I wasn’t quite finished with the story I was telling by the time 2025 ended and so decided to continue it until it reached an ending point. Then I will start a new one. Besides, I kind of want to see where Penelope ends up. And so we have…
Day 214: Michaelson ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
Michaelson ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “It seems she felt that you, as a member of one of the more established families, would have a library with details of magic that she, as someone not of one of the older families, would not have access to. She wanted access.”
Delia frowned. “Most of the books I have can be picked up at the bookstore. I suppose a few of them are older copies I inherited but the reprints have the same information. Beyond that, there are only the family journals.” She shook her head. “I can’t see them being of much use to anyone outside the family.”
“She believed otherwise,” Michaelson said.
“What about Agent Johnson?” Penelope asked.
Michaelson frowned. “And agent but not of our Emperor,” he said. “He was from Heveran.”
“A spy, here?” Delia looked shocked. “And that woman allowed him into my home?”
“I don’t think he managed to get past the door,” Michaelson assured her.
“He was trying to get me to go inside with him,” Penelope said. She heard Mrs. Merriweather gasp at the statement and mutter something under her breath.
“He thought as your magic was stronger and you are one of the older families that you would be able to get him in and possibly get past the defenses.”
“So a spy for the Heveran was trying to use Penelope?” Mrs. Merriweather asked.
“I believe he was less a spy and more of an asset recruitment agent,” Michaelson said slowly.
“I see,” Delia said. “He wanted to take Penelope as well as make off with the vast unknowable secrets of my library?”
“That seems to be more or less accurate,” Michaelson said.
“This is what happens when I leave town,” Delia shook her head. “Town falls apart behind me. I may just have to stay home for a while.” She shook her head. “Lenore, I will have to catch up with you later and perhaps have you and your niece to tea or something after I’ve fumigated or something. For now, I am going to scrub down every surface I can.”
“Don’t forget to look for magical trackers, recorders and assorted other dropped spells,” Mrs. Merriweather called.
Delia sighed and rolled her eyes. “Of course I am going to look,” she said. “That’s what the deep clean is for.” She strode off back into her house and closed the door firmly behind herself.
“She’s always been a little dramatic,” Mrs. Merriweather said. “Although in this case I would say she is entitled.”
“I would say so,” Penelope said. “Would you like to come in?” She looked to Michaelson and Mrs. Merriweather extending the invitation to them both. “I can put some coffee on. Or tea perhaps.”
“That would be lovely dear,” Mrs. Michaelson said. “You can call me Aunt Lenore and given the state of your arm, if you direct me to the correct cabinets, I can get the coffee going.”
“That would be nice,” Michaelson replied. “I picked up a selection of plants and seeds for your to practice on since your plan was derailed.”
Penelope nodded and turned back to the door. She opened it and stepped inside and to the left. She gestured to the staircase. Lenore followed by Michaelson who was now carrying the box Penelope saw sitting by his feet, headed for the stairs. She closed and locked the door behind them and followed them up the stairs and into the kitchen.
Despite asking for direction, Lenore seemed to know where everything was located and soon the scent of coffee was wafting through the kitchen and beyond.
Ten til Midnight 