Chapter 2
Clara
Someone was slapping my face. I waved at the offending hand, swatting at it like I would at a pesky flying insect. It didn't stop, and I forced my bleary eyes open. Sabby peered at me with a drunken grin. I smiled back at my girl and pinched her cute little cheek.
“Oh, she is so wasted,” she said.
“No, I’m not,” I said, but I was because when I looked around, I saw that I’d fallen asleep in the massive living room.
Someone had put the fire out in the fireplace. We couldn't resist lighting it up when we saw the firewood and kindling in the basket. I yawned and sat up to see Ella slouched on the other side of the couch. At least I wasn't the only lightweight who fell asleep.
“Get to bed,” Rachel said as she took some of Ella’s hair and started to brush it over her nose.
I shook my head and glanced at the carriage clock on the fireplace in surprise. It was 2 am, but it had been our first get-together in a long time. We spent most of the time exploring the house. I could understand why the caretaker kept most of the doors locked. I’d seen videos online of people partying and leaving a mess, or worse, damaging property.
When we were all together, the house wasn't scary at all, but as I began to move to the door, I looked back. Sabby rolled her eyes before she followed me.
“Thanks,” I said, linking my arm into hers.
“It is a creepy house,” she said as we made our way to the stairs. I glanced at where I saw the thing, but it was empty.
The soft light of the chandelier bulbs gave the surrounding wood a warm glow, and I relaxed.
As part of our nighttime cocktails and firelit evening, we looked at everything Rachel had found out about the last heir of the Greywoods. It was true that they all vanished, and the local constabulary never found any signs of a crime. No wonder there were so many rumours around the property. The crown gifted it to another aristocratic family of the court. Sucking up to the latest monarchy was normal for them.
“Goodnight, Clairebear,” Sabby said, kissing my cheek and releasing my arm.
“Night,” I replied, hugging her and kissing her cheek.
We tried Clarabear, but that didn't work for Sabby. I watched her go into her room. The evening might have relaxed me, but I still needed someone nearby. I opened my room door and smiled.
The ornate wood downstairs was dark, but all the bedrooms were light and airy. We all picked out the largest bedrooms and discovered one large double door, but it was locked. It had to be the master bedroom, and we were itching to see what it was like. We gave up trying to pick the lock, only to get distracted by cocktails.
My bag lay on the bed and I rummaged through it to pull out my oversized T-shirt before going to the bathroom to wash up. I glanced at the mirror to brush my teeth and froze when I saw a dark green shape behind me. The green shape wasn’t behind me. It was inside the mirror, a stain spreading like mould across the glass. When I blinked, it was gone. My reflection looked relieved, but my goosebumps told me to run.
My heart pounded, and I rubbed my chest to soothe myself. It was all in my mind. There were no such things as ghosts. If I started screaming the house down, it would give them one more weapon to use against me. I quickly brushed my teeth. My eyes never left the mirror, but it wasn't my face that I was looking at.
I changed into my T-shirt, placing my bag and clothes on the large window seat. When I looked out, there was only darkness. I released my bag and was about to turn when I saw the top window on the turret had a faint light. When it flickered, I knew it was candlelight. I pressed my face to the window, trying to figure out what it was.
???
I jerked awake in the darkness, desperately trying to find my phone for light. My fingers curled around it, and I immediately yanked it up to swipe the screen. The bedroom flooded with light as I slowly sat up. My T-shirt had been scrunched up to my neck. I tugged the cotton down my hardened nipples as I told myself it was from the cold. The numbers glowed on my phone.
3:13 AM.
How did I get to bed?
I inspected every corner of the room before I switched the lamp on. The light made the room appear normal, but I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me. I felt off keel, my brain was telling me—I gasped when it struck me.
I launched sideways, but my legs tangled in the sheets. The floor rushed up to meet me, my phone skittering away. The impact knocked the breath from my lungs.
My knickers were gone.
I’d worn them to bed. Now bare skin met cold wood, my thighs slick with something that wasn’t sweat. It was—
A whisper.
Some laughter danced close by before vanishing out of reach.
