In the Shadows

of the house. Cora wanted to protest, but couldn’t find it in herself.

She wanted to know, needed to, even, whether there were things

stronger and stranger in this life than what she saw every day. She

couldn’t shake the feeling that the Ladon Vitae were more than

just blackmailers and conspiracists. There were too many odd notes,

too many images. If there really were other — supernatural —

factors at play, perhaps then she’d have answers as to whether or

not she really had contributed in some way to her father’s death.

At the lane they saw Daniel going by with a horse and cart.

“I’ll be too tired to keep up this pace the whole way,” Cora said,

careful not to look at Charles so they could pretend it wasn’t

about him.

“Hey!” Minnie shouted. “Daniel! Give us a lift to town,

would you?”

He stopped and let them catch up, waiting just long enough

for them to scramble into the back before clicking his tongue for

the horse to go on. “I’m going to the station. Where to?”

“The north pier will be fine, thank you.” Cora watched ner-

vously behind them. But they were fast enough that she didn’t see

Arthur and Thomas come out of the boardinghouse.

When Daniel dropped them off, Cora had second thoughts.

“We really oughtn’t do this. Alden said for Thomas to come alone.”

Minnie scowled, pulling the door to the dilapidated boathouse

open and checking inside. “Thomas is already bringing Arthur.

And no one will know we’re here. Besides, it’s not really Thomas

and Arthur’s business, anyway, is it? It’s Charles’s.”

Charles nodded reassuringly at Cora. “That’s right. If anyone

should be let in on the magical healing secrets of the Ladon Vitae,

it’s me.”

Minnie walked in, complaining about the stench of fish. Cora