Page 33 of Written in the Stars
“Shh.” Darcy’s cheeks turned pink in the dim, flickering light of the Underground. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“You’re cute when you blush,” Elle blurted.
Brendon grinned, looking awfully smug as he rocked back on his heels. Darcy simply stared, blush deepening to the point where her freckles disappeared.
The room was cool and drafty but still, Elle’s whole body flushed at her failed brain-to-mouth filter.
Jim continued his spiel, “You were referred to a spiritualist by the name of Madame LeFeaux who operates out of one of the illustrious gambling halls in Seattle’s Underground. Under the cover of dark, you convene. Madame LeFeaux begins to conduct the séance, and a foreboding chill settles over the already cool space, an impossible breeze blowing through the enclosed room extinguishing the lights. Someone shrieks.” Jim’s pale blue eyes bounced between the three women. Elle narrowed her eyes at the assumption.
“Me.” Brendon pointed at his chest. “I’d totally scream.”
Darcy smiled fondly at her brother.
“Out of nowhere, the lights return. You blink, eyes readjusting, and note that Madame LeFeaux is missing.”
“Perhaps because she was a con artist,” Darcy muttered.Sucha skeptic.
“You’re trapped inside the séance room and the spirits Madame LeFeaux called upon are angry to have been disturbed. You’ll have one hour to find the key that opens the door—theproperdoor—that will lead you out of the Underground and to safety. But be careful—there are other doors. Choose wisely, or you won’t reach the street, but instead one of the dangerous, illegally run gambling halls. And if you don’t escape within an hour?” Jim arched a bushy white brow and let the question hang for a moment, building the suspense. He turned the knob on the door and ushered them inside. “You’ll be at the mercy of the spirits who grow stronger by the second.”
Inside the simple, stone-walled room was a large round table covered in a floor-length tablecloth. A crystal ball sat atop its surface. Several chairs were overturned, further setting the scene. Against one of the walls rested a mirror, sturdy and with an ornately carved wood frame.
“Remember.” Jim paused dramatically. This was so campy it hurt. Ellelovedit. “Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, there’s more than smoke and mirrors at play. Good luck, and your time starts... now.”
Jim shut the door, locking them inside.
For a moment, they were silent, soaking in their surroundings. The room was austere, all stone and hard surfaces, and yet, starting was a little overwhelming. Especially with the giant redtimer mounted to the wall, counting down the seconds, reminding them what was at stake even if it wasn’treal.
“So.” Brendon rocked back on his heels, neck craning to survey the ceiling. “Anyone have any idea where to start?”
Darcy pointed at the table where the crystal ball sat on a three-legged pewter stand. “There.”
Not a bad idea.
There was nothing special about the crystal ball, nothing Elle could see at least. Nothing other than the fact that it wasn’t perfectly smooth, was more of a nonagon than a sphere, and its stand was glued to the tablecloth. The tablecloth was unadorned and glued to the center of the table, too. Lifting its edges revealed nothing but a smooth, wooden surface. Huffing softly, Elle dropped to her knees.
“What are you doing?” Darcy demanded, stepping closer.
“Call it a hunch.” Elle peeked up at Darcy from beneath her lashes.
“I think Elle has the right idea. You two go low, and Cherry and I’ll search high, yeah?”
Darcy set her purse on the floor beside the door before dropping to her knees beside Elle. She lowered her voice, “What was that about?”
“What waswhatabout?”
“I look cute when I blush?” Darcy narrowed her eyes.
“Well, it’s the truth,” Elle admitted, sweeping the floor with her hands.
Darcy scoffed dismissively, effectively brushing aside Elle’s compliment and making her feel like a complete and total fool for bothering to be nice.
“I know it’ssucha hardship, but at least try to pretend you like me. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?”
Elle ducked her head beneath the tablecloth, squinting into the dusty darkness. She sneezed twice back to back and sniffled. Smitten, her ass. If Darcy didn’t step it up, Brendon was sure to catch on and that was thelastthing Elle needed. Maybe this hadn’t been her idea, but she’d committed. If this thing fell apart? Brendon would think her a total liar.Notthe best way to begin a business partnership.
Using her hands as eyes, Elle felt along the legs of the table, searching for something that stood out, somethingdifferent, anything that could be a clue. On the other side of the table, she could hear Darcy shuffling around, but she couldn’t see her, couldn’t see anything.
“It’s not,” Darcy whispered.
