Page 33 of The Souls Harvest
We don’t wait for Theresa to bow, giggle, or do whatever suits her character. “Let’s go meet the Chapter then.” Roden rushes me off the lift, flattening a hand against my back before stepping in front of me.
“The Chapter?” I echo, tasting the start of a thought at the back of my mind. But the thought is gone as soon as my focus seems to have broken free from its cage. When no answer comes, I waddle behind him like a loyal puppy.
Our steps have no sound, no matter my heels or Roden’s expensive shoes. I’m still in the outfit I chose for my dinner with Galen - a mid-length, deep-red, pleated skirt, a black sleeveless top, and leather ankle boots. I must have lost my jacket somewhere between the restaurant and—
I was in a car…
Tap. Tap.
A thick curtain shadows my memories with comforting warmth.
I should be shivering, or at least feeling uncomfortable, surrounded by all this cold marble and with nothing covering my naked arms. Instead, the hall is just the right temperature, even though the glass of the windows is so dark I bet not even the brightest light could filter through.
I stare at Roden’s back. He has fallen silent and is cocking his head side to side as if tuning in to a melody I can’t hear.
As soon as we stepped out of the lift, I perceived the hall as a small space with a single door at the opposite end.
However, as we walk further, I realise that the architect musthave used a mind-blowing optical illusion, because the oval-shaped hall stretches into a corridor, and our walk to the door appears to be longer than I thought it would be.
I doubt Roden will explain the trick, but this gives me time to look around—and up. There are no chandeliers or light bulbs, yet the room is filled with light.
Where has Theresa disappeared to?I look over my shoulder and struggle even to see the lift entrance or the other thirty-something rooms that should precede the one we’re heading to.
“Don’t worry, a bit of dizziness is normal. This hall is something else. Consider yourself lucky, my dear. Few people can say they’ve had the honour to appreciate this marvellous construction. Ah, such a great mind and such a pity…” Roden’s voice is warm and comforting as he steps to one side, gesturing for me to go ahead.
Well, no. I don’t know half of it, dear Roden; I’d like to stop and comment.
Instead, I nod like a marionette, follow his demand - once again - and almost bump my nose against door-thirty-freaking-nine, which had decided to cut the distance between us and materialise right in front of me when I thought we still had miles to go.
I blink, perplexed, searching over my shoulder for an explanation on Roden’s face as he gently pushes me out of the way, huffing an amused laugh.
One swift rotation of the doorknob, under his hand’s light touch, and the silence that has accompanied us until now leaves the stage, replaced by a concert of shrieking chairs, hectic voices andthe clanging of glasses.
“If he decides to make an appearance…”
“Roden…”
“Sir, I believe that is what you meant to say…”
“Shush. Amelia.”
“Oh, here we go, now she’s going to go full onhow-dare-you-shush-me…”
“Silence! They’re here.”
“Sir, welcome…”
The threshold is narrow, and I have to wait behind Roden, but all the voices carry the same tone—taken aback and reverential.
The people in the room stop talking and turn in our direction, like trained soldiers, as Roden saunters inside, just far enough for me to squeeze in.
“Friends, please, take a seat.” Roden’s hand flutters over the room, virtually patting every head. “Or am I to think you were about to leave? I like to believe my invitation, although with short notice, found you all in good health. You have been chosen to be part of my Chapter; therefore, should you be summoned in the middle of the night, you are expected to be ready.”
I follow his movements as he scans the room from left to right before adding, “Always.” At the sudden switch in his voice from a welcoming tone to that of a born and bred leader, all members of the Chapter nod at once, and some of them finally place theirchosenbutts on the chairs.
What is this farce?
Roden turns to me and my mind shuts down. All that matters is that I listen tohim.
