“What about my clothes?”
He scratched his head. “Not going to happen.”
“No?”
“No,” he repeated.
She hurried to ask one more question as he backed away, “Are you going to tell me about this later?”
He shook his head. “No. I’ll come find you, and then you are going to call your parents.” He disappeared into the other room.
Kali frowned at the door. Turning to the stairwell Rhane had indicated, she shrugged. Maybe it was time to do some exploring.
#
The burly visitor stood before the hearth observing portraits of Holsenbeck Hall’s previous owners with mild interest. He was oblivious to Rhane, already in the living room and creeping up behind him. Pausing a few feet away, Rhane crouched low, viewing the man with a blend of affection and annoyance. He had hoped things wouldn’t get any more complicated. Now it was certain they would. York’s presence could only be a harbinger of trouble.
Rhane rose from the floor. When close enough to count the hairs on the back of York’s neck, he spoke, hoping for a little fun out of the reaction. “This had better be good news.”
He wasn’t disappointed. York jumped like a champ. He lurched around in a burst of adrenaline. But those big, rigid muscles relaxed on seeing Rhane’s amused expression. “I didn’t hear you coming!”
“I didn’t want you to.” Rhane flopped into a calico armchair as York finished looking around. “Was that you creeping around outside, scaring my houseguest?”
“Yeah,” York replied absently. He gestured to the open space, masking concern with measured lightness in his tone. “What happened in here? Smells like someone lost a lot of blood.”
Rhane folded his arms and ignored the question. “How did you know she was jailbait? I found out the hard way.”
York snorted. “And that’s clearly not stopping you.” He cleared his throat at Rhane’s serious expression. “Her student I.D was in the car outside.”
Rhane scowled. “I didn’t tell you to come. You had clear instructions.”
York understood. Nothing he said would be relevant until an explanation was given for disregarding an order that had been rather direct and flawless in delivery. He had to give a reason for his presence. “Your orders were clear.” He jerked his head toward the upstairs. “But Kalista summoned me.”
#
Kali stopped at the second above-ground level and was unsure if she wanted to keep going. To describe the house as huge would have been a ridiculous understatement. Endless hallways and multitudes of living spaces made exploration of the manor a much bigger task than she had initially perceived. Hours could have been spent wandering around without ever having to retrace her steps. She’d counted well over a dozen rooms and had yet to find Rhane’s bedroom. In a castle of such dimensions, the king’s dwelling would probably be at the top of it all.
Though it was midday, there wasn’t much light within the manor walls. That didn’t make her task any easier. The gloom was generous. Eerie shadows stretched out all around. White sheets covered an odd collection of scattered furniture. Ghosts of assorted sizes greeted her gaze with vacant stares of their own.
The first set of stairs ended after twisting onto two landings, forcing her to venture out in order to find the other stairwell located elsewhere on the floor. She hoped the stairs would lead to the uppermost floor and not to some hidden chamber that housed Rhane’s secret stash of dead bodies. Such an unfortunate event would put a terrible strain on their burgeoning romance. Maybe Rhane was starting to move past the whole age discrepancy issue. Could he forgive the crime of unearthing his secret identity as a serial killer? Kali shook her head.
By Hollywood standards he would kill me and avoid the hassle.
She began to suspect that Rhane’s actual intent had been for her to get lost so he could meet with the big guy in private. After all, he had said, “I’ll come find you.” She imagined him laughing as she wandered around hopelessly, like a rat in a giant maze.
That’s so not nice.
She wondered how much time had passed. Rhane had to be done by now.
If he thinks I can’t get back on my own, I’ll have to prove him wrong.
Kali turned around. She would locate those stairs and march her way down them.
She had only taken three steps when a hair-raising chill crawled along her skin. Shivering, she paused and noticed slight movement within the drapes.
“It’s the wind,” she said. But her body tensed all over. Nudging the unease aside, she peered through the open door. Though the room was immense, merely two pieces of furniture were inside. Like everything else, they were draped in white sheets. One was a sofa. The other she wasn’t sure of. Feeling the chill again, she went to investigate.
Telling herself the area was like any other, she took one nervous step and then another until she had crossed the room. Standing in front of the curtains, she thrust them apart and discovered the open window. Satisfied it had been the source of the nipping breeze, she began to appreciate the simplistic surroundings.
The room didn’t look so intimidating when flooded in outside light. Mahogany floors of deep red hues blended wonderfully with faded walls painted the color of cinnamon. She pulled the sheet from the sofa and was instantly saluted with a cloud of dust. Thrown into a fit of coughing, she considered the plush chocolate leather with approval. She succumbed to its gravity, sinking into the cushions with a satisfied sigh. Her eyes fluttered shut…and abruptly reopened.
The voice. It was back. And singing the unforgettable melody. Spine straight, her focus was drawn to the other piece of covered furniture. The song continued. Sad and hopeful all at once, the words were unintelligible. In the next moment, Kali was only inches away from the masquerading object. She couldn’t remember leaving the sofa. She reached out. The sheet fell away though she had barely touched it, exposing a silver standing mirror. An awed breath escaped in a whoosh.
The mirror was exquisite, lined with detailed carvings that glinted in the afternoon light. She traced the raised surfaces, admired the precision of the design. She thought of Mack. A fan of antiques, he would have loved to get his hands on such a stunning piece, even though it hadn’t been buried in the dirt.
She let her eyes fall to the mirror itself. Kali already knew what she would see. The grey-eyed beauty. Her painted face was waiting. Her eyes closed. Her chin dipped slightly. The melody had been her voice.
Chapter 28
Hoping it was a hallucination, Kali squeezed her eyes shut. Things were the same she opened them. The woman did nothing to acknowledge her presence, but Kali knew the vision saw her. Only when her haunting performance had ended, did the woman look up. Her cold, grey eyes were enchanting. She spoke in a language Kali understood.
He is coming.
Kali took a small step back.
Do not be afraid.
She tried very hard not to faint. “Who—who are you?”
Who are you?
Moving forward again, Kali placed her hand against the mirror. The eyes reminded her so much of her own. But instead of a lost girl, it was the face of a spirited temptress. “Are you for real?”
The woman smiled with full, crimson lips. Grey fire danced within her pupils. She lifted both arms. Odd symbols were painted on them in hues of gold and black. Kali read their meaning aloud. “The strongest will stand.”
The symbols began to glow with soft blue light emitting from the woman’s skin. She spoke again.
Darkesong
.
The light brightened. Then it erupted. In the next breath it disappeared and the mirror was smooth again. The painted beauty was gone. Something else quickly took her place.
A large black canine soundlessly entered the room. Kali turned to see him. Well, she assumed it was a “him.” A shadow surrounded by light, the animal seemed motionless even as it moved. Just as when she had spotted it from the bleachers, Kali found herself reassured at its appearance.
“Come,” she said. At once, the dog padded over and sat next to her. She knelt down to meet its eyes and was impressed by the intelligence within them. “You’ve been following me, haven’t you?” The dog gazed at her and then looked away. “Thank you for helping me in the cemetery.”
Rhane’s voice spoke from the doorway. “You’re not afraid.” He had finally come to retrieve her.
“Is he yours?” She was miffed at him for intentionally getting her lost, but put that aside.
He shrugged. “Sort of.”
“What’s his name?”
“I don’t know yet.”
Kali frowned. “Haven’t you named him?”
“Well, that’s just it,” he said while coming closer. “I’m sure he already has a name. And it wouldn’t be fair for me to saddle him with a new one since I don’t own him per se.” Rhane sat down on the floor next to her. “He found me the other day when I was on my way here and has been hanging around ever since. I get the impression that he’s waiting for something.”
She nodded. “Did you try asking him?”
His face said he thought she had lost her mind. “Asking him what?”
“What he’s waiting for.”
He said very carefully, “Dogs don’t talk.”
Kali shook her head, wondering exactly what she had meant. She looked back at the dog. It was watching her expectantly. A thought came to her, suddenly as clear as Rhane’s spark had been. “Bailen,” she said aloud. The dog wagged its tail.
“What?” Rhane sounded confused.
“His name is Bailen,” she repeated firmly. Eyes shining, the dog nuzzled her face. It managed to sneak in a couple of enthusiastic licks before Kali could push it away.
Beside them Rhane grew very still, watching while she and Bailen bonded over the small triumph. “How…how did you know?”
Kali grinned. “I have a way with some animals. Remind me to introduce you to Stew and Pat the next time you’re over.”
Rhane nodded absently. Taking the dog’s head into his hands, he pulled it to him gently. “Hey…Bailen.”
The three of them sat for a while longer. But it was obvious Rhane was somewhere else, totally lost in thought. “You should call your parents,” he murmured.
“Right,” she agreed but then buried her face into her knees.
“I found a change of clothes for you in your car. They’re downstairs in the bathroom. Take a shower and feel better. Your cell phone was there as well, but the battery’s dead.”
Kali didn’t lift her head. “Thanks.” All morning and afternoon she had managed not to think about the consequences of the past eighteen hours or so. But there was no avoiding it. Her parents were going to be livid. She groaned. “I stayed out all night without calling. They’re freaked and I’m grounded.” His hand rested on her shoulder. Something in his touch made Kali look up.
“Kalista, I don’t know how to tell you this except to just come out and say it. Today is Wednesday afternoon.”
“Wednesday?” she repeated, puzzled.
“Yes. I—I’ve been out of town. It wasn’t until Tuesday night that you came here.”
“So, what are you saying? I’ve been gone for two
entire days?”
“You don’t remember coming here, do you?”
She shook her head. “No. But I think I would notice missing an entire
day of my life…unless I have Alzheimer’s.” She paused thoughtfully. “But that’s something that only old people get.”
“Well then, what do you remember?” he asked patiently.
Kali thought hard, scrunching her face as she struggled to recall anything about the last couple of days. A jumble of images confronted her. “I remember going into the basement at work. You were there.” She stopped. That was wrong. Things were out of order in her mind. “No, that’s not right. You were at my house. We had a fight.” Her eyes narrowed. “You didn’t want me to leave.” Kali jumped up. “Did you kidnap me?”
“Of course not.”
“Then why is it Wednesday?” More than twenty-four hours had been purged from her memory without explanation. The implications of the revelation sunk in. This was way worse than not remembering Friday. For the second time in one morning, Kali found herself yelling at Rhane. She might feel bad about it later, but right then she needed answers. And if getting them took being angry and directing it at him, then so be it.
Rhane made himself busy studying Bailen. In full retreat, the dog slunk out of the room with both ears laid back. “Thanks for the backup,” he muttered.
“Rhane.”
At her tone, he looked up sheepishly from where he still sat on the floor. “Today is Wednesday because Tuesday couldn’t last forever. But it really, really wanted to.”
“This is serious.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” She began pacing the room. “Greg is a lawyer. He’s friends with over half of the police department.” She crossed her index and middle fingers. “He and the Chief of Police are like this. By now he’s called them all.”
Rhane got up. Catching her in midstride, he brought her head forward until her forehead gently touched his. The turmoil of emotions raging inside instantly quieted. Her frustration and anxiety melted away. Kali wished she could stay with him forever.