The Crimson Key (23 page)

“Okay. Let’s enjoy the last year
, baby.” She laughed and threw her head back. I blared the music and we took off toward Wilson High as if everything was normal again.

Epilogue

Evangeline stood by the wet
, drippy window, looking down on the Paris night life. The city was crawling with life tonight while she was locked indoors. Her eyes strained to make out the faces of the Parisians, because her eyesight was now weak. She could see the men and women strolling the walk and leaning on each other as they eyed the Eiffel Tower. To her, the tower itself was a blur of lights.

The girl on the bed moaned again and Evangeline ignored her. She was just a body
; not a person, not a soul. A complete nobody. Soon the girl would wake and beg for her life, so Evangeline knew she had to perform the ritual now. She loathed the begging and pleading. It made her sick to hear them even speak. She looked at her hands in the moonlight and said outloud, “This will be my last night as a crippled old woman.” Her hands were wrinkled and spotted with age. Time would only make it worse, and it was time she didn’t have.

Pulling the curtain closed, she
turned toward the girl. She was perfect. Just what Evangeline had wanted. She had searched and searched, finally finding her. She was a young girl, maybe sixteen at the most. It hadn’t been hard to lure her inside. A young girl willing to help an old lady in need. Of course the girl would fall for the trap.

Evangeline stood over her
, now ready for the possession. She said the words, drew the signs around the small bed. With chalky fingers she touched the girl’s forehead and said the final incantations. Soon the girl would die and Evangeline would be alive, young and free.

The girl
’s eyes flew open as the last words were spoken. She screamed as Evangeline fought to keep her still.

“I had hoped you would be more willing to just lie here and let me take you. Now
, because you’re a fool, I have to do this.” Raising the knife that had been in her apron, she stabbed the girl’s chest. The knife hit her heart dead center. The girl’s eyes widened in shock and pain. Her mouth filled with blood, which spilled over onto her neck. Her life was ending and the time was now. Evangeline finished the words and was free of the old body.

The first day was always hectic, and today was worse. Parking my car, I headed for the doors with Lynley beside me. No one saw her except me. I wanted to tell her to walk faster, the first bell had already rung. I jogged to my first class and sat in the seat. I had just made it in time to hear my name being called out for attendance. “Here,” I shouted. The teacher, Miss Hailey, shook her head. Almost late on the first day is never good, especially in Miss Hailey’s class. Ephraim had warned me ahead of time about her and I didn’t listen.

She continued to call students names as I pulled out a fresh pen and pad of paper for notes. Another thing Ephraim told me. Lyn stood by the white board and looked around at the students.
My heart ached to see her standing there, not sitting amongst us.

“Sophie Parsons
,” the teacher said. I didn’t know a Sophie Parsons.

“Here.” I turned around toward
the sound of the voice. She was sitting three seats behind me, pulling her long, black hair over her shoulder. The boys all looked at her. A new girl for them to drool over. She shot me a quick glance and a dazzling smile. I smiled back. Maybe she and I could be friends or study partners.

“Sophie is new to our school, s
o please make her feel welcome,” Miss Hailey said.

I knew all about being the new girl. No one except Lyn had made me feel welcome and I felt it my duty to do the same for Sophie.
I turned around to show Lyn that I also could help a new girl. As I did, I heard a commotion in the front of the room. Papers went flying off of Miss Hailey’s desk. I searched the room for Lyn, knowing she was responsible for the mess. She had vanished, leaving nothing except scattered papers in her wake.

Find out where it all began with

The Brown House, Book One of the Visitors Series!

Stay tuned for
book three, The White Door, due out 2014

About the Author

Christy Sloat is a Southern California native who now lives in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters. She believes that reading is a passion and it should be embraced. She is literally obsessed with reading and tries to fit as many books in as possible. She has a very active imagination and she encourages her daughters to find theirs. Christy hopes to inspire them and others to use their creativity for the use of good. When she is not writing, reading or being Mommy, you might be able to find her at a bookstore scouring the shelves.

Look for her recent titles The Many Lives of Avery Snow, Ianni, The Unraveling of Avery Snow and The Brown House.

Find out more about her: www.christysloat.com

Blog
http://christysloat.blogspot.com/

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