Page 36 of His Dark Purpose

Seth peered out into the darkness as he pointed in the direction he intended. The cab’s headlights swung around the winding gravel roadway, illuminating the sign above the gates like an ethereal spotlight.

Brock Hall.

Seth couldn’t see much of the place, the shroud of night and vast perimeter wall precluding his vision, but he’d seen enough to know Jonah hadn’t been joking about the extent of Kyle’s estate. If that was the house their mother was staying in, she’d won big. He didn’t know how she’d pulled it off or whether he trusted the man she’d bedded, but he had to hand it to her—she’d landed on her feet. Anywhere as grandiose as Brock Hall would have been well out of the Kendal family’s price range.

“We have to get past the gates first.” The cabbie glanced around at him, evidently unsure, but before the driver could turn back, the vast, black, iron-wrought gates began to open before them.

“The gates are opening.” Seth nodded as they creaked open.

The driver’s brows knitted. “How?”

“I guess they work on a sensor?” Seth shrugged. “You’ll be able to get out the same way.”

The driver seemed less convinced, but once the gates were fully open, he drove on. Seth supposed the promise of the wad of cash he was going to get at the end of the journey was enough incentive to keep his foot on the gas.

The car cut through the black, passing the outline of twisted and shadowy-looking trees before it eventually reached the front of the enormous house.

Unfastening his safety belt, Seth slid across the back seat to cast his gaze over the building. ‘House’ barely did the place justice; the colossal front door and elaborate architecture spoke more of a mansion than any regular dwelling.

He glanced back at the driver, who looked equally as stunned. “How much do I owe you?”

Reaching into his pocket, Seth doled out what he owed and slid the little remaining cash away. Collecting the handle of his bag, he nodded in the driver’s direction as he opened the back door.

“Thanks, mate.”

“You’re welcome.” The driver lifted a palm. “Enjoy your stay.”

Seth slammed the door closed and watched as the red lights of the vehicle’s rear grew smaller on the huge driveaway. Turning on the gravel, he assessed the residence that was apparently home to his mother. The place was like something out of a Dickens novel—immense and foreboding—but the entrance matched the impressive description Jonah had offered, and he’d seen the property’s name as they’d driven in. It was definitely the right place.

Taking the stone steps two at a time, he reached the front door and knocked twice, the noise of the impacts the only sound audible as the cool air twirled around him.

Nothing.

No response.

No lights visible anywhere. No sounds from inside.

No one was coming to the door.

It’s late.

He checked his watch, the basic clock face confirming it was gone eleven o’clock. Maybe his mum and Kyle had already gone to bed?

Seth didn’t love the idea of his mother being entwined in some gut-churningly romantic clinch with the rich guy she’d wooed, but he understood. She was still a comparatively young woman, and she’d been way too young when she’d married his dad and got pregnant. She deserved a little of the happiness the rich guy could provide, and he didn’t begrudge her that, but her swelling contentment wouldn’t get him a warm bed for the night. He hadn’t dodged the city crowd to spend his first night of freedom under the stars in the middle of the freezing countryside, so if nobody was going to let him in, he’d have to find his own way.

Glancing left and right, he swung his bag over his shoulder and walked back down the steps. Following the property around to the right, he pulled out his phone.

Maybe his mum was still awake, or perhaps if he messaged her, the noise of the device would stir her. Then she could let him in.

He leaned against the brickwork and typed a quick message to her.

Mum, it's Seth.

He paused, trying to remember how long it had been since he’d last seen her.

I’m out of jail, and I’m here at Brock Hall.

He imagined the surprise in her kind eyes when she read his missive.

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