r。 It wasn't locked。 Alec
held it open for Jane。
I wanted to groan when Edward pulled me through to the other side of the door。
It was the same ancient
stone as the square； the alley； and the sewers。 And it was dark and cold
again。
The stone antechamber was not large。 It opened quickly into a brighter；
cavernous room； perfectly round
like a huge castle turret which was probably exactly what it was。
Two stories up； long window slits threw thin rectangles of bright sunlight
onto the stone floor below。
There were no artificial lights。 The only furniture in the room were several
massive wooden chairs； like
thrones； that were spaced unevenly； flush with the curving stone walls。 In the
very center of the circle； in a
slight depression； was another drain。 I wondered if they used it as an exit；
like the hole in the street。
The room was not empty。 A handful of people were convened in seemingly relaxed
conversation。 The
murmur of low； smooth voices was a gentle hum in the air。 As I watched； a pair
of pale women in
summer dresses paused in a patch of light； and； like prisms； their skin threw
the light in rainbow sparkles
against the sienna walls。
The exquisite faces all turned toward our party as we entered the room。 Most
of the immortals were
dressed in inconspicuous pants and shirts—things that wouldn't stick out at
all on the streets below。 But
the man who spoke first wore one of the long robes。 It was pitch…black； and
brushed against the floor。
For a moment； I thought his long； jet…black hair was the hood of his cloak。
〃Jane； dear one； you've returned！〃 he cried i