Page 36 of Midnight Whispers

“A few times when I was little. I didn’t realize there was a bowling alley in Magnolia Bend.”

Anabelle grins. “There’s not. But there’s one in Midnight Manor.”

My mouth drops open. “No way!” What doesn’t this place have?

We start down the dim hallway together, side by side, Rapsody giddy with excitement.

“This is our first time in the south wing. We had to have Nero draw us a map so we could find you,” Anabelle says, laughing.

“Really? I assumed you would know every nook and cranny in this place.”

She shakes her head. “No, the guys stay out of each other’s wings if they can help it. I’ve never had any need to venture into Nero’s private space until you arrived.”

I smile at them and a tingling sensation travels up my spine, as though someone is watching me. I’ve had the same sensation more than a few times over the last month, and I still can’t explain it. This place can be pretty creepy, especially at night. Though I usually feel pretty comfortable in the middle of the day.

“Can I ask you guys something?” I look between them as we pass by the stained-glass raven.

“Of course,” Rapsody says.

“Do you guys ever get the feeling like you’re being watched here?”

They share a look then return their attention to me.

“Strange things happen around here sometimes,” Anabelle says, but she doesn’t elaborate.

Anabelle leads us to a room and opens the doors. Of course it’s not like any bowling alley I ever remember going to. It’s elaborately decorated with arches and pillars separating the lanes.

“Asher said everything should be good to go. He asked Marcel to make sure before we got here, and someone will bring us drinks and snacks.”

“Yay for girl time!” Rapsody says.

Excitement bubbles inside me like an overfilled glass of champagne. The idea that I might be able to build a friendship with these women feels like a novelty I never thought I’d have. After my dad married Louise, I had high hopes of having sisters close to my age to talk to and laugh with. But I was wrong on that front.

Fear surfaces quickly. What if Nero eventually asks me to leave Midnight Manor? Will this friendship survive?

“Let’s do this,” Anabelle says, taking a seat in front of the monitor and entering our names.

“I’m going to suck so bad,” Rapsody says, though she doesn’t sound that worried about it.

“I’m not going to be great either. It’s been well over a decade since I’ve bowled.” I try to make her feel better.

Rapsody picks up one of the bowling balls. “Wow. These are heavier than I thought.”

She goes on to explain how sheltered she was when she was raised. I get the sense there’s more to the story, but I don’t want to pry when we’re just getting to know each other.

“Okay, we’re all set!” Anabelle says, popping up off the seat. “Cinder, I put you first, then Rapsody, then me.”

I chuckle and walk toward the bowling balls and pick one up. “Is that so Rapsody and I don’t feel too bad when we see how good you are?”

“I’m going to be terrible, don’t worry.”

I take the ball to the line, trying to visualize what I want it to do, then I pull my arm back and release it. It starts off pretty well, but about halfway down, the ball veers left and ends up in the gutter. The girls cheer anyway, and I grab another ball. This time I manage to take out one pin on the end.

I shrug and return to where they are. “Better than nothing.”

Rapsody goes next. We try to give her a few pointers, but both her balls end up in the gutter.

Then Anabelle takes her turn. She manages to knock down all but two pins.

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