On My Way - Eve Langlais Page 0,53
And one I doubt we’ll ever resolve.”
“Whatever it is, keep me out of it.”
“Ah, but that is the last thing we can do. If you only knew…”
“Knew what?”
“Those you think you can trust most are the ones you should be guarding against.”
“You can stop it right now. If you think you can make me doubt my friends, you’re deluded. You’re the one I don’t trust.”
“I never said you should. I am the least trustworthy of all.” Again, mockery lilted his words.
“Glad to hear you admit it. Now promise you’ll leave me alone.”
“Alas, I can’t do that. You’re much too important.” Stated and not with any softness.
It was a grim reminder. “Because of my property.”
“For many reasons.”
Bzzt. One of the vanity lights in the bathroom buzzed and went out. I’d have to replace the bulb.
I shifted in the water. “For the last time, I’m not selling, and I’m not going anywhere.”
“Good.”
“Good? What is this, reverse psychology?” I snorted. I shifted in the rapidly cooling water.
“Actually, the company’s decision to rescind its offer has to do with following a different interpretation.”
“Interpretation of what?” I exclaimed. “What are you talking about?”
“I can’t say. When the time is right, I will tell you everything.”
“Or you won’t because I don’t care.” I switched the phone to my other ear.
“We’ll speak when I return in a few days.”
“I thought you were supposed to be gone awhile.”
“The situation has changed.”
“Does it have to do with the mill?”
“Curious like a cat. If you want to know all my secrets, have dinner with me.”
“No thanks.” I didn’t want to know his business that badly. Lie. Curiosity burned in me, but not enough to accept his invitation.
Pop. Another light went out.
Only one dim bulb remained, and it flickered. “I’ve got to go.”
His tone went from teasing to brusque. “What’s wrong?”
“Looks like I’m having electrical problems. First the store, now here,” I grumbled, standing from the tub, water streaming from my naked body.
“What’s happening, Naomi?”
“Just some power issues. Not a big deal.”
“Get inside the circle, the nearest circle,” he snapped.
“What?”
“Your house. It has a circle on each floor, does it not? Etched into the very boards you walk on.”
How did he know? “Yeah, but it’s in my bedroom, and I’m wet, and you’re talking crazy. So I’m going to hang up.”
“Stop being so blindly stupid. I don’t know how they penetrated your wards, but you’re in danger. Get in a fucking circle.”
“We’re done now. Bye, bye.” I would have hung up, but my phone chose that moment to die. My battery appeared to be having issues of late. I’d have to take it in and get it fixed.
I dropped it onto the vanity by the sink and grabbed a towel. I wrapped it around my body just as the last bulb flickered and died, leaving me in almost pure darkness. The only light came from my room via the open door.
Did the house have a short in its electrical? I suddenly couldn’t stop thinking of Jace’s warning. Bad wiring could start a fire. Could I find an emergency electrician this time of night?
I exited the bathroom and crossed my bedroom, the space lit only by the lamp on my nightstand. I happened to glance at the floor and the circle etched on it, the line marking it dark and, inside the sphere, lighter grooves forming symbols.
Get in the circle.
I stepped through it and passed to my wardrobe. If the power was about to fail, I wanted to be dressed. Properly. When my old house burned down, I got caught in my nightie, ass up, granny panties showing in the local newspaper. Needless to say, I had no intention of letting that ever happen again
As the lamp on my nightstand flickered, I glanced at the window. It was night, and my room was on the second story. There shouldn’t have been anything to see.
Tell that to the big glowing eyes!
16
Being a normal, red-blooded person with a vivid imagination meant only one way to react to a face in my window. I shrieked.
Loudly.
Which had no effect.
The eyes kept glowing, and I chided myself for being stupid. It was probably an animal. Maybe a squirrel, or a bat. Either or didn’t matter; it couldn’t get inside. I was perfectly safe.
I blinked, and the eyes were gone. I’d scared myself for nothing.
Zzzt.
My light flickered again, reminding me of the situation. I rushed to my dresser, letting my towel fall as I pulled out a thick sweatshirt and yanked it over my head sans bra. My