Page 100
LEVI
The door shuts behind us and for a second, it’s completely dark. “Where are we?” I ask.
“Shh,” the ghost says. “You’ll have that old sauce in here.”
I hear the click of a finger, and a dim light fills what appears to be a long, windowless corridor. The walls are brick and the floor stone, and the space is so narrow, I’m forced to hold my arms tightly at my sides. My heart begins to race, and my breath thickens as panic beats its wings and smashes against my brain. I swallow hard, quelling the urge to scream.
Shit. I thought I’d left my nasty friend claustrophobia far behind me. Apparently, it’s been hiding in this cramped corridor waiting to ambush me.
“Don’t like enclosed spaces?” Jowan asks. Something about his clear, steady regard calms me slightly.
“They’re n-not my favourite thing,” I manage to get out.
“Aye. Knew a man like that on a ship I served on. Would run straight into danger without turning a hair, but give him a tight space and he was a wreck. Takes all sorts.”
“You were Branok’s man?” I ask, turning my focus away from the panic.
“I was on a ship he commanded before I was thrown out of the navy. When I saw him in Cornwall, we renewed our acquaintance and he put me in the house.”
“So, you could keep an eye on things?”
He nods. “It’s always good to have a set of ears and eyes in a place. His lordship’s father had died, and Captain didn’t know which way the new one would swing. He could have been a real law follower.” He gives a wicked little grin, his eyes twinkling in his wizened face. “Turned out he was even less of a rule follower than the captain.”
I shake out my hands. “Okay, Jowan. This is the way I can do this without screaming. Tell me exactly how far we have to go. If I know how long I’m going to be in this passageway, it makes it easier.”
“It’ll be a couple of minute’s walking at the most.”
“Not great but better than an hour, eh?”
“That’s the spirit.” He turns. “Let’s go. We can’t be too long.”
“Why? Will someone find us?” I ask, following him down the passage. The air smells clean and a draught drifts over my legs. It makes me feel a bit better—like an escape route is hovering nearby.
“Nay. We only have so long before I become drained. I don’t want you lost in these corridors. It’s a fair old maze.” There are a few seconds of silence. “Best pretend I didn’t say that.”
I’m grateful when he quickens his pace. “So, you know about Branok and…?”
“About the pair of ’em?” He gives me a quick glance over his shoulder. “Yes, I knew.”
“And it didn’t bother you? It was a time where that sort of love wasn’t looked at well.”
He cocks his head. “Maybe in toffs’ society. Now, here in Cornwall we knew well to mind our own business.” He stops and I note we’ve reached the end of the corridor. He gestures at the wall in front of him. “There’s a piece of wood there. Can you see it?”
“Yes.” I peer closer at the faded wood.
“Slide it back and see what’s there.”
I obey him and look through the opening. It’s a billiard room and the tour group are gathered at the far end. Laura’s speaking about something—maybe wallpaper? And Blue stands at the back of the group, looking everywhere but at Laura. As if he feels my gaze, he rubs at the back of his neck and turns in my direction.
I smile and slide the wood back. Jowan’s regarding me with a knowing look.
“Yes,” he says, “I’d say anyone who can find love and keep it should count themselves lucky. Doesn’t matter who or when. Love is too much of a rarity to abandon.”
“Thank you for bringing me to see Lysander. For doing this for us.”
“His lordship did say you were a good bloke. Come on.”
He leads me down another corridor, and I keep my eyes steadily on his form willing it to stay solid and visible. I haven’t got a fucking clue where we are. Luckily, the corridor has widened and lightened somewhat, but panic lurks, and for my sanity’s sake, I hope we reach our destination quickly.
