Page 41 of The Stone Curse
“This is us,” Shar said a moment later as the tram slowed again.
“I’ll pick you up for the funeral tomorrow,” Orix said. Derek and I joined Shar at the edge of the woods and waved goodbye to the others as they set off again.
“I’m starving,” Shar said. “I’m going to ask Berta to fry us up some steaks.”
We followed her down the moonlit road.
“You sure you have space for us?” Derek asked.
Shar smiled up at him. “I’m sure.”
The trees grew sparser then fell away, but the road continued, bordered by neatly clipped lawn snaking toward a huge three story building that reminded me of a castle.
I let out a low whistle. “That’syour house?”
Shar glared at it. “Yep.That’smy house.”
“You will definitely have space,” Derek said.
“Too much of it.” She picked up the pace toward the moonlit monolith. “Come on. Maybe we’ll get lucky and Father won’t be home.”
“You don’t like your father?” Derek asked.
“I like him just fine, in small doses.”
We went from the road to a gravel drive that seemed redundant since they didn’t have cars here.
Three steps led to a porch and an unlocked door. It was dark inside with only one lamp burning low in the entranceway, but there was enough light to make out the impressive staircase curving upward to the first-floor balcony.
“You best take off your shoes,” Shar said. “Berta will have a fit if you get her floor dirty.”
She kicked her boots off and carried them to a door to our left. “You can put them in here.” She tugged it open to reveal a walk-in cloak room with hooks for coats and scarfs and shelves for boots and shoes on the opposite side.
Boots stored, we followed Shar down a corridor lined with closed doors, down a short flight of steps, and into a spacious kitchen where a female goyle sat at the table reading a book.
She looked startled as we entered, but her face soon broke into a warm smile.
“Niza!” She dropped her book and hurried over to pull Shar into a hug. “Look at you. Just look at you.” She reached up to touch Shar’s curls. “Your hair’s grown. It suits you.” She cupped her cheek. “Oh, my child. You look well, but what are you doing here? I wasn’t told to expect you. And you brought company.” She smiled at me, but her eyes widened in shock at the sight of Derek.
“This is Cameron Basque and her shield, Derek,” Shar said. “They’ll be staying the night here.”
“A shield…” She peered up at Derek, all curiosity now. “Can it…Can it talk?”
“I can talk,” Derek said. “And I’m ahe.”
“He’s a person,” Shar said with pride. “His own person, but also Cameron’s shield.”
“Well…” Berta beamed up at Derek. “It is very nice to meet you.”
Derek inclined his head. “You too.”
“And Miss Basque, you have been the talk of Arcadia ever since your sire revealed your existence. Our hope for the future.” She clasped her hands to her chest. “I was devastated to hear about your brother. He was such a sweet boy.”
“You knew Romi?” Shar asked.
“We met several times on social occasions. He was always polite and helpful. He never looked down on anyone of a lesser station.” She bustled over to the stove. “Tea?” She didn’t wait for a reply before putting the kettle on. “How long will you be staying?”
“Just the night,” Shar said. “We came for a funeral.”
