Chapter 63
The interior air seemed frigid after the heat. Sweat immediately chilled and started to evaporate, and Ellis shivered. A clock ticked from the library to their right. Heavy, dark furniture sat like gargoyles waiting to swallow visitors. The walls were white with dark wood-panel trim. The floor was marble, occasionally covered by thick rugs. To their left was some sort of sitting room, and ahead of them was a massive staircase leading to an upper level lined with an intricately carved banister. Hallways flanked the stairs and led back into some other large area.
Men and women in expensive dark suits stood holding champagne glasses in the side rooms. They gave Ellis and Bryn curious glances, but no one spoke until another maid rounded the stairs. She was older and also wearing the uniform. She smiled broadly, showing missing teeth. “Is that my Bryndon Deacon?”
“Hi, Marella.” Bryn bent to give the woman a hug.