Chapter 21

“In accordance with the guidelines,” pointed out Gerard, “he should be here. As we have caught you in a moment of surprise, however, let us settle in the garden while you have Io brought round.”

“Of course,” Cinder agreed, backed into a corner.

He gestured toward the back garden, though there was no need, the Council members already wandering passed the manor. There were a few stone benches left in place from the original owners, tended carefully over the decades. They had been tastefully situated around a fountain, one that was not currently in working order, but had at least been cleaned up. While they got situated Cinder yanked a cell phone out of his pocket. A handy piece of technology that allowed him to call Daisy with the mere push of a button. Without him around, he suspected his little treat to be killing time with his best friend.

“Hello?”

“Daisy, can I speak with Io?”

There was the faint rustling of pages. “Oh, he’s not here, sir.”