Chapter ONE - Weebly

Even in the wealthiest households, mourning
superstitions remained the same.
The click of footsteps on tile and a brisk “Mister
Kaille” made Ethan turn.
Abner Berson was striding toward him, though he
slowed upon seeing Ethan’s face. “God have mercy!
What happened to you?”
He forced a broad smile, which hurt, and walked to
where Berson had halted, extending a hand. “A
disagreement with a colleague. It’s nothing, sir.”
Berson took his hand and shook it absently, but he
continued to study Ethan’s face, frowning as if pained
by what he saw. “You call this nothing?”
Silently cursing Sephira, he said, “Not really, no. But
I can’t do anything about it now, and you and I have
more pressing and difficult matters to discuss.”
“Aye,” Berson agreed soberly. “That we do.”
He started toward the large sitting room, gesturing
for Ethan to follow. They stepped through that chamber
into a small study, the walls of which were lined with
shelves holding more bound volumes than Ethan had
ever seen in one place.