Chapter 7

It's not unreasonable to assume that they're all real, now that time-travel isn't out of the question. And yet, it's unbelievable!

Kira

"And who are you, Comte, that you have collected some of history's greatest figures to live here in your mansion?"

looked at him over steepled fingers, this ineffable gentleman who only said that people CALL him Comte de Gabriel Sandoval.

Gabriel

"I'm not trying to evade your question, but in truth, it's getting quite late." "Please, stay the night. Sebastian will prepare a room. "In fact, you're welcome to stay here for the entire month."

Kira

"For the night, perhaps, but-"

Sebastian

"You do realize you can't return to your time for another month, don't you?"

Yes. And I've come to terms with that.

Kira

"I'm an experienced traveler. I can make my own way. I've done it all my life.

Sebastian fixed me with a severe look.

Sebastian

"I believe you'll find that difficult." "This is France at the turn-of-the-century. How do you intend to 'make your way?"

Kira

"Of course I don't know that yet."

It was true I didn't know much about this period. I didn't even know what currency they currently used. But I'm uneasy here, too. There's some danger here that no one's telling me about. I couldn't admit my suspicion outright.

Kira

"don't want to impose."

Gabriel

"You're not imposing, I assure you."

Kira

"It's just that you're offering me so much and asking for nothing in return."

And that scares me the most.

Gabriel

"If that's your concern, l've been thinking that Sebastian could use a hand around the house.

I realized what le Comte was suggesting. Sebastian was listening without comment. Assist Sebastian as a housekeeper? A job could mean mobility and security. Regardless, I had two choices now. Risk spending a month in a house full of supposed time-travelers who most definitely haven't told me everything. Or run for it and risk being penniless on the streets of turn-of-the-century France at night...I know which I would choose. I gave le Comte my answer.

Kira

"I accept. I suppose that makes us co-workers, Sebastian. For now."

It's the only option that guarantees me a place to sleep tonight. Whatever dangers may be here, the streets will be worse. Le Comte and Sebastian have already confided in me. I'll trust them. For now. Sebastian looked distinctly uninterested at the prospect of having my assistance.

Sebastian

"You may continue to address me as Sebastian." "I will support M. le Comte's decision. However, I must warn you that I'm very strict."

Kira

"I can work with that."

Housekeeper might feel like a step down from my previous job, but I choose to view this as an extended vacation. I'll be back to work in a month. And maybe I'll add a history section to my blog, too. I had been lost and confused. Now the ground at my feet felt a little more stable.

Gabriel

"I'm pleased we've come to an agreement. wasn't able to answer all your questions tonight, but we'll continue tomorrow." "I also have something important to tell you. But that, too, can wait for morning."

I looked into those eyes, those golden eyes I first saw at the musée, and strangely found myself content with that.

Kira

"I look forward to it, Comte."

Gabriel

"I will inform the others that you will be staying with us and are to be treated with courtesy. Two of them did not join us tonight, but I expect you'll have the opportunity to meet them soon."

Kira

"Two more, you said?"

Gabriel

"Yes. One is Jayme Douglas"

Kira

"That's a relief. I was afraid I'd be the only woman here.

It's been nothing but men so far.

Gabriel

"A woman? Jayme is a man, though I can see how you'd make that mistake."

Kira

"Are we talking about the same person?"

Gabriel

"As to that, truth and history have a curious way of becoming distorted in the telling.

~~~~~~

He heard voices others couldn't hear. Voices that guided him. Tonight, a new voice urged him to look out the window. An eyepatch covered the left side of his face, almost hidden beneath his lank, dark hair. Jayme Douglas looked out at the crescent moon and heard its laughter. As he watched, it morphed from a smile to a bow, bent to loose an arrow; from a bow, it morphed to a blade, arcing mid-slice.

Jayme

"La lune is laughing."

His voice faded into the night; the moon's mocking laughter did not.

Jayme

"There's a curse on this night."

~~~~~

Gabriel

"Beside Jean, there's one other who lives with us here in the mansion-"

Le Comte was cut off by a dull thump, like something heavy falling against the door.

Gabriel

"That's probably him. I'm sorry to trouble you, Kira, but could you get the door?"

Kira

"All right."

I opened the door to find no one there. Is the last man invisible? When I stepped into the hallway, I finally saw him. He was lying slumped against the wall. What's he doing there? Is he sleeping?

Kira

"Excuse me?"

wondered how he could be comfortable sleeping like that. He cracked an eye open. Then he pulled me into his lap. I wasn't angry. I was in another world. A sweet-smelling paradise of golden-eyed angels with low, lyrical voices.

???

"..Never seen you here before" "Thought I'd wait patiently until you were done. Took so long I fell asleep." "So, you're the one he was talking to?"

He wasn't letting go. I didn't want him to. I knew he'd asked me a question, but no answer came to mind.

???

"Hmm?"

As if waking up from the dream I was still in, he realized what he'd done and let go of me. He chuckled warmly and murmured an apologetic "scusa" in a provincial

Italian accent.

???

"Did I surprise you?"

Kira

"Yes, you did."

???

"Heh. Your words, they match the look on your face. That's rare."

He helped me to my feet, and I caught the pleasant aroma of tobacco lingering on his clothes.

Gabriel

"And here he is. The last of our residents."

???

"Hmm? We introducing ourselves now? I'm Lennon Vacek."

Gabriel

"Along with Sebastian and myself, nine of the greatest figures in history reside in this mansion.

Lennon ran a gloved hand through his hair. His voice was still heavy with that rough, sleepy quality.

Lennon

"I don't know what happened, but your luck ran out for you to have wound up in a place like this."

Kira

"Why do you say that?"

Lennon

"...Simply put, cara mia, I don't think you're going to enjoy it here."