holding onto a tray. “You do not seem to be in any pain.”

Huh. I’d been so focused on the visions of the dream that I hadn’t recognized that my body no longer hurt.

“I guess your cream worked,” I said with my compliments. “Listen, do you think you could get me back to Isabella’s room?”

Her eyes widened, and she shook her head while setting the tray of espresso and snacks down. “I do not think returning there is so good. That room usually stays locked and untouched, but someone let the mistress of the castle know that her daughter’s chambers had been disturbed.”

“And now, they’re suspicious as to who did it. Well, grits and ghosts, that makes things a bit more difficult,” I mused. “But you got me out of there using a secret passageway, right? Why couldn’t we use it again?”

“Why is it necessary for you to go there right now?” Fiametta asked.

I told her about my nap and dream, explaining what I had seen. It might have been a little evil of me to include so many enticing details about her ancestor, Paolo. But I needed her help to get into the room without being detected. Something in me knew that some of the answers waited in Isabella’s former quarters.

“My nonna told me about the witches’ community helping to keep the spells cast on the castle renewed over all the centuries. But I had no idea I had a direct descendent who helped.” Fia chewed on her thumbnail. “Maybe that is why I can move about with such ease.”

I grasped her hand in mine. “Will you help me?”

Fiametta sighed with resignation. “Yes, but we need to wait until there are fewer people roaming about. Maybe some time tonight. After your dinner.” She handed me a thick card with fancy calligraphy on it.

I read the invitation from Luke, pleased at his fancy attempt to woo me. “The time says not until eight tonight. You Italians start your suppers late.”

Fia chuckled. “We like to take our time. Enjoy every minute of the day, stretching out the pleasure.”

I thought out loud. “If I get ready for the dinner first, then you could take me to the room prior to meeting Luke. We’ll search the space together and see what other clues we can find. Does that sound acceptable?” Remembering my talk with Claudio, I added, “But if you don’t want to, feel free to say no.”

The kind young woman gave in. “I can get you there, but since I work in the kitchens, I will be needed to help prepare the meal.”

“If you’ll teach me the spell to use the passageway, then I will find my own way out,” I promised, a little less than fifty percent sure I could actually uphold my side of the bargain.

Fia agreed and told me to be ready by seven. That gave me a little over an hour to get cleaned up and ready. “I will meet you later,” I told her at the door.

“Ci vediamo,” she called out as she left, her nerves making her forget her English.

Wanting to impress Luke, I spent extra effort choosing from some of the fashionable clothes in my closet. Although a dress would be more appropriate for an evening date, I picked out a silky dark green blouse with ruffled sleeves and cream pants that fit like a glove. With my best efforts, I worked on my hair, unable to manage a fancy twist. I settled on an intentionally messy bun at the nape of my neck with tendrils hanging down by the sides of my face.

Lady Eveline’s diamond chandelier earrings would have been perfect if she hadn’t taken them back, but I chose my simpler studs for my ears, pleased to choose something that I’d purchased with my own money. The bracelet I’d bought at the Midnight Market would look stunning, so I slipped it on my wrist as a nice sparkly touch.

The shoes were the last item to select, and I held up a pair of high heels in one hand and my worn-out sneakers in my other. One of these things just didn’t belong, which had become my story since arriving in Italy.

“If I’m going to be navigating the magical secret passages, I think rubber soles and closed toes are the way to go,” I stated out loud, telling myself I’d have plenty of time to come back to the room and change before meeting Luke.

I met Fia in the hallway, wanting to keep an eye on any staff walking around. She hustled both of us to a part of the wall with no tapestries or art. Raising her hand, she found the spot that activated the spell and opened a small entrance for both of us.

“Quickly. Follow me.” She ducked inside and disappeared.

When I cleared the threshold, the door shut behind us with a thud, and I cast a light orb to join Fiametta’s.

“We must hurry so I can make it back without being missed,” she whispered.

Only the squeak of some rodent answered her, and I kept the rising squeal in my throat from bursting out so as not to insult my friend who could change into a mouse herself. I thought it would be smart to play a little Hansel and Gretel, so I retrieved a napkin I’d stuffed in my pocket with half of the pastry that had accompanied my macchiato.

Tearing off little pieces, I dropped them as we progressed and hoped that none of the actual mice would eat them before I found my way back.

Fia stopped at a crossroads of passages and pointed to the left. “We will head down here. When you come back, you will need to turn right.”

I held up the last of the cornetto. “I’ve come prepared.”

She smiled at my ingenuity and continued down the passage.

The ring on my finger tingled, and I wasn’t surprised when Fia stopped. “Here, give me your hand.”

I did as she asked, and she waved it slowly over the stone. “Do you

Вы читаете Vintage Vampire
Добавить отзыв
ВСЕ ОТЗЫВЫ О КНИГЕ В ИЗБРАННОЕ

0

Вы можете отметить интересные вам фрагменты текста, которые будут доступны по уникальной ссылке в адресной строке браузера.

Отметить Добавить цитату