Free The Moonstone (Enchantment Book 1) by Evelyne Contant Page B

his attitude is more that of the paternal uncle. He’s mix of distinction and comfort. He exits the room, turning off the light, leaving only the moon to guide me through the space. I walk over to the window and sit down for a few moments at the antique wooden desk to admire the glimmering light show happening on the surface of the lake. After a few moments of contemplation, my eyelids feel heavy and bring me back to reality. I tuck myself into the sumptuous bedding and fall into the deepest sleep of my life.
    The next day, I wake up feeling completely rested...incredible, no dreams and no Nyx to disturb my sleep, nothing! I can't remember the last time I slept like that without waking up. Out of the corner of my eye, I spy an alarm clock on the edge of a side-table that indicates five-thirty a.m. Impossible, how could I feel so refreshed after only a five-hour sleep? Obviously the fresh lake air is good for me, maybe I should think about renting a room from Charles rather than an apartment in the city! This is the good life, rest, and a book in my hand as I sip whiskey by the lake... paradise on earth! I can only imagine the heart attack my mother will have when she hears the news that I’m moving in with a bachelor, and to top it all off, one that isn't my boyfriend. I try to walk carefully through the house so as not to wake anybody up, but the creaking floorboards give me away with each footstep. I then decide to hurry and move a little faster so as to reach the bathroom as quickly as possible. I run down the staircase, which doesn't help my cause, each step groaning under my awkward feet. Once on the main level, I open the first door I see, hoping that I’ve found the bathroom, nope! It’s a cupboard filled with brooms and mops. I can't help but laugh inwardly, thinking of the irony of this cupboard. A sorcerer's house and a closet full of brooms; I wonder if the stories I've heard are true... for a brief moment I’ve an urge to climb on one, but I think better of it and am quickly reminded of my pressing quest and close the door accordingly. There’s only one door in the hallway, and to my relief, it's the one I need.  I got there just in time. I then take a look in the mirror, and my reflection reminds me of the previous day's trials. My hair is standing at attention and I’m certain that today my father would compare me to tumbleweed rather than a lioness. My stomach complains that the previous day's pastries were too long ago and insufficient fuel for my body, so I’ll have to go and see if I can find something in Charles' kitchen. To my complete surprise I reach the end of the hallway and find Charles and Gertrude awake! They are total early birds, these two.  Charles is at the table reading a translucent newspaper. Gertrude is taking something out of the oven. I get a whiff and recognize what I guess to be the scent of chocolate pastries.
    "You slept in, didn't you my little groundhog?" says Gertrude, placing a tray of the now confirmed objects onto the marble countertop.
    "Groundhog!! It's only five-thirty! What time did you two get up?"
    "We've been up since about four in the morning, give or take," answers Charles, putting down his newspaper to take a sip of his sumptuous looking layered coffee.
    "Four o'clock!! Did you create a potion that delivers rest in a bottle? I can't understand how it's humanly possible to sleep for three and a half hours and be so refreshed," I say, taking a seat at the table.
    "Darling, enchanters don't need as much sleep as humans. Three or four hours are usually plenty. You slept a little longer than we did because you were exhausted by the ritual and you’re a younger enchanter than us...it's a bit like with human teenagers who sleep for hours." He stands up and walks over to the counter to steal a couple of pastries from Gertrude who softly taps his hand.
    "I normally sleep at least eight hours!"
    He hands me a chocolate pastry that I devour instantly, and answers me as