Page 91 of Hidden Raphael
Chapter 26
Kimberly tapped her feet on the ground to help her count the minutes. She brushed her hand on Michaela's arm every twenty taps, but Sleeping Beauty was unconscious. Raphael should have returned already.
Something must have happened. The Taser behind her back tickled her skin.
Michaela would be fine if Kimberly figured out how to lock the door. She walked blindly in the pitch black and used the palms of her hands to guide her to a wall. Then she traced the wall toward the outline of a door.
Confidence surged through her. Her plan to get out of here and help Raphael would work. Her heart raced, but she followed the door to the lock.
A loud bang reverberated in the air and Kimberly clenched her hands together. Raphael had said this was safe, so she didn't fall to the floor. Instead she pressed her ear to the door and tried to listen. The mumbles of a conversation filtered through, but Kimberly couldn't make out the words. One sounded like a woman.
Hope surged through her, and she hoped it was Raphael returned. But the conversation continued and no one opened the door. If it was Raphael, then who was the woman? Perhaps it was Meg and she was with Roger or Harry.
The longer the whispers continued, the more certain Kimberly became. If she opened the door, she'd surprise them both. Then if Meg was there, she could join them in the dark.
Kimberly's hands shook as she fished out the Taser. Then with her free hand, she brushed her hair back and rolled her shoulders. She swallowed, unlocked the door, and peeked outside.
Frigid air greeted her and her entire body grew goose bumps.
Meg told whoever she was talking to, "I do not appreciate having to clean up what you did. You should be ashamed of yourself, young man."
Kimberly opened the door and grabbed the older woman's arm. Her hand brushed against air, and her fingers turned blue. Meg turned her head and her green eyes seemed haunted. Meg floated forward as she told whoever was with her, "I'm getting my sponge to clean this up."
Then Meg threw herself into the secret room as it seemed in the corner of Kimberly's eye a man on horseback raced up the stairs. Every limb in her body shook from the cold. Her teeth chattered, but she scrambled to lock the door. Meg kept her head high as she glanced at Mica and asked, "Where is Master Raphael? I thought he'd be with you."
Kimberly wished she could see the other woman. This safe room needed lights. "He’s protecting the castle. How are you?"
Meg's green eyes didn't seem alive. "Ahh. You need not concern yourself with me, mistress."
The wordghostfloated in Kimberly's head. Her eyes widened, but she didn't say a word. "Who are you?"
The coldness didn't scare her now. Kimberly saw how Meg seemed to float rather than stand. Meg stared at her and then said, "Not all the Murphy men choose worthy women. When one woman shows her worth, she earns the amulet you wear around her neck."
Kimberly had no time for this. Raphael needed her, and honestly, she didn't want to think about what Meg had said. Ever. She tapped her foot on the ground. "Raphael didn't know the significance of this necklace. I intend to return it."
Meg's voice grew softer. "Master Raphael is in danger. The invaders have laid a trap. I’ve come to warn you."
Kimberly dropped her hands to her sides. "Two men?"
Meg seemed to nod. "One is wounded. The ugly one thought I'd nurse his brother."
Kimberly rubbed her arms and turned back to the door. "I have to go out and help Raphael." She hesitated and stepped closer to Meg. "She's unconscious on the couch. She took sleeping pills."
Meg reached out and took Kimberly's arm. This time the cold didn't scare her. "I'll stay with her until this is over, then."
Kimberly led her to the couch and Meg reached out to get her bearings. Kimberly stepped back. "Right."
Ghosts now protected them. Nothing made sense here. She turned to leave, but Meg grabbed her hand. The ice picks for fingers somehow comforted her as Meg said, "Not the way we came in. Go out the second entrance."
Kimberly's jaw opened, and her heart raced. "Where is that?"
Meg reached up again. "Take my hand, miss, and I'll show you."
Kimberly helped her stand, and the woman led her in the dark. Kimberly's hands were unclenched now. "Meg, are we going to be friends now?"
Meg huffed, but her tone wasn't as dismissive as it had been. "Don't go making assumptions for the future. We might never see each other again if you’re both safe."
Meg lifted Kimberly's hand to point to an outline of another door. "The second door will lead you to the hallway that goes up to Raphael's room."
