Page 132 of House of Malice
His face shape had started to change, taking on foreign features. Alecto gaped, watching the transformation unfold.
“You look the same,” Blaze said. It wasn’t even his voice, but the Dean’s. Chills went down Alecto’s back. “Like the Dean.”
“This feels very uncomfortable,” Jolene said.
She looked and sounded like Dean but wore a long flowery skirt and a tank top that showed off his soft belly. Alecto chuckled.
“This is beyond hilarious,” she said. “Crop tops are not the Dean’s thing, let me tell you that much.”
Jolene looked down at her outfit and laughed.
“Enough, let’s go,” Val said.
She opened the front door with a murmur of a spell and entered. Alecto held her breath, but nothing bad happened. So they all followed Val inside.
Once inside, Galia took the lead. She led them through the foyer with a large wide original staircase, then into the corridor behind it. There, on the left, lay the doors to the study.
Galia stopped in front of the door. “I’ll wait here.”
“Go get the carriage that’s outside the gate to the front door,” Val said.
Galia left them without another word.
Val opened the door. The room was the one Alecto remembered from when they’d performed the locator spell. The desk in the middle was neat, not a single thing out of place.
“Quickly, check the paintings,” Val said.
Jolene took out a crystal from her tote and went over to the first painting closest to her. She held the crystal against it, and it lit up.
“There’s magic in this one,” she said.
“Blaze, Andro, get it off the wall and take it outside,” Val instructed, her voice rushed.
They each took the painting on either side and lifted it off the wall. Alecto saw their arm muscles strain. It was a heavy piece with elaborate dark wood frames.
“Tell Galia to get back here once you meet her outside,” Val added.
“No need for that.” The voice came from the door. “She’s already here.”
51
November 1, 1950
The loud banging sound woke Galliermo up. He lifted his head, confused.
“What was that?” Demitria murmured sleepily into his chest.
Another series of bangs came from downstairs. Someone must have been at their door.
Galliermo rolled out of his bed and pulled a pair of jeans on. Demitria sat up, her eyes wide and full of fear.
“Stay here,” he said and left the room.
In the corridor he met Alatar, who was sleepy and confused. They both hurried downstairs, the rest of the group joining them on the way to the main door.
Galliermo opened it in the midst of another series of bangs. Gondalez stood in front of them, a Book in hand.
“What the fuck is your problem?” Rufus asked, rubbing his eyes. “It’s two in the morning, asshat.”
