AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m in Romania, Mom. Hope you’re okay with that.”
“Okay, I’m back,” Christian’s voice boomed from behind her, and she quickly slipped the locket back into her top, exhaling as she turned around. He held up a bunch of keys. “Turns out Mihai must have forgotten to tell us that the door was locked.”
“I think he did tell us when he growled a few times,” she said with a chuckle.
“I thought it was more of a man-snort,” he said.
“What?”
“You know, like when a guy keeps snorting the slime in his throat and . . .” He paused when he looked at her and saw what she was sure was a grimace on her face. He picked out a key. “Never mind. Let’s get this party started. Now brace yourself for the best tour of your life,” he said again, just as dramatically. And this time the lock clicked and the door creaked, and when he pushed, the gates opened wide.
“Wow,” Olivia said with a gasp and he turned around.
“Damn right wow. No angelic chorus though.”
“Or bright rays of golden light, but wow.”
They stared at a long hallway lit up by torches—they were electric bulbs but still the real ancient deal. The walls were made of medieval rocks, lined with long, red rugs hanging several feet from the top. There were even armored suits standing alongside both walls, making it look like they were being greeted by rows of knights. Some were holding swords, other spiked weapons or spears. Olivia was breathless. This was insane! Like straight out of a medieval movie. And the craziest thing about all of it was . . . it was hers.
Christian led the way, and she followed. He was being the typical tour guide, walking slowly and pointing at this or that while he explained the history surrounding whatever he drew her attention to, including gigantic, golden-framed portraits of people she didn’t know or an antique piece of furniture.
The air inside the castle was hot in places and cold in others, with a hint of that old carpet smell. There was something off about the space that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. It wasn’t uncomfortable inside or hard to breathe, yet it felt intense and uneasy like something was hovering around them, vibrating the air.
“You’ll really like what’s coming next,” he said, leaving behind the library he had already elaborated on, a flashy grin on his face.
“Lead the way.” She followed him past the sky-high wooden shelves filled with books. She looked over her shoulder once more to take in the massive fireplace in the library.
“You know what?” she asked and her voice echoed down the hallway they were walking down.
“Listen to that!” Christian said, pausing to listen to their echoing voices. “Nice acoustics.” He turned around. “What were you saying?
“I was thinking with all those rooms, this castle could make a nice boarding school.”
He nodded slowly as he eyed the place. “You know what? You’re right. I never understood how one family alone would need so much space. Why not put it to good use?”
“Yes. Like in the movies, just not the horror ones.”
“Great! Let’s do it! Together!” he shouted, listening to his own echo. His brown eyes flashed in the dim light, and a strand of his brown hair fell into his pretty face. He looked stunning—as handsome as they came.
Olivia smiled, occupied with the thought of actually running a place like this with Christian. A warmth spread from her stomach throughout her whole body. For some reason, the idea was so wonderful it was almost painful. What was going on with her? Not only was this man taken, but she barely knew him!
They went through a door that led into the massive dining hall.
“This is where the family dined,” Christian said, his voice echoing over the long dining table, above which hung burning candles in golden chandeliers. The place looked like it was waiting for its king and his knights to return any moment for a feast. “Isn’t it wild,” his voice interrupted the echoes of his last sentence, and Olivia turned to him. “Hundreds of years ago, people walked through this very hall we’re standing in right now. The air probably smelling of roasted chicken and fine food, and there were probably a few children running between servants as they settled in for a luxurious dinner.”
Olivia noticed the distant smile on his face and the way he looked around the hall.He’s really picturing it, she thought to herself. Maybe he actuallycouldsee the children running around—she halted that terrifying thought right away.
“Must have been a pretty big family,” she said aloud, still trying not to think about the ghost children.
“Pretty big,” he said, motioning her to the table. “Most of these antiques have been preserved. Very well preserved, I’ll say.” He was holding a golden chalice that had been placed in the center of the table, its surface shimmering in his hands.
Olivia stepped carefully around the table, keeping Christian in her view the whole time, and ran a finger over the edge of the table.
“This reminds me of the Rusu mansion back in the States,” she said and rubbed her fingers together. She had to hold back a cough as dust from her fingers rose into the air. “On a much smaller scale, I mean, and more modern than this castle of course.”
“Less creepy and lonely too?” Christian asked.
“Yes, less creepy at least.” She shook her head, hoping Christian hadn’t noticed the sadness in her voice. With a smile, she held up one of the silver candelabras. Candles stuck out of its artfully decorated holders, glowing yellow and orange; she wondered if it was that old man, Mihai, who’d lit them. She turned the candelabra around so that she could see her reflection on its shimmering surface; it had a foggy tint to it, like frost on glass or the steam of someone’s breath. She frowned and wiped the surface and her eyes caught something dull and white right behind her. She gasped and turned around sharply.
