Page 29 of Hollow House
Where’d he even grab that from?
I took it, needing to quench my thirst after everything I’d just done. I also needed it to forget the sight of the blade in Ben’s hand.
I should’ve run the moment it happened, but I didn’t, and I couldn’t quite figure out why.
The Wraith held my hand, leading me up a set of stairs to a third floor and then a fourth I didn’t know existed. It was tiny, a room the size of a closet acting as a landing. The only thing in the room was a door.
The window on the wooden door was made of beautiful stained glass. I recognized the design worked into the glass, the same flower as the invite standing out.
I’d seen the same symbol throughout Hollow House.
“What is it?” I asked, and he followed my gaze to the flower.
“A rose,” he stated, like it was obvious.
I mean it was, but I didn’t understand how it fit into everything.
“It symbolizes respect. Most associate it with love, but here, it takes on new meaning.”
I walked forward to see the details of the symbol better. It was an exact replica of my invite.
“Come, love. I want to show you something.”
I blindly followed him, trusting him enough; he’d already had the chance to hurt me if he wanted to. Something inside me warred against that, especially after what he did to Ben. This was entirely unlike me. I always played it safe, followed the rules. What had changed inside me tonight that all that went out the window?
I played it safe in my work, stayed local after school, applied for the safe job, even avoided any type of uncomfortable conversations with friends and family. This was so far outside my comfort zone.
It had to be the drinks.
Whatever was in those skeleton chalices, I needed to be sure I grabbed the name of before the night was over. Anything strong enough to make me abandon every rule I set for myself was worth noting.
For avoidance in the future, of course.
The Wraith tugged open the door and led me out onto a small balcony. It was tucked high up in the front of the gothic mansion.From our position, I could see the entire town beneath me, the Halloween festivities dying out. I could barely make out any lights still on.
I knew most would take a glance at this house that sat on the hilly outskirts and wonder what was going on inside. Little did they know…
“Has Hollow House been to your liking?” the Wraith asked, surprising me.
I took a sip of my drink before answering. “It’s definitely not what I expected,” I answered truthfully.
“And what did you expect?” he asked raising a brow.
I walked over to the edge of the balcony and set my chalice down. I tried to spot my house from where I was and failed.
“An exaggerated party and a bunch of rich people.” I shrugged.
“I’m sure there’s some of that here, but not all of it,” he mused, stepping closer.
He stood beside me, our bodies touching as we looked out to the town together. We stayed like that in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again.
“I want you to join our Hollow Society,” the Wraith said.
I searched his face for any hint that he was joking. The words that left his mouth made no sense. I’d known him hours, barely had a conversation with him, and now…
“I know you, Sloane,” he said, reading my mind. “It’s why I picked you. You’ve been cast out by society, passed up for every opportunity. You have no one in your corner.”
That wasn’t true. I had Felix, and—I paused, realizing that was it. My parents and I barely spoke anymore. They’d moved on from the small town, whereas I stayed trapped. Felix was my sole friend. I didn’t have siblings or any coworkers I enjoyed.
