“It’s settled then,” Cassie announces. “We’ll sneak in tonight. Do you know a way, Julie?”
Both sets of eyes turn onto me, and I have a full-blown hot flash as I stare back, debating my next move.
If I’m honest, the decision has already been made. As soon as Cassie brought up returning, I knew I’d do it. That I’d sneak in. My concern is bringingthemwith me.
It won’t be a big deal if we don’t get caught, right? And I will need someone to drive me; if my dad notices the truck is missing, he’ll know exactly who to call.
With a sigh, I pull the delivery room key from my pocket.
“Yeah, I know a way.”
Cassie turns off the headlights of her Nissan as we creep up the dirt road that takes us to Chastain Castle.
As we reach the iron gate with the C proudly showcased in the center, I instruct Cassie to park in the grass.
I’m praying to every possible God that they haven’t changed the code to the gate—that it truly will be this easy. And moments later, as I type in the five-digit code I was given a week into my employment and the gate begins to grind lowly as it slowly opens inward, I release a quiet breath, tightening my hold on the straps of my backpack.
“Nice!” Cassie squeals quickly.
“Follow me,” I whisper.
Leading them up the gravel road, it takes about five minutes to reach the front of Chastain Castle. We waited until sundown, but I can see the lights coming from what looks like Abraham’s room and the top of the west tower.
He’s awake!
If Atlas had been asleep and the incubus had been around, all of my plans would have fallen through.
We skirt the grass, keeping away from the front windows as we round the side of the castle to where the delivery room is located.
Cameron keeps checking our surroundings, his eyes wide and fearful as if we’ll be caught at any given moment. Cassie, on the other hand, is giddy with excitement, pushing at my back as we walk to hurry me along.
As quietly as I can, I turn the lock. Peering in, I see the lights are off, which is a good sign.
“Come on,” I mutter, guiding the two of them into the room. Once we’re inside and the door is securely shut, I speak again. “Listen, I’m going to go into the west tower. You can follow me up to the west wing, but that’s as far as I can take you. You’ll wait for me there, alright?”
“Right!” Cassie salutes.
Cameron nods once.
“And once we leave this room, no more talking. We have to beverycareful,” I add.
Cassie mimics zipping her lips, and I roll my good eye, turning toward the door.
As we sneak quietly toward Hall W4, checking every corner and constantly peering over our shoulders, I debate the morality of this decision.
Bringing strangers into Chastain Castle? Probably not the wisest move. But I needed a ride, and to be fair, it wastheiridea.
My desperation to see Atlas again is overwhelming. I think I’d break several more laws on top of breaking and entering just to touch him again. To know for certain that he is safe.
As we make it to the landing of the second floor, a door slams from the first floor. Simultaneously, all three of us drop into a crouch.
Shit. If they come up these stairs, we’ll have to hide in the music room or something. Maybe I could convince Abigail to keep my secret and hide in there? No, I couldn’t put that on her.
Luckily, no decision has to be made as the estate around us settles back into silence, and after several minutes, we breathe easily again and continue our journey.
The floorboards creak under our shoes, but no one else in the castle stirs, and I can see the door to the west tower at last.
I stop, turning to face Cassie and Cameron. I point to where they’re standing, a cleardon’t movein my expression.
