Page 60 of Ever After

Methodical and thorough. That’s what I need to be for once in my life.

At the countertop, I quickly unscrew the lid of the salt pot and pour a stream of salt crystals into my hand. After filling my pockets with it, I start to search the cupboards and drawers. I check the fridge, open the freezer drawers, and then poke my head up the chimney. Nothing.

I lean against the counter, tapping my lip. Think. I can’t search the lounge because he’s in there, so where else? Panic beats at my brain, battering and screaming at me to hurry up because Levi could die.

I scrub my hands through my hair, feeling the strands wet from the rain. My hands drop suddenly. The bath. He ran a bath after his run. That’s where I found him, and that’s what he would’ve done first thing, so he wouldn’t dirty up anywhere.

Ignoring my aches, I tiptoe into the hall and up the stairs. Halfway up, the stair creaks loudly and I freeze, waiting and listening. No noise or sound of pursuit. I let out a slow, steadying breath and climb the rest of the stairs.

The bathroom is untidy with wet towels lying on the floor and the bath still full. Levi’s clothes are crumpled on a chair in the corner. I step forward, careful not to make a noise because the bathroom is directly over the lounge. I rifle through the pockets of his shorts. Nothing apart from a roll of gum and his debit card.

I drop them on the floor and quickly pat down his running shirt. It’s wet with rain and sweat but there’s nothing in the inner pocket.

There’s a creak and a click, and I freeze. That was the lounge door. I listen intently as footsteps sound on the flags. They’re soft and there’s something sly about them that raises the hair on my neck. They move into the kitchen. “Blue?”

Shit.

I scan the room and my gaze falls on his running jacket. It’s fallen behind the chair, which is why I didn’t spot it first.

I step towards it and the floorboard creaks loudly. I wince, and the movement downstairs stops immediately. The resulting silence feels alive.

“Blue?” comes Levi’s voice. “I know you are up there. Little pig, little pig, come out and play.”

I grab the jacket’s sleeve, and I’m abruptly aware of a hum in my ears and a buzz in my fingertips. This is it. The object must be in the jacket.

I tug, but the fabric’s caught on the chair leg. I kneel to pull it free. Footsteps sound, and I redouble my efforts, abandoning subtlety. The fabric tears, giving way and sending me back on my arse with a thump.

The footsteps start up the stairs. “Blue Billings.”

I jump to my feet, clutch the jacket, and race out of the room. The entity is a few steps from the top step, and we stare at each other. A cold smile spreads over his face.

“Boo!” he says.

I burst into action, spinning and throwing myself into the bedroom. I slam the door shut, the wood panel hitting him as he charges forward. Scrabbling, I reach for the key and turn it. His weight hits the door and the wood bows. He grunts. I brace my shoulder against it, knowing the lock is flimsy and the wood weak against a supernatural force.

“Stop hurting my fucking husband!” I shout.

The battering stops. “Ah,” it says after a moment of silence.

How could I have ever thought that was Levi’s voice? It’s cold and precise, lacking all his warmth and love when he talks to me.

“It took you a fair while, Mr Billings,” the voice says. “I was beginning to think I could drag my enjoyment out for longer.”

“Well, now you know. Sorry to spoil the fun.” I pat the jacket frantically but keep my voice even. “What do you want? Who are you?”

“Ah, that is something you’ll have to guess.” He pauses. “Maybe we could play a little game.”

I check the jacket pockets. Nothing. “I’m not very good at those. Even Monopoly irritates me.”

It chuckles. “Well, you might enjoy this one. How about Levi loses a finger for every wrong guess you make?”

I freeze, dread running though me. Does he know Levi’s an artist?

There’s an arrested pause. “Well, I do know now,” it says.

“You’re reading my mind?”

“Not difficult. You are an open book.”