FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions
Stumbling

Walking through Rosewynn was like entering another world. Impossibly quiet. Every word her brothers uttered seemed to echo through the opulent levels eternally. Black and white marble swirled together in the foyer floor. Blue tapestries adorned the walls.

Beyond the twisting stairs was a curtained doorway. Pushing it aside elicited a puff dust. Making her cough. Blinking hard, she discovered a red parlor. The candleholders cold and dusty. Further behind the stairs she discovered a door slightly ajar. Tugging it open revealed an old Ballroom.

Stepping in she squinted in the dark. A candle in one of the holders puffed and lit. Sending iridescent light surging through the room. And glistening off pearled pillars.

Spinning she stared into the dark corner to see who’d lit it. The only movement was a trailing wisp of smoke.

Deragan lurked in the stormy night. Skulking past the wall of windows in the Ballroom, bordering what was once the grove.

“Marcus” She called. “Not amusing.”

No answer.

Another candle popped and lit sending up a flurry of gray tendrils. Then another until they created a rippling effect that circled the room. Paralyzed she watched the Ballroom blaze into life. Gold vines trailed over red walls.

It’s breathtaking. He remembered what it felt like to stand in its splendor.

Closing her eyes tightly she opened them and found the room black and still. Empty.

Hands trembling, she gasped when hot wax dribbled onto the back of her hand. She rushed from the room.

No. Don’t be afraid! I only wanted to show you!

She collided into Marcus stumbling through the dark. Reflexively batting the back of his head, she glowered.

“Nora! Thank God it’s you.” He caught her shoulders. “I wasn’t sure who-or what I’d run into, but I wasn’t optimistic about the prospects.” He looked up nervously. “This place seems haunted. Do you think it’s haunted?”

“Your pranks get so old.”

Stunned silence then. “But I-”

Telling him to not even bother she ignored his sputtering.

Continuing following the wall until realizing she’d gone beneath the winding staircase and now faced a door dominating an entire wall.

The library door. Deragan held his breath. But she turned away heading back toward the foyer.

Her brothers had migrated to the room nearest the front door.

The Dining Hall.

Entering it, she noticed the banquet table so long it nearly split the room. A fireplace encompassed the far wall.

Once finished eating some of the snacks Rosemary had packed in one of the bags, Marcus and William began wandering.

Airon tagging behind.

On the floor Beth toyed with her hands in her lap. Nora watched her as she passed.

Dark head lowered, Beth stared at her palms.

Offering her a hand Nora smiled.

Eyes brightening, Beth took it. Together they entered the Dining Room. Seating Beth on the hide laid before the fireplace Nora sat behind her to wrap Beth in her arms. Whispering comfortingly.

Snuggling against her shoulder Beth huddled for warmth.

They’re all cold. Deragan noted. Pacing. Dark tail brushing the bushes as he paced. I can help you. I could heat the room. I could care for all of them.

Don’t. A small voice reminded him to use patience.

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