The Nightingale Book Club Questions Novels & Stories

“And if it’s too much, we’ve got snacks and wine. That makes everything easier.” Settling in, I open the book and let them begin explaining the chapters. As Lilly and Luna start outlining the story so far, I can’t help but feel a mix of amusement and curiosity. A hen night turned book club, with a dark, strange novel at its center. It’s definitely not what I expected, but it’s already more fun than I thought it would be.

“It looks like just 5 of us tonight since Grace got dragged into babysitting her niece and Evan was grounded for something he refuses to reveal and Eddie has to go to his father’s place this weekend. “ Chantelle informs. She always knows what is going on with everyone. The Nightingale Cafe is in a brick building much like many of the buildings in the area, however the inside has a warmth, with wooden tables and vintage velvet sofas and small stage with a single stool and a pair of microphones. The lighting is dim, but not so dark as to not be able to easily make out the features of those around us. Jace grabs us each a cappuccino and chocolate biscotti before we make our way towards Sidney a

The only sound in the dining room was the occasional movement of the cutlery, and the servants didn’t even dare to breathe in such a cold atmosphere. When the lady finally broke the silence, it was still with a very weak voice. “Today… have you heard about my sister?” It was the same question she would ask almost everyday. Nox lost all his appetite.

“I didn’t—fuck. I was just reading.” Nyx smiled, slow and predatory. “And I answered.” He drifted closer, feet not quite touching the ground. One shadowy tendril curled around her wrist, cool as midnight air. “Been a long time since anyone called me through properly. I’m feeling… generous.” She should’ve slammed the book shut. Recited the banishing rites. Instead she stood there, breath shallow, as another tendril brushed the back of her neck. Cool. Teasing. Her nipples tightened instantly under her thin black tank top.

‘Lilith, listen to me’ I shook my head. ‘No, you listen to me. First thing, council is a safe place, second, I am wolf, a white wolf and can protect myself, and the last thing… Nobody knows about the book except us, we don’t have to announce my visit to council. I will go, find the book and will come back quietly. It won’t even take a full day, so why make it complicated’ I was huffing in the end, and he hung his head low, rubbing his fingers on his forehead.

The second voice sharpened. "There's something nearby." "You're imagining it." "No. Listen. Past the water. Small heart. Scared." I stopped breathing. "Goddammit, Hart. We leave. Now." "We're not doing anything wrong. Just a stroll under the pretty moonlight." A pause, long and deliberate, long enough to rewrite everything I thought I knew about the shape of the world. "Hunting little children." The whistle cut through the dark. High and sharp, from somewhere across the clearing.

“I’ve just been thinking about it.” “You should ask your mom or your grandpa,” she said. “They’re the only ones who know the whole story.” I sighed. “Yeah, but you know how Grandpa is. He won’t tell me anything.” “Then ask your mom,” Gillian suggested. “She’s way less scary.” I laughed. “You’re right.” The next morning, I went to the mansion again and I found Mom in the kitchen, sipping her coffee. She looked tired, her hair pulled back in a loose bun.

Chapter 6 “WHAT? You and Summer’s dad crossed paths again?”Jessica and Qyla asked in a literal synchronous way when they all got together in the evening at the bar where she used to work. “Do you really need to be in sync? Sure, say it louder,” she answered the two sarcastically. The two girls in front of her looked at each other, and when they returned their looks at her, they both laughed. “Sorry, we’re just surprised,” Qyla said as she filled her glass with a light alcoholic drink.

Yet here I was, in this room full of people who had chosen me, not because they had to, but because they wanted to. I smiled, a real one this time, and sat at the center of the circle. April clapped her hands together, bubbling in excitement. “Okay, enough of the emotional display. Let’s get to work. Book Club is officially back in session!” Laughter filled the room. We started tossing around ideas for the next reading list, but the discussion quickly turned into a chaotic mess of inside jokes and playful teasing. Maya insisted we include something “dark and brooding,” while Sammy argued for something “funny, because God knows we all need to laugh more.” April rolled her eyes and wrote both

I stretched out my arm with the latter resolve and was about to pick up the notebook when suddenly, my whole body turned cold as the last stanza echoed inside my head. "Remember me, my pains and my sufferings. Make it yours until the day you will avenge me, My Nightingale." Avenge? Why? Didn't she die from childbirth? Isn't that the reason why the Emperor despises Victoria? My outstretched hands started to tremble, perturbed by the questions flooding in my head. I bit my lower lip irritatingly and started to regret my decision. "I shouldn't have accepted that lady's proposal! Victoria's life is too complicated that I could barely breathe properly!" How can a 12-year-old child like me survive