The lecture hall was back to normal. Everything was back to normal, at least mostly. Eli and Valentina were the only two in the room, all the upper classmen had returned back to where ever they prefer to work from. Billy Duke had retreated with his tail between his legs, turning in his usual enough-to-get-by work, and going on to harass some other poor girl. Even Eli’s nose had returned to its normal size and color. That had only taken two weeks.
But Eli and Valentina weren’t in the lecture hall this evening. They were miles outside of London, trying to make their way to their room at a bed and breakfast in the English country side. This house had been standing for far longer than anyone could remember, and must have been built when people were smaller. The stairs were short and steep, and Eli hit his head on every door frame or ceiling beam. Valentina tried not to laugh, but always failed, letting out a giggle. As the innkeeper, Mrs. Barnette found lead them to their door, Valentina slipped in first, taking the key. Eli managed through the narrow door way next with their luggage. They were finally alone from the prying old innkeeper, a woman that seemed as old as the house itself. She was a widow with an empty nest.
The room was not terrible. It was a little musty and decades out of date, but it was available and not too far out of their way. The full-sized bed was smaller than either Valentina’s queen-sized bed, or Eli’s king, but at least it wasn’t a twin. Eli set their bags down on a chair and gave Valentina an incredulous look.
“You want to honeymoon in Edinburgh?” He asked skeptically. He unbuttoned his coat, and threw it over the back of the chair. He was still wearing the grey waist coat over red oxford and black pants he’d worn to school that day. They had left right from Denvellia.
“What was I supposed to say?” Valentina complained, slipping out of her own felt coat. Her creamy yellow chiffon blouse had ridden up over her midriff. She pulled it back down and smoothed out her grey pencil skirt. “She wasn’t going to give us one room unless we were married, one of those old fashioned type. And we’re from London, why would be going North?”
“Well, I certainly won’t mind playing along. This is supposed to be our wedding night, right?” Eli asked as he unbuttoned his waist coat. Valentina laughed as she sat down on the bed.
“Not so fast, Eli. I’m still stiff from the car ride.” She kicked off her heels and stretched her legs. Valentina ignored the smirk on Eli’s face. “And here I thought you were a gentleman!”
“Who says I’m not a gentleman? Besides, when you say things like that…” He laughed with her. Valentina rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. She flopped back against the bed, and Eli swore he saw a cloud of dust take into the air.
“Do you really think we’re going to find Horowitz tomorrow?” Valentina got up on her elbows to ask. She watched him take off his shoes and set them aside. “You are sure we found Fairgarden?”
“I’m as sure as I can be. Tracker said the stars would help us. Colonel Lytton said Abe was hiding in his mother’s mansion. Mrs. Horowitz was a model and television actress. She bought an estate when she reached the height of her fame and named it after her family name – Fairchild. She wanted a relaxing get away where she could just enjoy beautiful flowers, and … Apparently get away from her husband. They had… a complicated relationship. So I just looked into some newspapers and magazines from the time she would have made the purchase. Property records are pretty public if you know how to find them. This has got to be the place. I’m just worried we’ll be too late.” Eli told her as he peeled off his shirt.
YOU ARE READING
Looking For A Legend (Book 1)
Bí ẩn / Giật gânA young telepath is unexpectedly left with leading his class when his teacher takes leave. One of Elijah's new students Valentina leads him down a path where mysteries only get more mysterious and nothing is as simple as it looks.
