Page 37 of The Haunting
It took some finessing, but finally everyone returned to the safety of the sitting room. The fire blazed warmly as people got into bed. We’d already discussed who was taking first watch until three a.m. I climbed into bed and let James, Lucian, Valdimir, and Chance stay up. Closing my eyes and hauling Rosie close, I hoped to get some sleep.
Chance – three hours later.
This was worse than anything Phoe had ever plotted. I was struggling to understand what was happening. I didn’t really believe in the paranormal or supernatural. This shit was way beyond my level of understanding.
All I knew was there was a dangerous threat to my family. That I could handle. Clio curled into a ball on our mattress as she tried to settle. Every so often, I glanced over at her as she twisted and turned. Despite the spacious sitting room, the eight double mattresses left little space.
Sure, we’d separated them as best as we could, placing sofas and other furniture for privacy, but even so… this was awkward. The fire provided a warm glow, and we’d switched the lights off, bar a couple of lamps.
Vladimir stood guard by the door, alert to any movement. James’s head remained on a swivel while Lucian watched thewindow shutters. I’d taken the door at the other end of the room, which had been locked since we arrived.
Now that I had time to sit and consider the situation, I was unsure what to believe. Nobody could deny what was happening, and yet it was beyond the realms of belief. I had considered we were being filmed for a reality TV show, but Phoe’s attack convinced me otherwise. Pure fear had coursed through my body when I’d heard her scream.
Daniel’s assault, and we guessed he’d been assaulted because we’d found marks on his throat, cemented that this wasn’t some warped reality programme. Something out there was stalking us and trying to harm, even kill us. Why? Did this demented creature have a plan, or did it act on instinct? Those were questions nobody had answers to.
I was also suspicious of the four couples that we didn’t know. Vladimir and Emmaline seemed too relaxed and unworried about events here. The question was, were they overly confident in their ability to protect themselves, or did they have information the rest of us didn’t?
Daniel and Sabine, Lucian and Maggie also seemed to be holding back. Both of them had shown that they’d little fear of what was happening—Daniel in leading the creature away, and Lucian with his own actions. Something was strange about them all, and I’d no idea what. Daniel’s attack had caused me to believe they didn’t know what was happening, but, and it was a huge but, they were all hiding secrets.
A creak made me glance in Vladimir’s direction, and I saw he was moving on the chair he sat on. His eyes were focused on the door, but as I watched, they flicked to mine and held my gaze. There was something dangerous lurking within him, and I guessed it could be a threat to me and my family. But Vladimir had it locked down, or I hoped he did by his calm demeanour.
Vladimir offered a nod, and his eyes swept the room. It briefly landed on Emmaline, and as I watched, Vladimir’s expression softened, and a look of intense love crossed his face. Guess that made the uptight asshole a little friendlier. Moments later, I reconsidered that thought as a darkness changed Vladimir’s expression. This man was fully capable of killing, if he hadn’t already.
For now, Valdimir was on our side. Or at least he appeared to be.
A scratching noise made me look towards the shuttered window, and I glanced at Lucian. He’d already sat up straight, his eyes on the shutters.
James also became alert as Vladimir looked over.
“What was that?” James murmured, aware of those sleeping around us. I’d not expected anyone to sleep, but it had been a long day. And now that their adrenaline had crashed, they’d easily fallen asleep.
“Sounded like claws,” Lucian replied quietly.
We sat and watched, ready to move if needed, but ten minutes passed, and nothing happened. The door handle by Vladimir rattled loudly as if something was attempting to enter. Alert, we looked towards him. Vladimir raised the poker he’d taken as a weapon and braced himself, but the rattling stopped.
“Damn thing is playing with us, taunting us, trying to force us to make the first move,” Vladimir said, and I nodded.
“Stay here; we defend the women,” Lucian replied.
“Naturally,” James said, his weapon pulled and resting on his lap.
The creature went quiet, but our alertness didn’t die. I glanced over as the fire sputtered and flickered. Chills tingled down my spine, and the hairs on my body were standing up. Despite the heat the flames were putting out, I felt cold.
“Move, Chance!” James exclaimed, and I looked down. Shit!
I scrambled away as I gaped at the door. From the centre outwards appeared a frost. I could literally see the ice crystals forming as it spread sluggishly outward. From all around us came a low moan, which sent further shivers through me. I rubbed my arms and tried to get warm as the four of us stood. The creature was going to attack. There was no doubt about that, like the fact the sun would rise in the morning.
“Where’s it attacking from?” Lucian asked.
Concerned, I shrugged. We were all keeping our voices low, not wanting to wake the sleepers unless necessary.
“We appear to be surrounded. But it’s a trick,” Vladimir replied.
“A clever one,” I agreed.
“Is it gearing up to frighten or attack us?” Lucian considered.
“I sensed urgency coming from it,” Daniel said as he sat up. The poor guy looked tired, but he’d regained some colour in his cheeks.
