We reach the stairwell. It’s steep and pitch dark. I shine the flashlight down the first few steps. The uneven stones look damp. One bad move and I’ll snap an ankle.
“This is our very own stairway to hell,” I comment.
Alex whistles, “So, there’s a second dungeon down there, huh?”
“Yep, but don’t ask me to go down there!” I point the flashlight ahead. “The utility rooms are just ahead.”
We move down the corridor, the flashlight’s beam sliding over damp stone and ancient wood. The storm rattles the shutters above us. I concentrate on their deep, rolling bass and the staccato tap of our footsteps in a vain attempt to be less aware of the man beside me.
Finally, we reach the electrical room at the end of the corridor. I stop in front of its squat iron door with a keyhole worn smooth and pull the heavy key ring from my pocket. The metal’s cold, biting into my skin as I sort through the keys.
Alex stands close, holding the flashlight for me. I can feel the heat from his body. I refuse to look at him. If I do, I might forget which key goes where.
“There!” I find the right one, slide it in, and the lock clicks open.
Inside, the room smells of dust and something faintly metallic. Alex swings the beam toward the panel. The ancient thing is a clutter of mismatched switches, patched wiring, and labels that only make sense to someone long dead.
I find the blown fuse and flip it. The lights hum back to life, a pale glow flooding the hallway behind us.
“Woohoo!” I turn around, grinning.
He’s watching me. Not my hands, not the panel.Me.
The air feels thicker. My pulse picks up as I realize how small this room is and how easy it would be to close the door.
No!I can control my lust. What happened in Pombrio was a glitch, a onetime lapse. I won’t allow it to become a habit!
Determined, I lock the fuse box. “Mission accomplished.”
“I’m proud of you,” he says, his voice devoid of sarcasm. “You keep surprising me, Eva.”
Refusing to let him see my flush, I sweep past him. “Let’s get out of here before I freeze.”
He follows me out. The lights are back on in the corridor, and so is my sanity.Good.
As we pass the shadowed staircase, Alex points toward it. “We’re standing on top of the dungeon, aren’t we?”
I avoid his gaze. “And?”
“And you can’t expect me to go back upstairs without seeing what’s down there.”
“Yes, I can.”
He grins. “Show me. It’ll be our secret.”
“Why would I share a secret with you?” I counter.
“Because you know you want to.” His voice dips low, coaxing. “And you know I’ll keep it.”
“My secrets aren’t party favors, Alex.”
“Then think of it as… property management. A joint inspection.” His smile turns lopsided. “Unless you win, which you won’t, I’m the master of this house. So, it’s a legitimate request.”
“Oh, I’ll win, Alex, and you’d better brace for an inglorious return to Pombrio!”
“Uh-huh.” He stifles a smile.
Such arrogance!
