Strange, that he was right here under the manor and neither of us had seen him until now.
Reaching the top, we were faced with another trapdoor, but as I pushed the stone, it opened with ease. I climbed out, and Preston followed, the two of us looking around the newly foundroom. Except, it wasn’t new at all. Names were carved into the walls, an old iron gate stretching at the far end.
We were in the mausoleum.
“Charming,” Preston said beside me. “You bring me to the nicest places.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
ELODIE
Declan parked his red Ferrari in front of an old brick building, and I pressed my nose against the clear glass of the car window to take a better look at the house. Most of the blinds were shut, and even the ones open were completely dark behind the glass. I had never been to York before, but I heard some people believed it was one of the most haunted cities in Europe.
The more I thought of the letter Preston and I found in Lilian’s study, the more I felt like I was a puppet being dragged on expensive golden strings, especially when my mind kept replaying what Preston had said to me the night before, when the two of us walked back to the manor from the mausoleum.
A piece of advice, poison, use it as you will. Keep your distance from the Marzouqs. They’re ingratiating and cunning, not the company you want to keep.
But Lilian’s mind was unchangeable. She insisted that I would have a good time, and I didn’t want to risk getting myself kicked out of the house, of the inheritance. So when Declan arrived at the manor two hours ago, I kept my plan in front of my mind’s eye as I walked down the long stairs.
Now, as I opened the car door, my doubts crept in again. I adjusted my coat, the chilly hand of the wind caressing my skin. It was cold tonight, and the black silk dress Lilian chose for me to wear didn’t help my chances of not falling sick.
“Are you sure you can park here?” I asked, eyeing Declan’s car crammed between the houses, blocking most of the street.
He grinned, his full lips curling mischievously, his eyes warm like melted caramel.
“I can park wherever,” was all he said, as he pushed the keys into his pocket and walked up to the crimson door, which seemed to be the only entryway into the house.
I had no idea what we were doing here, or where we really were for that matter, but the knife resting in the pocket of my coat gave me some comfort as I followed Declan. He knocked on the door with a repeating rhythm, and I tensed, unsure of whatever awaited us on the other side.
“Where are we?” I asked while he rotated the golden rings on his fingers, one by one.
“Devil’s Purse.” He grinned once more, wide and full of teeth, just as the letterbox flap shot open, revealing a single scrutinising eye.
“Diabolus numquam dormit,” Declan said, and the door flung open.
My eyes widened. What was this place?
Declan crossed the threshold, and I looked over my shoulder one last time before I was pulled into a narrow hallway. The walls were covered with flourished crimson and gold papers, and at the end of the hallway another door awaited us, painted in the same colour as everything else in here. A bald man wearing a sharply tailored tuxedo stood before it, the top of his head gleaming like a full moon.
“Master Marzouq.”
Master?Which century did they live in?
“We weren’t expecting you tonight.” The doorman’s movements were precise as he took hold of his red velvet jacket.
Declan fixed the gold buttons on his shirt, then did the same with his hair. “This is Elodie Thornbury.” He rested a hand on my shoulder, to which the bald man’s eyes rounded.
“Granddaughter of Lady Thornbury.” He gaped, and for a broken moment, I thought I saw horror flash in his eyes alongside the unhidden excitement. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss.” He extended his hand, then drew it back, panic sitting out on his features. “I’m s-sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.” His eyes were blinking so fast I feared he might be having a stroke. Then as if nothing had happened, he reached for my coat.
I let him take it, the absence of my knife biting instantly, as I quickly fixed my black silk dress. I’d never had the chance to wear such dresses before, and while I somewhat felt naked in the thin material, I adored it. When Lilian sent it up to my room, the first thing that emerged into my mind was what my mum’s reaction would’ve been. She probably would have laughed at first, but I was certain she would’ve loved it as well. Or maybe she wouldn’t have. The more time I spend at Thornhill the more I feel I didn’t really know her.
The second thing that settled over me was horror. While I did love the dress, the thought of wearing such a revealing thing outside of my room made my palms sweat with unease.
“You look divine.” Declan smiled, holding out his arm for me to take. After a moment of hesitation I accepted his offer, resting my own arm on his. “Like the moonlit night brought to life,” he added, guiding me to the next red door.
My cheeks warmed at his compliment. “Thanks,” I mumbled, my tone measured. I felt even more naked now.
I looked over myself, making sure I was indeed still covered, and Declan took a dramatically deep breath.
