Rachel and I had been standing on the doorstep of Cassius Manor for more than five minutes.
In that time, no one had opened the door, and I was beginning to wonder if anyone was going to do it at all. And while I tried in vain to get through, Rachel was losing more and more patience.
— What was taking him so long? — She snorted irritably. «Dead or something?
— Don't joke like that,» I countered, «Maybe Dad's busy with something.
— «Busy?» And what's that, since he can't even hear you? You're yelling at the whole street.
Rachel's remark was justified. But that made it all the weirder: even if Duke Cassius hadn't noticed our arrival, what about the servants? Why didn't at least one maid greet us?
I frowned, feeling a bad feeling.
— Break down the door,» I declared.
— What?
Rachel stared at me in astonishment.
— I don't like it,» I said slowly, «I want to make sure it's okay.
— Um…
