“It sounded like it came from Chris’ library. Come on, let’s go check it out.”
I pulled back, refusing to get up. “Are you crazy? I don’t know about you, but I rather not be the murderer’s next victim.”
“There’s no murderer.” Allen insisted. With a tug of his arm, I was up on my feet, no match for his strength.
“How would you know?” I asked, my heart beating so loudly that it was difficult to hear myself speak. Halloween was the perfect time of the year for axe murderers to run rampant. I wasn’t about to die at the hands of one. Yet, I had no choice but to follow Allen as he dragged me along.
Soon, we entered a library, filled floor to ceiling with books, some new, some old – very old.
To my surprise, I found Ebony standing there, in the arms of Chris Grave. Her cheeks were crimson with blush, broken fragments of glass by her feet.
“What’s going on here? Were you the one screaming bloody murder?” I asked, surveying the room. From what I could tell, it was just a harmless little library. It wasn’t even decorated.
Ebony seemed to snap back into reality because she suddenly pried herself from Chris’ grasp. She moved forward, accidentally stepping on the glass.
Crunch!
She jumped up, once again falling into his arms.
I giggled. “I’m starting to think you’re doing that on purpose.”
Her face turned even redder but she didn’t say a word.
“Chris, you dog.” Allen had a wild grin on his face. “I thought you told me you weren’t interested in finding a girl tonight and yet I see you fondling one right now.”
He instantly raised his hands above his head. “I did no such thing!”
“Hey, their costumes even match.” I pointed out, noticing that he was the King of Hearts. “I think it was meant to be.”
“Essie…” Ebony hissed, her face as red as a tomato.
“What?” I asked innocently. “I’m just making a simple observation.”
“What were you guys doing in here all alone anyway?” Allen walked up to the small coffee table where there were two steaming cups of tea. “I don’t see any books out so I’m going to guess you weren’t reading. But… there’s one chair that’s exceptionally close to the fire. I wonder why… Could it be possible that you two were actually making out?”
The two of them just stood there, their eyes nearly bugging out of their skulls.
“You should have been Sherlock Holmes,” I said as I walked up to him, pressing my hand to his shoulder so he would sit down. As soon as he did, I plopped onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. “It would probably look something like this…”
“That’s enough!” Ebony interjected right before Allen and I could start making out. Bummer. It seemed like every time we came close to kissing, something always interrupted us. It was starting to get annoying.
“Then, why don’t you tell us what really happened?”
Ebony glanced at Chris, a hidden language traveling between them as they spoke with their eyes. It was obvious by the way that they looked at each other that there was some sort of spark between them. I had never seen my sister’s eyes shine so brightly.
“I decided to go down to the party –”
“You mean you actually left this room?” Allen interrupted his brother, his tone one of pure surprise.
“Yes,” Chris answered, his teeth grinding together like he wanted to say something else but was physically holding himself back from doing so.
“In any case, Chris found me in the downstairs library. I was looking for something to read when he snuck up behind me. We introduced ourselves and I immediately berated him for his poor selection.”
Chris chuckled. “That’s when I told her to come upstairs. I made us some tea and was just about to set up the reading chairs by the fire when she screamed.”
“Because someone put a fake mouse on one of the shelves!” She pointed to the rubber toy that was continuously bashing itself into the corner of the room. “It scared me half to death, causing me to trip and knock over this vase.” She frowned. “I’m sorry, I hope it wasn’t terribly expensive.”
“It’s fine,” Chris assured her. “We have hundreds more all over the manor.”
“So, why were you fondling her when we came in here?” Allen asked.
“I was not fondling her.” Chris attempted to defend himself but his cheeks were clearly turning red. “I simply caught her when she fell.”
“And your hands happened to land on her chest, did they?” Allen asked, his grin deepening.
I laughed, watching as their faces turned even redder. “Just admit it. You two were up to something naughty.”
“No.” Ebony stepped forward, her arms crossing over her chest. “You know I wouldn’t do such a thing.”
“Even with a hot guy that likes books as much as you do?” I questioned, gauging her reaction. She could deny her attraction all she wanted, but it was clear she liked him. Good. Maybe we could double date sometime.
“I think we had better stop teasing them before their faces get any redder and they turn into tomatoes.” Allen wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close.
I leaned my head into his chest, listening to the subtle beating of his heart.
“Excuse me.” He reached into his coat, pulling out a pocket watch. “Hmm… my clock is about two days slow, but I do believe it is time for the night’s main event!” he announced, his tone mysterious.
He looked down at me, his eyes full of mischief.
Chris groaned. “Not another one of your stupid games.”
Allen sighed. “You just had to ruin the surprise, didn’t you?”
Chapter 8
ALLEN
A crowd had gathered in the foyer. With Essie’s hand in mine, I pulled her to the front until we were standing right in front of Kirk.
“Allen! Just the man I wanted to see.” His eyes instantly fell toward Essie, his Joker grin deepening. “And who might this be?”
“Before you get any ideas, she’s with me. At least for tonight.” I squeezed her shoulders until our bodies were pressed together.
“No need to get all possessive. I have my eyes set on a certain cat woman…” He held up his hands, curling his fingers into claws. “You know I like the feisty ones.”
“Just don’t come crying to me when you end up with scratch marks all over your body.”
“Maybe that’s what I’m going for.”
“Anyway, when are you starting the game?”
“I’m just waiting on a few more people…” He stood on a nearby crate, placing his hand on his brow like a visor as he leaned forward, surveying the entire crowd in one sweeping motion. “This will work better if there are quite a few players.”
“What are we playing?” Essie asked.
“If I had to guess, it’s something dumb. Last year it was an apple bobbing tournament,” Chris chimed in.
I punched his shoulder. “Shut up.No one asked you.”
Ebony nearly growled at me, causing me to back off. She didn’t seem like the kind of girl I wanted to mess with. Besides, her long red nails could easily poke one of my eyes out and I didn’t want that.
“You’ll see…” Kirk answered, his tone playful. “But, I can promise you that it’ll be fantastic. We put a lot of work into this.”
Chris rolled his eyes.
Soon, the foyer was packed with over a hundred people. Even Heidi Klum had joined the group in her ridiculous Jessica Rabbit costume.
Kirk clapped his hands. Instantly, the lights went out. A few people screamed. My first reaction was to grab Essie and hold her close – to keep her safe.
One by one, candles were lit around the room as if by magic. Their light created creepy shadows that danced along the wall. The dark tendrils reached for the crowd like they were about to grab someone and drag them into the darkness.
I held Essie a little
tighter.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to begin the main event for this party. It will be something spectacular. Something you’ll never forget. But!” He paused, leaning forward, the shadows playing along his features. “It is not for the faint of heart!” His voice lowered. “Those who come with me may never leave this mansion again.” As his voice boomed, the candles were snuffed one by one. The room became darker and darker and until finally everything was plunged into an ethereal darkness so thick it was almost suffocating.
Despite myself, I felt goosebumps form along my arms. I knew it was a good idea to put Kirk in charge of this kind of thing. He was the only person I knew who liked Halloween more than I did.
“Alright! Let us begin!” The lights turned back on and somehow, Kirk was halfway up the stairs, beckoning the crowd to follow him.
On the second floor, we filtered into the main drawing room. For some reason, the room had been repainted in a soft blue color. Odd…
Before I could ponder the reasoning behind such a change, butlers immediately started to greet guests, offering them wine and hors d'oeuvres.
“Do you want me to get you anything?” I asked, whispering into Essie’s ear, my fingers running through her soft curls. A slight tremor shook through her body. “Are you cold?” Before she could answer me, I shrugged off my coat and draped it over her shoulders.
“What’s taking him so long?” Ebony asked with a cup of wine in her hand, holding it in an elegant and sophisticated manner. If I had to guess, she was the older sister. She definitely seemed like a good match for my brother.
“Who? Kirk?” Chris pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, surveying the room the same way he surveyed a chessboard. I wondered, for a moment, what he was looking for, but then it dawned on me that there wasn’t a single bookcase in this room. I smirked to myself, knowing Chris hated it when someone displaced his precious little books.
“Whoever Joker is,” Ebony answered. “He corrals us into this room and then he just disappears. This doesn’t seem like a very fun game.”
“Don’t be such a sour puss. You haven’t even given it a chance.” Essie poked her sister’s side. “I’m starting to think that I should have left you at home after all.”
“I wish you had,” she returned, her expression stern and serious.
“Ladies, ladies.” I placed a hand on their shoulders. “Let’s just try to have a good time tonight, alright? I’ll see if I can find Kirk and get this party started.”
“Someone called?” A sing-song voice practically rang in my ear as Kirk materialized behind me.
I startled, causing Essie to giggle slightly.
“Kirk, what’s the holdup?” I asked, a little irritated that he had embarrassed me in front of Essie. The last thing I needed was for her to think I was easily frightened. What kind of man would I be then?
“I’m just waiting for everyone to settle in. The night is still young, my friend. We have more than enough time to enjoy ourselves.” With this, he pulled out a beer and chugged the whole thing. Once he was done, he burped, running the back of his hand against his mouth, smudging his makeup even further. “Pardon me.”
I could only imagine what the night would hold if Kirk decided to orchestrate the game while completely plastered.
“Do you mind just starting the game? Some of us are getting a little impatient.”
“And, who might that be?” Kirk asked, his eyes flicking back and forth between the two sisters. “Let me guess, the Queen of Hearts would like me beheaded.”
“Something like that,” Ebony answered with a grin etched on her face as if the idea were amusing to her.
Kirk laughed, his hand on his stomach. “To be honest, I always liked sweet Alice the best.” Suddenly, he wrapped his arm around Essie’s waist and reeled her into his body. His face was dangerously close to hers, their noses practically touching. He smiled wildly as his hand traveled to the small of her back, supporting her in a Latin dip. Her long hair brushed the floor as her blue eyes widened. “She was always so innocent and naïve…” he whispered, his lips practically trailing along her neck.
As I watched the scene unfold, jealousy surged under my skin. Just seeing his hands on her body made me want to grab him by the collar and throw him across the room. But, through a great power of will, I managed to control myself, not wanting to make a big scene.
“You know, I could teach you some things…” Kirk’s voice took a sensual tone as his head lowered toward her bosom.
This was the breaking point for me. I grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him off her. “I think that’s enough.”
“Hey, hey, hey, I don’t see you wearing a Batman costume for you to handle me so roughly.” Kirk straightened himself and smiled nonetheless. “But, I get it, you don’t want me to touch your girl. However, I suggest you figure out the difference between a raven and a writing desk before you get in too deep.” He winked, a mischievous look in his eye.
“Just go start the damn game already, will you?” I snapped. I didn’t like how much he was toying with me. This was my party and, frankly, I wasn’t about to be the pawn in my own game.
“Alright, alright.” He clapped his hands together and jumped onto the table, getting the attention of the crowd.
Essie shuffled closer to me, wrapping herself around my arm. “What was all that about?” she asked in a hushed whisper. “Don’t tell me you were jealous…” I could tell by her tone that she was teasing me.
“You’re a beautiful woman and I’d be damned if I allowed anyone other than myself to keep you for the night.” My arm snaked around her waist, pulling her against my body.
“Oh, is that so?” She looked up at me with big, doe eyes that nearly made me take her right then and there. I never thought I’d meet a woman who was so breathtakingly beautiful. “I wonder, then, what you have in mind for me tonight.” She winked, a sly smirk playing on her lips.
“Just you wait and see…” My hand slid down to her ass, squeezing it slightly.
“Get a room you two,” Ebony interrupted. “I don’t want to see you two fondling each other in public.”
Before Essie could snap at her sister, the lights dimmed, focusing on the wild figure standing on the table.
Chapter 9
ESSIE
“Welcome, welcome! If you find yourself in this room, you are now part of my little game…” Kirk rubbed his hands together like the evil mastermind he was. “And… I hope you came to play.”
The crowd gathered around him, hanging on his every word as his tone grew dark and mysterious. He leaned forward, reaching toward those on the edge like he was going to pluck them off their feet and dangle them like a marionette.
“The goal of this room is to find something that symbolizes ‘birth’. You must be creative with your definition if you hope to win… Because you will find no newborn babies here… nor puppies… nor kittens.” He chuckled. “The correct object will be marked with a red dot on the back of it. Only one correct object exists in this room.” His voice took the deep, excited edge of a soccer commentator. “And, with that, let the games begin!” He clapped his hands, causing a boom to radiate through the room.
The lights flicked back on, blinding me. I shielded my eyes for a moment, allowing them to adjust. When I looked back up, Kirk had disappeared from the table and was now cleaning his fingernails with the edge of a knife.
People had scattered across the room, looking for the correct object.
“Just when I thought things couldn’t get any more childish…” Ebony shook her head with disapproval. “A scavenger hunt, really?”
Chris stepped up behind her, their bodies pressing together. “I agree, Allen, you’ve really dropped the ball on this one. I was expecting more from all the hype.”
“You two are no fun,” I said, stepping forward, my hand on my hip. “And, I think you are just scared that Allen and I are going to find the item first!” I
smirked, knowing my sister could become rather competitive, especially when someone challenged her.
“Oh, is that so? We will just see about that!” She grabbed Chris by the arm and tugged him toward the other side of the room.
I chuckled to myself, knowing she would work herself into a frenzy until she found it. “Come on, if my sister finds it first, I’m never going to hear the end of it.” I took Allen’s hand, our fingers locking together.
A spark of electricity ran up my arm, coursing right through my heart. I gasped, taking in the air between my teeth. Our eyes locked as my chest hammered. The scavenger hunt was now the last thing on my mind. All I could focus on were his gorgeous brown eyes. It was as if the whole world had come to a standstill.
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