Page 93 of Stalk the Dark
I climbed out, and the driver slammed the door and quickly got back in the car. The windows were tinted, but I could feel Ezekiel’s eyes on me as the car peeled away from the curb.
I took a breath and dialed Padma.
“You okay?” she asked.
“I’m good. He dropped me at the carriage stables. Hemlock should be waiting. You guys okay?”
“Back at the office.”
“Good. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
“Be safe.”
“You too.”
Hemlock was indeed waiting by our carriage. His gaze flicked over my shoulder, looking for the others, no doubt. Even though we’d arrived in separate carriages this morning, he probably expected us to turn up at the stables at the same time.
He shot me a questioning look.
“They’re still at the office.”
His icy gaze tripped over me and narrowed slightly. “What happened?”
“Long story. Where’s Ordell?”
“Busy. You’ll have to make do with me.”
“You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”
He snorted and hauled himself up into the driver’s seat. “Get in.”
I rounded the carriage and climbed up next to him.
He stared at me, confusion coloring his features. “What are you doing?”
“Don’t you want to hear about my day?” I attempted a smile but failed.
His gaze dropped to my mouth then flicked back up to meet my eyes. “It better be good.”
“Oh, believe me, it is.”
Hemlock vanished as soonas we got back, and Ordell was nowhere to be found. I was beginning to get a little fed up with everyone vanishing at nighttime, and as much as I was adept at keeping myself busy, the day that I’d had was the kind that required company in the evening. Back in the Fringe, I would have gone for drinks with some of the other operatives. Back at the chapter house, I would have hung out with my team around the kitchen table, probably with brownies made by Haiden…Were they having brownies now without me?
I could go bug Matthew, but that would be weird. At this stage, I was happy to hang out with the murderous Ezekiel, but he wasn’t here either.
I showered then pulled on leggings, a T-shirt, and my comfy fluffy socks and ate the supper left for me on my doorstep.
After the east wing incident last night, there was no way I was going exploring. Hemlock and Ordell would be back later. I’d bug them then. Crap, when had I become so needy?
This place was getting to me with its creepy vibe. At least Matthew had provided me with salt. I poured a line outside my door to block the threshold and dusted the windowsill and balcony too. Wait, what if I’d trapped a ghost in here with me by doing that?
Stop it! Just stop it woman. Get a grip.
I went to place my empty supper tray outside my room and jumped at the sight of the woman standing in the corridor. Her brown dress touched the ground, and the white apron tied over it had deep pockets. Her hair was tucked into a white cap, but what I could see of it was dark.
“Hello, miss. All done?” She glanced at the tray in my hand.
“Um…yeah…Who are you?”
