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“This isn’t right,” frowned Maelin. “Just a couple of hours ago I found the information on Sir Brighton. And it wasn’t trivial stuff, either.” She turned and looked up at Cyrus. “It’s been deleted, hasn’t it?”
“Either that, or removed from the searchable entries.” He pulled up a chair and sat beside her. “Either way, someone wanted any more information on the Hallions suppressed. So...” He pulled his chair nearer, “you, my dear girl, know something that this book, and anyone who reads it, won’t know.”
“Indeed I do.” Maelin felt the hairs on her arms rise at the implications. “Cyrus, I know about Gloamtide. How Sir Brighton Hallion was horrified at the notion his ancestor laid the foundation for such a place, without thought to the consequences.” She took a breath. “How he tried to remedy the situation by creating a sort of military unit that was supposed to protect those who lived there, control the violence, and prevent further damage.”
“I’ll wager it failed,” said Cyrus, his face grim.
“It did.”
Maelin related all she’d learned, hating the sound of it, and hating the implications even more. When she reached the end, she leaned back and took a deep breath. “Can you see it, Cyrus?”
“I can. And I don’t like what I see.” He frowned down at his boots, his mind obviously turning over the news. “There’s a Conclave. Tonight.”
“A what?”
“It’s what they call an important meeting of all the Velvet Houses in Gloamtide. Those in control are there. The ones nobody ever sees. The real powers behind every house. They don’t get together too often, but now, with everything that’s been happening, they’ve called a Conclave.” He paused. “And I’m invited.”
“You are?”
“Yes. And I’m bringing you with me.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“I’ll need to change,” frowned Maelin. “This isn’t the right sort of clothing to wear to a conclave in Gloamtide.”
“I could offer my wardrobe, but you’d be dropping out of anything I have.” Cyrus sighed. “And there’s really not a lot of time.”
“In addition, if I show my face at Theryn House I would wager that my aunt would descend on me like a raincloud. She’s always there in the late afternoon, either preparing for guests or for an evening out. Whatever the case, I don’t want to run into her. We didn’t exactly part on good terms this morning.” She shook her head. “Was it only this morning? My head can’t keep up.”
“Who do you trust in Theryn House?”
Maelin raised her eyebrows. “Darady and Inky. I could send a message. Silly of me, I should’ve thought of that.” She turned, still sitting at his desk, and reached for a piece of paper and his pen. “Do you have a trustworthy lad who could give this note to Darady only...?”
“How old is she?”
“What?”
“Your maid. Darady. Is she old enough to have a suitor?”
It took Maelin a moment, but then her lips curved in a slow smile. “She’s well over forty, I’d say. And unattached. You devil, Cyrus. That is brilliantly sneaky.”
“I’ll wager it’ll work...”
“I’ll write the note...”
Need to change clothes for an unexpected event. Please send the following back with this messenger...
She listed her needs, added boots and gloves, and then looked at Cyrus. “I have listed clothes and boots, what else might I need?”
He thought for a few moments. “Your pearls, Maelin. Those silver grey pearls. The aristocracy of Gloamtide will be there. That necklace will mark you as worthy to be amongst them.”
“I’ll add it. I hope Darady will be able to disguise it.” She signed the note, and handed it to Cyrus, who slipped the folded edge into his sealpress. They both waited for the tiny click that meant the impression had taken and the note was now secure.
“I’ll see it’s delivered.” He took the note and left the room.
Maelin blew a breath of air from her lungs, and stood, pacing the length of the library to the tall windows at the end. The sun was setting, a blaze of colours in the sky, reflecting off the glittering magnificence that was Caelemar at this time of day.
So much beauty, so much brilliance. She looked around her. So much learning, teaching, so many stories and histories, and so many lives well lived. A library held all this and more.
