with moisture, and the fog hadn't yet lifted from the hills. Mira moved through the halls like a ghost, he

Thor

uest before the fire. Be

hame the famil

d since the fire. Dust covered the pews like frost. Light slanted throug

rning," he said without looking at her.

ho

to work in the house when she was a girl.

n eyebrow. "Y

ut I trust what ti

rsed. She looked at Thornwick Hall as if it were cursed.

a little ti

oint. "Do you remember a

man hesita

happened to him connects to the fire. And to

hands trembled

eak his name. They told us he d

rward. "Then w

oice dropped

e. He was... in love with someone else. Someone they thought improper.

d. "You don't know w

was sealed. No one ever went

ed. "Until

omas-your brother, miss carrying a set of keys. T

ira with someth

e found As

way near the western tower was colder, darker. Most of the doors hadn't been opened in

d the keyhole. The

ppeared, carrying

s old desk," he sa

d in with a

oom was perfe

ill open. And on the wall, a portrait unfinished. The face was gentle, youthful

k. "Drawings," he said. "Of the

th dark hair. Stern mouth. Watchin

noblewoman,"

"That's Marin Th

t the ro

ridor, she saw the housekeeper, Heddi

voice steady. "You

't flinch. "I was he

t you say

servant who spoke the truth was sent away. Your brother t

Aster?"

," she said softly.

"Then what hap

ked her in

d to live as someone else. Someone quie

pped into the co

ho is h

e hes

a grim brea

ck is not who he says h

is A