Page 29 of Isabel and the Werewolf Beast

“Can’t be any worse than the labyrinth.”

“You’ll see.” Her lips firmed into a tight line.

I grasped the doorknob. “Ready?”

“Go.”

I turned the knob and opened the door. Isabel ran inside. A bird squawked and then a black shadow swooped across the doorway chasing her down as Isabel ducked to the right side of the room. I dashed inside to the left, located the wardrobewith ease, flung open the doors grabbed two handfuls of coat hangers then turned to leave. The raven was in my face pecking my forehead without me even seeing it come. I lifted one arm and swung the dresses around waving the bird away from my face, I ducked my head and rushed to the door. The bird swooped the top of my head, pecking at my skull like it was trying to get to my brain. I flung a handful of clothes over the top of the bird. The dresses dragged the raven to the floor. The lump of material stirred creepily. Isabel rushed out of the door so I chased after her and slammed the door shut.

“Ow,” I said, touching a hand to the back of my head which had endured the pecking.

“I told you she pecks hard.”

“You didn’t mention her beak is like a drill trying to get to my brain.”

She laughed so hard she had to clutch her stomach.

“Sorry about the clothes.”

“It’s okay, she’ll get out from under them soon.”

“I meant sorry I left half of them in the room.”

“Oh,” she said. “I guess it’s time to try the next part of your plan.

“What’s that?”

“To see if once you take them outside, I can change clothes.”

“Right.” I swallowed the sudden desire leaping to my body at the thought of her undressing.

Isabel naked. My body surged with sudden longing. If I didn’t get out of this castle soon, then I feared I’d chase her once again in an animal-induced lustful state that overrode rational thought.

“Let’s get outside then.”

We walked back down the stairs. I took them two at a time. The lustful need was building every second I was inside the castle with her. I wanted to be insideher. Isabel paused in the hallway. She walked toward the ballroom doors. The ones she said I shouldn’t go in.

“Isabel.”

Her face swung my way. A dazed expression shifted over her face, as though she’d forgotten what she was doing.

“Come outside with me.”

She blinked slowly. Her body did a weird little shiver and her image lightened even more.

“Now,” I barked the order at her.

Her spine snapped straight. Her shoulders rolled back. She glared at me. Then she strode past me as though I was the dirt beneath her shoes.

This Isabel didn’t scare me. The disappearing one did.

Chapter seventeen

Isabel

Was there something wrong with my castle too? I’d never considered the building was that different. Sure the doors opened and closed for me, but I’d assumed it was my thoughts making that happen. I followed Dante over the threshold and outside into the night air. The instant I was outside my body returned to normal. I was used to the sensation now and had thought little of it. Inside I was a shell of who I was. Outside I was me. It was why I’d spent most of my time outside in the gardens, but even that was growingdeadlier.

The more time that passed, there seemed to be something new to contend with. I dreaded to think what might be next.

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