Chapter 56

Just as he was about to inquire on the whereabouts of Io and Daisy, his beloved swept into the room with a worried expression.

“Daisy won’t come out of the basement,” he whispered when he got close enough.

Cinder arched an eyebrow. “Come again? Why?”

Looking guilty, Io shrugged. “You’ll have to ask her.”

“Excuse me,” Cinder addressed everyone else. “Please feel free to sit. I’ll be right back.”

The dining room filled with the shuffling of chairs and a low murmur of conversation. Through the winding halls Cinder found his way to the basement door, pleased to find it open. Some years back when a similar situation occurred, Daisy not only locked the door she barricaded it and made it nearly impossible for anyone to reach her. He forgot now what caused that earlier dilemma, wondering briefly if it might have anything to do with the current moment.

“Daisy?” he called, descending the stairs. “Daisy, dear, dinner is ready.”

“Eat without me.”