Page 60 of Wolfsbane Hall
“Well, we mustn’t anger the Phantom further.” James motioned behind him to the path that led back to the ballroom.
As James and Margot lowered themselves into chairs around a card table, lightning lit up the room and thunder shook the marble floors.
To Margot’s utter dismay, the Phantom hadn’t only resurrected James, he’d also brought back the uncles.
“Now that everyone has returned, let’s truly get started,” the Phantom said. “Welcome to our game within a game…and possibly a game within a game within the game. Since you already know everyone has a motive, let’s play a little game to get my clues…clues to all our various riddles tonight.”
A small rectangular box appeared in front of everyone. It could fit in the palm of their hands.
“Open the box, and it will tell you the location of the first clue. Remember, tonight is about fun!”
Fun.Margot scoffed. Maybehisfun. But she knew tonight wasn’t only for her revenge. It was a night filled with his. That’s why he had pulled her spirit from the great beyond.
She bit her lower lip. An annoying habit the vessel had when in deep thought. Margot examined the box, as did everyone else. She had no idea what it was, but she was reasonably sure the vessel did. But she didn’t want to give that soul any slack, and at the moment, she was forcing the girl deeper into the pits of her mind. Margot didn’t believe Dean when he said the vessel was strong, but she wouldn’t test it—just in case.
Instead, she would turn to one of the other two female cast members and see if they could solve the problem if they teamed up together.
Margot’s eyes latched on to Babette, who was struggling with her puzzle alone. Perfect, they could team up. The pathetic soul would have also helped Babette.
Margot walked to the table by the other girl and leaned against it. “We could work this out together,” she said, holding up her box for the other girl to see.
“Why would I do that?” Babette’s eyebrows pinched together.
“Because discovering the true name of the Specter is nearly impossible.”
“I’d rather see you die.”
Margot cocked her head and smiled. “Ah, I see you hate my vessel, too.”
“Vessel?” Babette raised a well-plucked eyebrow.
Margot sighed. It would take far too much energy to explain the situation to the brunette, and Margot didn’t have the patience. “You don’t want me dead.”
“I do.” Babette crossed her arms and quickly forgot her previous question. “You ruined everything. When you showed up, they stopped looking at me…stopped playing with me. You shine brighter than the sun and blind all who look upon you. They cannot see past you. It’s not fair.”
“That was a fun metaphor,” Margot said mockingly. She hated desperate jealousy. It was pitiful and weak.
Babette ignored her. “You’re a curse, and I wish you dead.”
“Well, perhaps you will get your wish sooner than you may think.”
Babette shook her head. “If you genuinely want to help me, tell me how to open the box and go away.”
“I don’t know how to open it.”And I don’t think I would help you even if I did. There was no use in helping someone who was so utterly combative. The vessel had put up with this girl for far too long, and Margot was over it.
18
Saturday, November 11, 1939
Twisted Hallway
The house shifted as Margot meandered through it, looking for Vivian. She was torn between solving the riddle box and hunting down the Ashbrooks. Yes, the Phantom would resurrect them after she murdered them, but she’d still get the satisfaction of the kill.
But the Phantom was one step ahead of her, and he was obstructing her path. Walls melted like candle wax and moved into each other, statues popped up along the hallways, their eyes following each of Margot’s footfalls, and the ceiling swarmed with rotting fireflies.
“This isn’t funny,” Margot yelled up at the ceiling.
The ceiling let out a low chuckle.
