Page 164 of Kick the Candle (Knight Games 2)
I made for the stairs. "Take the day off, Poe. I'm going Christmas shopping."
"If you insist." He didn't sound disappointed. "I'd love to try guinea pig if you're asking."
I stuck my tongue out at him and turned the corner for my room.
* * * * *
Several hours later, I arrived at Maison des Etoiles, arms laden down with gifts. My feet ached like my boots had a vendetta against me, and the handles of the shopping bags cut into my skin, even through my thick wool coat. I would have loved to go straight home, maybe with a side trip to Rick's, but I needed to check on the book first.
This was the first time I'd come through the front door. I supposed I wasn't Soleil's regular clientele but I could appreciate the allure of the place. A stone walkway, lined with ornate lampposts, traversed a wrought-iron fenced lawn. A blanket of pristine snow glistened, reflecting the bright colors of the leaded glass in the lampposts. When I reached the oversized red door, there wasn't a traditional doorbell. After searching for an alternative, I yanked a chain dangling to my left. An old-fashioned doorbell rang inside.
With slight complaint from its hinges, the door opened and a petite blonde with unnaturally green eyes welcomed me. The silver swath of fabric wrapped around her petite body seemed to defy gravity. I stepped into the foyer.
"Soleil is waiting for you in her room. That way," the fae said, pointing.
I followed her directions, down a hallway lined with judges paneling, sophisticated oil paintings, and red damask curtained doorways that led to the clean lines of well appointed parlors. The place was Wild West meets east coast chic. Sophisticated, but clandestine.
The light filtering from under the door at the end of the hall told me I was in the right place. I knocked as a courtesy but let myself in. Gold heat washed over me. Soleil's room was white on white with the only color coming from the hundreds of plants and flowers growing from pots lining the walls. The place reminded me of a Greek garden of the gods. Fitting, I thought, considering Soleil could rival Apollo. A sculpture of a brass sun spit water into a pool to my left. Soleil herself stood in front of a window overlooking the back yard, shining so brightly in her gold and white dress I could hardly bear to look directly at her.
"Good afternoon, Grateful. Thank you for coming."
I set my bags down and gave her a quick hug hello. "No problem, Soleil. I was in town anyway. Good to see you looking like your old self again."
She blinked slowly. "Yes. I am thankful for your help, once again."
"So, where is it?"
"I've sealed it here." She pointed to a slab of marble that looked no different than the rest of the floor and passed her hand over it. "Only sunlight can open it." The square levitated and I squatted to get a clear view of the Book of Flesh and Bone inside the vault underneath.
"Good."
"You may take it now," she said. "I will hold it open for you."
I stood, shaking my head and stepped back. "It needs to stay here."
Her eyes flared and the marble tile dropped noisily back into position. "No, no, no. You can not leave this here!"
"It's the safest place, Soleil. The vampires wouldn't dare search here for this and my home isn't safe, not when Naill, Bathory, and Julius are still walking the streets of Carlton City. Not to mention, there could be relatives of the nekomata clan out there who still know its original burial place.
"But Bathory and Julius will suspect I have it."
I stepped forward and took her hands. "You promised me a favor."
Calm washed over her, and she searched my eyes. "Are you sure? The wish could be used for your own personal gain, material things, relationships...children."
The last hit me hard. I couldn't have children with Rick. For a moment I was tempted to save the wish for myself. Then I thought about Bathory getting her hands on the book.
I squared my shoulders. "I have everything I want or need, except for this."
She nodded.
"I ask that the Book of Flesh and Bone be bound here forever, unable to be reached by anyone who might use it for evil."
Soleil nodded her head and then clapped her hands in front of her chest. A ripple coursed out from those joined palms, passing through me and echoing off the walls before plowing back into her like a strong wind.
"It is done. Be forewarned, the results will only last for my lifetime."
"Would it be rude for me to ask how long your kind typically live?"
