by Eliza Tilton
A cold breeze ushered through the corridor.
There shouldn’t be a breeze in here.
The light flickered again. A sure sign I had little oil left.
I decided to run, straight ahead, as fast as I could. Sweat slid down my neck, soaking the back of my dress. A strange tingling sensation ran through my head, and I shook away the dizziness.
The passageway opened, and my heart leapt with hope.
Until the moment ended in despair.
I stood in a wide cavern with three exits. Off to the side sat an old wooden cart, a pickaxe inside it.
I’m in the mines?
The lantern flickered.
“Please don’t go out.” The lamp ignored my pleas, and in one final blow to my sanity, sparked out, abandoning me to complete darkness.
Even though I knew the chances of anyone hearing me were few, I screamed, praying the good Lord would send someone to find me.
Chapter 3
Leo
Old Shifty hovered in the corner. Always watching like those vultures, itchin’ to get a piece of what was theirs. Ain’t nothing theirs. Shifty had been trying to get me to release him by saying sweet words and promising endless amounts of power and money. I ain’t buying it. Nothing good ever came from a deal with a demon.
“Someone is in the mines,” Shifty whispered, his voice rough and gritty yet so soft sometimes I thought I was hallucinating.
Sometimes I wish I were.
“Don’t care,” I said and finished sketching.
The flame on the beeswax candle next to me snuffed out. I took another candle from the drawer and lit it. The beeswax purified the air, ridding the musty stench from the room.
Shifty glided toward me. “I think you’ll be interested in this one.”
Finally, I looked at him. I was used to his shadowy form, but sometimes it still gave me the willies. He was a moving mass of shadows, twisting and reforming around a pair of yellow glowing eyes. Wavy lines defined a wide mouth, one always grinning. No ears or nose either. Demons weren’t supposed to be real. They were supposed to be part of stories told by old people trying to keep kids out of places they shouldn’t be.
Shifty ain’t no story.
I ignored him, and glanced up at sketches covering the wall. This hidden room had been my secret hideout for over fifteen years. Most people hated the coalmines, dirty and dangerous. Shifty had brought me here after he saved me from a cave-in when I was five. He claimed it as a goodwill gift for our friendship. Heck, friends was a nice way of saying what he’d wanted. But I liked the privacy, and it was all mine. No one could take that.
“It’s probably just a miner. They always get lost. Someone else will go looking.” I placed the sketch on the desk, wishing I had a piece of deep, orange-red clay to add color to the hair.
Shifty’s shadowy form flew higher until it hovered over my sketch. One misty, black finger pointed down.
“You lying,” I said.
Shifty always played games with me. That was why I made Pa teach me chess. With a demon as a friend, I needed to always think five moves ahead.
“I am not.” Shifty’s cloud descended on the drawing. “Your little bird is lost.”
“Tell me where.”
Shifty smiled, and it sent a chill through me. Mostly because his face wasn’t fully formed. “A trade for a trade.”
If he were a man, I could punch or threaten him, but a punch to Shifty would go straight through him. I tried it once and landed right on my face. He only wanted one thing, and I’d already refused to perform his damned ritual.
“I’m not letting you out,” I said. “Pick something else.”
“So difficult.” He glided closer, running his shadowy talons along the desk. “I’d like you to perform a spell. A simple one.”
Magic and spells. Sometimes I wished he’d never saved me. “What kind of spell?”
“One that will give you a bit of power . . . and stretch my reach.”
Shifty had taught me a few arcane spells from the tomes in the room, nothing useful of course. How would creating a tiny ball of light or summoning a rat help me? I’d never got far without any real magic. “If she’s not in here, I’ll leave the mines and never come back.”
“Tsk tsk. So emotional.”
I took out my pocketknife and sliced my finger, sealing the deal. “It’s done. Now where is she?”
“Follow me.”
I grabbed a lantern and ran after Shifty. He flew through the mine shafts, heading to an older section. I used to be terrified of these mines, the walls too thin and cramped, but after Shifty saved me, I knew with his old shadowy form floating next to me that I’d never get lost or stuck in here again.
He needed me.
I hadn’t wanted to admit that part of me needed him too.
We headed into another shaft, and soft cries reached my ears. I wanted to scream to her, to let her know I was here, but I could never explain how I knew.
The tunnel opened and Arabella sat on the ground, hugging her knees, sobbing. I paused, shocked Shifty had told the truth.
“Arabella?”
She looked up, face red and wet with tears, soot covering her hands and dress. Her eyes widened, and she leapt to her feet, running toward me.
My heart stopped when she slammed into me. I wrapped an arm around her waist to calm her sobbing and glared at Shifty to get lost. He grinned before dissolving into the surrounding shadows.
“I thought I would die in here. How did you find me?”
“My pa works in the mines. I come here a lot. I heard the echoes and followed them.”
She cried on my shoulder. “Thank you. Thank you. Now, please, get me out of here.”
I took her hand. Maybe I should’ve asked. It would’ve been the gentlemen thing to do, but she was so scared and upset. “It’ll be all right, miss. I’ll get you home.”
She squeezed my hand and held my arm like she’d get lost if she let go. My heart hammered at her touch. From the moment I first saw her, I had pictured this day, knowing it could never happen. Girls like Arabella didn’t court boys of my class. The closest I’d ever get to her would be in my sketches.
I led her back the way I’d come and followed the cavern until it narrowed and twisted toward the surface. Light filtered in from one of the southern exits, far from the main entrance where the workers mined. Arabella dropped my hand and ran ahead into the afternoon sun. When we exited the mines, she fell to her knees and sighed.
“Thank the good Lord, I’m out of there.”
“You’re okay now. Want me to walk you home?”
When she tilted her head up at me, sunlight hit every freckle on her nose. I counted them, memorizing each ones’ place. “Yes. Please. I’m not familiar with this area.”
I held out my hand to help her stand.
While she brushed the dust off her dress, I glanced at the shadows in the mine, wondering if Shifty was watching us. I shouldn’t have made a bargain, but I couldn’t let anything happen to her.
We were the same.
I could tell by those odd scars on her arms that something haunted her. Both of us seemed to have a dark past. Mine was riddled with guilt and I wouldn’t be the cause of another person’s death.
Brushing branches aside, we edged away from the entranceway. Grass covered an old set of tracks that led to nowhere. A single chain hung across two oaks with a metal danger sign dangling from the center. I stepped over then reached back to lift her out.
Arabella took my hand and slung one leg over the high chain. I held her waist, helping her up and over. A part of her dress snagged on the sign, but before I could untangle it, she ripped the fabric off and kept walking up the hill.
“How far in were we?” Arabella held a hand over her eyes, gazing out over the cliffs. The waves from the sea c
rashed along the sandy shore below us.
“The mines run underground for miles,” I said. “How’d you get in them?”
“Oh, yes, it was all very strange. I was in the parlor and touched the fireplace mantle which opened into the passageway. I thought it would be a secret exit, but it led to the mines, nowhere else.”
“That’s awfully strange. Where did you say you live?”
“The old estate on Thorn Hill.”
I froze. “Thorn Hill. That’s old Garrison’s place.”
“You know him?”
Telling her the truth about old Garrison wouldn’t ease her mind. “Just an old merchant. Well known in this town.”
“Oh.” She brushed her hair back behind her ear, and her sleeve fell, revealing a jagged scar on her wrist. “Well, it was very peculiar. Why would a merchant have a secret passageway to the mines?”
“He was an odd man. Don’t think nothing of it.” I gave her a smile, hoping she wouldn’t ask any more questions.
My old man always said, “You shouldn’t lie, but if you have to, do it for a good reason.” Arabella didn’t need to know that Mr. Garrison had murdered his wife and hid her body in the mines.
And I wasn’t going to tell her.
Chapter 4
Arabella
Edgard was two years older than me with the same straw-colored hair and freckles. Everyone thought we were twins because of our similar appearance and how we had been inseparable as babes. Fear shined in his crystal-blue eyes as he ran toward me, yelling my name.
He crashed into me and pulled me into a deep hug. “Where have you been?”
I squeezed him tightly, relieved to finally be home. It seemed Leo and I had walked forever to get here. “I got lost.”
“Lost? Mother’s frantic. You’ve been gone for hours. I searched everywhere.”
Leo stood off to the side. I wondered what he would say when Edgard began interrogating us.
“It hasn’t been that long,” I said, gently breaking away. “You know how Mother is.”
Edgard frowned at Leo. “Who is this?”
“This is Leo. My friend.”
Leo’s eyes widened as if friend was an uncommon word, but then he smoothed his expression and tipped his hat at Edgard. “Nice to meet you.”
“Why are you with him if you were lost?”
My cheeks flushed. I quickly thought of a logical excuse. “I went for a walk, hoping to find the trail leading to the shore.”
Edgard swiped his finger across the sleeve of my dress and sniffed the dirt. “Explain how you’re covered in soot, and don’t lie to me, Bell.”
Why was I never allowed a moment of privacy? “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make everyone worry. Leo happened to be drawing when he found me and was nice enough to escort me home.”
“You don’t want to tell me, fine, but you’d better think of another excuse before we reach home.” Edgard took my arm, glaring at Leo. “You better come with us.”
“Me?” Leo pointed to himself.
Edgard nodded. “My father’s going to want to talk to you.”
I glanced at Leo and mouthed sorry.
“All right.” Leo’s shoulders sunk, and he slipped his hands into his pockets.
We followed the dirt road to where it winded up the hill, leading to our home. A gray stone beauty set against a backdrop of flowers and trees. A swing hung from the massive beech in the front yard. Only three days ago we’d sat under its canopy, having a picnic on the grass, laughing and watching Rufus eat dandelions.
His baritone bark reached my ears, and I understood why Edgard didn’t believe me.
His knowing gaze met mine.
I didn’t take Rufus.
Mother had made me promise that if I ever needed a moment’s reprieve, I would take Rufus with me—our little agreement.
I needed to get my story straight before my parents noticed me outside.
“I need a moment with Leo.” I slipped my arm out of Edgard’s grasp.
“Bell . . .”
I’d shared secret after secret with my brother, and he’d never failed me, but when it came to my safety, there were no secrets.
“Please? Only a moment. I promise—”
“Arabella!” my mother cried, loud and painful, a sound of desperation and relief all rolled into a single note that broke my defenses. With her arms wide, she ran forward, not even caring that her beautiful olive day dress dragged on the ground.
When she closed me in her arms, I sank into her. Mother had a way of tearing down my walls until I was nothing but raw emotion. One tear slipped as I thought about the darkness in the mines and how I escaped death, once again.
“Where have you been?” Mother said while gripping me tight.
“I found her in the mines.” Leo spoke before I could respond. He took off his hat and smoothed his wavy hair. “Was a miracle I heard her.”
“The mines?” Mother drew me away from her chest. “What were you doing in the mines?”
A breeze passed over us, and I thought on my next words carefully. If I told them about a secret entryway into our home, Father would surely want to leave this place and take us somewhere safer. The occultists that kidnapped me had a vast reach and dealt in dark magic. They were the ones who thrived on the monsters that lived in our world. If there was any chance they could reach me, we would have no choice but to go.
I wasn’t ready to move, again.
Yet, I had no lie to explain my entrance into the mines.
I’ve gotten myself into quite a predicament.
“I’m tired.” I fluttered my eyes and sagged my shoulders. “Can we go inside?”
“Of course. Your friend can join us. I’ve already sent a message to the Fiscals. I’ll have Nan make us tea.”
Mother wrapped her arm around my shoulders, holding me close. I couldn’t see Leo’s face from this angle, but the weight of his stare on my back sent wild emotions through me. He was the first boy I’d been alone with since the kidnapping. Yet instead of being afraid, I wanted to learn more about him.
I recognized tragedy when I glimpsed it, and it tainted his hazel eyes.
“Sorry to worry you,” I said as we entered the house. Rufus rubbed against my side, and I scratched behind his floppy ear.
“I’m glad you’re safe. Edgard’s been searching for hours.”
Hours? Had I really been gone that long?
Mother went to talk to Nan, leaving Edgard, Leo, and me alone in the parlor. I sat on the soft, cream settee, Leo chose to stand by the window, and Edgard paced across the woven rug in the center.
While I thought about what I should say or not say, I watched Leo run his fingers across the long drapes adorning the window. During our first encounter, I hadn’t examined him much, but here, under the quiet light, there was much to see, things I hadn’t noticed about him.
His gray pants fit snuggly against his hips, showing the roundness of his bottom. I twiddled my fingers in my lap and glanced away, but the urge to see him pulled me back. Black suspenders held up his pants, and his white, buttoned shirt rolled up at the sleeves. For a thin boy, his forearms were tight with muscles.
Wavy, dark hair kissed the sides of Leo’s face, peeking out from under his hat. In the light, the strands were pure chocolate, and the tips curled under his ears and brushed his neck. I wondered if his family had come from another part of Europe, as his olive skin tone seemed darker than most of the people I’d seen in Wales.
“Here we are.” Mother entered in behind Nan as she pushed a tea cart. “Leo, how do you take your tea?”
“Cream and sugar. Thank you, ma’am.”
“It’s Mrs. Grace,” Mother replied with a smile.
Nan made Leo a cup, and he thanked her.
When he sipped his tea, he glanced at me. The sunlig
ht hit his eyes, and for a moment, they sparkled. As quickly as our gazes met, he turned back to the window.
Nan handed me my tea, and I focused on the dainty white-and-blue-flowered china cup. I was being silly. Of course I would want to examine my savior. That’s twice that he rescued me. Though, being saved from Edgard dragging me home wasn’t life-threatening.
“Your father won’t return until after dinner,” Mother said. “You two can explain what happened, and I’ll fill him in later.”
I can’t think of anything to say. “I was curious.”
Not completely a lie.
“To see the mines?” Mother held her tea. “And you needed to see them today, alone?”
“Well . . .” My explanation sounded sillier the more I spoke. “That wasn’t exactly my plan.”
I sneaked a glance at Leo, who sipped his tea and arched a brow at me.
“Why won’t you be honest?” Edgard folded his arms across his chest. “I spent the afternoon searching, praying to God I didn’t find you dead or worse.”
“I’m sorry!” I put the tea on the side table. “I really am.”
“You’re always sorry!” Edgard scoffed. “You never think about us and what you put us through anytime you disappear. It’s like it happens all over again.”
I stood, not wanting him to say anymore. “I know. I don’t mean to. It won’t happen again.”
“Don’t make a promise you know you won’t keep.”
“Arabella.” Mother’s voice cut between us. “We only care about your safety.”
“I know,” I groaned. “But when do I get my life back?”
“You lost that right the day those bastards took you.” Edgard’s words were sharp, painful.
He may not have had scars all over his body like me, but he did have a jagged one across his chest. A permanent reminder we’d both almost died that day.
“Tell them.”
We all turned to Leo.
I shook my head, pleading with him.