***
After finding a parking spot, I grabbed the book and made my way down the sidewalk toward the tall Gothic-style building that housed the public library. The more I walked the more I felt as if someone followed me. It felt as if a dark and dangerous presence trailed my every movement, like a penetrating shadow hovering over me. Out of the corner of my eye I caught a flash of the silhouette of a man. My imagination was in overdrive because for a moment I thought it looked a lot like Nicolas, or was that Liam?
Ignoring my uneasiness, I carried the book into the library as if it was a fragile egg. A few patrons sat at tables on the right, but otherwise the inside of the building was empty. The librarian behind the reference desk looked up at me, so I took the book over to her, hoping she would have answers to my many questions. When I opened the book, she looked at me like I was crazy when I showed her the language.
“Do you recognize the writing on these pages?” I asked with hope in my voice.
She pushed the glasses up on the bridge of her nose and peered down at the book. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.” She pushed the book back toward me as if she wanted me to get it the heck out of there. “Sorry.”
I let out a deep breath. “Thanks, anyway.”
She went back to her computer screen, letting me know that I’d get no more help from her.
That strange presence had invaded my space in the library too, so I decided to hurry up and get the heck out of there. Of course I didn’t see anyone following me, but I felt them. I was officially losing it. After some searching up and down the stacks, I picked up a couple books on obscure languages, but I didn’t hold out much hope that I’d find the information I was looking for.
After hurrying out of the library and jumping into my car, I knew I couldn’t avoid it any longer and I’d have to head to the manor. Before I arrived though, I wanted to call Nicolas. Somehow it seemed easier if I didn’t have to look him in the eyes. The way his gaze penetrated right through me made me feel slightly out of control, although I’d have to deal with looking at him when I went to dinner with the man.
Nicolas had left his cell phone number on the card attached to the flowers. Yes, giving him an answer over the phone would be much easier than doing it in person. How would I avoid telling him about my dinner plans with Liam? I wouldn’t mention it, and I hoped he didn’t bring up his name either. But then again, I wanted to get to the bottom of why they were fighting. As much as I didn’t want to, it looked as if I’d have to tell him about our plans.
After a quick phone call, I’d thanked Nicolas for the flowers and agreed to dinner with him. I couldn’t believe I’d done it… I’d agreed to go out with him too. Of course I hadn’t had the nerve to ask if he’d been following me into the library. I would have appeared crazy if I had. He hadn’t followed me, right? I’d read too many mystery novels. My imagination was out of control.
Nicolas had said he had the perfect place picked out for us. That seemed terrifying and exhilarating all at once. I had to confess what I’d done to Annabelle—that I’d agreed to go out with both men.
When she picked up the phone, I said, “I have something to tell you and you’re probably going to be shocked.”
I still hadn’t told her about seeing the ghost and I wasn’t going to either. Not unless I absolutely had to.
“If this has anything to do with finding old bones in your attic, I don’t want to know.”
I chuckled. “No, it’s nothing like that.”
“One of your guests killed the other one?” she quipped.
“No. Well, not yet anyway.” As if she could see me through the phone, I studied my fingernails, trying to play it cool. “In fact, I received roses from Nicolas and an invitation for dinner, then Liam asked me out for dinner too.”
“Get out. What do they want?” Her voice shot up in surprise.
I laughed. “My thoughts exactly.”
“You said yes to both of them, right? You have to find out what all of this is about.”
“Don’t worry, I intend to. I’m going out with Nicolas tonight.”
“Good luck. Do you need me to come for backup?” she asked.
“I’ll call you if I do,” I said with a chuckle.
The massive structure towered over me as I pulled up in front of LaVeau Manor. Branches on the old oak trees swayed in the wind, as if waving a warning. There was an undeniable essence about the house. Liam’s car was there along with Nicolas’ rental car. I hoped I could slip upstairs without seeing either of them. I had a few hours before my date with Nicolas and I wanted to look through the library books I’d checked out. With the library and the spell books clutched in one arm and roses in the other, I hurried up the steps, not looking over my shoulder to see if anyone followed me. The presence from the library still haunted me.
When I stepped into the foyer, I paused and listened for noise. The place seemed bigger each time I came home.
The cat meowed loudly and rubbed against my leg. “Sorry, Pluto, I don’t have a treat right now,” I whispered.
I placed the flowers on the hall table and soaked in another big whiff of their fragrant aroma. Movement sounded above me grabbing my attention. My heart rate increased when I realized it sounded as if someone was walking around in my room. I’d locked the door, so who could possibly be in there? That was when it hit me. With the books in my arms, I rushed up the stairs. What was I going to say if it actually was a ghost? Shoo, ghost, shoo?
I panted for breath as I reached the landing, then ran to my bedroom door. It was still closed. I pulled the key from my pocket and shoved it in the lock. The sound of someone walking around continued from the other side of the door. Whoever was there didn’t care that I was about to walk in on them. I pushed the door open and let out a gasp.