Hard as Stone by Beatrice B. Morgan

Author:Beatrice B. Morgan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: adventure, coming of age, fantasy, gaslamp, magic, political intrigue, secrets, spy, steampunk, thief, YA
ISBN: 9781644771327
Publisher: Authors 4 Authors Publishing Cooperative
Published: 2019-12-08T08:00:00+00:00

⚙️ Chapter 24 ⚙️

Her breath came out in a disbelieving gasp. Zander had said he came from the aristocracy, but she hadn’t expected this. He lived in a house as big as the entire mining system of Silver Glen! He didn’t look happy at all to be home; he looked nearly sick. The color had faded from his cheeks and neck.

The coach pulled into a steepled garage the size of a tavern. Though the stench of oil and cleaning polish lingered, the room was immaculate. The tiled floor was spotless, the wooden beams dust-free, and every tool and contraption had a place on the shelves. Four stalls lined one wall, three of which contained a coach and its automaton animal. One coach was solid black with a gleaming steel horse, another was a stunning sky blue and pulled by a white wolf, and the third was ivory and pulled by a golden cat. A servant stood on the far side. He stopped whatever he had been doing at the workbench and bent into a deep bow.

The coach pulled into the empty stall and hissed to silence; the driver opened the door. Baxter stepped out first and then held out his hand to Raven. Behind her, Zander hissed a curse. His brother didn’t seem to notice.

Raven gently placed her hand into Baxter’s and stepped out of the coach. Zander quickly appeared at her side, between her and Baxter. A subtle glare passed between brothers. Baxter led the way across the garage and to a set of brassy double doors.

“I’m sure you are both famished,” Baxter said. “I’ll call Demetri for—”

“I can do it myself,” Zander interrupted.

“I only thought—”

“I’m not a guest,” Zander spat. He curled his fingers to fists. “I know my way around. This is my house too.”

Baxter looked like he wanted to argue that point, but didn’t. He nodded. “I’ll meet you in the Orange Lounge for lunch, then?”

“Fine.” Zander didn’t sound enthused.

Baxter walked through the double doors, and Zander slowed his pace as to not be right behind his brother. He then led Raven through the same doors, through a breezeway lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, flowering ferns, and bright gold and red tile, and then into the house.

The air darkened, despite the tall windows. Dark wood paneling and red walls made the space darker and somber.

They entered a parlor. The ceilings were twice as tall as Zander, half dark paneling and half elaborately painted red and a slightly darker red. Zander didn’t give her time to gawk; he pulled her through a set of wide, dark wooden doors with massive bronze handles. He pulled her down the hall, without a word, and up a grand staircase to the second floor.

Everywhere she looked, she saw elaborate paintwork on the walls; metalwork on the chandeliers, door handles, and curtain rods; and woodwork on the banister, panels, and doors. She saw candlesticks of silver, bronze, and copper, each a masterpiece. She followed close behind Zander through the second floor, up another grand staircase to the third floor.

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