Page 35 of The Haunting
“That’s what we do,” Lucian replied mysteriously and began moving on. It appeared Lucian believed the conversation was ended, at least as far as he was concerned.
There was more happening than I was aware of. More than I think anybody realised. Quietly, I followed Lucian around a corner, and he hissed. Streaks of lightning flashed across the sky and highlighted a dark huddle. We both peered into the darkness, trying to see clearer, and Lucian cursed. Hurrying forward, he dropped to his knees.
“Harrington!” Lucian cried, turning the figure over. I moved closer, keeping an eye on the shadows. I felt like someone was watching us from them.
“Is Daniel alive?”
“Yeah, but he’s freezing cold and unconscious.”
“Lucian, we need to hurry. Can you carry him?” Something shuffled close by, and I peered into the darkness to track the threat.
“Yes,” Lucian agreed and rose. Together, we hauled Daniel up and slung him over Lucian’s shoulder.
“Let’s go,” I urged, my spine tingling. Lucian clearly felt the same because he set a fast pace down the hallway. We turned several corners before Lucian stopped and shifted Daniel.
“We’re lost,” I said, and he nodded.
“This blasted place is a maze.”
“Okay. Let’s try this way.” I moved ahead of Lucian, rounded a corner and ducked a fist aimed at my face. “What the fuck?” I yelled as my phone blinded the person in front of me.
“Calamity?” Drake stated, surprised.
“Why did you throw a punch?!”
“Because I thought it was that creature,” Drake announced. “We lost Daniel; he led it away from us.”
“Found him. He’s alive but unconscious,” I replied. “But now we’re lost.”
“Snap. We’ve been wandering in circles,” Lucian said.
“Let’s head that way,” Vladimir stated.
Inglorious spoke a few minutes later as we ended up in one dead end after another. I guessed he was feeling the creepy silence. “You know you don’t have a trace of an accent.”
“Why should I?” Vladimir asked.
“Well, aren’t you from Transylvania or Russia with a name like that?” Inglorious pressed. Rather than being insulted, Vladimir appeared amused.
“I was born and raised in England and named after my grandfather,” he replied.
“Oh.” Inglorious looked embarrassed, and I snorted. “Where do you live now?”
“England. Emmaline and I were on holiday,” Vladimir responded as he glanced around. “We’ll certainly not forget this one.”
“Yeah, I can’t imagine you would,” I said, amused.
“This looks familiar. I think we head straight down here, and it will take us to the hallway with our rooms.” We chased afterVladimir, and blast if he wasn’t correct. Instead of wasting the trip, those with free hands gathered mattresses and bedding, and we hurried downstairs.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something move in the shadows. It flittered across the hallway, moving too fast for me to distinguish anything, but I sensed it was a female shape.
I kicked the sitting room door open, and Chance held it as Lucian carried Daniel in. Sabine let out a low cry and rushed over as Lucian placed him gently on the sofa.
“What happened?” she cried as her hands touched Daniel’s face.
“The creature attacked, and Daniel led it away,” Drake answered as he entered the room, dragging a mattress. Nanci and Kate moved to help as Rosie headed for Daniel. Rosie checked him over before sitting back on her haunches.
“Daniel’s breathing and pulse are steady, but something knocked him unconscious. I can’t find any injuries or wounds, so he should be awake,” she said, tilting her head.
