Inside, the wooden box had been opened.
The dead crow lay on the floor with its feathers scattered around it.
I reached for my phone—3:04 am.
There was no way that I would fall asleep again, not after that terrifying nightmare. I shivered, recalling Owen’s gaping wounds—the feel of my hands inside his warm body. I flung the covers off and grabbed my phone. Mrs Denby had given me a brief tour of the house, and I knew exactly where the dream occurred. It was in the small chapel at the end of the great hall.
I used the light from my phone and crept down the stairs. Every creak sounded excruciatingly loud beneath my bare feet. My pace picked up as soon as I was at the last step. The dark shadows made me nervous.
When I reached the chapel door, I paused to take a deep breath before pushing the door open. The instant I stepped into the small chapel, I felt the chill in the room, but I didn't stop. I shone my phone around, and it was empty. The scent of jasmine surrounded me, growing stronger with each step I took toward the altar.
The tension left me when I shone the light on the floor. There was no mutilated body or blood stains on the wooden floor. It was just a nightmare.
I returned to my room to discover the wooden box and crow were gone.
It was just a nightmare.
???
“Where is Owen?” I asked Mrs Denby, avoiding eye contact.
“It’s his day off. Did you need to go somewhere?”
“No. I was just wondering. You said my things were delivered?”
“Yes, the staff are placing them in your room.”
I nodded and sipped my coffee. The caffeine was my only hope of getting through the day.
I spent time exploring the house and the extensive gardens. The staff had unpacked everything and put it away, removing Sir Dacre’s items. A few boxes were left, but I didn't unpack them because I wasn't certain if I could stay in the house. The thought of the money helping my practice was too much of a pull for me. We could buy new equipment, and it would pay for Jenna’s salary.
???
I moved onto my side, curling into the covers. That was when I felt movement behind me. Fingers curled around my neck, and I began to struggle, but the man was much larger than me.
“I am Nebka, lord of the souls.” The voice hissed in my ear. “Do you remember me, Iset?”
“Oh, god,” I said when the whispers started.
It was pitch black, and I couldn't see anything. I tried to reach for my phone, but the bulky body on top of me had me pinned down. The whispers grew louder. There were so many of them.
Lips pressed against mine, and I opened my mouth to scream, but something poured out of the monster. I felt insects writhing inside of my mouth, crawling down my throat. Panic ensued, and I gagged.
I woke up clawing at my tongue and trying to spit them out. It was a nightmare. There was nothing in my mouth. I pulled my fingers away, realising I’d scratched my tongue. The pain made me pause. It was real.
I sat up with tears coursing down my cheeks before the sobs began.
Chapter 3
Holly
By morning, I was bleary-eyed and in the kitchen for coffee. Anna, the stout older lady, was already there, cooking breakfast. She slowly turned her head, and I looked away from her blank eyes—the same blank eyes all the staff had.
“Good morning, Anna. Can I trouble you for some coffee, please?”
She didn't reply but moved away from the stove. I almost sighed in relief when I saw she already had a pot of coffee brewed.
She poured me a large mug of coffee. I was glad it wasn't the dainty formal teacups.
