The group trudged slowly up into Montag Manor, making their way inside. Once inside, they each briefly parted to reflect upon their conditions.
Lykopis showered, allowing the hot water to pour over every inch of her body. She lingered in the stall, letting the water and steam pour over her body.
Finally, she exited and began to towel off. Walking out into the bedroom she had selected, she began to dry her hair and get dressed.
Pulling on a loose, white blouse she found in a chest of drawers, she finished dressing in a pair of slacks and boots she also found. She would have to return the clothes to Montag at some point. Or, if he was like most of his clan, she would simply have some form of payment sent.
"How long have you been here, Edmund?" She said, lying back on the bed and letting a hand run over the scar on her face.
"Not long, She Wolf." Gaunt emerged from the darkness, beginning to take form. "Although I admire your physical gifts, I am no voyeur." Gaunt stepped forward, his appearance different once more.
Although still covered by the long, shadowy cloak, Gaunt seemed to have filled out again. He looked almost normal. But on closer inspection, his skin seemed dry, cracked in places. Inky, black tendrils of darkness seemed to constantly pour from him. Or was it from the cloak? Lykopis couldn't be sure.
The overall effect was disturbing.
"You have changed again." She offered.
"Sudden mesomorphic transitions are not a new experience for me, I'm afraid. Did you know they tried to kill me during the Spanish Inquisition? It-Ah, but I am off track. You wish to know if I had any luck contacting the others."
"Did you?"
"Yes, William is perhaps the most resourceful of your kind I've ever met. He's sent a craft to pick you up. It will be here in the morning. He felt you could use a night's rest before returning. I think he's right."
Lykopis looked up, her hands reflexively beginning to brand her long strands of hair. "You're not going with us?" she asked a little hesitantly.
"I am not. William and I had an agreement. It is time for that agreement to end now. I am too long derelict in my duties as Shadow Chancellor. Things have crept back into the world that ought not be. And someone has to watch over them. I am that someone. Goodbye, She Wolf."
Leaning in slightly, Gaunt kissed Lykopis on the cheek and pulled back out. "The scar flatters you, my dear." Then he stepped back into the shadows and was gone.
