Page 78 of Once Upon a Midnight Dreary
Chapter 31
“Wecanusewhat’sleft of the candles in the room,” he said as they left the study.
When they exited into the hall, he paused, his gaze on the floor.Small wet footprints led from the study across the foyer to the stairs where they disappeared, blending in with the runner.And the sound of the child’s crying echoed once again.Lily was leading them to where they needed to go.
“Keep going,” she whispered, her voice shaking.
Gripping her arm a little tighter, they started again.It was slow going with her injured ankle, but she was determined.
“And the knife?”she asked.
“You’ll need that, too.”He sounded grim.
As they walked toward the stairs, she started to form a plan.The candles would be lit and ready.She would use the curved knife, slash her palms with the tip, and speak her name.Three times, it said.Three times to free Gabriel from his torment and send Lenore to the spirit world.
And if she failed…she did not want to think about if she failed.
Where the staircase began, a sudden draft stirred, making the foyer candles gutter and flare.They flickered, leaving garish shadows across the walls.In the parlor, the piano played its mournful tune.Somewhere on the second floor, a door slammed.The house groaned.
A shudder passed through her.Cold tendrils danced up her spine.
Lenore knew she was coming.
Hesitation radiated off Gabriel in waves as he stood there in the shadow of the staircase.She turned to him, placed her hand on his arm, and gave him a valiant smile.
“We can do this,” she said.
Worry lines creased the corners of his eyes.He didn’t object.He nodded and together they started up the stairs.She took one step at a time to favor her ankle.He stayed right with her, never faltering.Never letting her go.
At the top, they turned toward the west wing.Victoria inhaled a deep, cleansing breath.To give herself courage.To give herself strength.To tell herself this was the right thing to do.She would banish Lenore and free Gabriel—no matter the cost.
As they started in the direction of the west wing, the house suddenly tilted.A whoosh went through her, sending her stomach into knots, making her feel sick.She stopped walking and leaned heavily into Gabriel.He clutched her to him, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“What’s…what’s happening?”she murmured.
But Gabriel’s gaze was fixed on the hallway ahead.Fog rose from the floorboards.The chill settled over them, making their breaths crystalize.And then—worst of all—the walls began to crust with ice.
“She knows we’re coming.So does the manor.Neither like it.”His words were soft, as though he hoped not to disturb either of them.
Ahead, small wet footprints appeared on the floor disappearing down the hall.
“Look,” Victoria gasped.
“Lily.”Her name came out on a choked sob.
Then the little girl’s voice, “Hurry.”
Gabriel sucked in a sharp breath.“She’s warping the house.”
Together, they started once again.But the hall stretched unnaturally before them, making her dizzy.Shadows twisted.Doors shifted.She closed her eyes and pressed a hand against her head.
“Gabriel?”she queried.
“We’re almost there.”His voice was tight with emotion.
Victoria stumbled, falling against him.It appeared the walls were moving, the hall was elongating.And somewhere deep inside the west wing, a deep, guttural snarl.
Victoria whimpered, suddenly regretting her decision to banish Lenore.There was some unnatural force at work.Something she had never seen before.
