"We can eat once you've dressed," Laurent said, waiting for Gansey to finish with his clothes and the ointment. Then he led him through the lair to a beautiful kitchen, fitted with a coal stove of intricate and brilliant design, just like the rest of the lair.

He put a pot on the stove, filling it partway with water and starting to chop vegetables. He didn't glance at Gansey, simply trusting that he would stay in the kitchen while Laurent cooked.