that the staff knew their job well. He walked over to the wardrobe, took off his tunic and threw it over the packed trunks. So they had already taken care of that too. He shook his head, and as he did so he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. There was something lying on the desk. He walked over looking at the mostly tidied up tabletop and picked up a letter hastily scribbled in such familiar handwriting.
Dear Darius,
unfortunately I couldn't stay any longer and talk to you in person, but I did have a chat with Othis before I left. By the way, you must tell him that he talks far too much when he is semi-conscious. He talked me through everything and I have to admit that this is making Draco more and more interesting.
I hope I won't surprise you by saying that I'll be dropping in to visit later this week. However, just in case, I prefer to remind you to have the rooms ready for guests. I really want to talk to you about a few things.
Your lovely friend,
Gizel laVerture
There was a blood-red lip print under the signature.
PS I think you remembered that, but I'd rather make sure. You sent a message that your servants were to prepare a room for your new apprentice, didn't you?
Darius re-read it several times and cursed, reliving his own stupidity. He'd been thinking all along of arranging everything that involved transferring Draco into Atlantean custody and providing him with everything a young boy torn suddenly from his environment might need, but of course he'd forgotten that he had to prepare a room for him in his mansion. After all, as his apprentice, he was to live with him at least until he became a master of magic.
He slammed his clenched fist on the table. How could I have forgotten this? He cast a glance at the clock. I still have time. He thought, counting in his mind how many hours remained until dawn and how long it would take them to get to
