I’d just left.
I spun around and waited. “Wh-who’s there?” I called.
No one answered. I hurried around the next corner, my heavy breaths pounding in my ears. Scratching noises sounded above my head. My gaze flew up to the ceiling. Nothing. A thud sounded down the hall, but it was empty.
I made it to my room. The air in the hall turned syrupy. My breaths grew shallow—lungs crushing from the pressure around me. “Help…” came out, weak and powerless. My fingers fumbled to get my room key into the lock.
An ominous energy surrounded me. It was like invisible creatures slithered across my skin. Concentrating hard on keeping my hand steady, I slid the key in and then quickly turned it. My head spun and my knees shook. I leaned against the door to steady myself. I wheezed. Spots flickered across my vision.
Panicking, I threw my weight against the door, stumbled into the room, and slammed it shut behind me.
The heavy curtains covering the windows made the room as dark as a cave. A gust of wind came from the window on the right side of the bed, causing the curtains to billow into the room. Just then, the bathroom door flew open, and I screamed. “Shit. Holy fu—” I covered my mouth at Nana’s stern glare.
Faith sprang out from behind the curtains and then landed in a crouching position between Nana and me.
Nana was wearing a fancy floor-length dress the color of her soft gray eyes. For her age, she had a rocking body. “Gia, what’s wrong with you? Slamming doors and swearing like a construction worker.”
“Sorry, Nana. But you scared the crap out of me.” I slumped onto the bed. My hands and legs still shook. Something had pursued me from the Sentinel’s rooms and tried to suffocate me outside this door. Or had it? I really needed to get a grip. This whole other world thing and spooky castle was getting to me.
“We’re late for dinner,” Nana said. “It’s a formal affair and you’ll need to wear a dress.”
“I didn’t bring a dress.”
“There are some in the wardrobe.” Nana fastened an earring.
“Faith, it’s still daylight,” I said. “What were you doing in the curtains?”
Faith straightened. “I felt something was wrong, so I was checking it out.”
“But I thought you couldn’t be in sunlight?”
“I only burn in direct sunlight. I was perfectly safe. Our side is darkened by the castle’s shadow at this time of day.”
“Well, I’m fine now, so you can go back to bed.”
Faith pounced into bed and flung the covers over her head.
“Why are you so jumpy?” Nana asked.
“I can’t tell you…”
“We’ve never had secrets before.”
“Really? I would say all this was a huge secret on your part.” I raised my palms for emphasis. “Wouldn’t you?”
“Besides this.” She frowned. “We’ve always been truthful.”
“You mean I’ve always been truthful.”
Her nose twitched. It’s what happens when she’s trying not to cry. I felt horrible for being snotty. “Forget about it,” I said. “I can’t tell you…um…not until I perform a truth globe on you. It’s like the light globes, but it shows if someone can be trusted.”
“You don’t say?” Nana puckered her lips. “That’s a curious globe. We best do whatever it is in my room.” Her gaze flicked to the Faith pile on the bed. “We don’t want to disturb her.”
Hunger pains hit me, so I grabbed a handful of strawberries, tiptoed after Nana to her room, and shut the door. I performed the globe on Nana, and she checked out.
Nana smiled. “Never doubt my love for you, dear.”
“I’m sorry.” I studied my hands. “You know I love you. It’s just that everything”—I glanced up—“all this. It’s just so much to take in. I don’t know who to trust anymore.”
Nana gave me a tight hug, which helped calm my nerves and kept me from hyperventilating. “Now, now.” She patted my back. “I know it’s scary, but you’re a strong girl. You can handle this, and I’m here to help.”
I pulled back and nodded. “Okay.” I put on a brave face for her even though I was terrified.
“Now, go get changed.”
I washed my face in the bathroom before returning to my room, and then searched for a dress to wear. Each hanger I dragged across the wardrobe bar held one gaudy dress after another. Whoever had stocked it didn’t know teen girls at all. I stopped at a brandy-colored dress with cap sleeves, a corseted bodice, and a slight bell skirt. The dress was more modern than the others.