Page 6 of Skullduggery
Hester and Otis had abandoned their spots on my shoulders in favour of flying over the wall. I’d expected at least a flicker of wonder at the way I’d conquered the wall, but they were both looking downhill at the Assigney mansion rather than at my inimitable fabulousness.
I couldn’t blame them. As I followed their gaze, I gasped. The last of the swirling morning mist was curling around the large building, and swathes of ivy and overgrown weeds had sprung up the mansion’s walls and along its paths and driveway. From where I was standing, it looked like an ethereal faery palace.
‘Wow,’ Hester breathed.
Wow, indeed.
I stayed where I was for a moment, marvelling at the view. I didn’t know much about Lady Rose or her family because I’d only recently become part of the elven community, and I’d only heard of her a few months ago. I was aware that the Assigney mansion and grounds had been maintained for a few years after her disappearance, but it was clearly a long time since anyone had been here. Strangely, the place didn’t look desolate or depressing; somehow its abandoned air only made it more magical.
I twitched, discomfited by the realisation. That shouldn’t be the case; there should be a shroud of heavy tragedy, not an atmosphere of sparkling mystery.
I told myself firmly not to let my emotions get the better of me. This was a brief reconnaissance mission born out of curiosity: nothing more, nothing less. I pulled back my shoulders and jogged towards the mansion.
I didn’t have a plan, I simply wanted to get a feel for the place and any lingering ghosts left by Lady Rose. Once I reached the house I circled it, pausing to peer through the windows in the vain hope that I’d spot something interesting. Every single one had been tightly shuttered; there was nothing to see apart from a few cobwebs clinging to the glass panes.
‘We should leave now.’ Otis shivered despite the gentle warmth from the morning sun. ‘There’s nothing to see.’
‘Wecouldleave.’ Hester flapped her wings and arched a grin in my direction. ‘Or we could break in and have a proper look around.’
Otis gasped with shock. ‘We are not criminals, Hester!’
‘We won’t steal anything. We’ll only be having a wee peek.’
‘Tell her, Daisy,’ Otis said. ‘Tell her we won’t be doing anything other than returning to Pemberville Castle.’
I looked at him then I looked at her. ‘Come on,’ I said eventually. ‘Let’s check out the back door.’
Hester pumped the air with her fists; Otis looked dejected.
‘Nobody lives here, Otis,’ Hester said. ‘Breaking in is a victimless crime.’
‘There’s no such thing as a victimless crime,’ he muttered. Perhaps he was right.
I moved to the door and knelt down to examine the lock. ‘You could kick the door in,’ Hester suggested helpfully.
That was a step too far; also, I doubted I’d achieve anything more than making a dirty scuff mark on the heavy wood. However, the lock appeared to be a simple affair so there could be a way of releasing the mechanism and opening it without causing any damage.
‘This is such a bad idea,’ Otis moaned, as I conjured up yet more air magic.
‘Shh!’ Hester said. ‘Let Daisy concentrate.’
It was a testament to Hugo’s magic lessons that I was in aposition to attempt this feat. Until recently, my magic had been more akin to a raging bull stampeding through the proverbial china shop, but Hugo had taught me the benefits of a delicate touch – and that was exactly the sort of power I needed now.
Holding my breath, I carefully combined the air molecules around me into a slender, invisible tool, then sent it forward and pushed the burst of air into the keyhole. I closed my eyes and concentrated hard, pushing the air into the locking mechanism and twisting it. The door rattled several times and the lock juddered. I tensed my muscles and fiddled further – and within less than a minute there was a satisfying click.
I beamed in triumph while Otis sighed heavily. I didn’t look at him; I felt guilty enough without seeing my own culpability reflected in his expression. I straightened up, twisted the handle, and the door opened with a long, painful creak.
‘You can stay out here, Otis,’ Hester said importantly.
He huffed. ‘I will do no such thing. I’m coming in with you to make sure you two don’t do anything stupid.’
I couldn’t imagine what he thought we might get up to inside the Assigney home. Maybe it was better not to ask.
I sucked in a deep breath and stepped across the threshold.
Chapter
Three
