Beatrice pointed at the blue journal. “Lord Huxley successfully cast wards that prevented a demon from possessing him. I couldn’t understand his description at all, but perhaps you’ll have better luck, since you share his power.” She reached for a slim volume bound in red leather and handed it to Sadie. “The baron’s brother brewed a potion that increased the drinker’s mental fortitude, allowing them to resist the demon more effectively.”
They spent the next half an hour reading their individual books, Beatrice diving right back into the one she’d had open when Sadie and Nicholas arrived.
“Spirits.” Nicholas closed his book and returned it to the table. “I think I understand, but I won’t know for sure without trying, and I can’t effectively test the ward without a demon. It is a nice protective measure, but we can’t rely on it.”
Sadie gently closed the grimoire she had been reading. She wished it had been in the brewing room these past weeks, for it had many very interesting potion ideas. “I can make the potion if we can get all the ingredients. There are a few I haven’t seen in the brewing room or kitchen.”
“What are we missing?” Nicholas asked.
“Amber, anise, and starflower.”
“I have amber in my workroom, and we can find starflowers in the forest. I’d probably have to send someone to the city to get anise, unless Ferman’s carries it?”
The question, directed at Sadie, was an unpleasant reminder that her time at Marstede Manor was only a short hiatus from reality. How sad was it that she’d rather deal with a demon than contemplate the return to her ordinary life? “Ferman’s can order it, but it would take at least a week, probably two, to get the stock.”
“I’ll send someone to Linzen first thing tomorrow, then. We should have it by the end of the week that way.” Nicholas stood. “Thank you, Beatrice. We’re lucky you suddenly decided to become an expert on demons.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it. I found one of the books on my second day here, and after the conversation about the forest being haunted, I deliberately set out to find everything in the library about demons. I knew there had to be some truth in the rumors given the sheer number of tomes on hand.”
“Then it is lucky you were here to follow that logical path. Unless your research has given you reason to disagree, Sadie and I planned to keep our suspicions about the demon quiet. We don’t want to panic anyone while we are still working out how to deal with the creature.”
“Secrecy gives the demon more freedom, but I think you are right and panic would be worse.”
“Then we’ll see you at supper.” He tucked his ancestor’s journal under one arm and offered the other to Sadie.
She took it and let him lead her out of the library, though she had more questions for Beatrice. They had so much still to do; there would be plenty of time to ask.
Thirty-Two
???
“Where are wegoing?” Sadie asked, her brow raised at the pace Nicholas set leaving the library.
“Back to my workroom. I need to modify the demon-detecting charm I made before supper. I’d also like to test the wards my however-many-greats grandfather described.”
“Didn’t you say you couldn’t test them without a demon?”
“I can’t be sure I have them right without a demon, but since several things seem to work the same on telepathy and demon possession, I thought I could at least test them against you.” He opened the workroom door and ushered her inside. He fished the useless charm he had made that morning from his pocket and tossed it onto the nearest table. “Did the charm I made for you at least help?”
Sadie shrugged and twisted the ring on her finger. “Maybe? It felt easier to project my thoughts at you and to choose to listen to your surface thoughts without delving deeper, but that might be more because it is you, and I’m starting to accept that you really don’t mind.”
That admission, Nicholas thought, deserved a reward.
Her cheeks turned rosy. Her voice went husky. “What sort of reward?”
He pressed his lips to hers. “Tonight, I’ll act out any fantasy you choose to share with me—so long as you share it via telepathy.”
“Any fantasy?”
He laughed at her arch tone and couldn’t wait to see what she’d come up with, despite knowing she would tease him rather than sharing a true fantasy. “Anything.”
The image came an instant later: him on his knees, his jacket off and shirtsleeves rolled up, as he scrubbed out a massive cauldron lying on its side.
“I’ll do it, if that’s what you really want. Of course, we could instead do something else that involves warm, soapy water.” He pictured them in the tub, his hands dragging a washcloth up her arms, over her collarbone, around her breasts.
“I’ll think about it,” Sadie answered breathlessly.
“Good.” He scooped up a blank stone. “Feel free to continue sharing those thoughts with me.”
