Read The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker for Free Online Page B

its usual impeccable best, exuded enigmatic, compelling power, their visionary snow-white lady wore a delicate, elegant fashion.
    “Miss Parker,” Alexi said, sweeping her proudly onto the parlour floor, “allow me to salvage some measure of civility after last night’s…adventure. Some here you know.” He indicated a severe, smartly dressed woman at the forefront of the room who regarded Percy with a detached air. How things had changed from the day she sat meekly in this woman’s office! “The Intuition and second in command of The Guard, Headmistress Thompson.”
    The headmistress perched tensely on a cushioned bench, buttoned head to toe in grey wool, her stern and stoic quality so similar to Alexi. Percy bowed her head in a greeting, and her voice sounded awkward in her ears, in striking contrast to the divine commands that had escaped her lips the night prior. “Good Morning, Headmistress.”
    “Please,” the headmistress said, her expression cool but her tone soft. “Do call me Rebecca, Miss Parker. I believe we all owe you the utmost familiarity.”
    “Indeed, then, do call me Percy. All of you,” Percy beseeched the group, offering a gentle smile that was eagerlyreturned. Yet, speaking to the headmistress in this capacity was uncomfortable. Percy shifted nervously on her feet. Something strained and painful surpassed the mere adjustment in their roles.
    “And Miss Josephine Belledoux.” Alexi gestured to the beautiful olive-skinned woman. “Our resident Artist.”
    “Yes, hello again, Josephine.”
    “ Bonjour, Mademoiselle Percy. Vous et tres belle, ” Josephine said, proud that her fine fashion had been put to good use. She herself was bedecked in a splendid gown that spoke more of a ball than breakfast, but her good cheer seemed celebratory enough to pull it off.
    “Merci beaucoup!” Percy replied.
    “And you and Lord Withersby met in Athens library if I’m not mistaken. The Memory.”
    Lord Withersby, a lean, flaxen-haired man in exceedingly fine clothes, was draped somewhat rakishly upon a spinet piano. He bounded to his feet and rushed over, kissing her hand. “Elijah, Miss Percy.”
    “Good morning, Elijah. Thank you for your generous hospitality. Your estate is breathtaking, and I hope you’ll do me the honour of a tour. Oh!” Percy’s hand fluttered to her mouth. “Please tell me my touch did not harm you. Nothing burning before your eyes like last time, I pray?”
    “None at all, Miss Percy, but thank you for your consideration. I’ll be delighted to show you around the estate. Auntie’s away, allowing us the run of the place.” He turned, his sharp face beaming. “Alexi, old boy, you’ve done well. She’s infinitely more charming than you possibly deserve. At last you’ve found someone to make up for your deficiencies of geniality.”
    The company chuckled. Alexi’s dark eyes gleamed as Percy affectionately squeezed his hand. “Might I remind you, Lord Withersby, that you’re hardly in a position to poke fun,” he cautioned.
    “Oh, you needn’t be worried, Alexi,” Elijah replied. “If there was ever a doubt about your omnipotence, your Royal Eeriness, rest assured that we’ll never again question the throne. We have been soundly beaten, and bow to our great leader.”
    “Bow, rather, to my darling Miss Parker,” Alexi said, guiding her forward a step.
    Elijah’s eyes nearly leaped from his skull and his hands rose in dramatic flourish. “My God, Alexi, who are you? Either it’s love or a severe blow to the head—though that’s one and the same. Doth the great Professor Rychman defer to another? I’m feeling faint.” The man turned to Percy and groveled a bit.
    Percy giggled and glanced at Alexi, whose sculpted lips were pursed in a familiar expression of irritation. “You may call me Percy, too, Alexi,” she murmured, steering clear of what was clearly an ongoing verbal battle.
    Her beloved turned next to a tall, hearty woman in a simple dress,