4
We are shadows
Translated by fabi Ivashkov
We are dust and shadow
-Horace, Odes
At the time Tessa was transformed back to its own form , had to endure a barrage of questions. For people who lived in a shadowy world of magic, the assembly Nephilim appeared surprisingly impressed by his skill, which only served to highlight what Tessa had already begun to suspect, that his talent to change shape was extremely unusual. Even
Charlotte, who had known about it before the show Tessa, seemed fascinated.
"Then you should have something that belongs to the person that is changing?" Charlotte asked a second time. Sophie and the old woman, who suspected Tessa was the cook, had already removed the dinner dishes and were served a tasty cake and tea, but none of the guests had yet touched. "You can not just look at someone and ...."
"I explained that." Tessa's head was starting to hurt. "I have something that belongs to them, or a bit of hair or an eyelash. Something that is yours. O otherwise nothing happens. "
" Create a vial of blood that would do the trick? "Will asked in a tone of academic interest
" Probably. I do not know. I've never tried. "Tessa took a sip of tea, which was cold.
"And you're saying that the Dark Sisters knew that this was his talent? "They knew they had this ability before you?" Asked Charlotte.
"Yes. It's why they wanted me first. "
Henry shook his head. "But how did they know? Do not really understand that part. "
" I do not know, "said Tessa, not for the first time. "They never explained it to me. All I know is what I say, they seemed to know exactly what he could do and how to train for it. They spent hours with me every day ... "Tessa swallowed against the bitterness of his mouth. Memories of how he had been stood up in his mind, the hours and hours in the basement room at the Dark House, how he had shouted that Nate would die if she could not change as they wanted to do it, the agony when he finally learned to do. "It hurts at first," he whispered. "As if my bones were breaking, merging into my body. Forced me to change two, three, then a dozen times a day until he finally lost consciousness. And then the next day, they started again. Was locked in that room, then it could try to leave ... "gasp. "That last day, I tried asking him to change to a girl who had died. She had memories of having been attacked with a knife, being stabbed. Something was chasing her in an alley ... "
"Maybe it was the girl Jem and I found it." Will sat up straight, his eyes shining. "Jem and I suppose he must have escaped from an attack and ran into the night. I think they sent the demon Shax after her to bring her back, but I killed him. Have wondered what happened. "
" The name of the girl in which change was Emma Bayliss, "Tessa said, almost in a whisper. "I had very blond hair tied in little pink ribbons, and she was just a little thing -
Will nodded as if he was familiar description.
"Then they wondered what had happened to her. That's why I had changed it. When I said I was dead, seemed relieved. "
" Poor soul, "murmured Charlotte." So you can change the dead? Did not live alone? "
Tessa nodded. "Your voices speak in my mind when I change too. The difference is that several of them can remember the moment they died. "
" Ugh. "Jessamine shuddered. "That morbid."
Tessa looked at Will. Mr. Herondale, she scolded herself in silence, but it was hard to think of it that way. I felt somehow as if I knew him better than it actually did.
But that was nonsense. "They found me because you were looking for the murderer of Emma Bayliss said. "But she was just a human girl dead. Death .... How do you call it? mundane. Why so much time and effort to find out what happened to her? "
For a moment Will's eyes met hers, her eyes dark blue. Then his expression changed, only a slight change, but she saw it, although I can not say that meant that change. "Oh, I would not have bothered, but Charlotte insisted. He felt he had something great at work. And once we entered Jem and I in the club pandemonium, and we hear rumors of other murders, we realized we had more things to the death of a child. If we like or not particularly worldly, we can not allow them to be systematically slaughtered. It is the reason for our existence. "
Charlotte leaned forward on the table. "The Dark Sisters never mentioned that were trying to use their skills, no?"
"You know about the Master," said Tessa. "They said they were preparing for him."
"And do what with it?" Will asked. "Eat it for dinner?"
Tessa shook her head. "Pa ... to marry me, they said."
"Marry you?" Jessamine was openly contemptuous. "That's ridiculous. Probably going to use it for the sacrifice of blood and did not want to panic. "
" I do not know about that, " said Will. "I looked at several rooms before finding Tessa. I remember one that was made in an amazing way as a wedding camera. A huge white bed hangings. A white dress hanging in the closet. Appeared in her size. "
He looked thoughtful.
"A marriage ceremony can be a very powerful thing." Said Charlotte. "Done correctly, could allow someone access to your ability, Tessa, including the power to control it." Drummed his fingers carefully on the table. "As the Master, I investigated the mandate in the archives. It is often used to designate the head of a coven or other group of wizards. Type group that the club is imagined to be pandemonium. I can not help but feel that Master Pandemonium and the club are connected. "
" We've investigated before and never catch them doing something wrong reach. "Henry said. "It is against the law to be an idiot."
"Lucky for you," Jessamine said softly.
Henry looked hurt, but said nothing. Charlotte Jessamine gave a cold stare.
"Henry is right," said Will. "It's not as though Jem and I've not caught by the strange anything illegal, drinking absinthe mixed with dust devil, and so on. While only hurt themselves, hardly worth getting involved. But if you have graduated from hurting others ... "
" You know who some of them? "Henry asked curiously.
"The worldly, no," said Will ruling. "He never seemed to find a reason, and many of them were masked or disguised to club events. But I recognized a good number of Underworld. Magnus Bane, Lady Belcourt, Ragnor Fell, de Quincey ... "
" What Quincey? I hope that was not breaking any laws. You know how much trouble we had finding the head of a vampire who can see face to face, "Charlotte was worried.
Will smiled at her tea. "Every time I saw him was being a perfect angel."
After giving a hard look, Charlotte returned to Tessa. "The maid motions, Miranda, had the same skill you? Or what about Emma? "
" I think not. If Miranda had, have been training well, did not, and Emma could not remember anything like that. "
"And they never mentioned the club Pandemonium? Any great purpose they were doing? "
Tessa racked his brain. What was the Dark Sisters had talked when they thought he was not listening? "I do not ever say the name of the club, but sometimes talked about meetings that were planning to attend, and like the other members would be pleased to see them they were getting me. They said a name once .... "Tessa turned her face, trying to remember. "Another person who was at the club, but I remember thinking the name sounded foreign ... .
Charlotte leaned forward on the table "Can treat, Tessa? "Try to remember?"
Charlotte did not want to hurt Tessa knew, and still his voice was calling to other voices in the head of Tessa, voices urging him to try, to get into it, to take power. Voices that could become hard and cold at the slightest provocation. Voices threatening and cajoling and lying.
Tessa stood. "First, what about my brother?"
Charlotte blinked. "Your brother?"
"He said if he gave information about the Dark Sister, you help me find my brother. Well, I said what I knew. And on I had no idea of \u200b\u200bwhere Nate "
" Oh. "Charlotte leaned back, looking almost scared. "Of course. We will start investigating his whereabouts morning, "said Tessa. "Let's start with your work, talk to your employer and see if he knows something. We have contacts in all sorts of places, Miss Gray. The Underworld runs gossip as the mundane world does. Over time we will find someone who knows something about your brother " The food ended not long after that, and Tessa was excused from the table with a sense of relief, declining the offer of Charlotte to guide it back to your room. All she wanted was to be alone with his thoughts.
He walked down the hall lit by torches, recalling the day he stepped off the boat in Southampton. He had come to England not knowing anyone except his brother and sisters had left the Dark force it to provide service. Now he had fallen in with the Shadow Hunters, and who would say that they treat her better? As the Dark Sisters, they wanted to use it, use it for information she knew, and now that they were aware of their power, how would it be before they wanted to use it for that, too? Even
lost in thought, Tessa almost walked directly into a wall. He stopped and looked around, frowning. He had been walking for much longer than he had touched her and Charlotte reach the dining room, and had not yet found the room she remembered. In fact, I was not even sure I found the corridor he remembered.
was halfway now lined with torches and decorated with tapestries, but was it? Some racers were very bright, some very dark, the torches burned with varying shades of brightness. Sometimes the torches on and off when it happened, as if in answer to a particular stimulus that she could not see. This particular corridor was very dark. She took her way to the end carefully, where it branched into two more, each identical to this one.
"Lost?" Asked a voice behind her. A slow, arrogant voice, instantly familiar.
Will.
Tessa turned to see who was leaning casually against the wall behind her, as if resting a door with his feet in his boots scuffed cross in front of him. He had something in his hand, his shining stone.
The saved when she looked at him, spraying his light.
"You should let me show you the Institute a bit, Miss Gray," he suggested. "You know, to not lose again." Tessa rolled her eyes at him. "Of course, you can simply continue wandering yourself if you really want. "adding" I must warn, however, that there are at least three or four doors that really should not be opened. There is one that directs the room where the demons have caught, for example. They can be a little unpleasant. Then there is the armory. Some of the weapons have a mind of its own, and are alive. Then there are the rooms that open into the void. Are designed to confuse outsiders, but when you're on top as the top of a church, you do not want to accidentally slip and .... "
" I do not believe, "said Tessa." You're a lousy liar, Sr . Herondale. Still ... "she bit her lip." I do not like to roam. You can show me around if you promise not to cheat. "
Will promised. And, to the surprise of Tessa, was true to his word. The guided by a section identical-looking corridors, talking as they walked. He said the Institute had few rooms (more than you can count), told how Shadowhunters could live in them at once (hundreds), and showed him the ballroom which held a party annual Christmas for the Enclave, which said Will, was the term for Shadow Hunters group living in London. (In New York, the said, the term was "Caucus." Shadow Hunters Americans seem to have their own lexicon.)
After ballroom came the kitchen, where middle-aged woman had Tessa seen in the dining room was presented as Agatha, the cook. Sat sewing in front of a large kitchen and was so perplexed by Tessa, also smoking a huge pipe. He smiled indulgently around when Will took several chocolate pie plate that had been left to cool on the table. Will offered one to Tessa.
She shuddered "Oh, no. I hate chocolate. "
Will was horrified." What kind of monster could hate chocolate? "
" He eats everything, "said Agatha Tessa with a pleasant smile," Since I was twelve years already. I guess all that training is all that prevents fat. "
Tessa, amused Will the idea of \u200b\u200ba fat, smoking Agatha commended for their dominance in the large kitchen. It seemed a place where you could cook for hundreds, with rows and rows of jars of canned soups, canned spices, and a huge leg of roast beef on a hook above the fireplace.
"Well done," said Will after he had left the kitchen . Commending Agatha well. Now she likes you. It is not good not to like Agatha. She put stones in your porridge. "
"Oh, God," said Tessa, but could not hide the fact that it was entertaining.
were from the kitchen to the music room, where he harps and an old grand piano gathering dust. Down a set of stairs was the living room, a nice place where the walls, instead of bare stone, were papered with a pattern of bright leaves and lilies. Fire left a big fence, and several comfortable chairs were placed near him.
was a large wooden desk in the room too, which, Will explained, was where Charlotte had much of the work of running the Institute. Tessa no could help but wonder what it was that Henry did Branwell, and when.
Then there was the hall of arms, more selective than anything that Tessa could imagine seeing in a museum. Hundreds of waterproof, axes, daggers, swords, knives, even a few guns hanging on the wall, a collection of different types of armor, worn out pads to protect the shins for several suits of mail. A solid-looking young man with dark brown hair sitting on a tall table, polishing a game short daggers. He smiled broadly as he approached "Good Night, Master Will"
"Good evening, Thomas. Miss Gray know. "He pointed to Tessa.
"You were in the Dark House!" Tessa said, looking closer to Thomas, "You came with Mr. Branwell. I thought ... "
" That was a Shadow Hunter? "Thomas grinned. He had a sweet, pleasant, open face type, and lots of curly hair. His shirt was open at the neck, showing a strong throat.
Despite their obvious youth, he was extremely tall and muscular, the width of his arms by pulling on his sleeve. "I'm not, Miss, only trained as one. "
Will leaned against the wall." Did you pass the order of leaves of mercy, Thomas "I have been running after a certain amount of Shax demons lately, and I need something close that can pierce armored shells .
Thomas began to say something about the ships were delayed due to weather in Idris, but Tessa's attention had been distracted by something else. It was a tall box of gilded wood, polished to a high gloss, with a pattern embossed on the front, a serpent swallowing its tail.
"Is not that the symbol of the Sisters Dark? "Demanded" What are you doing here?
"Not exactly," said Will "The box is a Pyxis. Demons have no soul, his conscience comes from a kind of energy, which can sometimes be trapped and stored. The Pyxis contain it safely. Oh, and the design is an Ouroboros, the 'tail eaten. " It is an ancient alchemical symbol intended to represent the different dimensions, our world, inside the snake, and the rest of existence, was "shrugged" The symbol of the Sisters is the first time I've seen someone draw a Ouroboros with two snakes ... Oh, no, no "added as Tessa reached the box. He deftly stopped in front of it. "The Pyxis can not be touched by someone who is not a Shadow Hunter. Unpleasant things happen. Now let's go. We have had enough time to Thomas."
"I do not care," Thomas protested, but Will was already on its way out. Tessa glanced back to Thomas from the door. He had returned to polish the weapons, but there was something in his shoulder that Tessa did think he looked a little lonely.
"I did not realize that left the mundane fight you," said Will after had left behind the armory. "Thomas a servant, or ...."
"Thomas has been at the Institute for most of his life." Said Will, Tessa guiding around a sharp bend in the corridor. "Families have the vision in his veins, always served families Shadow Hunters. Thomas's parents served as Charlotte's parents at the Institute, and now serves Charlotte and Thomas Henry. And their children will serve them. Thomas does everything, driving, caring for Bali and Xanthos, those are our horses, and help with weapons. Sophie and Agatha handle the rest, although sometimes helps Thomas. I suspect that he is sweet Sophie and does not like to see her working so hard. "
Tessa was glad to hear it. She had felt bad about his reaction to the scar on Sophie, and thinking that Sophie had a male fan, and a handsome, relieved his conscience a bit. "Maybe he's in love with Agatha," he said.
"I hope not. Attempt to marry Agatha. She may be thousands of years older, but it makes a unshareable jam tarts. Beauty fades, but the kitchen is eternal. "He stood before a door large oak, with heavy brass hinges. "Here we are now," he said, and the door swung opening to his touch.
The room they entered was bigger even than the ballroom she had seen before. Was longer than wide, rectangular oak tables set out in the middle of it, disappearing to the far wall, which was painted with the image of an angel. Each table was lit by a flickering lamp in white glass. Halfway through the walls, was in an internal gallery with a wooden railing around it that could be achieved through spiral staircases on either side of the room. Rows and rows of shelves were at intervals, forming niches like sentinels on either side of the room. There were more racks up the stairs too, the books were hidden inside behind metal screens with dishes, each screen printed with a pattern of four Cs.
Huge, external windows bends lined with weathered stone benches were set at intervals between the shelves.
A large volume had been left out of a shelf, its pages open and inviting, Tessa moved toward him, thinking that would be a dictionary, only to find that their pages were scribbled with illegible handwriting, calligraphy and illuminated maps taxed familiar aspect.
"This is the Great Library, "said Will. "Every institution has a library, but this is the greatest of all, the biggest in the West, in any case" He leaned against the door, her arms folded across his chest. "I said I could give you more books, no?"
Tessa was so surprised that he remembered what he had said, it took several minutes to respond. "But the books are all behind bars!" said "As a literary genre in prison!"
Will grinned. "Some of these books are dangerous," he said. "It is advisable be careful "
" One should always take care of the books, "Tessa said," and what is inside them, since words have the power to change "
" I'm not sure that a book has changed me, "said Will. "Well, there is a volume that promises to teach you how to change yourself in a whole flock of sheep ..."
"Only the weak minded they refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry," said Tessa, determined not to let get away conversation.
"Of course, why would you want to be an entire herd of sheep is another matter altogether, "concluded Will." Is there something you want to read here, Miss Gray, or no? Name it, and I will try to free him from prison to you. "
" Do you think the library has the wide, wide world? Or Little Women?
"I've never heard of any of them," said Will. "We have many novels."
"Well, I would like novels," said Tessa. "O poetry. The books are for reading, not to transform oneself in cattle."
Will's eyes brightened. "I think we have a copy of Alice in Wonderland somewhere. "
Tessa wrinkled her nose." Oh, that's for kids, right? "He said." I never really liked it, did not seem to make much sense "
Will's eyes were very blue . "There are a lot of sense in nonsense sometimes, if you want to search."
But Tessa had been a known volume on a platform and came to greet him like an old friend. "Oliver Twist!" He exclaimed. "Do you have any other of the novels of Mr. Dickens?
She clasped her hands." Oh! Is Tale of Two Cities? "
" That silly thing? Do men turning to get their heads cut out of love?
Ridiculous. "Will be pushed from the door and walked to where she was standing by the bookshelves. He made an expansive gesture in the great number of volumes around them." No, you will find all sorts of tips on how to cut the head of another person if necessary, much more useful. "
" No! "Tessa protested." No need to cut someone's head, that's all. And what is the
the point that a lot of books nobody really wants to read? Does not really any other novel? "
" Not unless Lady Audley's Secret is that in which she kills the demons in his spare time. "Will went to one of the ladders and pulled a book off the shelf." I'll find something else to read. Grip. "He dropped it without watching, & Tessa had to rush to Grab Floor prior to hit.
was a big square volume bound in dark blue velvet. Had a pattern cut velvet, a symbol of swirl marks reminded decorating Will skin. The title was stamped on the front in silver The code of the Shadow Hunters. Tessa looked at Will.
"What is this?"
"I figured I would have questions about Shadow Hunter, as it is inhabiting our sanctum sanctorum, so to speak. This book should tell you everything you want to know, about us, about our history, even about the underworld as you. "Will's face turned serious. "However, beware of him. It has six hundred years and is the only copy of your class. Lose or damage is punishable by death under the law. "
Tessa pushed the book away it as if it were on fire. "You can not be serious."
"You're right. I do not "Will jumped off the ladder and fell slightly in front of her. "But you really believe everything I say, though, right? Do I look unusually reliable for you, or is it just a kind of naïve? "
Instead of answering, Tessa frowned and stalked walked through the room until one of the stone benches within a hole in the window. Jumping into the seat, opened the code and started reading, studiously ignoring even Will he moved to sit beside him. I could feel the weight of his gaze upon it while reading.
The first page of the book Nephilim showed the same image that had grown accustomed to seeing as carpets in the hallways: the angel rising from the lake, holding a sword in one hand and a drink in the other. Below the picture was a note: The Angel Raziel and The Mortal Instruments.
"This is how it all began," Will said cheerfully, as if he was aware of the fact that she was ignoring him. "A summoning spell here, a little blood of an angel there, and you have a recipe indestructible human warriors. You understand we never read a book, mind you, but it's a start. "
" hardly human, more like avenging angels, "Tessa said quietly, turning the pages. There were dozens of images of angels, falling from sky, shedding feathers like a star could produce sparks to fall. There were more pictures of the Angel Raziel, holding an open book whose pages were burning like fire runes, and men were kneeling around him, men whose skin could be seen Marks . Pictures of men as she had seen in his dream, his eyes lost and lips sewn Image Shadow Hunter brandishing flaming swords, and warrior angels out of Heaven. He looked at Will. "What, then, no? Party Angel?"
Will not respond. He was looking out the window, through a small clear sheet. Tessa followed his gaze, the window looked out over what had to be the head of the Institute, having a round patio below them, surrounded by walls. Through the bars of a high iron fence topped by a curved arc, could take a look beyond the street, lit by the dim yellow gas. There were wrought-iron letters on the arch over the fence wrought; when I looked from this direction, were back, and Tessa's eyes narrowed to decipher.
"Pulvis et umbra sumus. Is a line of Horace. 'We are dust and shadow. " Appropriate, is not it? "Said Will. "There is a long life, killing the demons
you tend to die young, then they burn your body, dust to dust, in the literal sense. And then disappear into the shadows of history, not a mark on the page of a worldly book to remind the world that once existed. "
Tessa looked at him. He wore the look that it was so rare and compelling, the fun did not seem go beyond the surface of its features, as if
find everything in both worlds infinitely fun and infinitely tragic, all at the same time. He wondered what he had done it this way, as he had come to find the dark fun, it was a quality that did not seem to share with any of the other Shadowhunters he had known, however briefly. Maybe it was something he had learned from their parents, but what about parents?
"Never worry?" He said softly. "What do whatever is out, could come here?"
"Demons and other unpleasant things, you mean?" Will asked, but Tessa was not sure if that was what she had meant, or had been talking about the evils of the world in general. He put a hand on the wall. "The mortar that these stones were mixed with the blood of Shadow Hunters. Each beam is carved in Rowan. Each nail used for hammering the beams together is made of silver, iron or electro. The place is built on sacred ground surrounded by pupils. The front door can be opened only if you have the blood of a Shadow Hunter, otherwise it remains locked forever. This place is a fortress. So no, I'm not worried. "
"But because living in a fortress" in your surprised look she elaborated. "You are clearly not related to Charlotte and Henry, they are just old enough to have adopted it, and not all Shadow Hunter to live here or there would be more than you and Jessamine ...."
"And Jem," Will you recalled.
"Yes, but ... see what I mean. Why not live with your family? "
" None of us has relatives. The Jessamine died in a fire, Jem ... well, Jem came from afar to live here, after his parents were killed by demons. Under the Law of the Covenant, the key is responsible for children without parents Shadowhunters under eighteen. "
" So you are one of another family. "
" If we have to idealize it, I guess we are all brothers and sisters under the roof of the Institute. You too, Miss Gray, if only temporarily. "
" In that case, "said Tessa, feeling the hot blood rising to his face," I would prefer you call me by my name, as it does to Miss Lovelace. "
Will looked at her, slow and hard, and then smiled. Her blue eyes lit up when he smiled. "Then you must do the same for me," he said. "Tessa."
She had never thought of his name before, but when he said it was as if hearing it for the first time, the strong T, the caress of the double S, the way seemed to end in a sigh. His own breath was short when she said, quietly, "Will."
"Yes?" amusement shone in his eyes.
With a kind of horror Tessa realized he had just said his name for peace to say, there was now a question. Quickly said, "How do you learn to fight like you do?" A draw magic symbols, and the rest? "
Will smiled. "We had a tutor who brought our school and physical training. Although he is Idris, Charlotte is seeking a replacement, along with Charlotte, which is responsible to teach history and ancient languages."
"So she is your governess?
An expression of joy went through the features of Will." You could say that. But I would not call Charlotte a governess if I were you, not if you want to keep your limbs intact. I would not think to look, but it is very good with a variety of weapons, our Charlotte. "
Tessa blinked in surprise." Not to say .... Charlotte does not fight, right? Is not the way you and Henry do. "
" Certainly, it does. Why can not I? "
" Because she is a woman, "said Tessa.
" Also Boadicea. "
" Who? "
"'So the Queen Boadicea, standing high on a chariot, / Swinging in her hand a dart and rolling like a lioness watching ..." "Will ended up at the blank look of Tessa, and smiled. "Nothing? If you were English, would know. Remember me find a book about it for you. Anyway, she was a powerful warrior queen. When he was finally defeated, took poison rather than be captured by the Romans. He was braver than any man. I like to think that Charlotte is like her, though somewhat smaller. "
"But there can be good at it, right? I mean, women have no such feelings. "
" What kind of feelings are those? "
" Bloodlust, I suppose, "Tessa said after a moment." fierceness. Feelings Warriors. "
"I saw him waving the metal close to the Dark Sister," said Will. "And if I remember correctly, the secret of Lady Audley was, in fact, that was a killer."
"So who has read it! "Tessa could not hide his joy.
He looked amused." I prefer The Road of the Serpent. More adventure less domestic drama. None is as good as The Moonstone, however. Have you read Collins? "
" I love to Wilkie Collins, "cried Tessa. "Oh, Armadale! And the lady in white ... Is he laughing at me?"
"It's not you," Will said with a smile, "More for you. Never before have I seen someone so excited about books. One would think that they are diamonds."
"Well, we are, right? Is there anything that you love that? And do not say 'leggings' or 'lawn tennis' or some nonsense."
"My God," he said in mock horror, "It's like she already knew me."
"Everybody has something without which they can live. I will find out what is for you, never afraid." He tried to speak lightly, but the expression on his face, his voice trailed off into uncertainty. He watched with a strange steadfastness, his eyes were the same as the dark blue velvet cover of the book she held. His eyes passed over his face, his throat to his waist, before rising again to the face, where it lingered in his mouth.
Tessa's heart pounded as if it had been running stairs. Something in his chest ached as if I were hungry or thirsty. There was something I wanted, but did not know what ...
"It's late," Will said abruptly, looking away from her. "I will show the way back to his room."
"I ..." Tessa wanted to protest, but there was no reason to. He was right. It was late, the starlight was visible through the window panes clean. He stood up, cradling the book in his chest, and went with Will to the corridor.
"There are a few tricks to learn their way around the Institute that I teach, "he said, even without looking. There was something strangely different in its attitude now that he had not been there moments before, as if Tessa had done something to offend. But what could she have done? "Methods for identifying the different doors and regression ..."
broke off, and Tessa saw someone coming down the aisle toward them. It was Sophie, a basket of clothes hidden under one arm. Seeing Will and Tessa, he stopped, his expression becoming more restricted.
"Sophie!" Will the distrust of change to mischief. "Have you finished putting my room in order yet? "
" It's done. "Sophie did not return the smile." It was dirty. I hope in future to refrain from bringing parts of the house dead demons. "
mouth Tessa opened. How could Sophie Will talk to you? She was a maid, and he, though he was younger than she was a gentleman. And yet, Will seemed to take it easy "Everything is part of the job Young Sophie "
" The Mrs. Branwell and Mr. Carstairs perish not have problems cleaning their boots, "said Sophie, looking in a dark Will Tessa. "Maybe I can learn from their example."
"Perhaps," said Will. "But I doubt it."
Sophie frowned and walked down the aisle again, tight shoulders indignantly.
Will Tessa stared in amazement. "What was that?"
Will shrugged lazily. "Sophie enjoys pretending he does not like."
"What do you dislike? She hates him! "Under other circumstances, might have wondered if Will and Sophie had had an argument, but one does not discuss with the servants. If they are dissatisfied, one ceases to employ them. "Something ... something happened between you?"
"Tessa," Will said with exaggerated patience. "Enough. There are things you can not hope to understand. "
If there was one thing he hated Tessa was being told that there were things he could not understand. Because she was young because she was a girl, for a thousand other reasons that never seemed to have some meaning. She lifted her chin stubbornly. "Well, no, if I say so. But then I have to say it looks like they hate him because he did something terrible."
Expression of Will darkened. "You can think what they want. It is as if you knew anything about me."
"I know you do not like giving direct answers to questions. I know it's probably about seventeen years. I know you like Tennyson, was quoted in the Dark House, and again just now. I know is an orphan, like myself. "
"I never said I was an orphan." Will spoke with unexpected savagery. "And I hate poetry. So happens, you know nothing about me at all, right? "
And with that he turned on his heel and walked away.
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