Shade did not stay overnight at Luvia's. Instead, he returned home through the night, since Dorothy had said she would be coming to Saint Derain Square today.
He had thought this somewhat busy Friday was finally about to end. But as soon as Shade emerged from the basement, Dorothy hurried downstairs in slippers from the gas-lit upper floor.
"Oh, Shade, you're finally back. If you hadn't come back soon, I really wouldn't have known what to do."
"What happened?"
Shade asked in surprise as he went upstairs. The Blonde Young Lady stuffed his Poetry Manuscript Paper into his hand.
"Half an hour ago, a message appeared on your Poetry Manuscript Paper. Miss Danist is coming here at exactly nine tonight and told you to be prepared. I don't know what you need to prepare, but fortunately you're back. It's eight ten—"
"Eight nineteen and twenty-three seconds."
Shade gave the precise time, then realized that after more than half a month, Miss Danist had finally gathered all the materials for the "Ritual - Summon Silver Moon Library Door."
"That's wonderful. Actually, there's nothing much to prepare. Oh, I need to boil some water and prepare black tea."
"I won't stay here, then."
Dorothy kissed Shade on the cheek, then stroked Mia's back amid the cat's dissatisfied cries.
"I don't want to interrupt your business."
"But—"
Shade wanted to stop Dorothy, but the Sorceress who had already entered the foyer guessed what he wanted to say. She looked back and smiled at him.
"I'll go back to my Quill Street apartment to get a few changes of clothes, then come over again at ten thirty and listen carefully to your adventures in Randall River Valley. Or should it be later? I don't know how long you'll need."
Miss Danist was probably too