreams are valuable, Gill,” Alecto said, her voice low.
“Indeed. But you’re not gifted with the sight, are you? And you don’t practice dream reading, do you? For a witch like you, losing your ability to dream wouldn’t be so tragic.”
Gill was right. But what if Alecto changed her mind in the future, yet it was too late? If she gave her dreams away for this, she would need to make it valuable enough.
“What exactly are you going to tell me?”
“Who bought the necklace, for who, and for what reason.”
Alecto considered it for a moment. “And you’ll owe me a favor.”
Gill chuckled. “Deal.”
Gill didn’t waste any time. They leaned over the counter, placing their hands on Alecto’s head and murmuring a spell. At first, Alecto didn’t feel anything, but then the first headache crashed through her skull, and she whimpered.
“Don’t cry, child. It’s almost done.”
The second wave of pain passed through Alecto, making her teeth ache. She braced herself against the counter, grinding her teeth. A moment later, the pain stopped.
When Alecto opened her eyes, Gill held their palm with a purple-and-pink ball of mist in it. It sparkled as it shifted, and Alecto had the suffocating feeling inside her chest of missing something she couldn’t identify.
Gill took out a black box from behind the counter and placed the mist inside before closing the lid. They even went as far as locking it and labeling ityoung half witch’s dreamsbefore placing it on the shelves.
“Now tell me,” Alecto urged.
From behind the counter, Gill pulled out a large leather journal. They flipped through pages until finally landing on one. There were so many scribbles on the pages that it was hard to understand anything.
Gill traced one line with a finger. “This necklace was bought on September third, Friday. In 1952. It was paid for handsomely in cash by Galliermo Leveau: six hundred and sixty-six garders and sixty-six pence.”
Thatwas not what Alecto had expected to hear. She remained silent for a moment, staring at the line on the page where Gill pointed.
Galliermo had bought the protection necklace for her mother? The year, 1952, was when her mother would have attended Venefica. It would have been her last year at the academy.
Before, Alecto’s mother and Galliermo, it had been all rumors. Stories people told her. There was still space to believe the love wasn’t there. But if he had bought her mother this necklace, then they must have been in love.
“Anything else, or are you going to finally leave me in peace?”
Alecto blinked, returning from her thoughts. “You told me you’re going to tell me for who it was bought and for what reason.”
Gill’s face was blank of any expression. “For the love of his life. To protect her and keep her safe in a world that wasn’t kind to her.”
Well, Alecto had what she’d bargained for. She should have been more specific with her ask. Gill had given her an answer, even if it was vague enough to interpret however she’d like.
“Thanks, Gill,” Alecto said before she turned to go. “You bet I’ll be back to collect my favor.”
Gill croaked a laugh. “Make sure it’s worth my time. And yours.”
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