Marlene could feel each breath that she inhaled and exhaled, an echo in her ears that joined the sound of her pounding heart.
Have you uncovered the secrets of Rosedale Heights yet?
She gasped, darting her gaze around the shop to find the source of the speaker. It was the same one from the manor, and yet, she’d imagined that she had been freed from her tormentor. Apparently, that was not the case.
Who are you? She dared to send out in return, a demand sent along the space of time with the power of her thoughts.
The only reply was silence, but the pages in the book she was holding began to fly of their own will, as if some annoyed spirit was growing angry with her ignorance.
Marlene stared in horror as they finally came to an abrupt halt. A hazy hand came into her line of view and set a ghostly palm on the center of the pages. She glanced down, not knowing what she would find. But rather than understanding what the apparition wanted, she was more confused than before.
The volume was open to an illustration of a lemon tree. Marlene decided that this had something to do with the key in her possession. In reply, the metal grew hot in the pocket of her dress. She glanced down as a single flame started to burst to life in her dress. She opened her mouth to scream, desperate to vanquish the flame that was quickly spreading, but she was frozen, unable to move.
She could feel the scorching heat from the flames as they started to lick at her skin. She watched as it began to drip from her bones and fall to the floor where it landed in a sizzling puddle of ruined flesh.
Marlene could hear the screams in her mind, but she couldn’t seem to make the sound be heard. Tears started to fill her line of vision as she slowly started to disintegrate…
“Miss? Are you unwell?”
The hold that had been placed over Marlene vanished as the tome in her hands fell to the floor. She smacked her hands over her dress and arms, but there was nothing wrong with her. She was fully intact.
“Miss?”
She glanced at the man with the spectacles and let out a sob. Without a word to him, she brushed past him and ran outside, any joy she might have found in procuring a book completely forgotten.
Marlene ran down the street as fast as she could go, until she caught sight of the unmarked black carriage. She didn’t wait for the coachman but wrenched the door open and climbed inside then slammed it shut behind her. Her breath was coming in hard pants, her hands trembling with a sensation of intense fear. Whoever, or whatever, had been speaking to her had caused the illusion in the bookshop. She knew that someone was manipulating her, but to what end, she had no idea.
Once before she’d allowed herself to become susceptible to the powers of persuasion from the powers of dark forces, but she had vowed that she would not be dragged down to those depths of hell ever again. It had been frightening. Too horrific to recall, and yet, as the tears fell from her eyes and dripped onto her skirts, she had to accept that they had returned with a vengeance. None of those visions she’d had in her waking hours, or her dreams when she’d been a child, had ever felt so real as they did now.
It could have been minutes or hours later when Lady Erica rejoined her. She offered her a smile, but it was wiped away when she took note of Marlene’s tear-streaked face. “My goodness. What has overset you so?”
Since she didn’t want to cause Lady Erica any concern, she forced a smile on her face and wiped at her cheeks. “I… was just thinking of my parents,” she lied, although it wasn’t a complete untruth. If ever there was a time she wished for her mother or father’s presence, it was now. She had never felt so alone.
“How dreadful for you. I understand it hasn’t been long since they perished.” Lady Erica reached out and patted her hand in gentle understanding.
“Just over a year,” Marlene returned. “At times I miss their council greatly.”
“Loss can be devastating. I suffered greatly when my Herbert passed three years ago. But I had Alaric’s gentle support. I imagine if you were to confide in him, he could offer some words of solace for you.”
When Marlene thought of the handsome master of the manor, it wasn’t solace that she wanted from him. She thought often of the day they had nearly kissed, and every time she did, her body tingled with renewed awareness.
“If it’s all the same to you, my lady. I would prefer that Sir Gothry wasn’t aware of my upset this day. As quickly as it arrived, I’m sure it will pass just the same.”
Lady Erica’s mouth pinched slightly in disapproval, but she said nothing more on the matter.
“Are you certain this is the best course of action?”
Alaric stood inside his aunt’s sitting room and stared out the window. He had been in his study when he’d received a summons from his aunt upon her return from the village. She had dismissed Miss St. Clair under the guise of needing to rest.
When she had told him about Marlene’s sudden curiosity regarding a three-pronged key, as well as her sudden upset in the village, Alaric knew what he was doing was best. Although the manor was protected against evil foes entering, it did not protect those from within when the threat was already present.
“It’s the only way I can be assured of your safety at this point,” he said firmly.
He could hear his aunt sigh heavily behind him. “I don’t wish to believe the worst of the girl. And neither do you.”
“It doesn’t matter if I do or not,” he clipped. “Until I know if someone is manipulating her, a reluctant pawn in this wretched game with Hector, I cannot take the chance with your wellbeing. There have been too many coincidences of late that make me believe there is more to the lady that she might want to let on—or even admit to herself.” Alaric turned toward his aunt. He certainly wouldn’t put it past Hector to do something so devious or underhanded, no matter who it involved. He might have found an opportunity with Miss St. Clair and cast a spell on her unaware. “I know I can trust that Heloise will protect you where I may have failed after all these years.”
His aunt crossed the room and laid a gentle, weathered hand on his cheek. Her gray hair was pulled back, the lines on her face evidence of her age, but her eyes still carried the blue strength of her youth. “You have done no such thing. There are times we must face trials that are difficult to endure. I have faith that you will uncover the truth.”
