Page 39 of The Seven Rings
On the widow’s walk stood a figure in black, all shadows, arms lifted. Though her face was indistinct, she clearly looked down at the boy and his dog.
In one of her lifted hands, she held a bolt of lightning.
“He saw her,” Sonya murmured. “He saw Dobbs. Look at the sky, how he brought in storm clouds. It’s clear over here, but you see the storm moving in.”
“He had talent, and yes,” Cleo agreed, “he saw Dobbs. He couldn’t have drawn her otherwise. He had to be frightened. I wonder if his parents believed him, if he told them.”
“Probably not,” Trey decided. “Placated him, reassured him. He’s got a few more in there, and she’s in a couple of them. Standing on the seawall, at night.”
“He saw her jump.” The thought of a little boy seeing such horror hurt Sonya’s heart. “What an awful thing for a little boy. We’ll keepthem all. I can get a kit and make a protective book. We’ll put it together, keep it in the library.”
“That’s a nice idea.” As he handed her the stack, Trey kissed Sonya’s cheek. “Something the mistress of the manor would do.”
“I’ll put them in the library for now. Meet you back upstairs?”
After she put the drawings on a table in the library, Sonya went to her desk. She took out a sketchbook, a spare pack of colored pencils. She carried them down to the kitchen, set them on the island with a note.
For Jack.
“I hope he’ll take them.”
Since she was there, she took a peek at the simmering pork. Hoping for the best there, she closed the oven door and went back upstairs.
As she passed the third-floor landing, she glanced down the hall. Red light eked out of the Gold Room to outline the door.
“Watch how much you matter,” Sonya said, then turned her back and continued up.
Cold air rushed after her so her breath came out in clouds as she continued the climb. Though her belly quivered, she kept walking, and followed the sound of Cleo’s voice to the attic.
“This isn’t what I had in my head, but I’m all about this chair. How do I miss pieces like this on other go-throughs?”
“You’re looking for something else every time. This, the ballroom, the basement, all the storage areas are like some big, never-ending bazaar.”
“That’s exactly it. Well, we’ll see what Sonya thinks of this one.”
So saying, she turned and sat in the chair with its high, straight-lined back framed in wood, set her elbows on the curved arms.
“Looks comfy,” Sonya decided as she worked her way back to them.
“Is comfy. I had something more office-like in my head, but this?”
“Unique, pretty. The wide stripe pattern reads practical, but theshape says interesting. Add that rose color will work with the wallpaper.”
“You’re cold,” Trey said when his arm brushed hers.
“Just Dobbs blowing cold air. Like a little chill’s going to spook me.” But she leaned against him a moment for the warmth. “I’m saying yes to that chair.”
“I guess I’m hauling it down.”
With a smile, Sonya squeezed his right biceps, widened her eyes, said, “Oooh.”
“It’s a good thing I like the way you’re reclaiming rooms.”
When Cleo rose, he lifted the chair. Gave one annoyed grunt, then carried it out.
“Trey said this is all like some endless bazaar, and he’s right. Every time, new treasures. So, lamps, wall mirror?”
“Yeah, but I’m sticking with the process. Systematically.”
