Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
The woman looked down at Nessa’s hand but made no move to shake it.
“You seem very forthcoming with information, Natasha.” She turned her gaze to Sebastian. “Sebastian.” That must’ve been a hello. Back to Nessa now. “I am Naomi Barazza of the Gossamer Falls pack, grandmother of Austin Steele, alpha of this territory. I’ve come to help my grandson, and he has asked that I start with outfitting this house. I’ve received word that they are tied up. I believe I’ve been permitted to start my analysis of this property. Will you be leading me around?”
“Oh…” Nessa drew out the word and turned to shoot Sebastian a look. “Uhm… I’m not sure we’re really qualified for that sort of thing.”
Naomi showed zero expression, but her tone worked wonders at relaying her feelings. “You are not qualified to show me around a house that you’ve just cased?”
“It’s just…” Nessa randomly pointed behind her. Okay, yes, this woman could rattle the nerves a little. “It’s magical, and it has decided I’m a fun joke. I’ll probably just get in the way. It’s fine, though. I’m sure it’ll show you around itself until Mr. Tom gets back to take over.”
“Mr. Tom?” she asked.
“The gargoyle butler. He runs the place. Mostly. Kinda.”
“I see.”
The disappointment in those two words was evident. Her non-reaction to the idea of a house showing her around was just shy of incredible.
Nessa had a feeling it would be awfully hard to fluster this woman.
“Do you have any relevant information for me?” Naomi asked, the words carrying a snap of command.
“I’d rather not,” Sebastian muttered, and then hunched some more and stepped out of her line of sight.
Nessa’s smile at Sebastian’s antics withered under that icy stare. She widened her eyes and stepped back a little.
“Sure, I guess,” she said. “I mean…kinda. Ivy House pointed us toward the things that were worth something…”
Naomi stepped forward, and Nessa found herself clearing out of the way.
“The items that are worth something are a great place to start. And you said the house pointed those out?”
“Yes.”
“And how did it do that?”
All the doors that had been opened slammed shut. Those that had been shut creaked open. Then they switched. The wooden carving above the entryway changed to Nessa’s stick figure pulling at a door, a discarded magnifying glass flying through the air behind her. Paintings wiggled and tables and vases shook.
“That is enough,” Naomi barked, loud and sure.
The wooden carving changed to Nessa looking out the door and Sebastian’s stick figure cowering behind her.
“The house is magical,” Nessa said.
“Yes. I see that.” Naomi stared for a moment, and her expression could give stones a run for their money.
“Go, Nessa.” Sebastian pushed at Nessa to get walking. “Let’s just follow the same path as before until Mr. Tom gets here.”
But the second time through was much different than the first.
“Hmm,” Naomi said in the first room, taking a long moment to look at the very first painting Ivy House had wiggled. Her gaze traveled the edges before she stepped back. “The frame does not do that one justice. It’ll need to be changed.”
She ran her finger along one of the couches and then stopped for a longer period of time on a painting Ivy House hadn’t wiggled.
“The world thinks this painting has been lost,” she finally said, taking a step back but still seemingly entranced. “Records were not well kept when it was in its infancy and have since been damaged. It is part of a formerly lost collection that has been distributed to museums around the world. All the paintings in the collection have been found except for this one. And here it sits, on the wall with no protective covering, no security, and no acknowledgment.”
Nessa and Sebastian looked at each other in slow motion, his wide eyes probably mirroring hers.
“So you know a little something about art,” Nessa said, restarting her notepad that Sebastian had picked up for her.
“I know a lot about art. It is a passion of mine.” Naomi continued along the room, stopping periodically. “You know what they say: those who can’t do…covet those who can.”
“Those are some serial killer vibes, right there,” Sebastian muttered.
After viewing the art, Naomi glanced at the furniture. “All of this will have to go, of course. The wallpaper will need to be changed. The floor sanded and re-stained. Maybe even replaced. It has not weathered well.” She looked up at the coffered ceiling. “That looks like the original wood. It can be polished up, I think. The craftsmanship is…incredible. The fireplace, too. Ah…the mural on that changes as well. Interesting.”
Without another word, she walked from the room.
“Okay…” Nessa jogged after her. “Were any of those other paintings worth anything?”
“Yes. All, I’d wager. They are paintings out of time, probably with a good story attached to each. A pity the house doesn’t talk.”