The hack driver sounded dubious, and a little concerned.
“Of course,” Ginny reassured him. “It’s kind of you to ask, thank you. I’ll be fine. I’m expected.”
This last part wasn’t entirely true. She was arriving unannounced. But shewasreasonably confident of her reception.
And as the hack drove away, the handsome Grecian-style building that she’d only visited once before, the day her life had changed forever, was once again before her.
Her heart already galloping as if it couldn’t get to him fast enough, she took a long, long breath and moved toward the entrance of Lucifer’s Fall.
It was surprisingly very quiet, and some premonition made her halt.
And that’s when she saw that the windows were boarded.
Her heart gave a lurch.
She stared. Confused.
And then icy unease crept over her skin like a frost.
She inched closer to the building, dread quickening her breathing now.
The elegant sign that said “Lucifer’s Fall” was gone. She stared, her mind blanking, at the bare place it used to occupy next to the entrance.
No bulky, glowering guard stood at attention near the entrance.
Something was terribly wrong.
She could now hear the panicked rush of her breath in her ears.
She froze, flailing inwardly. Horribly disoriented.
She jumped and whirled at the sound of a cough.
She hadn’t noticed the man standing to the far left of the entrance. His girth was nearly as imposing as Mr. Delacorte’s and the excellent fit of his coat and the shine on his boots suggested he was prosperous, if not officially a gentleman. He was reviewing the time on a gold pocket watch and impatiently shifting from foot to foot.
“Sir... ” she ventured.
He looked up, startled. And then he gawked at her, clearly utterly nonplussed to see a young woman alone in front of an obviously deserted, boarded-up gaming palace.
“Madam,” he replied cautiously. He tipped his hat, revealing a balding pate.
She swallowed because her mouth was parched with fear.
“Sir, can you tell me... did... did... something happen to Lucifer’s Fall?”
“Oh, it’s closed, forever, madam. Lucifer’s Fall is no more.” His brow furrowed in a faintly disapproving, fatherly sort of way.
And just like that, the bottom dropped out of her world.
She needed something to lean on; her legs were threatening to give way.
“Why on earth areyoulooking for Lucifer’s Fall, young lady?” he pressed.
That was really none of his business.
“But... I just... itcan’tbe closed.” She could scarcely hear her own voice over the ringing in her ears.
“Well, clearly itcanbe, because it is. Surely you can see for yourself.” He gestured broadly at the building, seemingly affronted that she didn’t believe him.