Page 21 of Dusk Macabre

I’d be finding out shortly.

The huge, brick wall slowly came into view; bits and pieces of it peeking through breaks in the greenery. Unfortunately for me, the walkway and the makeshift staircase from my dreams were gone.

After I tightened the straps on my bag, I burst into a sprint and leaped up the wall. Tried, would be more accurate. One of my fingernails snagged on the brick as I slid down, and I felt my elbow scrape while I fought against the tug of gravity.

All I could do was try again.

The divot I’d found last time I was here had mysteriously disappeared, so I was going to have to rely on sheer momentum. When I was just a couple feet from the wall, I lowered my knees slightly farther before I jumped.

Somehow, someway, I was able to catch the corner of a protruding brick. I used that for leverage and swung an arm up to the top of the wall. I almost lost it—it was close. But I made it.

One of the crows landed near me once I settled on top. He sat there, cocking his head, making small chattering noises before he hopped backward. He stared a second time before he unfurled his wings and flew off to land in a nearby tree, watching me.

Were these birds my familiars? I’d read about that before in my books, about how some animals attached themselves to humans, or how we noticed one type of critter more than others. It would be pretty cool if I had a murder of crows. How bad ass would that be?

When I peeked over, I scanned the gardens, checking to see if Kiam was lurking like he was the time I fell off. The coast appeared clear, and I carefully lowered myself down the side until I was completely stretched out. I took a deep breath and bent my knees a fraction before I let go. My landing was softer this time.

Brushing off, I headed for the back door.

My reflection loomed in front of me, bisected by the wooden molding separating the panes. A chill ran up my spine while I stared. I could have sworn I saw movement behind me, but as my hair stirred in the breeze, I told myself that was all it was.

The doorknob was cool and satin-like under my palm, and I held my breath, praying it was unlocked, fully aware it shouldn’t be. As I rotated the fixture, the motion was smooth, and a shot of exhilaration hit my bloodstream right before something caught my eye.

Instantly, I dropped my hand and spun around. The crows lifted from the wall, cawing their way up into the sky in one, large ebony cloud before disappearing into the forest. The wind lifted several strands of hair from my shoulder, and a shudder ran down my back.

I felt watched. There was no one around that I could see, but it was like I was on camera, with a massive audience waiting for whatever I would do next. The sensation was unsettling, and I was paralyzed for a moment, not knowing what to do next. The atmosphere felt hollow, despite the weight of a thousand gazes.

Slowly, I faced the door again and lifted an arm, intent on getting inside. My hand dangled in the air for several seconds while I took a deep breath. Then I glanced at the window again and peered at my reflection. Silver eyes looked back at me, and I sucked in a breath, my heart tripping over itself. I whipped around, but no one was there.

Before I could fully turn around again, fingers clasped my wrist and I found myself being dragged inside. I yelped as my feet tangled, and I reached out, trying to shove whatever it was away that had a grip on me.

“Explain yourself.”

My heart was beating in my throat, and I tried to peek around Kiam’s shoulder, but he slid to the side, blocking my view. “There’s something out there. I swear to God. Something that shouldn’t be here.”

“Its name is Brittney, and now it's in my house.”

My gaze flicked to his. “You said this wasn’t your house.”

His shoulders tensed almost imperceptibly. “I told you not to come back.”

“Is this or is this not your house? You’re always here.” The words left my mouth, and I realized it made it sound like I’d been watching him. “Well, you were here the last time I was.”

The barest of smiles graced his lips as he tilted his head to the side. “Does anyone truly own anything? Why are you here?”

“I’m looking for something.”

“You found a bit more than you bargained for.” He turned toward the door and glanced out. “The crows like you.”

They sure did seem to. “Just stay out of my way while I look around.”

I heard his low laugh and when I glanced back, his expression was pained as he rubbed his forehead. My steps halted. “You do actually live here, don’t you?”

A flush of embarrassment washed over me. This whole time, he did live here, and here I was just waltzing into his home. That didn’t explain why he wouldn’t just admit it. There was a reason he didn’t want me to know, and I couldn't resist the mystery.

Swinging around to face him, I asked, “Why didn’t you just tell me? There’s no shame in being an unhoused person. Seriously, it's okay.”

Suddenly, I felt really bad for the man. He had nice clothes, he was well-kept, and yet he had to sneak around, staying in a deserted building in the middle of the woods. Didn’t he have any friends he could stay with? The more I thought about it, the more sense it made to me. His friends were probably all married with kids and had no room, or he didn’t want to impose.