In the Shadows

the witch — Mary — whom he knew was involved with Alden

and Constance, which meant she was probably part of the Ladon

Vitae. She had obviously snuck into the house in the middle of the

night doing who knows what, and Thom was apologizing to her?

“Listen,” he said, trying to sound firm and menacing. “I want

to know what this is all about. I know you’re part of them, that

secret society. Who are you people? And what do you have against

Charles?”

Mary shuffled the stack of letters, pulling some out and strok-

ing her finger along them. “Hmm? Who’s Charles?”

“My brother!”

“I had a brother once. Brothers are horrible, aren’t they? He

used to do the most awful things to tease me. I would do anything

to see him again.” She sighed, a soul-weary sound, and set the let-

ters back down, carefully tucking a picture into the ribbon.

Thom scowled in frustration. “Yes, but what do you want with

my brother?”

“I don’t want anything with him. I don’t want anything at all

in the whole world.” She stood, the hem of her nightgown-like

dress dragging across the floor as she walked toward him. He

wanted to back up. There was something unnerving in the way she

was finally looking at him, something strange about her eyes that

he couldn’t figure out. If she were a melody, she’d be discordant.

Her tongue darted out to wet her cracked lips. “Except an end-

ing. Oh, how I ache for an ending. Would you give us one?” She

cocked her head, considering him.

“If you help me keep my brother safe, I’ll do whatever I can

for you.”

She nodded slowly, finally looking away from him. He felt as

though it was easier to breathe. “Hmm. Who does your father