Katherine Nicolai

I turned and led them down to the library, with Sycamore still in my arms.

I closed the door and turned toward Chef.

I closed the door and turned toward Chef.

I closed the door and turned toward Chef.

That I'd been looking through old pictures and newspaper clippings for her. That I felt a connection to her. Maybe it was just the house and the job that we'd both done. I walked over to the fireplace mantle and took the ring of keys from my pocket. I held up the small iron key I'd been given that Halloween night.

That I'd been looking through old pictures and newspaper clippings for her. That I felt a connection to her. Maybe it was just the house and the job that we'd both done. I walked over to the fireplace mantle and took the ring of keys from my pocket. I held up the small iron key I'd been given that Halloween night.

That I'd been looking through old pictures and newspaper clippings for her. That I felt a connection to her. Maybe it was just the house and the job that we'd both done. I walked over to the fireplace mantle and took the ring of keys from my pocket. I held up the small iron key I'd been given that Halloween night.

A panel in the wall beside the bookcase moved back and slid away, revealing the bottom step of the hidden stair. The first time I'd gone up those stairs, I'll admit the hair on the back of my neck had stood up. But I'd quickly learned that this wasn't an eerie place, but a protected one.

A panel in the wall beside the bookcase moved back and slid away, revealing the bottom step of the hidden stair. The first time I'd gone up those stairs, I'll admit the hair on the back of my neck had stood up. But I'd quickly learned that this wasn't an eerie place, but a protected one.

A panel in the wall beside the bookcase moved back and slid away, revealing the bottom step of the hidden stair. The first time I'd gone up those stairs, I'll admit the hair on the back of my neck had stood up. But I'd quickly learned that this wasn't an eerie place, but a protected one.

I was excited.

I was excited.

I was excited.

At the top, it opened into a small room

At the top, it opened into a small room

At the top, it opened into a small room

But instead of a chest of drawers and a bed, there was a large desk and a straight back chair. Along the walls, there were shelves lined with books and several large trunks. Chef, who still held half a cookie in their hand, gulped as they looked around and stuck it into the front pocket of their apron.

But instead of a chest of drawers and a bed, there was a large desk and a straight back chair. Along the walls, there were shelves lined with books and several large trunks. Chef, who still held half a cookie in their hand, gulped as they looked around and stuck it into the front pocket of their apron.

But instead of a chest of drawers and a bed, there was a large desk and a straight back chair. Along the walls, there were shelves lined with books and several large trunks. Chef, who still held half a cookie in their hand, gulped as they looked around and stuck it into the front pocket of their apron.

What is all of this?