The hair on the back of my neck stood up. “Oh my gosh!” I squeezed Hunter’s hand to a pulp.
“What?”
I tried to maintain my composure. “It’s the same eerie, beautiful song that guy in my dream had me playing on the piano.”
“When you sleep-walked into the music room?” Pam asked.
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Now that’s freaky. Do you think he’s down here?”
Suddenly, out of nowhere, someone—or something—breathed in my ear. I stopped midstride and froze. I couldn’t move or speak. I could sense a presence next to me, watching me.
“Are you okay?” Pam said.
“Something is…oh, gosh, it’s breathing on me,” I whispered, barely getting the words out.
“What?” she said, stumped.
“Something was breathing in my ear,” I muttered again, trying not to faint.
“It’s probably Eric. He’s wheezing from the hike down here,” Hunter joked. “A little outta shape, aren’t ya, buddy?”
“No, it was directly in my ear!” I said, shaking. “I think we should go back.”
Pam screamed, and I nearly jumped out of my skin, my heartbeat racing a million miles a minute. “Something just touched my shoulder!” she yelled, clinging to me. “You’re right! Something’s down here with us. We’re not alone!” She looked at Eric and Hunter. “This isn’t the time to joke around. If you guys are playing games, please just tell us.”
“It wasn’t me,” Eric said. “You’re just getting all freaked out by the creepy music.”
“It wasn’t me either,” Hunter said, his eyes widening. “I swear.”
I gasped as a green mist billowed out around us. I couldn’t explain it, and that meant I didn’t like it. The unexplained was my mother’s terrain, not mine. The strange music grew louder, and it, coupled with the mist, were enough to almost give me a heart attack.
“What is that?” Hunter asked, his gaze darting everywhere.
“Dude, it’s green fog,” Eric said.
I bolted down the tunnel, running as fast as my legs could carry me. We came to a fork and turned right but only reached a dead end. Great!
“We’re…we’re trapped!” Pam gasped between breaths.
I snuggled into Hunter’s arms, and he wrapped his arms around me. “Don’t worry,” he said. “We’ll just figure out another way.”
“We should’ve never come down here!” Pam said, terrified.
I clutched my heart. “My mom says we shouldn’t be afraid of ghosts. We just have to face them…and go back the way we came.”
“No way!” Pam said.
“I’m going to try and talk to them,” I said.
“And you think that’s going to work?” Eric retorted.
“It’s worth a try. Besides, I think they want just want to communicate with us.” I stepped forward, flashing my light around into the shadowy recesses. “Hey!” I shouted. “We mean you no harm. We come in peace, so just let us go back the way we came.”
“Yeah,” Hunter seconded. “No harm, no foul.”
“You know what might be nice?” I shouted. “If you would please turn off the music!”
“As you wish, Zoey,” a man’s voice spoke in my ear.
I gasped, recognizing him immediately; it was the voice of the handsome young man I’d seen in the music room a few weeks earlier, in my dream. When I glanced around, I didn’t see anyone. I sucked in a deep breath as the music suddenly stopped.
Hunter reached for my hand and pulled me along. With our hearts racing, we took off down the dark tunnel. I wanted to be brave, but I was beyond spooked. Ghosts talking to us in a tunnel carved with dark symbols was enough to drive us all into a panic. We made a few turns, and I could only pray we were going in the right direction.
My flashlight suddenly flickered, then went out. We were suddenly enveloped in horrifying, uncertain darkness. I couldn’t see anything and had no idea how we’d find our way back. I could only hope we wouldn’t stumble deeper into the hellish underground labyrinth.
“My flashlight went out!” Pam said frantically.
“Mine too,” Hunter said.
“Something tells me it’s no coincidence that they all went out at once,” Hunter’s voice echoed.
A cold chill brushed across my face, and I felt pure evil. I spun in a circle, reaching out my arms to see what the dark presence was. I jumped when somebody laughed evilly, right into my ear. My heart thundered; I’d never been so freaked out in all of my life. I sucked in a deep gulp of air when a brilliant light suddenly shone ahead of us.
“You’re safe now,” a calm, soothing voice said.
“What’s going on?” Hunter demanded, taking a step back.
I gasped at the sudden appearance of a semitransparent figure, some supernatural entity of a young, beautiful woman.
“It’s Princess Isabella,” Pam said, her voice shaking.
“It’s…uncanny,” Hunter said, pulling me a few steps back. “She looks just like you.”
She absolutely glowed with a brilliant aura. Her long, blonde, flowing hair was parted down the center, and she hovered in midair. I stared at her pale face and hazel eyes; when she smiled, I no longer felt threatened by her presence. Lifting her arm, she pointed to the left corridor.
“She’s telling us how to get back,” I said.
“How’s that going to help us in the dark?” Eric said. “Without our flashlights, it doesn’t matter what direction she points.”
“Follow the light, and you will find your way back,” Princess Isabella said.
Pam grabbed my arm. “Well, c’mon! We’ve gotta listen to the woman.”
We all turned to the left and raced in that direction. My jaw dropped when a flickering flame caught my attention. The torches on the walls were suddenly lit.
“Just follow the tunnels that have the torches,” I said. “Isabella’s helping us. Just keep moving.”
We followed the blazing torches through the maze of tunnels. The princess wanted us to make it back safely, and I was sure she’d saved us from whatever evil was lurking in that horrible basement, even though she was trapped there herself. I wanted to return the favor and help her, but I had no idea how.
“Guys! I see the stairs!” Pam shouted.
We bolted down the corridors and through the archway, back to the familiar creaky stairs. Following Hunter’s lead, I took them two or three at a time. Suddenly, our flashlights flickered on, and everything seemed like a blur as we followed the twists and turns of the passageway.
“I see the stairs to Eric’s room!” Pam shouted.
We raced up them and frantically squeezed through the secret panel. I gasped for breath as I grabbed a hammer and started grabbing loose nails on the floor; I wanted to make sure nothing followed us back through the gap, so I started nailing like a madwoman. Then I took a slow step back and stared at the wood panel.
Hunter wrapped an arm around me. “Was that crazy or what?”
“Completely insane,” I whispered.
“There’s no way I’m going back to bed,” Eric said, “not after what we just saw.”
I clutched my heart. “What’s with this castle anyway?”
“They oughtta call it Amityville,” Hunter remarked.
Pam playfully slugged him. “That old haunted house movie? Come on! You’re exaggerating. I didn’t see blood dripping from the walls. Did you?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, I get your point, I guess. I’m creeped out too. I’ve never seen a ghost before,” she said, her hands trembling as she wrapped them around Eric.
We all just stared blankly at each other, trying to process what we’d just seen and heard.
“So…ghosts are real,” Eric said, as if he couldn’t even believe his own words. “I tried to explain away the orbs we saw, but I can’t explain any of this now.”
Pam gripped his hand. “It’s okay, baby. Just breathe.”
He nodded and ra
n a hand through his hair.
“That’s it,” she said. “You’ll be all right.”
“I say we call it a night,” Eric said.
“It’s four thirty in the morning,” Pam said. “What’s the point of going to sleep?”
Hunter glanced up at her. “Yeah, I’m way too worked up.”
“We have a couple hours to kill before everyone wakes up,” I said. “Wanna look around for The Lady of the Lake?”
“I’m a wreck right now,” Pam said, snuggling into Eric’s arms. “The last thing I want to do is go on a treasure hunt.”
“It’s not for us,” Hunter said. “It’s for the spirits. Mr. Geo said they can’t be freed without The Lady of the Lake.”
I glanced at my friends’ faces. “Princess Isabella, that little girl I told you about, and all the others really need us, you guys—now more than ever.”
“Isabella did help us,” Pam said. “We owe it to her to set her free.”
I grabbed her arm and smiled. “Then what are we waiting for?”
Chapter 15
We divided into teams of two so we could cover ground more quickly. Hunter and Eric took the east side of the castle, and Pam and I took the west.
As we walked into another magnificent room, I switched the light on. The high, vaulted ceilings demonstrated the gothic grandeur of Tiker Castle. Paintings of nature and scenic landscapes adorned the walls. The interior was undeniably impressive and awe inspiring. An ornate glass chandelier hung from the ceiling. Off to the left was a vintage curio cabinet, filled with expensive vases and priceless pottery. To the right was a shelf boasting a giant vase of fresh white roses, along with other glittering treasures.
Above the antique sofa, a particular painting caught my eye. A magnificent waterfall tumbled into the sea. “Hey, Pam!” I whispered. “I think we found our waterfall.”
She raced over, jumped on the couch, and shot me a look. “Help me out, would ya? I can’t get this down by myself.”
“Why do we have to take it down?” I asked.
“So we can see if there’s a secret safe behind it, like in the movies. Maybe there’s a million dollars stuffed away. Wouldn’t that be awesome!”
“What would you do with that much money?” I asked.
“Get myself a record label, sing a few hits, become a star, travel the world, and give back to my community and all that jazz. How about you? Would you travel?”
“No way. I’ve been traveling my entire life, and I’m honestly sick of it. I just want to settle down. Maybe I’d buy my parents a house and make them settle down too.” I rolled my eyes. “My mom just keeps working as an entertainer because she’s addicted to being rich.”
I grabbed one side of the portrait, and we both pulled.
“I think it’s bolted down, Pam.” I took my flashlight out of my pocket and peered behind it. “There’s no safe or any kind of opening.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive,” I said.
“We have to get it down. Maybe there’s some clue on the back of it or hidden in the frame.”
I chuckled. “Like a treasure map?”
“Anything is possible.” She jumped off the couch.
“Find anything?” Eric said, startling me.
“Well…just this,” I said, gesturing to the painting.
He nodded, impressed. “Great job. I have some tools, because we came across the same problem.”
“Where’s Hunter?” Pam asked.
“He ran to get some more tools.” He peered around the painting. “I think we can get this off pretty easy though.”
“I’ll help,” Pam said.
Across the room, I noticed a large mirror. When I walked up to it, I could see the waterfall dead in the center. I cocked my head, wondering if the mirror was really the clue we were looking for. When I turned around, Eric and Pam had gotten the portrait down and were slicing into the back, through the brown paper.
Pam pushed her hand inside and felt everywhere. “There’s nothing here.”
I told them about my mirror theory, and together we dismounted the mirror and checked it over thoroughly, every nook and cranny, all to no avail.
“You guys are so busted,” Hunter said, walking through the doorway with a smile. “I leave Eric alone for a few minutes, and he makes this kind of mess?”
“Ha-ha,” he said. “This is a dead end anyway.”
“There’s always the other side of the castle,” Hunter said.
I shook my head. “Um, let’s not go there right now. I’m in no mood for orbs.”
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve had enough for one night. The other side of the castle is off limits,” Pam declared.
“Says who?” Hunter asked.
“Says me,” Pam answered. “The last thing we need to do is anger whatever’s over there…and while we’re on the subject of stirring up hornets’ nests, I say the basement is off limits too.”
I yawned. “I’m beat. Let’s look for more clues tomorrow…er, uh…later today. We’ve got class in just a little bit, and I’m gonna need a dozen cups of coffee as it is.”
“Yeah,” Eric said. “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
“Nor was it full of ghosts, orbs, and corrupt teachers.” Pam mentioned.
We all laughed, then headed off to our respective dorm rooms, hoping that a few hours of sleep would be enough to get us through the day.
Chapter 16
I picked up a banana and yogurt and steadied them on my breakfast tray. As I walked in, I heard Pam calling me over. I set my tray down at a circular table, just big enough for the four of us.
Pam smiled. “Save two seats for Hunter and Eric. They’re meeting us here this morning.”
I grinned, eager to see Hunter. Whenever I was with him, my heart pounded like a drum. When he touched me, I got butterflies in my stomach, and when his lips touched mine, he took my breath away. I was always counting down the hours, minutes, and even seconds until I could see his handsome face, even if it was in the school cafeteria. “Can you believe last night?” I asked.
“I know, right?” She let out a long breath and held out her hands. “Look. I’m still trembling.”
“Well, at least we made it out alive. You survived first contact.”
“I shouldn’t have been so eager to run. I have a million questions I wanna ask her.”
“Well, we were all terrified. I couldn’t even breathe, let alone interrogate her.”
“Now that I’m over the shock and awe and know she means us no harm, maybe I’ll ask her next time—if there is a next time.”
“I think that’s why she didn’t attempt more contact than she did.”
“You’re right. She must have realized how petrified we were.”
I poured a small carton of milk into my cereal. “I’ve been thinking—”
“What’s that?” Hunter said, approaching from nowhere. His face lit up when he saw me.
I smiled. “Good morning.” Seeing Hunter was the most amazing, indescribable joy for me.
“Good morning yourself. You look radiant, Zoey.”
My cheeks burned. “Thanks.” His black t-shirt hugged his chest, and he looked fine in a pair of tight black jeans. I thought about the movies I’d seen, and I wondered what it would be like to kiss Hunter like a leading lady would, with an open mouth and probing tongue. I was sure Hunter wouldn’t lay a hot kiss on me right there in the cafeteria, but I sure wished he would. I imagined my lips pressed against his. I pictured fireworks. I absolutely couldn’t wait for that first deep, intimate kiss! I knew the opportunity would present itself at the perfect time, though, so all I could do was wait.
His blue eyes blazed directly into mine. “I can’t believe how bright-eyed you are this morning. I’d never guess you were up all night, roaming corridors, chasing ghosts, and hunting treasures.”
“Meh, who needs sleep?” I mused. “It’s overrated. Besides, who can pass up a secret treasure?”
/> “If it exists,” Eric said, sitting down next to Pam. “So…what’s our next step?”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” I said. “Maybe Lady of the Lake isn’t a map or a painting. Maybe it has some other meaning.”
“Well, a lake is made of water,” Hunter said. “Maybe it’s associated with water, like a river or something.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.”
“So you wanna play plumber and check every sink, tub, drain, and toilet?” Pam chuckled.
“No toilets!” I said. I glanced out the oversized window that faced the garden labyrinth. “What about that fountain out there? Maybe there’s a symbol or something etched in it, something we haven’t noticed before.”
Eric pushed up his glasses. “We might have to search all the fountains on the property.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said. “How about right after school?”
“Good morning, students,” Mr. Geo said, startling me.
“Good morning,” I said in a steady voice.
“Voices were reported last night by one of the students. Do any of you know anything about that? We can’t have students wandering the castle halls at all hours.”
Eric coughed and cleared his throat. “No, Mr. Geo. We can’t have that.”
Hunter met his gaze head on. “Maybe the place is haunted,” he bravely said. “You know what they say about old castles.”
His gaze narrowed. “Maybe...”
“I certainly hope not,” Pam said. “That stuff freaks me out.”
Mr. Geo looked at us all suspiciously. “Let me know if you hear anything,” he finally said, then walked off to the next table.
“Sure thing,” I said as he walked away. “Whew! That was close,” I said.
“Eric, you totally fooled him,” Pam said, smiling like a lovesick puppy.
Chapter 17
School flew by that day, in spite of our fatigue, and we decided to spend the rest of the day hunting for Lady of the Lake. I took off my shoes and stood right in the middle of the fountain, freezing in the cold water and looking for clues. I was sure no one could see us because we were surrounded by the tall hedges that made up the maze. I felt around for a loose brick or anyplace where something might be hidden.
My Haunted Fairytale - Book 2 (The Enchanted Castle Series) Page 13