Page 41 of A Castle of Broken Memories

“Um… no?” Calum replied tentatively.

“I doubted her a little,” Tenebris muttered.

“Seeing as it worked,” I interrupted, “how about we make use of it and get moving? Preferably before it wears off.”

“Jack’s right,” Mariana added. “I’ve never done this spell, so it’s hard to say how long it will hold. Best not to waste time.”

“Okay, but how are we going to keep track of each other out there?” Tenebris asked. “Say one of us falls behind or trips on the stairs because they’re not ninja warriors or supernatural beasts like everyone else.”

“Simple,” I stated. “We hold hands and stick together.” I took a step forward, feeling the air for Mariana. No way was I going to chance not having her beside me. My fingers brushed the heavy folds of her cloak, and I slid them down her arm until our hands lined up. Her fingers wove with mine, and I couldn’t resist lifting them to my mouth and pressing a silent kiss along her knuckles.

A soft intake of breath was her only response.

My heart swelled.

Next time it’ll be her lips, I promised myself, staring into the empty air as if I might be able to pick out the hint of her silhouette if I only looked hard enough. And she’ll be kissing me back.

A bump on my right snapped me from my reverie, and I shifted to grip Calum’s huge hand. “Everyone linked up?”

I nodded at the chorus of affirmations. “All right. Mariana, why don’t you take the lead. And everyone count doors to make sure we stay on track. Veloria’s Blessing should be twenty away from ours if my map is correct.”

“Wait, there’s a chance it isn’t?” Tenebris yelped, but Mariana ignored him while she pulled us along in an invisible line toward the huge, freestanding oak door.

“Here goes nothing,” she whispered.

And the door creaked open.

26

Ireally, really hoped this spell would hold out long enough to make it up the stairs unnoticed. If I spent one more night in close proximity to Jack, I was liable to attack him. The man had no right sleeping shirtless when he looked that good. At least with my invisibility spell in place, I wasn’t tempted to stare. Tempted to stop walking so that he bumped into me and I could subtly rub my backside against his groin, sure, but staring was safely off the table.

An urge that quickly took a backseat as we crept into the foyer, and I peered over the railing at the giant monster huddled in the center of the room. It was sitting for once, putting its slumped shoulders level with our faces, and I could make out jagged spikes of bone jutting through its inky black skin that matched the ones rimming its forehead like a crown. Its overlong arms were wrapped around its knees, and I could swear I heard it whimper while it rocked back and forth.

I leaned closer, pulling the others along with me, but froze when one of them sneezed. The giant jerked its head up and swiveled its face our way, eyes glowing bright green inside their recessed sockets.

Shit.

Squeezing Jack’s hand, I placed the toe of my boot on the first step while the giant stared straight through us, a look of confusion twisting its features into something almost childlike. But then its eyes narrowed into angry slits, and my heart kicked into overdrive as it slowly rose to its feet.

Time to move. Keeping my footsteps light, I tugged Jack and the others along behind me as I padded up the first flight of stairs, clearing the space just in time to miss being swept into the monster’s clawed hand when it swiped at the air in front of the door. It let out an annoyed huff that blew wind up the back of my cloak and had me itching to move faster.

A little more speed should be okay. Tenebris can keep up better than he lets on.

I picked up the pace, jogging up the next few steps.

A boot squeaked on the floor.

The monster swung.

Marble crunched beneath its meaty fist, smashing the banister and landing so close I had to swallow a scream. It wasn’t until Jack’s hand squeezed mine that I was able to move again, knowing the others hadn’t been hit. One step, two steps. I counted the stairs while I held myself in check, only moving as fast as our little chain could handle. When the monster made a strange noise, I ignored it.

The sound grew louder.

We kept on pushing. Three flights up, then four and five. It wasn’t until we were halfway there that I realized what it was I was hearing in the background: the giant creature was crying. I gawked at the hulking form as it hunched over, tears pouring down its horrific face while it pressed its fist to its mouth. Like a child with a boo boo.

What the fuck?

Jack nudged my back, the gentle touch reminding me of our precarious position and spurring me onward. Seventeen doors, eighteen doors.