There wasn’t a single part of Olivier that relished the idea of setting foot inside the building. Something about it made his stomach churn with apprehension. It was as if a rope had been fastened around him and somebody was furiously tugging him in the opposite direction, desperate to get him as far away from the building as humanly possible.
Or maybe it was simply that all he could think about was the feeling of Emilio’s lips on his.
Analisa took a step closer to the house, eyes trained on the highest turret. She seemed perplexed by something, or perhaps slightly disturbed. She closed her eyes, reaching out her free hand, thin silver threads trickling from her fingers. They sizzled in the air, gently swaying in the breeze before retracting into her palms.
“There is a heaviness here.” Her eyelids fluttered back open. “A presence.”
Dina pointed an accusatory finger at the healer. “See!”
Catherine rolled her eyes, ushering the group forward. “I don’tcare if the damn thing is haunted,” she muttered, hiking toward the front steps of the house. “We are going in there and getting the next key.” There was no dissuading Catherine, that much was clear. And once the rest of the group followed her, Olivier knew there was no turning back.
He stepped forward, Emilio by his side. Masika caught up with them, matching their pace. She wedged herself between them, wrapping her arms around their shoulders.
“Well.” Masika cleared her throat, biting back a smile. “I’m sure you two are feeling a bit…distracted.”
Olivier chuckled. “Subtle.”
Emilio flushed.
“Hey!” Masika chuckled. “You know I’m yournumber onefan. I’ve been rooting for you guys from the beginning. Ever since we became friends.”
“Friends, huh?” Olivier’s gaze slid to her, a teasing smirk on his lips.
“Apologies,” Masika muttered with mock sincerity. “I meantunfortunate acquaintances.”
Emilio rolled his eyes. “I think we can call each other friends now.”
Masika nudged him playfully with her elbow. “But it doesn’t sound as cool, does it?”
“Come on!” Catherine called ahead of the group, impatiently tapping her foot as she placed her hand upon the front door. “No time for chitchat. Let’s do this.”
Benji growled in Analisa’s arms, beady red eyes locked on the door.
“Even the dog doesn’t like it here,” mumbled Dina, clearly displeased.
Catherine rolled her eyes and opened the door, leading the group inside.
The entryway was small and narrow, barely large enough to fit all six of them. Dark emerald walls surrounded them on all sides, the floorboards beneath their feet old and brittle. A few dust-speckled paintings adorned the walls, some ripped in half, as if someone had taken a knife to them and slashed with all their might.
On the other side of the room was a single door. An inscription was carved over it, the words etched upon the wood in anarch.
Catherine stepped forward and read the words out loud.“The truth is the way through.”
Dina groaned. “Please don’t tell me it’s another goddamn riddle.”
As the words left Dina’s lips, something in the inscription began to change. A deep golden glow emanated from the carving, and then another set of letters formed in the wall, etched below the first line as if with an invisible blade.
Catherine Clarke…What Are You Most Afraid Of?
Olivier’s chest tightened. He glanced around the group in bewilderment, though his eyes snagged on Catherine. She had gone impossibly still, her face pallid as her eyes traced the words over and over.
“How the hell does it know your name?” Dina asked warily.
Catherine swallowed. She gave a weak shake of her head. “I…I don’t know.”
“It’s not a riddle,” Emilio muttered softly beneath his breath. He placed himself next to Catherine, pointing up at the words. “Look at the original inscription:The truth is the way through. This isn’tabout deciphering some hidden meaning. It’s about exposing the truth.” He looked around the group, a slight tremor in his bottom lip. “It’s about divulging our deepest secrets.”
Silence fell upon the foyer, though there was a question threaded through it, something all of them were clearly thinking. Ultimately, it was Masika who dared to speak the question out loud.
