Page 177 of Blood Curse

“Do you have a better idea?”

“Listen for the exact command. Move around it before the words finish.”

Lenora’s mouth hardened. “That’s not better.”

“It’s what we have.”

Bryony stepped forwards. Lenora moved with her rather than letting the Crown pull her free.

The door at the end of the passage slammed.

Another struck shut behind us.

Locks turned throughout Harrowmere in a hard, rolling sequence.

Lenora glanced towards the nearest side passage. Its door closed before she reached it.

“It’s separating the house,” she said.

“Humans from vampires.”

“Because it can’t command us.”

“And it doesn’t want anyone in the room who can ignore Bryony’s voice.”

“Good.” Lenora shoved her knife back into its sheath. “Then I’m exactly who needs to be there.”

“It knows that.”

Lenora tightened her hold on Bryony. “Then it can waste strength keeping me out. I’ll find another way in.”

She pulled Bryony towards the servants’ stair.

The floor shook. A door dropped across the narrow entrance with enough force to crack the plaster.

Bryony’s body remained upright in Lenora’s hands. The Crown hadn’t wasted strength fighting her. It had moved the house instead.

“Bloody dramatic thing,” Lenora muttered.

“It learned from kings.”

“Take responsibility later.” She looked at Bryony. “Can it hear me?”

“Assume it hears everything.”

Lenora leaned close to Bryony’s face. “I’m getting into that hall. Lock every door you like.”

The wall lamps flared red.

“I think it heard you,” I said.

“Excellent.”

Bryony tore free with one sharp movement. Lenora reached again, but the double doors between us slammed together. I caught the edge before they closed and drove my shoulder through the gap.

The wood crushed my fingers. I pulled them clear and stumbled after Bryony as the doors sealed behind me.

Lenora struck the other side.