Dark Vision (Ballad of the Seer, Book Two)

Chapter 14 - Something Wicked This Way Comes

Lily's first thoughts, after she woke the next morning, were of Duncan and the events of yesterday. Her lips curved into a smile. She took a deep breath, stretching out her arms. "Mmmmmm," she sighed. After laying there for a few long moments, feeling so content, she got up. She pulled her hair back, with the band on her nightstand as she went to brush her teeth.

After putting on her favorite pair of sweatpants, she went downstairs to get something to eat. As she was walking through the dining room, to the kitchen, she saw the time on the grandfather clock. It was after eleven. She had slept in much later than she usually did. That told her that her mother wasn't at home. She never let her sleep past breakfast.

Anderson was milling around in the kitchen, putting away the dishes from the dishwasher. Lily wondered - not for the first time - why the old man worked for them doing menial chores. He was Gran's Council advisor and, yet, he chose to be her butler as well. She had asked him once, after she found out about his true position, and he simply replied, "I enjoy taking care of people." But Lily thought that there must be more to it than that.

"Would you like something to eat?" he asked, startling her.

She smiled and nodded. "Please,"

"Breakfast or lunch?"

"How about we split the difference and go with brunch?" She took a seat at one of the raised chairs at the end of the island.

"Very good." He fixed her a small bowl of fruit, two pieces of toast, and eggs. When he set the plate in front of her she couldn't help but smile, seeing the scrambled eggs. "Is something the matter?" Anderson asked. "Would you prefer something else?"

"No," she told him, stabbing one of the pieces with her fork. "This is perfect."

He nodded, going back to his previous task.

"Do you know where my mother is?" she asked between bites.

"Yes," he said. "She and Mr. Bishop went to New York for the day."

"Why?" If her parents were going out of town they surely would have mentioned it to her. Wouldn't they? Though, as Anderson said, it was only a daytrip.

"They went to see your grandparents." Anderson said.

"Hmn," That was strange. Her father had very little contact with his parents. Her grandfather had been terribly upset with Henry when he didn't join the family firm. Choosing instead to live here with her mother and run his own practice. Whenever the family would gather, such as at her grandparents' anniversary party every year, there was a chill in the air and the tension was practically palpable. Every year her grandfather would ask if Henry would reconsider and every year he said no. She figured that was probably what this meeting was about today.

She ate the last bite of her food and pushed the plate away. "What about Gran?"

"She's meeting with the Council." he informed her. "She should be back shortly."

"Thanks." Lily said, pushing her chair in. "That was delicious."

"You're welcome."

Lily stopped in the doorway, a thought having just struck her. She looked over her shoulder. "Anderson," she said. He looked up from wiping the countertop. "Why is Gran meeting the Council?" She wasn't sure why she wanted to know. She just had a feeling in the back of her mind that she couldn't shake.

"I'm not sure." the man said. Lily nodded, turning back to leave. She was stopped when he added, "I do know that the message they sent seemed to be urgent. She did not waste any time in going to the Chamber."