Page 46 of Eldritch

He moved closer, eyes filled with curiosity and concern. “I’m being presumptuous, but it seemed like the lights thing freaked you out a bit.”

“A little. It was unexpected. The dark doesn’t normally scare me.” I like it. No…I can’t tell him that. “Did you get all the measurements you needed?”

“Yep. I’m going into Estes Park tomorrow to pick up what is needed. Then it’ll probably be a full day of work after that to install the system. I want to make sure that doesn’t interfere with your schedule.”

“Not at all. I mean...Clarice is the ultimate boss.”

“True.” He cleared his throat. “Different subject, but are you free sometime this week for dinner?”

Surprise hit, but so did pleasure. “Oh. Yes. I would like that. When and where? There isn’t anywhere nearby to eat around here, is there?”

“Not unless you head back towards Estes Park. Did you see that place called Clinton’s on the edge of town just before you entered this crazy forest?”

“I think so. The place that said it was opening this week?”

“That’s it. I served in the Marines with the guy who bought the place. Clinton Smith. He invited me to the grand opening in two days. Want to come with me? Or you could drive yourself there.”

She didn’t hesitate. “Sounds great. I’d leave the van here for the ladies in case they need it. So yeah…if you don’t mind stopping here to pick me up.”

His eyes brightened. “Great. I’ll keep you updated, but I should be out the day after tomorrow to do the system. What time did you want to eat at Clinton’s that night?”

“Six o’clock sound good?”

“Perfect. I’d better get out of here.”

She walked him to the front of the mansion. As he opened the door, he turned back to her for a second, and the warmth in his eyes took her off guard. There was a cautious but unmistakable heat in his gaze, and her mind and senses reacted on a purely primal level. Though they barely knew each other, she saw it in his eyes. That telltale interest that made her want to lean closer. To do something incredibly impulsive and to kiss him.

“I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon and let you know if I found everything I need to put together the security system,” he said.

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Good night.”

“Night.”

After he exited, she closed the door and locked it. She turned, and that’s when she saw the figure sitting on the couch that faced the fireplace. The light in the Great Hall had turned a murky gray, and the woman’s mid-length, dark curly hair and absolute stillness sent a bolt of apprehension through her.

Then she recognized the woman. Didn’t she?

Maria?

Sybil headed toward the figure quickly. The woman didn’t move.

Slowly, the woman turned. Freakishly slow.

The head turned.

Sybil felt caught in the moment, almost unable to breathe, unable to move for fear of alerting the person. The thing sitting there.

“Maria?” Sybil asked.

The figure on the couch jumped and let out a little gasp as she jerked around to look at Sybil.

“Oh, shit,” Maria said. “You scared the hell out of me.”

The odd, unutterable lack of recognition she’d felt originally viewing Maria disappeared. Yet the disturbance it caused didn’t.

“I didn’t see you a moment ago,” Sybil said. “I mean, I went by here with Doug and you weren’t there.”

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